Caution: This post talks about girly things, like birth control and periods. If you are weirded out about that kind of stuff (or are my brother in law), feel free to X out now — come back tomorrow for some peanut butter instead.
Over the past couple of years, I have gone through what I thought was somewhat of an abnormal experience. However, I am coming to find that more and more women are experiencing the same things I have experienced. Because of that, I want to share my story with you.
I can say without a doubt that I will NEVER use birth control pills again. It’s not even that I have aspirations to have my own TV show on TLC like the Duggars (although that would be awesome).
Growing up, I always had normal periods. Like clockwork, it would show up every 30 days — sometimes 28 days, sometimes 29 days. I never missed a period — ever. One downfall to my very regular periods was the amount of pain I would experience during my cycle. I can remember throwing up (and one time even passing out), being bed-ridden for two days with a heating pad practically super glued onto my stomach. Needless to say, it was not fun. I could tell you the exact day I was going to start my period as well, as I got cramps up to a week before my actual period started.
With that in mind, my sophomore year of college (Fall 2006), I decided to go on birth control. My first experience with birth control pills was not fun at all. The pill I took (generic version of Ortho Tri-Cyclen) gave me heart palpitations and chest pain daily. I stopped taking this pill about two months after I began it, not wanting to think I was going into cardiac arrest on a daily basis.
Like clockwork, my periods returned as normal after stopping the pill. Also to be expected, so did the horrible pain with having cramps every month.
Fast forward another year where I decided to give the pill one more last chance. I was put on Ocella (the generic version of Yaz), and I began to think that everything was normal. The pill seemed to be working, and I didn’t have any side effects — or so I thought. I was on this pill from October 2007-October 2009. At this point in my life, I was going through a lot of stress and changes. It was my last few years of college, I was taking classes full time and basically working full time as well. I was partying too much and had taken on an entirely different lifestyle than I had been used to for the first few years of college.
For the first time in my life, I became sullen and withdrawn — depressed even. I summed it up to stress, being stretched so thin, and a recent hiatus from the Husband (boyfriend at the time). While I was out having fun with my friends, something just didn’t seem right.
When I finally got off of that pill, it was because my insurance changed. The cost of the pill I was taking would soon go up to $50 per month, and there was no way I was paying that much money to pump hormones into my system. Needless to say, I went on a different pill.
From October 2009-January 2010, I was on a pill that I don’t even remember the name of. It was horrendous. I got my period every two weeks and had constant cramping. Some doctors claim this is normal during the first few months of switching pills, but this was not normal in any sense. I finally talked to the insurance company, and it seemed as if my previous pill was going to be offered at a lower price, so I jumped back on the Ocella bandwagon.
Almost immediately, my moods changed. I was a crazy person — even more so than I really am. I cried at the drop of a hat, I was emotionally distraught, and I even remember being afraid one morning that I would hurt myself because of the emotions I was feeling. The most intense emotional breakdown I had was because I couldn’t find the 1/3 cup measuring cup (no joke) one morning. I remember calling up the Husband (fiancé at the time) on my way to work and telling him there was no way I could go into work that day because my entire life was ruined and I couldn’t go on because of said measuring cup.
I wish I was joking, but I’m not.
After doing some research, I finally summed it up to the birth control I was taking. I read hundreds of horror stories with the birth control pill I was taking, and eventually paid attention to those “warning” commercials you see on TV for prescription drugs. This pill was not something I wanted to be dependent upon. I stopped taking the pill that same day. There was no way I was putting my body under the dangers I had been putting it under anymore.
Almost exactly one year ago to the day, I stopped taking the pill.
Coincidentally, almost exactly one year ago to the day is also the last time I got my period.
Alarming? Yes.
At first I brushed it off — I had been training for a half marathon, and doctors say it can take up to 6 months before you begin to ovulate again. Well, six months came and went, and still — no dice. The Husband finally made me go to the doctor as I tend to brush things off and pretend like they’re “normal”. Do not do what I did — this is NOT normal.
In October, I was finally diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism as you already know (if you want to read more about my journey with thyroid disease, you can read about it here). It made me fuming mad that the pills I were taking ended up masking this condition and had taken my body hostage for so long.
Did the pills cause Hyperthyroidism? Of course not. Could I have found out about it sooner if I was not taking the pill? Definitely.
Today, I found out my thyroid levels are normal (yay!). However, it also causes me to believe something else is wrong. Now that my thyroid levels are normal, now other options can be explored. It also makes me irate that we had to wait to see if anything else is going on.
To make a long story short, the pill did nothing but have a negative effect on my life. I know there are many women out there who do have positive experiences with the pill, and that’s great.
There are, however, people like me who have horrendous experiences, and these experiences are not talked about enough. I wish someone years ago would have talked me out of using the pill and gave me a lecture on how pumping my body full of hormones was not the best way to get rid of cramps.
At the end of the day, all I’m hoping is someday I won’t have 19 kids all running around with a name that starts with the letter “K”.
Question: What are your views on birth control pills? Have you had a positive or negative experience using them?
{ 122 comments… read them below or add one }
I was on BC for about 12 years…started at 17 (to help my skin) and just got off last year (I just turned 31). Honestly I had nearly zero issues with the Pill. I think I gained a few pounds at the beginning but then my weight tapered as I became healthier. With the Pill I was regular down to the minute. Off the Pill, I’m not quite as regular, but I’m learning to deal.
I’m sorry for your traumatic experiences =(
Wow, Chelsey! I’m so sorry you went through that!
I also experienced REALLY painful periods when I was growing up but didn’t go on BC until May of 2008. I’ve switched brands once or twice and am now taking the lowest dose possible (just because that makes me happiest, not for any medical reason). Since then, my periods have been shorter, lighter, and almost pain-free. I’ve gone off once or twice due to some insurance issues, and each time my “old” period came back with FULL FORCE - painful, heavy, etc.
