Never used the pill before

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-18-2004
Never used the pill before
3
Sat, 09-18-2004 - 2:25am
I'm 19 years old and I have never used the pill before and I would like/appriciate any information that I can get. My doctor put me on Ortho Tricyclen lo. What are the side effects? I start it on Sunday (in two days *yipes*) I am engaged and just recently started having sex (in July) but the reason for being on birth control is for VERY bad cramps and completly random periods (two a month, every other month, skipping three months at a time, 28 days, 35 days...) I started my period when I was 14 and have litterally never had a "normal" period. Thank you very much in advance

Britney
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 09-18-2004 - 9:58am
Hi Britney, welcome!

For a woman just beginning hormonal birth control a good place to start on this board would be to read the posts in the FAQs. Of special interest will be: How the pill works, Taking your pill correctly, Common pill side effects and Irregular bleeding anyone? Side effects or problems with hormonal contraceptives aren’t nearly as common as you might think from reading the posts to this board. As an information and support board members often only post when they have a question or problem. After you read the FAQs, if you have questions, we are here, so please ask. Let us know how you like OTC-Lo, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 09-18-2004 - 10:52am
I've never taken that particular pill but several different pills over the years.I had very bad periods when I was a teen and basicly when I'm not on the pill (or IUD that I have now) too.....Different pills affect women differently-there's no way to tell which side effect you'll get...Different ones will have different affects on your period-most of the ones I've taken have made periods easier for me-except the low dose one I took before getting this IUD...good luck....
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 09-20-2004 - 10:57pm
DEFINITELY read the FAQ's! We put lots of good information in them for people just like yourself! :)

Fortunately any birth control pill should help with the totally random periods and it (no matter which one) should help reduce (but probably not eliminate) your menstrual pains. I used to have really heavy painful periods before the pill, but every pill I've taken has been an improvement, even pills I had problems with. Because OTC Lo has a lower estrogen dose than most low dose pills, you may have even better luck with lighter and less crampy periods. I started out with Ortho Tri Cyclen about 8 years ago and didn't have any problems with it for a good year (when I needed something that controlled bleeding a little better).

I hope that helps! Feel free to ask any questions that you have!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control