To be slightly anxious about starting the pill, personal experiences?

[Cherryblossom99]

Hi,

So I am in a relatively new relationship and have decided to go on the pill as I do not want to get pregnant at this stage.
They have put me on the progrestone only pill as I do not know my family history.
I am usually pretty sensitive to my own hormones and have heard a lot of horror stories about women reacting poorly too it. Looking for experiences of others who have gone on this. Thanks.

Other than Dianette, which nearly killed me and my relationship, I can't actually remember which pills I tried (whether they were progesterone only or not).

There's no harm in giving the pill a go but what I would say is don't be fobbed off if this particular pill doesn't work for you. There are lots of contraception options to be explored. Don't feel you have to put up with low mood or feelings of rage etc etc for the sake of someone else's erm.. pleasure. That's what I would say to my 20 year old self.

I was on the pill (both combination and mini pill) for the best part of 25 years. Honestly, I can't say I ever had any side effects. If you do have any that really bother you and won't settle, the great thing is that you can just stop and they'll go away, unlike more permanent options.

I have had the Cerazette mini-pill for many years with no side effects. I did experience some irregular bleeding but on the whole I don't even have periods, maybe once a year?

It wasn't a great experience for me unfortunately. Obliterated my sex drive, weight gain and mood swings. I stopped taking them and all went back to normal. Does not mean the same will happen to you though! I know people who are happy with the pill and haven't had side effects that bother them.

I've heard too many horror stories re various pills to ever consider it. I don't understand why anyone would opt to be on the pill and experience its side effects rather than have sex using condoms. If my partner whinged about it, then frankly I'd tell him to get lost. I bet men wouldn't opt to go on a contraceptive pill with all the side effects it can cause.

I loved the pill. Freedom from pain (I had horrendous period pain), I could choose when to have my period and usually ran my packs together as you don’t actually need the pill free week(I think that might be different on the mini pill), my first sexual partner and I had a couple of condom failures, a couple broke and one came off. Having the pill was a second safety measure (he was a possible carrier of Huntingdon’s so kids were a definite no-no) and I was 19.

I have tried different types over the years and none have ever agreed with me: increased appetite (it was like that gnawing, insatiable pregnancy hunger), weight gain and very irregular bleeding (the prog only pill made me bleed constantly).

My husband and I have used condoms for our whole relationship.

I would have stuck with condoms but I know too many people who've gotten pregnant by accident using them.
I also have anxiety and I just want greater peace of mind.

By all means give it a go, there are thousands upon thousands of women who suffer no ill effects, but just keep a really careful eye on your own wellbeing - the low mood that crept up on me was so insidious it took ages to realise it was caused by the pill. Maybe use menstrual tracker to track any symptoms?