Birth Control

I've been on the pill since I was 18, and haven't really considered any of the other methods. My doctor has asked me if I wanted to, but... eh. The pills are cheap (I still get mine through the Planned Parenthood), I get them mailed to me, and its not that hard to remember a single small pill before going to bed.

What I've noticed about what some folks are saying here actually differs a bit from what my doctor told me. Yeah, taking it around the same time every day/night helps, but its not necessary to be all MILITARY about it. I take mine before I go to bed every night, whether its 10pm or 2am. And if you miss a pill? Take it when you realize you've missed it, or with the next night's pill. If you miss 2 or more pills, thats when you're supposed to start using a condom for the next week. Its been 6 years- no babies.

And I'm not sure if other birth controls have all of the same benefits, but with the pill you get regulated periods (pretty standard), controlled cramps (much needed in my case, my cramps would echo into my legs before), reduced acne, and sometimes lighter periods. Oh yeah, and your boobs may grow a bit.

As for the loss of menstruation on some birth controls... I understand why some women do it, but as for me, I know I couldnt. Maybe its silly reasoning, but if said birth control fails (god forbid), the first signal of that failure would be the lack of a period. I'm sure morning sickness could be soon after, but really, I've started seeing my period as a monthly confirmation that my birth control is doing its job.

Good on you for getting involved with your girlfriend's choice, Ence. I'm really surprised she hasnt looked into it before this. I think I was the latest of my sisters to start it at age 18. Its admirable of you, and I'm sure she appreciates it. Only one of my boyfriends had ever offered to help pay for my pills, and while I refused, it was still a pleasant surprise.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Sassafrass

Not sure which pill you're on. I'd guess ortho tricyclen based on my own experience with Planned Parenthood. (They mail pills to you? Wow, that's convenient. Have they been doing this since you were 18? I never got this option )

I'm not sure if the Planned Parenthood in my hometown mails them out, honestly. I started out there, then moved my files to the office in Keene, where I went to college. I was just more comfortable with the doctors there; in Keene they're used to seeing girls that want to prevent a pregnancy, while in Meriden they seemed surprised that I wasn't there to get rid of one. There's always been an option to have it mailed with Keene, so after I moved back, I had them do just that. The trip once a year usually gives me an excuse to see friends anyways.

As for what pill I'm on, it's been changing lately. From the beginning until about a year ago, I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, and absolutely loved it. Then some rule went into effect where they couldn't bill insurance companies for anything but generic brands, so I was put on... Trinessa? I think that's what it was. Apparently I was in the minority who hated the switch... My PMS got worse and I felt like crying over stupid little things. So I told my doctor at my yearly exam, and she put me on plain old Ortho Tri-Cyclen, which has been working well. And now I have one month before my prescription has been switched to Levora, because of another bullshit rule about billing insurance. We'll see how that goes.

There's nowhere I can't reach.