If we are not ready to have kids by 2013 (when I’ve been on the pill for ~5 years), I’m planning to chat with my Dr. about alternatives, just bc I don’t feel comfortable being on the pill FOREVER, but for now it’s really working for me.
I had the same exact symptoms while on my period: the throwing up, horrible cramps, passing out etc. My doctor put me on birth control and while I can’t tell any difference in my moods (I haven’t really looked that close) I have noticed that the pains are coming back slowly. I wonder if my birth control could be the problem with my IBS like issues which were said by my GI Doctor to be caused my stress and unhappiness (he refused to call it depression due to the fact that he didn’t want to put me on medication for it).
I’ve been on yaz for about a year and a half now because of terrible cramping as you had. However, I never thought that feeling depressed could result from birth control! I have been thinking of going off of the pill lately, and this encouraged me to think even more seriously about it. Mother nature didn’t intend for us to pump chemicals into our bodies, so why should I? I am so glad you are feeling better, love!:)
My GYN put me on the pill because I was having some hormonal problems. I was on them for about a month, and I FELT AWEFUL!!! Even though it did bring my hormones back to normal, I felt exausted all of the time, depressed, irriable, and oh-so not like me. I talked it over with my GYN, and she decided to take me off. I still waiting to see if my body can get it’s hormones back in balance on its own, but I am NEVER going to take those birth control pills AGAIN!!!!
Chelsey, thank you so much for taking the time to write this. It has helped me so much.
Thank YOU for identifying with it Kat!
I started taking Yaz about two years ago, due to pains I would get in my side every month (since I was about 13- I’m now 22), which the doctor contributed to endometriosis. The pill worked, but it did take about 3-4 months for my body to adjust and I had very bad mood swings. I am already an anxiety-prone person, and I do notice chest tightness a lot…I just thought I was having anxiety attacks. I never really contributed it to my pill until now, after reading this. I may give this some thought, as my prescription is almost up for the year. Thank you so much…I think I needed to hear your story!
I could discuss this topic for DAYS. Long story short-I will never go on the pill again.
So could I Stephanie!
I’ve heard about bad experiences with the pill, but I’ve been on it for about a year now. My periods have never been that bad and always have been very short. I haven’t had major problems with it, and it makes my periods shorter. I do notice more mood changes and have cried easily a few times, but it doesn’t happen often. At the moment, the pill is the best option for me, but in a few years, I hope to go off it and hopefully not have any major health problems.
I’ve been on the generic of Ortho Tri Cyclen for a long time. I had a miscarriage in early 2006 and it took 6 months to get pregnant again. I’ve often wondered if the BC had anything to do with my difficulties. Maybe, maybe not. My precious Pryce was born in 2007 and we won’t be having any more kids, so my husband is going to get the BIG V done. It won’t be a second too soon because I’m so ready to get off these hormones. And I’ll be 35 this year which is the magic age that my OB/GYN will stop prescribing BC anyways.
I’m sorry you’ve had such a horrible experience!
Thanks Emily - good luck to your husband.
i had a really similar experience…birth control made me the b*tch from hell! i have tried nuvaring for one month and am also unimpressed. i hate being moody and feeling like i’m out of control of my moods.
so, from one BC sista to another, sorry that happened!
I’ve been on 2 different BC pills since I started taking them almost 2 years ago. The pills themselves haven’t hurt me at all and have helped considerably with my cramps.
I originally went on them for my skin, but am now on them as part of being in a committed relationship with the man I love and to keep my cycles regular.
Other than this most previous cycle, I didn’t have any bad mood issues, but some other factors are also playing in to that so I can’t blame the Pill for that.
I started on BC when I was in 7th grade because my period was ridiculously heavy and irregular. (Sorry if that is seriously TMI). I took it until I was 20, and then stopped simply because I ran out. I had been ordering 3 months at a time since I was away at colllege, but then just never ordered more. I didn’t have my period for 8 months after that. I can’t say I hated that.
I also dropped weight that I had been hanging onto for years. I finally decided that I probably needed to see my doc and she gave me some meds to make me start my period again. Let’s just say it wasn’t pleasant. Anyways now it is regular, but I have killer side affects. Agh… the joys of being a girl. Men have it easy. 
Laura, I’m going to email you - my doctor wants to put me on those super hormones to start my period again. I’d like to hear about your experience
Okay, please do! I’d be happy to tell you about it!
I’m so glad you posted about this! I was on the same generic version of yaz, and it was awful! My emotions were all over the place, but it only took me 3 months to figure out that it was the pill that was causing me to be so unhappy/anxious/frustrated all the time. I felt so much better after going off it, and I never want to pump my body full of hormones again!
Chelsey, have you ever looked into bioidentical hormones like progesterone to regulate your hormones? Doesn’t prevent babies but is amazing for healing all sorts of hormone-based maladies.
I was on the pill for a few months about 1 1/2 years ago but I quickly stopped. One of the reasons I stopped was because I was getting severely depressed (way worse than normal) and found myself sobbing uncontrollably about anything. I was miserable.
The biggest reason I stopped however, was because I didn’t like the reason the doctors put me on it. They wanted me on it because I wasn’t getting my period and by putting me on the pill I would start getting it again. Well, thanks but no thanks. I want to know WHY I’m not having my period and putting me on the pill would just mask the real problem which they still can’t figure out. My period has been missing for almost 4 years now (with the occasional super light appearance for about a day) and while going on the pill would make it appear, it wouldn’t be a real period.
EXACTLY!! I could not have said it better myself. After I went to see my doctor, she said, “well if you don’t get it again, we’ll just put you back on birth control.” um.. I’m sorry, but I’m pretty sure that’s what caused this problem in the first place.
Four years? Wow Ayla - I’m so sorry you’ve had such a bad experience as well!
AYLA! This is the same as me! So frustrating!
I have not had mine in 4 too! and I was on it for a while bc they thought it would regulate it. NOPE. I still don’t have one. Too be weirdly truthful I had it my 6th grade summer 3 times on my own. After that…NOTHING.
I know I have had ED problems but I have been at a healthy weight for a while now so I don’ t know why.
