Normally I’m a happy girl. I’m generally positive and easy-going.
On birth control I am another creature. Just ask Richard.
I eat vegan and organic, don’t smoke, don’t drink, run marathons… and take birth control every day. I’ve been on birth control pills for five months and had up my dosage halfway through that time. (First I took Loestrin24, now Microgestin.)
The good:
- it’s birth control
- more timely periods
- easy
- increase in cup size (yessssss)
The bad:
- nausea
- weight gain
- spotting
- two periods a month until I switched to a higher dose
- mood swings
When looking at the good and bad paper it only makes sense that the bad outweigh the good and I should just get off the pill. But right now the birth control pill works well for my busy lifestyle, budget and place in life.
And a lot of women are in that boat. Some women love the BCP and take it for various reasons. Some have switched to other methods of birth control.
Below are some tips on how to still be the best you when you’re on that powerful little pill.
Mood swings
“Birth control pills deplete vitamin B6 and folic acid. Folic acid protects against birth defects and both vitamins protect against cervical dysplasia, the abnormal cell growth detected by a pap smear. You’re much better off if you can avoid birth control pills, but if you must take them, be sure to get 50 mg of vitamin B6 and 200 mcg of folic acid daily.
Vitamin B6 is also necessary for the conversion of tryptophan into serotonin, both important brain chemicals… depletion can inhibit the production of serotonin, which increases a woman’s risks of becoming depressed. In one study, one third of the women taking oral contraceptives for two to five years were found to be suffering from depression.
Studies have reported that oral contraceptive use causes a significant decline in vitamin C levels….Some of the problems associated with vitamin C deficiency include a weakened immune system, poor wound healing and easy bruising.
Studies report that women taking oral contraceptives also have lower serum zinc levels… depletion of zinc may weaken the immune system in susceptible women.
…Women taking birth control pills will be increasingly susceptible to becoming magnesium deficient. Magnesium deficiency is associated with a greater incidence of osteoporosis, muscle cramps, weakness, insomnia, anxiety and depression, as well as cardiovascular problems, including blood clots, elevated blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and increased risk of heart attacks.“ -source
I’ve been taking supplemental B6, 5-HTP and magnesium and have noticed a complete turnaround of my mood swings. I’ve felt more balanced and healthy than ever.
Spotting/extra periods
- Spotting can happen in-between cycles and will usually correct itself after a few months.
- If you’re having extra periods (like I was having), your dose might be too low. Talk to your doctor!
Weight gain
“For a few women, the pill may cause some weight gain, often due to fluid retention. But not significant amounts, and not for most women. Indeed, a review of 44 studies showed no evidence that birth control pills caused weight gain in most users. And, as with other possible side effects of the pill, the minimal weight gain is generally temporary, going away within two to three months.” -source
Eating a clean diet, avoiding salt and regularly exercising combats bloating and weight gain.
Nausea
Nausea is common and can be avoided by taking the pill at night or with a meal. -source
I’ve felt very little nausea since switching to taking the pill at night.
Migraines
It’s more of a concern to not take BCP if you suffer from migraines (as 18% of women do).
Some women have migraines the seven days they take the BCP without estrogen. The drop in estrogen can trigger a migraine.
“Talk with your doctor if you think birth control pills are making your migraines worse. Switching to a pill pack in which all the pills for the entire month contain hormones and using that for three months in a row can improve headaches. Lifestyle changes, such as getting on a regular sleep pattern and eating healthy foods, can help too.” -source
Any other symptoms or tips you have related to birth control? Start a conversation in the comments!
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I’ve been on the pill for about 2 1/2 years now….I’m on my 4th pill. The first was too strong and made me sick if I didn’t take it a the perfect time, one cause chest pain. All have messed with my sex drive. I’m actually on Microgestin as well. I’ve noticed a little weight gain and my sex drive has not improved
I do have lighter and shorter periods and basically no cramps. But I thought I should share something with you I JUST learned about this pill yesterday…you may skip periods completely. Mine never came last week, so OF COURSE I freaked out. I took 3 pregnancy tests(two when it was one day late, another after an additional 3 days) and they were all negative. So I called my doctor yesterday and they said it is normal with this pill–basically it prevents your lining from thickening up so there really isn’t anything to “flush out” as she put it. I was relieved, but it would have been nice to know ahead of time that could happen! Some people like not getting them, but I like the reassurance…I probably won’t change Rx yet, because the timing of my next one is perfect in terms of not interfering with my wedding and honeymoon next month. But I will look into a new one after all that settles down.
