How is the pill used?

Erica - posted on 03/29/2010

Sunny, i will talk to my doc about that implanon. that sounds like it could be a good choice. Leanne, i don't think the IUS is available where I am... it sounds a lot better than an IUD. Thank you guys!

Sunny - posted on 03/26/2010

I wouldnt go on the pill to loose weight. Most women gain around 5kgs from the hormones. Im going off the pill to loose weight lol Ive lost 8kgs in a couple of weeks since stopping hormonal contraception. In a few weeks i will be getting the implaton, a small rod that is inserted under the skin in your arm and lasts for 3 years.

Janice - posted on 03/26/2010

i tried the pill and it wasnt right 4 me as i always forgot 2 take it and if you ever hve 2 take antibodtics then they cancel each other out. if u are not ready 2 hve a other child rite now i suggest u try sumthing different there is alot of other effective opitions out there, if ur doc is no help u should look it up on the interent. goodluck!

Tiffany - posted on 03/20/2010

I have an IUD and swear by it. I have had it for over a year now since right after my son was born. At first it makes your cycles taper off and now I do not have one anymore. It is great to not worry about taking a pill. I was on it for nearly 10 years before my son was conceived but I had a horrible time getting pregnant when I got off of it and with a 17 month old, I just find it hard to take a pill the same time everyday.

Leanne - posted on 03/20/2010

Beware of the microgyon combined hormone pill, i got pregnant on it despite using it for years and know of at least 5 people who also have.

I am currently taking cerazette "mini pill" but am considering having a IUS (intrauterine system, not device). im not sure if its available where you are, i am in the uk, as i have major problems with heavy periods and didnt like the possible side effects of everything else.



Basically the IUS works for 5 yrs and is progestogen based, and it makes your periods lighter, shorter or stop altogether, so it may help women who have heavy or painful periods, unlike the IUD which has many possible side effects like heavy bleeding, longer or painful periods, small chance of infection within 20 days, you could have an ectopic pregnancy in the unlikely event that you did get pregnant using it.

Erica - posted on 03/19/2010

Thank you so much everyone! You were all very helpful! I'm definitely not doing an IUD cause I've read up on them and some of them do have hormones that prevent fertilization, but if an egg happens to be fertilized, it prevents implantation. That's not my thing... Plus, I know a woman that got uterine cancer caused by her IUD. Thank you all again!!!!

Susan - posted on 03/18/2010

I was on the depo shot then switched to the pill myself for the same reason, i gained too much weight on the depo. My period has always been very short 3 days at the most so i would end up having sex when i was taking the sugar pills and i was fine. I dont suggest just not taking them though because i know from my expericance when i stopped taking the sugar pills i got out of the routine of taking my pills and ended up missing doses. Thats how i got my little angel but if you dont have a horrid memory or an alarm set at the same time everyday to take your pill skipping the sugar pills and starting the new pack a week after you will be fine. The sugar pills are more so there for you to get your period and to stay in the routine of taking them.

Kimberly - posted on 03/18/2010

thanks, Lindsey

Dr.Lindsey - posted on 03/18/2010

I am unsure on if the IUD prevents fertilization. I think like with the pill there is a chance of fertilization (there is no 100% risk free way other than abstinence) and depending on the environment (hormone levels etc.) will depend on if an egg can be fertilized and or implant. Before using any form of birth control study up on the different types and then see which one you think will work best for you. I am not a specialist in this topic by any means. i would hate to tell you that it does prevent fertilization and the have it turn out that it does not and have it go against any personal beliefs you may have. Sorry if this may not answer your question.