I have tried pills a couple of times and my experiences were awful. I got horrendous mood swings and I got migraines just about every day. I use an IUD now. Pretty much zero side effects and it lasts for 5 years. Love it.
I’ve been on the same pill (Marvelon) for almost 8 years now and I’ve had no problems with it…at least I think my emotional spurts are caused with reason lol. BUT, before I was on Marvelon, I was on Alesse (which thankfully I switched from because I recently saw a preview for a news report about the harmful effects it has). I had a BAD experience on Alesse…I’m pretty sure it made me depressed, which is why I switched. Since that switch everything has been fine. Although, I still are a little weary of the whole idea!
I didn’t have an experience like you but I realized that I don’t care for birth control and how it makes women out of tune with their bodies. I will never use the pill again either.
I agree - the “fake” cycle is not what God intended!
Same here. I was on BC for a couple of years, went off about 6 years ago to get pregnant and haven’t gone back. There are other methods of birth control that are much less chemical. Speaking of, I remember my biology professor in college talking about the rhythm method of birth control. He said ‘some people do try the rhythm method. We generally call them parents.”
i took Yasmin when i was 15 up until the age of 18… it really messed me up and the scary thing is that i had a similar thyroid issue that seemed to occur around the same time. im not sure if it did any damage but im just happy to be off them. by the end of taking them i was having so much spotting that it was hard to tell where and when my cycle was … in the first year i didnt have an issue with them but i do recall my moods being so so so so so sporatic!
wow it was really uplifting to hear about your experience. quite a few really bad rough patches you had to go through to get where you are today!
xoxo <3
I have honestly read horror stories about Yasmin. I’m glad that the thyroid issues have cleared up.
Ugh, I’m sorry you’ve gone through all of that! Hopefully everything turns out ok!
I’ve been on the pill since senior year of high school because of irregular/super heavy periods. I don’t like the idea of putting extra hormones in my body, especially on top of Thyroid meds, but I’ve never had any negative side effects and quite honestly, I’ll probably be on it until I’m ready for kiddos.
I thought so too - and now I’m concerned that kiddos is going to be uber dificult! I’m glad I got off of the pill before I decided that I really wanted kids. Otherwise, it would have been an even more emotional mess than it already has been!
Yep! I am so afraid it will be so hard for me to have kids, when I get older of course.
I’m so sorry to hear that you had a traumatic experience with birth control! I have never been on birth control before, and I don’t plan on it. It sounds too scary to me, all those hormones that you put in your body. I’ve been fortunately in that my cramps are not too serious and only last a day.
Earlier today I was actually just talking about BC with my roommate and she was talking about trying a natural remedy for her cramps— wild Mexican yams. I know it sounds strange, but maybe you should look in to it if you ever get your period/cramps back.
I hope I have to use those wild Mexican yams someday!
I had a horrible experience. I started blacking out, getting dizzy, having headaches… it went on for months. The doctors sent me to a neurologist, ran all sorts of tests, and finally determined that it was the BC back in October 2010. I immediately stopped taking them, but I haven’t had my period since. I’m at the point now where I want to have a baby, and I’m so frustrated that the pills screwed up my system so badly.
I’m so sorry to hear about that Erin. I am so thankful I decided to get off the BC before we wanted kids. Hopefully we can figure out what’s going on before that time comes.
My friend had this too with the pill, but once they ran blood tests they figured out that the pill could make her BLIND. It was crazy and I felt so bad. Luckily she got off before there was any serious damage to her body. I hope everything works out for you!
It probably took a lot to write about that and put it out there for everyone to read but I’m sure that you’ll help someone else by doing so. I’m sorry that you had a such a horrible experience with it. I haven’t really heard many horror stories about it and didn’t think there were any, until one of my good friends told me about how it affected her. She had a similar experience where she was depressed and really angry all the time until she finally figured out it was the birth control she was taking. She had suicidal thoughts too and it basically scared the…crap out of her.
Personally, I only took birth control for a short time because I found out that I had a blood condition called Factor V Leiden that puts me a greater risk for blot clots and so I can’t take it. I found out after my aunt got a blood clot from her birth control, it’s hereditary so I had to get tested after that. After hearing your story I’m kinda glad that I can’t take it anymore…plus I gained like 5lbs after being on it for a few months…
Okay, now that I’ve left the longest comment in the world…I’m going to shut myself up!
Thanks for your support Lauren. I’ve been thinking about writing it for a while, and well, it just came out!
I tried birth control for a few months and got right back off it. I started a few months before getting married, and contributed all my psycho-ness to marriage planning/school stress. After 2 months into the marriage, however, I knew something was up. I was depressed and emotional beyond anything I had ever been in my life. I was on the nuvaring, and after a lot of research discovered that if you are predisposed to depression/anxiety (which my dad and brother both have…to the point where they are/were medicated) than it will probably cause you to be depressed also. I stopped the BC and no joke, less than 48 hours later I was a new person! It amazed me. I don’t ever want to go back to that ugly place again, so I haven’t even thought about trying any other hormone-related BC. The convenience was nice, yes, but not at the cost of my sanity and probably eventually my marriage.
As far as thyroid junk goes, my doc did some blood work on me last august (to see if I had mono or strep) and lucky me, i had mono. The ONLY good thing that came out of that experience was that my thyroid (hypothyroidism) issue was discovered. I have always struggled with my weight (even when I was working out at a collegiate level 4 hours a day) and I cant believe nobody thought about checking my thyroid before this. I don’t know if my BC had anything to do with the thyroid, but I empathize COMPLETELY. Sorry that you (or anybody) have had to go through any of this crap also.
Audra, I can’t believe how similar our stories are! I’m so glad that they discovered your thyroid problem, even if it was by accident!
Omg this post…is SO WELL TIMED!!!
I JUST posted about 2 hours ago about my trip to the gyno…TODAY!
Ii totally echo what you are saying about the pill masking things and not able to get to the bottom of things faster/sooner.
