QuestionI have been on and off birth control since the age of 16. I am currently 22 and ready to give up on it all together. The first pill I ever took was ortho trycyclen lo. If I missed a pill by a half hour, I would have spotting until the last week of the pack, and then have a full menstruation. This was not ideal for a high school student. Then I tried the patch, but it would get dirty and peel off on the edges, and the adhesive made my skin break out. Then there was Yaz, which turned me into a psychotic mess, and caused acne (deep pimples with no head) on my normally clear skin. I experience severe mood swings and symptoms similar to depression. After that nightmare, I took about a 3-6 month break from birth control. After that, I tried the Nuva Ring, which had the same emotional side effects as Yaz, although they were not as severe, and the same acne aide effects, equally severe, and an insatiable appetite. Following the nuva ring, I took another break from my birth control disaster, and then my doctor told me about a new brand, LoEstrin FE. Hands down the worst, I bled like a regular period for 3 months straight, but had no emotional or dermatology side effects. I am currently taking Ortho Tricyclen in a generic form, and am beginning to experience emotional side effects, such as mood swings, feeling very up and down, and not having any motivation to do anything. I also am having similar appetite side effects. I have been taking this pill for 2 months now, and this month started spotting about a week early, which turned into a normal period, and I am as of today on my last pill before the inactive pills. I am so fed up with this birth control nightmare, I need help finding a pill, or shot, or something that will not make me crazy, or cause my face to break out terribly, or make me hungry always. I have no issues whatsoever when I am not on birth control. I do not have noticeable pms symptoms, I have clear skin, and I am emotionally stable. My periods are regular and last about 5 days. I feel that birth control is hurting me more than helping, and I just do not know what to do. My doctor has ordered lab tests & ultrasounds, to make sure I was ok internally, all coming back negative. I guess my question would be what is the best birth control for me, or what could I try that may be more effective and manageable in my life? Thank you in advance
AnswerHi Ashley,
I'm so sorry to hear of your story. I think you are the first person that I have talked to that has used about every kind of birth control method that there is. You have experienced the side effects of each method that I warn women about in my counseling.
Each of the methods you are describing are hormonal birth control methods. That is why you are experiencing these side effects. The hormones are not natural to a woman's body and so chance the normal cycle and cause problems.
Non-hormonal methods are limited to condoms and Natural Family Planning. You can do a search to find more about NFP. The other option is abstinence. I don't know what your life is like-if you do need birth control right now. Are you married or in a relationship? Please email me at CHERYL51@aol.com and we can talk further about options.
Thanks for sharing.
Diane Cheryl
