[JustJess]

Has anyone else here ever used yaz? It says that it has to be taken at the same time every day, but if I take it at a different time does it really matter?

[JustJess]

Which contraceptive do you use?

I've only recently started having sex, so I'm still figuring out which form of birth control is right for me. So I'd like to know... what do you use and why?

[ItsASecret]

The pill does not need to be taken at the same exact minute every day but it has to be within a 3 hour window of the regular time you take it. But that does not mean you can just take it whenever you want, it must have some sort of routine or the levels will not balance to their correct amounts within your body.

[ItsASecret]

I use the birth control pill. I have been on Tri-Cylcen, and now Alesse. I use them because I take a ton of pills a day anyway so there is no issue with me forgetting to take a pill.

[KMonte85]

I was on the depo shot for many years - you get one hormone shot every 3 months (4 shots a year) that protects you from pregnancy. I did it because at the time I wasn't confident in myself to consistently take the pill every single day, around the same time, and I enjoyed not having a menstrual cycle - no cramping/PMS for me! I loved it, and would have stayed on it if I wasn't getting married soon and starting family planning (because it can take up to 2 years to conceive if you've been on depo for an extended period).

I've recently switched to the BC pill this month, it is called Mircette (but there are tons of different ones out there). So far, so good with this one as well. One pill, every single day, around the same time each day. If you can remember to take it (and that is HUGE because it is useless in the box), it is also a good option.

It probably goes without saying, but please remember that these forms of birth control are hormonal, and so they will prevent pregnancy - they will NOT protect you against STD's! Keep that in mind while you're looking at your options!

[kira]

I've been on lots of birth control and while hormonal birth control has benefits I would never have sex without condoms until you really know the other person and both of you have been tested for STDs. Don't take anyone's word for it that they've been tested until you know them well enough. That being said I have used yasmin-the best so far, seasonique-nonstop spotting, mirena IUD-huge failure, nuvarings-worked great without taking a pill daily and easy to skip your period but eliminated my sex drive, female condoms-take practice and are expensive, vaginal contraceptive film-allergic to spermicides, and after I got married about a year and a half ago my husband got a vasectomy so I don't have to worry about all of this ever again. If I had to go back on birth control it would be yasmin or nuvarings.

[Van]

I've been on 7 different pills throughout the years and found YAZ to be the best one. Has the least side effects... for me personally and though the period gets heavier, it shortens the amount of days your on it. Like ITsASecret said, it does need to be taken within the three hour window. Normally they say just take it in the morning or night.

[Rhysenn]

I use both birth control pills and condoms.
It took a while for me to get used to taking a pill every day but I set an alarm on my cell to remind me so I would never forget.
And I use condoms because I'm paranoid about getting an STD. (I lve in Alberta and we're currently ungergoing a syphilis outbreak with a 200% increase in cases in the last five years)
I'd recomend talking to your doctor, when I first started using the pill I went to her first and she explained the differnces between diferent kinds of contraceptives. We also discussed what type of contraceptive would be best for me personally, which is another reason I think it's best if you go to your doctor because then you know you're getting what is right for your lifestyle.

[KimmyC]

I'm on Loestrin24, and started it in October. I'm getting married very soon, and it's been good. I switched my cycle to the beginning of the month instead of the end, which is where it used to be. That's great and all, cuz my wedding is at the end of the month, but it's not good cuz my honeymoon is at the beginning of the month. So...yeah.

[Winged_Muse]

I've been on two BC pills thus far. When I first got on them (January 2008) I was on a pill called Necon. I was on that pill until about October. I am now on a lower dosage pill called Alesse. Found with the lower dosage I feel a lot better and haven't had my usual problems I had while on the other pill.