I am happy for you that your bloodwork is normal but now more detective work has to happen…ugh.
Hang in there hon and i can related to lots of what you posted about
Thanks for your support Averie - I’m going to check that post out NOW!
That sounds terrible. I have had great success with the pill, though I had to switch when the first one caused some problems. Ever since I’ve been on Loestrin FE and been nothing but normal. I am training right now and my periods have gone away, but I suspect they will come back.
Good luck!
I’ve always had really strange, irregular periods. They would come unexpectedly and skip months at a time, sometimes even over half a year. So I ended up going on the birth control pill after a recommendation from my doctor but that just gave me a bunch of symptoms like being super emotional and having breakthrough bleeding. I then got switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen low, which has a lower dose of hormones, and I’ve been taking it for about a year now without any problems. I’m with you and aren’t crazy about pumping my body full of hormones, but will probably continue taking it for a while if all stays well.
ugh, I can so relate! I just got off after being on yaz for years. NO MORE! It made crazy. I am so glad your thyroid levels are normal. BIG HUG!
I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that! I’ve been on BC off and on since I was 16 and have never really had any problems with it. When I’m not on it though I get really bad cramps and headaches, so it helps me out a lot. I do hate the idea of pumping my body full of hormones and it not functioning naturally, but I also can’t afford to miss class/life every month.
I can’t wait for the day that I CAN use that excuse to miss something!!
I honestly never thought I would say I want it back.
I do not take birth control and never have. My periods have been pretty regular in the past and I never got bad cramps. However, since I started running more and more, my periods have come further and further apart. Is it alarming? Yes. But for the time being, I’m still getting them and I’m not going to panic too much.
That’s so common with running - just make sure to keep those calories up and you should be okay!
I took the pill for many years before we wanted to have kids. I went off of the pill when we decided to try to have kids. Since having the girls, I haven’t been able to go back on it. Way too many mood swings and side effects from it for me. I won’t try again because I was miserable on it.
I hope you figure everything else going on with your period soon!
Hate em.
I remember my first week laughing and crying hysterically at the same time (alarm?) -My Doc said wait it out. I gained a weight (I was then at a somewhat normal weight by the way) clocking in at my highest at around 120 at 5″3….not normal for me….I was miserable.
I quit it. “We” used protection….but after “we” broke up…
I began to feel like maybe God’s plan was best. The next time I become un-abstinent I will for sure not turn to the pill. <-TMI.
I feel the same way about anti-depressents.
Thanks for sharing this personal journey! It was not TMI.
By the way, I've heard CRAZY crap about Yaz.
Way to spread the word!
wow I’m sorry to hear that you had to go through all that
I went on the pill when I was in high school because my periods were so irregular. Sometimes I would go 2 weeks between them, sometimes 3 months. Sometimes they would last days, sometimes they would last months. I’ve been on the same pill for the last five years and it’s worked great for me and luckily I haven’t had any problems.
I hope you get to the bottom of this soon :/
Gosh sweetie, that is awful. I took the pill for the same reasons you did in high school. It was horrible and I remember laying on the bathroom floor in so much pain. I took the pill up until I was ready to have my first baby. Everything was fine with that pregnancy and after him, I miscarried twice and discovered I have almost no progesterone. I finally got pregnant with the help of progesterone pills, but it was the worst pregnancy start to finish. Luckily I have two beautiful boys, but I wonder what those hormones have done to me. After I had my second son I got a tumor in my abdomen. It is more common in women and specifically after hormone changes. I wish I knew more about how the pill would effect. I am off of it now and feel like me even if my periods are more painful. Thank you for sharing your story.
I’m sorry you had such a negative experience. I’m currently taking seasonique and it’s been working just fine. I get my period 4x a year so I don’t have to worry about the monthly cramps and what not. There is occasional spotting but I feel great, I’m healthy, and I really can’t complain. Hope it all works out for you
That sounds like a terrible experience!
But you must be feeling so much better now that you’re off the pill. It makes me reconsider whether I should be on it…
I went on about 1.5 years ago because I wasn’t getting my period. It made me regular again, but it also made me really emotional and withdrawn, and I’ve just been putting up with those symptoms ever since. I know it could be worse, but I would just prefer to let my hormones do their thang naturally… my only concern is that if I go off, I still won’t get my period.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us girl! It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who hates the pill!
Yaz also made me depressed my freshman year of college. I kept attributing it to other things — starting college, new environment — but it just never went away. Even when I was “happy” I felt sad; second I got off it I started feeling better. But I don’t feel comfortable not being on a birth control…as a senior in college, I don’t want to take any risks, so I’m not on seasonique, where you only get 4 periods a year. Still don’t love birth control, but this is the best one I’ve ever been on. And it has even decreased the moodswings I usually get during my period!
Say NO to the pill! Synthetic hormones do not do the body good- and as you experienced may mask other medical conditions. I would highly recommend the Paraguard. It is NON-hormonal and you can not tell it is there. It is made of copper so it kills the sperm that enters. The only downside is you will be VERY regular (every 29 days on the dot) and the period will be heavy-but it IS worth it if you don’t want hormones pumped into your system and you would like to not have kids for a little while. Just sayin’
I agree!! I got paraguard about 5 months ago and absolutely love it. The first two months stink because the period is heavy with cramping but after that it returned back to normal. Love ittt… and effective for up to nine years!
You poor thing! So sorry to hear about all this.
I’m not a fan of birth control. Just so many horrible side effects that are avoidable, why subject my body to all of that?
I had a negative experience with the pill. I was on yasmin and then ocella for a total of three years. After, it took me 9 months to get my period back, my hormones were all messed up, and I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I also researched the pill after I started having problems, rather than before, and part of me wishes I had never gone on it! Although, other than my thyroid levels, I am back to normal now.
Wow - I’m starting to see a link between the thyroid levels and BC pills. Many people have left the same comment!
Oh no!! Well I haven’t had a period in over a year, and the docs are thinking of putting me ON the pill to see if that helps! I really don’t want to now though…!