My feelings about birth control are not 100 percent positive, but most of the time, it works for me. I encourage everyone to communicate openly with their physicians and to try different methods until they find something that works. And that CAN change over time! I’ve probably been on about 5 different types over the last 12 years and recently switched back to the Nuvaring, which has consistently been my favorite (though it is pricey without decent insurance). I love not having to remember a pill every day.
I also am taking microgestin and I have experienced some of the side affects…but I started taking it because I had symptoms of endometriosis–extreme pain, serious cramps, and heavy periods. So I’d say the side affects from taking the BC are much better than what I had to deal with before.
Ha – I had much the same symptoms! Spotting and extra periods, weight gain… I spoke to my doctor and got a higher dose a few months ago. It’s helped mostly with the spotting and such, so that’s good. Now to work on that weight gain!
But the good definitely outweighs the negative. No babies = a happy me
When I first went on the pill, it was because I was going to college and I couldn’t wake up my roommate with my intense cramp screams. I went on Ortho TriCyclen and it was terrible, way too high hormones and made me vomit like crazy on the first week of each month.
I went off that. I don’t remember if I took anything else at that time, but eventually I went on Alesse (generics are Lutera and Aviane) and it was wonderful. No symptoms or side effects. I was on it for a few years and then one day I started bleeding insane amounts of bright red watery fluid. My doctor thought I was reacting to too little estrogen and switched me to Estrostep because it gradually increases the estrogen. I gained weight and was unhappy and decided not to take the pill.
A couple years later I was dating someone and decided to go back on Alesse, but it made me very depressed and spotty. I realize now that I never even knew whether my depressions were just me, or the pill! I also didn’t realize how badly it affected my sex drive.
If I start dating someone again, I will look into if my insurance covers NuvaRing because I have heard good things. If not, or if I try and don’t like… not sure what I’ll do..
I swear by the Nuva Ring! I know it’s not a pill, but it’s amazing. That little ring has seriously changed my life. I have been taking it now for almost 5 years. Before I tried the Nuva Ring, I swore I would never try birth control again. Previously I had tried the “patch” and two other pills. They recked havoc on my system, made me miserable, and a total bitch. I absolutely loathed it! I refused to put my body through so much chaos. Two years later and a new gynecologist, I was recommended the Nuva Ring.
AMAZING! Did I mention amazing? lol.
No weight gain, no break outs, no crazy behavior, no side effects… at all! As someone who is married and kinda allergic to latex, this was a God send. The Nuva Ring shortened my period (from 7 days to 3), gave me less cramps (only on the first day), and I rarely break out (usually due to stress). The Nuva Ring can be outside of the body for up to 3 hours (so if your getting busy, no worries). I have recommended this birth control to all of my girlfriends. They love it!!
Check it out, totally worth it.
I had the exact same issues being on birth control, specifically nuvaring. It turned me into a crazy person as far as mood swings. I did some research and found the same things you are finding about the B6 vitamins, and it changed my life drastically. After a week I finally started to feel “normal”, the mood swings subsided, the anxiety decreased significantly (things I never had before starting nuvaring) and I just felt more like myself. I’ve since stopped taking it all together because of other far more serious issues it was creating for me, but anyone who is experiencing mood swings as a result of birth control, I would truly recommend the supplements suggested!
I switched off the pill years ago (first to the patch which made me a horrendous bitch I’ve heard others say the same, then to Nuvaring which just got expensive) and now I have an IUD. It’s great, for me it was a one time co-pay at my doctor’s office for a produce that is good for 5 years, I only spot every few months, and I think it has a lower dose of hormones (there’s one that doesn’t have any at all). Lately I’ve been thinking about switching off it just to try to get my hormones more naturally balanced and really I don’t need birth control that much (though a baby would be fairly crippling financially). I’m still debating…
Glad to hear about the information about mood swings though, I don’t think I have monthly mood swings, but I definitely notice a difference when I eat poorly (like on vacation last week, the last few days, wow was I sullen) so it would be interesting to sort of keep an eye on things and see how my diet affects my moods.
I wish there was an easier option for BC. Unfortunately the Pill is the only thing that works for me. It took a LONG time to find one that didn’t make a HORRIBLE hormonal monster, or break out like I had a disease. I found one that worked and I only have hormone issues/PMS two days a month. That’s pretty good!
Just wanted to say this is so helpful and thanks, lack of info like this around!
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