[DemstarAus]

Hello Girls,

I am considering going on the pill in the New Year, and want to hear your experiences regarding how you went/are going on the pill.

I understand that every woman is different and what you have experienced will not necessarily be the same for me. I really just want to hear how you went to get an idea of what it's like 'in practice'. I also do not expect any advice to replace that of a doctor (who I will of course be visiting).

My main reason/concern for going on the pill is that I generally have very heavy periods that sometimes prevent me from doing some activities (i.e. leaving the house!) and I hear that it's possible for the pill to regulate periods. Experiences revolving around this are particularly interesting to me.

Also, my cycle is not 28 days, but usually 32-35 days max. Once or twice a year I will 'semi-skip', where my period doesn't come for a further two or three weeks after I'd normally be due.

So, a few general questions:
What was your cycle like before and after starting the medication?
Did you have any emotional/hormonal/physical problems, and were they permanent or temporary?
Are there pill packages available for longer cycles or are they all 28 days?

Many Thanks
Dem

[DemstarAus]

Oh, and to add my periods consistently last 9 days.

[lizzardb63]

First- all packs are 28 days. Most women say that the pill has made their period lighter, which it does for a lot, but in my case it made my period last longer. It wasn't super heavy but it would last around 7-9 days (which when not on the pill it would last 4-5 days). It did help a ton with cramps though. I usually have bad cramps, but when I was on the pill I barely had any. It does regulate your system, because you technically are not having "real periods." When you have your period while on the pill its basically withdrawl bleeding, because it is still shedding some of lining of your uterus, but not nearly as much, and you're not expelling an egg since you don't release any eggs while on the pill (It prevents ovulation).

As for physical and emotional- when I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo, I was always SO tired. I'd come home from work and lay in bed and nap for like 2hours... EVERY DAY. I had to, I would be almost falling asleep on my way home from work in the car. It also made me extremely moody. The Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo was a birth control where you had 3 different hormone combinations throughout the month (each week was a different pill).

Then I tried Yaz. This was a pill where it was the same formula throughout the entire month and I would have shorter periods, because the "placebo" pills were only for 5 days, rather than a full 7. I wasn't as tired on this pill and seemed to get my energy back and didn't have food cravings like I did with the Ortho, but it also made me extremely moody. I would always be paranoid and stressed out. I eventually stopped it after it started to effect my relationships.

Many women can take birth control pills without any problems, but I am just one that cannot tolerate any hormones in my body without getting crazy mood swings. I also have a history of depression, so perhaps I am more suseptable to it. Good luck!

[KateA]

Before I started taking the pill my periods were more or less regular, until I got quite sick and they became infrequent and irregular. I went on the pill purely for birth control reasons, and my periods became regular again, but heaver, the cramping was slightly worse and if I missed a pill I got breakthrough bleeds for 2-3 days.

I had some very severe reactions to the pill. Emotionally, it made me a maniac. I would be perfectly fine one minute and start crying the next. I work in hospitality and if I came across rude customers I would have to fight very, very, VERY hard not to snap or bite at them. I felt like I could possibly become violent, and there were many fights in my relationship that nearly led to breaking up.

Physically, the pill made me ill. I felt nauseaus every day for about four months, and was vomiting every day. I lost about 5kg and was having some serious health problems because I couldn't eat, because I felt so sick, and if I did eat I would throw it up anyway.

I warn you, the pill has some really scary side effects and I wouldn't consider going on it if I were you. But, as you mentioned above, every woman is different and the reactions I had may not affect you at all.

[Aeryn Sun]

What was your cycle like before and after starting the medication?

I got put on the pill to become regular. My 'cycle' was 1 to 4 times a year, nothing requiring more than a panty liner, and not lasting longer than two days.
I have a low dosage pill, and it still skips some months.

Did you have any emotional/hormonal/physical problems, and were they permanent or temporary?
The husband comments on me being btchy from month to month and I do get snappy.

Are there pill packages available for longer cycles or are they all 28 days?
From a quick google seach, Seasonale, Seasonique, Yaz, Beyaz, Yasmin, and Lybrel