That’s what I am frustrated about too - they want to “put me bakc on the pill” to get my periods going again. Um, no?
I’m so glad you shared this because I’ve had awful experiences with the pill as well…but I’m still on it for now. Dumb, I know.
Senior year of high school I started taking Ortho Ti-Cyclin Low (def not spelled right, oh well). I would get my period a week before the placebo week and have it for TWO WEEKS, so I went off it and went on Ortho Tri-Cyclin. The same thing happened, so I tried the Nuva Ring. In addition to my periods coming early on the Nuva Ring, I was also part of the .2% of the population that involved the Nuva Ring not staying in/falling out. I wasn’t sexually active during this time and it still would fall out every day. Then they put me on Femcon (the chewable pill) because they thought it would help. It didn’t. With this one I would get my period two weeks before the placebo week, so I’d have THREE WEEKS (ugh!) of my period, and one week off (the first week of the pack). Then they put me on Yasmin. I was super moody and depressed on this pill, just like you, but I stuck it out because things seemed to get better. Then Yasmin started killing people and they took me off of it and put me on the generic of it, Necon-135, which I’m on now. Long story short, it seems to be working…but now that I’ve upped my exercise routine, I’ve found that I missed my period two months ago, and this month I got it for a few days in the middle of the pack.
Long story short, if you even got this far (doubt I would’ve haha)…I’ve had very, very bad experiences with them and once I’m married I plan on going off the pill asap. Anyway, thanks for sharing as it does make me feel slightly better about my experiences…someone else out there has had trouble too!
YIKES! i personally dont take the pill, but some of my friends do and they haven’t had too much trouble with it… but there has been talk about whether or not i should or shouldn’t and now im slightly scared… im glad you’ve discovered all of this though!
I’ve been on the pill for 2.5 years now, and even though I know it’s not the best thing for my body to be messing with hormones like that, it’s the most convenient option for me at this time. If I hadn’t been in a monogamous relationship this whole time I probably would never have gone on it. I started on Yaz, then my pharmacist switched me to the generic without consulting my doctor, and the generic gave me INSANE side effects…I had my period every other week, etc. It really reminded me of just how much these little pills mess with your body. I’m back on Yaz now without problems, but I only intend to stay on the pill while I’m in long-term relationships pre-marriage. I’m not the kind of person that would have use for it single, and once I’m married I figure it’s far safer to take my chances in that department and use alternate methods.
I took the pill for 10 years. 10 freaking years. I have been off of it for 6 months and I haven’t had a period yet. It is annoying because I am 29, have been married for 5 years and am ready to start a family. Huh…no period, no ovulation, no period. I wish too that someone would have told me NOT TO TAKE THE PILL! There are other ways…condoms people, spermicide…something. God-willing I do eventually have children and if I have a little girl there will be some SERIOUS SERIOUS SERIOUS
Wow Kelly - I am so sorry to hear about your struggles. Part of me is glad that I stopped BEFORE we were ready to start trying for a family. I cannot even imagine wanting to start a family and not being able to.
OOPS….I meant serious discussions about the pill.
UGh I have the same problem. I haven’t had my period in a year and a half…bloodwork is fine. The doctors put me on BCP to get it back and it worked but I HATED taking those pills so I went off after two months…No more period. Hmmm that’s because it’s a fake period when you get one with BCP. I want to FIX THE PROBLEM NOT MASK IT!
Thanks for sharing something so personal! I agree that the pill is absolutely not worth it. I just bought a book called Taking Control of Your Fertiility, and while I’m not through it yet I think it’s a great alternative to the pill. It offers other forms of BC, no added hormones or craziness.
Thanks for the tip Dani!
Ugh! I’ve been on bc for a DECADE! No bueno, right!? I’ve been wanting to get off for over a year now, but am terrified about the thought of getting pregnant and “traditional” non-hormone bc methods (e.g., condoms) just don’t work for us (won’t go into details - but it’s more than just a preference thing). I really don’t know what to do. I’ve been thinking about trying some other method - like what Caitlin does? Just don’t know….
I just bought Taking Control of Your Fertility. It’s supposed to be very effective so that may be an option for you!
I AM SO HAPPY YOUR THYROID LEVELS ARE NORMAL!! Seriously, that made my day. Um, your story sounds just like mine!! I WENT CRAZY on the pill. I was so depressed, angry, moody you name it. I went off and I was back to myself again. I also tried the ring and hated it too. We are going all natural now.. and I couldn’t be happier. I would rather have a surprise pregnancy that hate every second of my life. GREAT POST!!!
Me too! And thanks for the celebratory response about my levels!
wow, chelsey! i’m sorry all that happened to you, but i’m so glad you shared. i am not a fan of birth control bc it almost always has a negative effect on my body as well. i have been on the depo shot, the patch, the ring, and the pill. alllllll sucked. they either made me chubby, moody, a huge biatch, anxious or just achy! NOT fun. glad you are all better now!
I had a very similar experience to yours, I took birth control for 2 years total, I was on Yaz for a while, and didn’t like it, my doctor kept bouncing me from one brand to the next. I was also a complete lunatic during this time, I wasn’t myself, it was making me crazy. So I came off of it, and also didn’t have a period for a year or more. After consulting with a naturopath, I was diagnosed with hypothryoid and just plain wonky hormones. 2 months after starting supplements to balance my hormones and regulate my thyroid, I began having a regular, normal period, and 6 months later, my thyroid levels were normal!! I tell all my friends because I don’t want anyone to suffer on bc like I did, so not worth it! Thanks for sharing your story too, hopefully more women will see what bc is doing to them and stop taking it!
Thank you so much for sharing, Chelsey! I’m SO happy for you that your thyroid levels are normal. You should reward yourself with some pretty great gluten-free pizza, chocolate granola clusters, and an extra large bottle of ketchup (maybe not all together, though). I’ve never taken the pill and refuse to get on it, though I haven’t had my period for years. I’ve been to so many doctors and specialists and they can’t find anything wrong. It’s something I try to not think about but I know my parents are worried. I’m still seeing doctors but seriously, how many tests can they run? Thank you for your story, though, and for just reinforcing my decision to not go on BC. I know it will only mask my real problem.