Jen - posted on 03/17/2010

I don't always take my sugar pill either. That's also when I'm on my period so I tend to not be in the mood anyway lol. I do only have a 4 day period though and I have had sex on those 3 days of sugar pills with no problem. I've been on the pill for 2 years now with no problem. As for the missing pills, it depends on the brand as to how long you have to wait until having unprotected sex again. For example, the first pill I was on said you had to use protection after missing just one pill, but my generic says that I can miss 2 before using protection. I think it has to do with the amount of hormones in the pills. All of that information is in the instructions that come with the pill pack. I also have an alarm set on my phone so that I will take my pill on time. I choose 10pm as I know I'm almost always home that time of night. Hope that gives you some better insight.

Kimberly - posted on 03/17/2010

I am wondering if an IUD will not allow an already fertilized egg implant??? versus other birth control methods--do they actually prevent an egg from being fertilized?? This would definitely affect my decision on what form I choose.

Dr.Lindsey - posted on 03/17/2010

How the pill keeps you from getting pregnant is that it alters your hormones. Typically in a normal female cycle there is a very small window to get pregnant and that is during ovulation. The pill alters your hormones so that your body thinks that it is already pregnant. If it thinks you are already pregnant then the chances of truly becoming pregnant are slim to none, if the pill is taken properly. Skipping the sugar pills should not affect anything. As long as you are not skipping the pills with the actual hormones in them. If you are thinking of getting off the pill due to weight issues are you also thinking of getting pregnant? If not I recommend the Meriana (IUD) it has very low doses of hormones and it works a bit differently than the pill. It primarily keeps the uterine lining irritated so that an egg will not implant. And it is good for 5 years. The many people I have known who have it, as well as myself have not experienced any weight gain issues. If you have not had a child yet you may experience more cramping at first. I would talk to an OBGYN instead of an MD. They will typically be more willing and able to answer any questions you have. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Kimberly - posted on 03/17/2010

The sugar pills are to be taken during the time you are supposed to have your period so that you don't forget to start taking your new pack of pills 7 days later. I actually never took the sugar pills either, b/c I always remembered that the next sunday, I would have to start my new pack of pills. If you are taking the pills at the same time every day, you shouldn't need extra protection-they worked for me for many years. However, if you forget a day, or take one much later, there's a little chance you could become pregnant.

C. - posted on 03/16/2010

It is possible, just like it's possible to get pregnant while you're on the hormone pills. I believe the sole purpose of those little green (well, mine were white) pills are to just keep you in a routine of taking the pill everyday. It would probably be your best bet to use extra protection during that week, just in case.

Christina - posted on 03/16/2010

The sugar pills are inactive. They are usually taken for when your supposed to get your period. If you use all the active ones, then you should be just fine.

Kate - posted on 03/16/2010

I've been on the pill for the majority of my menstruating life, that is until this past fall when hubby and i decided it was time to see if we could get pregnant... and then Ta Da! I'm due in August... Ok, so my understanding of the pill is that the little green ones (or whatever color your sugar pills are) are only in there as place holders...only so you have a pill to take every day, because that's the routine and so that you aren't taking the medication for a bit to allow your body a period. I usually skipped mine and simply started up with the next pack of pills 7 days after the last pink pill in the previous pack. There are new pills out now that don't have a set of sugar pills every 28 days and therefore you don't have a period every month. My understanding of the pill is that you can have sex at any time as long as you take your medicated pills on schedule. The only time you don't take a pill is when you get your period, which of course makes sex messy at the very least... and of course, the pill is NOT 100% effective. I've heard stories of women who were religious about taking their pills and still got pregnant. I suggest extra protection if you are the least bit unsure. Good luck with your decision making!

LaCi - posted on 03/16/2010

You only need to use extra protection if you miss a dose of the hormones.

Samantha - posted on 03/16/2010

I know that from my experience I don't take the sugar pill and I have been fine. I have used the pill from the beginning. I know that if you miss any pills your chances go up so you do have to take them everyday. I take right before bed so I can remember. Some other advise I used is my insurance company has a nurse hot line and I call them when I have question. That would be the best thing to do. I am not a doctor I can only tell you from experience. I hope that this helped :)



Take Care and Good Luck

Sam