[kira]

You don't have to go on birth control for an irregular cycle. If you aren't excessively bleeding for weeks at a time you can just supplement your diet to avoid anemia and wait it out. People did that before hormonal birth control became so popular. It's quite normal and then you don't have all the side effects and health risks of birth control. Not that I'm against doing such things. I started pills in junior high for irregular periods but I was bleeding through a heavy pad and heavy tampon every hour for the first day of my period. It's very convenient controlling your cycle and having lighter periods. You just have to ask yourself if convenience is worth the risk of blood clots (they can kill you if lodged in the wrong place), lowered sex drive when you get old enough for that, possible mood changes, and the long wait you'll have if you finally decide to get pregnant. It can take some people a year for their body to work normally after being on hormonal birth control for years. It can be very useful and if your body tolerates hormonal birth control (some people just can't take any of it) then it's a good idea when you start having sex. Pills and similar methods have a higher success rate than condoms alone. You should still use condoms for std protection. It's just not without risks.