Wow Natalia - thank you for sharing your story as well!
I am going to celebrate with a lot of ketchup tonight as a matter of fact!
Hi Chelsey! I am so sorry that you had such a horrendous experience. I was actually on birth control for about 12 years (ages 13-25) because my menstrual cycle was all kinds of messed up (heavy flow that lasts for MONTHS). Because of this I was also anemic, so something had to be done. I went on the pill and everything was back to normal normal. Looking back, I can’t believe I was on it for so long! I no longer take any form of BC, and my cycle is semi-normal. I haven’t heard any horror stories like yours yet, but I do feel that there have to be side effects we are just not aware of yet, so I too refuse to go back on. 12 years is enough! I guess every woman’s body and experience is different, but I’m so glad you talked about your experience, so people can understand the other side of the pill. Thanks!
Chelsey, I am so sorry to hear that you’ve been going through these issues. Personally, I’ve been lucky and have been on the pill for quite some time without it having any negative effects on my body. But, I respect your openness on this issue as I feel too many women are uneducated when it comes to the pill and stories like yours help emphasize to exercise caution when taking any sort of prescription drug. Like I said, I’ve never had issues but I’ve also been lucky to have a family doctor who is cautious when it comes to prescriptions, knows me and my body very well and has helped keep me healthy. Good luck xoxo
Hi !!!! Iive been on the pill for as long as a can remember didn’t have any problems except now I haven’t had a period in 2 yrs. Had blood work done an ultrasound done and everything is normal. I even went to a gynecologist and he explained that sometimes this happens to women who have been on the pill. He said that there is no danger to not having a period except to take a vitmin d pill and calcium with magnesium daily which I had already been taking. He said I could put you on a stronger estrogen pill to help your periods start again but I didn’t want to do that for my mom had breast cancer at 35yrs old but she survived. He said it was fine with him if I didn’t want to that it and he said keep doing what you are doing because you are a healthy person. Hope that helps……
I tried 2 pills. The first time I went on for a month…hated it. I was SUPER moody/emotional. I felt like a crazy person. The second time I went on Yaz for 4 months. Again, I felt like a moody crazy person. My husband and I both decided the pill was not for us. We use condoms and haven’t gotten preggo. I’ve been doing the deed since I was 20. I do not support the pill. I think it’s unnatural.
Wow-this post couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that! It’s so scary!
I just went to the obgyn today and she gave me a prescription for the pill! I’ve never been on it before (besides for a few months after my son) and I’m not so sure I want to begin taking it. It’s actually to clear up my skin rather than to prevent pregnancy-so I’m just not sure it’s worth it. I don’t like to take medication of any sort unless absolutely necessary. For the possibility of clear skin? Hm..
Thanks for sharing your story love-it gave me a lot to think about! xoxo
How eerie! If it were me, I’d be doing some thinking. Obviously it is YOUR choice, and you have to do what is best for you!
I went on Yaz to clear up my skin and for some cramping issues, but I agree with you. After my prescription is up, I’m probably going to stop altogether. I’m thinking that I’ll just stick with Proactiv and supplements, I’m hoping that it works after I go off of the pill!
Wow that is crazy! I used to get cramps, body aches and pain so bad during my period I wouldn’t be able to move out of the fetal position and I would cry and throw up for days. My mom had to pick me up from school once and scrape me up off the floor of the hallway! I was a freshman so talk about embarrassing when classes let out and everyone kept walking by looking at me like WTF?…ugh I still cringe when I think about that day. I have since been on a variety of BC’s and don’t get cramps ever. My gyno actually advised that I skip my period since there is no medical reason to have one, so I do that about 3-4 months and then I will take the sugar pills, just to make sure everything is normal.
That’s not to say I didn’t have problems. I had major mood swings, I have to switch brands every few years because my body gets used to it and the cramps come back, etc. But in general I haven’t gone a day without it for almost 7 years now. Not everybody has the same experience though and everyone’s body reacts differently to different substances.
Very interesting topic, one that all women can relate to that is for sure!
I’ve had my own ups and downs with birth control pills. I, too, went on the pill when I was in college to help with bad cramps and an irregular cycle. I’ve been on it ever since and have switched pills 3 times. I love the one I’m on now but always have a small voice telling me that it’s probably not great to be taking artificial hormones…definitely something to spend some time considering!
Oh gosh could I tell some horror stories about the pill. I’ll spare you, though. I went off of it a couple months ago because I was basically on my period ALL.THE.TIME. And now that I’ve stopped taking it I’ve yet to have my period at all. So frustrating!
I’m glad I’m not alone!
I went on BC for the same reason - I couldn’t afford to throw up and spend days on end in bed attached to a heating pad. I was still in high school and didn’t question the doctor at all when he put me on Yasmin (which I don’t think even exists anymore). I was a beyond crazy person and stopped taking it for a couple of months because I was lazy and hadn’t gone to the doctor - towards the end of the 2nd month, I started to realize I was feeling…normal. I’ve since switched a couple of times and have finally found one that works great for me! Thanks for sharing your story!
what a great story thanks for sharing. I went off birth control a few months ago and am so happy I finally did I feel so much better and my mood swings have gone away.. I am just amazed how easily any young girl is able to get birth control with no idea the impact it can have on your health.
Thank you so, so much for writing such an honest post… I can completely relate to you, and the more research I do, the more I feel like my mood swings (and maybe even depression?) can be due to this… I am not married, but am in a monogomous relationship… but I think the risks of BC are far worse than the benefits. I want to make sure i am able to have kids one day, and I don’t want it to be “too late” by the time I finally do get off the pill… I think I may be stopping it very soon!
Wow girl you sure went through a lot.
