birth control pills: side effects?

Generally the side affects will go away within 1-3 months of starting the birth control, depending on what type you are on. If the side affects last any longer than that, a doctor will probibly switch you to anouther kind of birth control. I started taking yasmin 3 years ago and had no side effects.

I've done both the ring and the pill & didn't have side effects for either (possibly was grouchy with boyfriend, but it is hard to tell if that was me being hormonal, or him being a jerk =P).... so it is definitely something that is on a person-to-person basis.

I can tell you that I love the convenience of not having to remember to take the pill every day... it rocks my world. :)

I've been on the ring for almost 2 years, and I've tried the pill and the patch a year before.
When I first started the pill, I gained weight like crazy, but you definately have a lot different options you can take to avoid this symptom. Even then, I found that the pills played with my moods. The lower hormone pills don't give you quite as many symptoms, but you can't miss a day.
The patch was irritating to my skin and fell off mid-way of the month. Definately not a good choice if you want to swim or go in a spa (obviously)
The ring has been the best bc for me. I don't have to worry about forgetting a pill, and I've hardly experienced any symptoms
I say just try out your options, what works for some may not work for others
hope this helps!

I've never had any side effects from the pill. Generally I find it makes me feel better. No cramps and very little moodiness. I also like the pill because it's a lot easier to remember when I'm going to be bleeding.

Here's what I know about side effects when it comes to BC pills:

1) If you have severe side effects (ie: you gain 10 pounds in a month), you need to get on a dose that has a lower hormone content. Having a lower hormone content DOES NOT effect how the pill works, it is still as effective as the higher doses, it will just mesh better with your body.

2) Side effects usually go away about a month or two into having BC pills but that doesn't mean that there won't be residual effects. For example, you might have gained 10 pounds in a month and only lost 5 pounds after that. It, again, has to do with the amount of hormoes in the pills.

3) All BC pills are as effective as it's been generally stated by the medical community and the type you eventually go on has a lot to do with the relationship you are in, how much you weigh, and how long you had been on BC in the past (if applicable).

I have nothing but praises for birth control pills. I have been taking them for four or five years now without any side affects. They do however have tons of benefits. They can clear up your skin, do away with PMS, even out food cravings, and even allow you to skip periods all together. You only have to have 4 a year - though most doctors don't freely share this fact (I work in a pharmacy and this is where I first learned this). Also if you have insurance, you can get generic pills like tri-sprintec for about $5 which is great.

Long term side affects to happen for some women though. My mom for instance got some cists in her ovaries after thirty years on the pill - these had to be surgically removed and she is fine.

Getting a quick shot every once in a while is even easier than the ring or pills, but i had a ton of negative side effects.
weight gain, moodiness, depression, and complete lack of libedo.

Took me about 3 mos after getting off it to feel... right... again.

The pill may be annoying, but I'm much happier than I was on depo

I've been on the pill for a little over a year now with no side effects whatsoever. I LOVE the regularity and my face cleared up completely.
HOWEVER, I had a bit of a scare when my mom was diagnosed as a Factor V... (as in 5, not the letter)... FV is a blood disorder that is genetic, hereditary, and leaves people prone to blood clots. People with FV are advised not to smoke or take birth control, since both of these can lead to blood clots. I was tested and thankfully came up negative, but my sister is also a Factor V, and she immediately had to come off the pill. Her only birth control option is an IUD.
If you or your family has any history of blood clotting or Factor V then get blood tests to make sure you are in the proper health to start the pill.

I was on Depo-Provera (the shot) for about a year and it was great...until I had a period that didn't stop for eight months. If you don't develop side effects, it's a great BC. But the problem is that once you get the shot, you're stuck with it for 3 months. I have a friend who also went on Depo and she gained weight like mad. I'm currently on the pill (Microgestin) and I have been for a year, but sometimes I get really crazy mood swings, so I'm switching to a low dose of another kind of pill, I think it's Yaz. My doctor told prescribed me a low dose, in order to combat the mood swings. I've also been on the patch before. I can't remember any specific problems with it, expect that it left a nasty sticky square on my skin that was very resistant to soap.

I've been on the pill for 3-4 years now. The side effects lasted less than a week I think. I would just get a little queasy and have mild headaches. I did gain a little weight.  I am on the pill for my cramps, so a low dose wasn't as effective for me and the doctor had to up the dosage.  But I seriously love what it does for me: shorter and lighter periods, less mood swings, and clearer skin. Plus I can decide when I want my period. If I know I'm going on vacation or camping or something I can make sure to not have my period for that week. I would recommend starting at the lowest dosage, depending on what you are going on the pill for. It is still hormones that you are pumping into your body, so it is best to start small rather than going for too much.