I am currently on Ocella. The reason I ended up taking bc is the lack of a period! About two years ago, right before I started college, I stopped having periods. My docotor told me it was from being so active, so I went on the pill. It worked. I had normal periods. (I was on Yazmin). I didn’t like the way I felt on it though, so after about 6 months I went off and my periods stopped. After another 6 months of no periods I started to feel like i wasn’t a true woman, I got worried. My doctor told me again that I was very active and its normal (at the time i was training for a huge bike race). I went back on birth control and everything is normal again. I am hoping nothing is severely wrong though. I want kids SOMEDAY!
I’ve been on BC for 10 years now and I have had nothing but positive reactions to them. When I was from age 12 to 16 I had very irregular periods and bad mood swings. When I went on the pill (Trivora) my periods regulated and I don’t get awful swings or cramps even. Still on them today and hopefully up until my husband and I want to start a family.
I had almost your exact same experience. I didn’t even realize it was the pills making me crazy (well more crazy) until we moved to London for a work assignment in 2001 and I couldn’t get my Rx refilled. I was literally a completely different person sans the pills. My husband was shocked at the difference and vowed we’d never go back. Doctors have tried multiple times to put me back on the pill since then (we’re infertile and they claim putting you on the pill can help with that-seems counterproductive in my book) and we’ve flatly refused.
Good for you for recognizing the effects and stopping the meds!
BCP were a total nightmare for me - they caused eczema, dry eyes, and other side effects I won’t bore you with! I didn’t realize the full extent of their effect until I went off of them!
I’ve only just read your last post and I really sympathise. I stuck with the pill for years because it made my horrible periods so much less painful but then saw sense and came off it.
That was years ago so couldn’t have had an effect but I’ve been in the same situation as you for a year and am trying to work out why.
Could yours not be to do with your thyroid condition? I know your levels are normal now, which is great, but maybe the hormone imbalance caused by when they were wrong is still having an effect?
Hope you get somewhere with it… and I’m not going to mention anything about nut butter because this post has actually made my eyes go green…
I’m hoping the thyroid levels just evening out do have something to do with the problem. I’m crossing my fingers!
While my experiences with the pill aren’t nearly as extreme…I still don’t think I could go on it again for any reason. The idea of ingesting chemicals every single day that have been connected to any number of weird side effects freaks me out.
I had the same experiences with painful periods and throwing up and blacking out. I went on BC and it took care of the problems. I don’t remember what kind of BC I used, but I didn’t have any problems from it. I think the real problems is with doctors and the medical system just prescribing the pills without really helping women (or young girls) understand the consequences of taking them. I also think that nutrition can do a lot to remedy some of the problems with periods. Anyway, the good news is that after I went off BC I had my first baby and breastfed for 27 months with no period (AWESOME!) then I got pregnant again and had my second baby, he is 7 months now. I still haven’t gotten a period (except normal post delivery bleeding) and I am still breastfeeding. I hope that I can not get one for many years if I keep up this cycle. LOL
I’m sorry for your troubles and I hope everything works out for you!
Hi! Wow I’m so new to your blog I don’t even know your name. I was directed here via a comment you made on KERF’s blog. All I can say is I AGREE. I was on the patch for maybe six months in college and HATED IT. I was ill every day, couldn’t eat, and literally took up smoking weed (via my bf at the time who was into it) to gain an appetite! What the hell?! I don’t even like marijuana! I was acting like a damn chemo patient lol. Definitely went off that and have used condoms whenever necessary ever since.
Thanks for sharing your story and I am SO happy to bookmark your blog for daily reading from now on
Thanks for stopping by Brandy - and I am sorry you had to go through that experience!
Wow! I never knew that the pill could cover up the signs/symptoms for thyroid problems! I’m glad that your levels are back to normal now, but that is awful what all you went through before!
I’ve been on the pill basically since I started getting my period. After having a period last 3 full months, my mom and I decided it was the best thing to do. Since then, I swear I have tried every pill known to man and the Nuva Ring (which I know some women love, but I totally hated). The pill that I’m on now is LoEstrin 24 and it is for shorter and lighter periods. I love it and now instead of having 7-9 days of misery, it’s down to about 4-5 days and I really have no cramps at all…just a little bloating. Only thing is, last month when I got my rx refill, they decided to jack up the price and my insurance only covers so much. So now I have to decide if it’s worth it to stick with a pill that has worked the best for me for almost $50 a month, or go back to trying countless other brands until I find one I like. I’m too afraid to get off it completely since my periods have never been regular. Gotta love being a woman!
If you do end up on those super hormones and feel comfortable blogging about it, I would love to hear. I just took a round and am not sure whether my period is supposed to come next cycle rather than right after the pill, but it would be incredibly interesting to hear about others’ experiences!
I don’t’ think I’m going to take them - I’m not comfortable taking more hormones to make me get a period. I’d like to hear about your experience though! From my understanding, I think you’re supposed to get it up to ten days after your last super hormone pill.
I am 25 and have hyperthyorism too. I have a similar body type to you and have not gained any weight because of my under active thryroid diagnosis a few years ago because I take medicine everyday. I only got my period on birth control pills too. I have been off it now for over a year and still no period. Please email me and keep me updated on what if anything works for you in getting your period naturally.
I will do Nikki!
I just found your blog and have somewhat of the same experience. I was on Yaz as well and went off when trying to get pregnant. I went over a year with no period and the doctors I went to said my body was trying to regulate itself and not to worry. Finally just after a year I went to another doctor who did an ultrasound. She said I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and that is my problem. The only thing is, I don’t fit any of the normal criteria. Long story short, I was put on all kinds of hormones and drugs to get my period started. It worked for a few months and now it’s gone again. It’s crazy how the smallest things affect your body. I know getting acupuncture to try and help get things going naturally. I know for me it’s been stressful but hopefully in time it will work out!
Thanks for your story Brandee - I am in the process of switching doctors and am going to a new one at the end of the month because my doctor wanted to put me on hormones without doing any testing. I will do an update when I figure out what’s going on, but it sounds like we’re in similar boats!
I took Yaz for about 2 months too and I said the EXACT same thing- it made me a crazy person!! I was like a PMS hurrican every day. It was awful. I am now on a low-hormone kind, but have been thinking a lot lately about getting off of it. Thanks for sharing this, I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who was affected that way!
Hey Chelsey,
So I’ve had somewhat similar experiences with bc pills, except I was put on them when I was 14 because I hadn’t had a period in 9 months, and I was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). I’ve been on them every since (I’m now almost 25). I’ve been on several different brands, and in recent years it’s been in my mind to get off the chemicals. I also worked in a pharmacy for 8 years, and Ocella is generic for Yasmin, which was the first pill marketed for PCOS patients (different hormone that is supposed to help with some of the symptoms of the disease). Yaz came out a few years after Yasmin (when Yasmin was about to go generic…it’s a trick of the drug companies to keep making money, release a “new” drug that is very similar to one they already have on the market when the older drug’s patent is about to expire, it’s a way to keep up those profits!) Yaz is a lower dose of the same hormone that is in Yasmin, so if you were on Ocella and had issues, you could try Yaz and have a different experience. Personally, I’ve been on everything from Ortho Tri-Cyclen to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo to generics for these to Yasmin, to Yaz, back to Ocella, then back to Yaz, and I’m currently on Yaz with the addition of generic Zoloft to help with the side effects. I would LOVE to go off everything completely (I’d like to start trying to get pregnant within the next year, and having PCOS I know I’m going to be in for a struggle with that) but the hubby just isn’t quite there yet.
My experiences with certain pills (the ones with higher concentrations of hormones) was that I would get EXTREMELY moody, crying at commercials at the drop of a hat, feeling like I had to move to a different state, break up with my (then boyfriend, now hubby), quit my job, etc. I immediately quit some of those pills, and worked with my doctor until I found one that worked and didn’t have the extreme side effects, and we added Zoloft so I could feel more normal. It’s worked for me for the past 2 years, but I can’t wait to get off all the chemicals! Good luck to you!
I’ve been on birth control pills for over 13 years because the pain was so horrible during my periods, I too would throw up and curl up with a hot water bottle or blanket.
I would say it definitely made me moodier which isn’t good because I have depression as well. It was pretty bad for awhile. I switched to a lower dose BC to get rid of the moods.
Last year I started training for a half marathon last year and my period started getting really irregular. My doctor said they could change my birth control to a higher dose again but I didn’t want to go down that road again. Now that I’ve started running more again my period has become irregular even with the birth control. I will either get it 3-4 days late or 3-4 days early. And the pain is back. This month I had major GI issues for four days and I’m still not back to normal.
My mother had problems getting pregnant as did my grandma. My mom had a miscarriage and she had twin boys 3 months early that passed away. I’m nervous about being able to get pregnant, especially since we aren’t planning to have kids until I’m about 35.
I really want to go off birth control but I don’t really know a lot of other options that are as fool proof (and don’t say condoms, I hate them!). Anyone have any suggestions??
PS- The grammar in this post is horrible! I was talking while I was writing. Dur!
I’m so glad that you blogged about this b/c I think it’s something that definitely needs to be discussed. I was on Ortho-Tricylcen for a little over a year. Prior to taking it my cycles were always normal (about every 30-31 days). After stopping the pill my cycles have ranged anywhere from 30-84 days…for the past 7 years! Several doctors have told me it’s normal. Uh, no, I don’t think so. Sure, the length of a menstrual cycle varies from woman to woman but it can’t be normal for one woman’s cycle to vary SO much from month to month (especially when it used to be like clock-work). It makes me very angry that this issue is seemingly ignored by the medical community. New versions of the pill are released without adequate studies and then when women do have side effects doctors brush the concerns aside rather than passing on the info to the FDA. I am horrified by the new versions of the pill that completely erase a woman’s period. How can these pharmaceutical companies/doctors really believe that not having a period for YEARS will not affect fertility? And of course they haven’t studied it….they’re just hoping. They are literally risking our fertility to make money. I will get off of my soapbox now
I’m just re-reading this again, and it’s weird that you linked back up to this because I definitely am having issues now that I’ve been off the pill for 3 months (ie: the whole void period thing, too). I see the doc next Wednesday, and I hope she has some words of wisdom for this whole situation…
I’ve had similar experiences with horrendous cramps and period pain. Unfortunately I think doctors want to treat the symptoms instead of the actual problems. BC definitely just acts as make up - cover up the problems & make you feel better but doesn’t cure anything. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you did a link back to this post. I think this is such an important topic to discuss, but so often pushed aside. I was on the depo shot for years, after unsuccessfully being on various pills for years. I thought I loved the depo shot, as I didn’t have my period at all (and I thought that was great at the time), and everything seemed normal. Then,after 5 years (in Nov. 2010), I decided to no longer be on any birth control and to let my body get back to it’s normal cycle. It has been over a year now since my last shot (Aug 2010), and my cycle is still not normal. I’m not ovulating, and I had been before depo. I’ve been do a lady doc, who put me on some meds to regulate my cycle…but they didn’t. Now I don’t want to do any more meds, and I want my body to figure itself out, but the waiting game is driving me nuts. After 1 year (the longest amount of the “normal” time for regaining a normal cycle after depo), I plan to go back to the lady doc if things still haven’t regulated themselves. So annoying/stressful/exhausting!
I wish I could go back to my 22-year-old self and tell her to ask questions (and what questions to ask!) before blindly going on the depo shot.
Hey, Chelsey,
I too have had horrible cramping. I have been helped greatly by taking Evening Primrose Oil and Red Raspberry leaves. I am currently having my period and am not using Ibuprofen (usually I take 800 mg every 8 hours my first few days). Amazing. I also take Vitex with Dong Quai for my female system, which may also be helping with the pain. ANyway, thought you’d like to know. I get all of these products from Beeyoutiful.
Andrea
PS Just made some of your pumpkin granola bars-Yummy!
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