BCP side effect paranoia!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2006
BCP side effect paranoia!
6
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 11:12am

I am starting the bcp for the first time (my doc prescribed YAZ), so I've been reading the message boards to get info on what to expect. As a result, I've ended up making myself a little nuts. So many folks seem to respond negatively to hormonal contraceptives! Is that typical or are there simply a lot of women with problems posting here because they need advice on what to do? I'm hoping I won't have too much trouble as I have no health concerns at all. I know there's no way to predict how an individual will respond to any medication. I'm just wondering if most women struggle with major side effects or if the severe breakthrough bleeding and moodiness some people experience are atypical.

Thanks for the help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2005
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 1:10pm

Hi grammar gal!

If it helps, other than a slight bit of moodiness (which I attribute to regular PMS), I've never had any significant side effects from bcp, and I've been taking it for over 12 years. The only time I've ever had breakthrough bleeding is when I've tried to skip periods by taking bcp packs back-to-back, so I've given up on that (ah well, it's kind of reassuring to get that reminder each month that I'm not about to become a mother! ;) ).

On the contrary, I've had some very positive side effects - my once terrible cramps mostly disappeared and my periods are *much* lighter. The latter became particularly noticeable once I started making an effort to take my pill at the same time each day.

Brenda

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2006
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 1:18pm
Thanks so much! I keep reading these horror stories, and it freaked me out. I'm so relieved to hear some positive feedback. I hope I have the pleasant experience you've had. Thanks again!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 2:41pm

Hi again grammar-gal,


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2006
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 4:25pm

LOL. When I first went on BCP back in the 80's, there was no internet to read. Nowhere to post horrible experiences. But now just type in "puppies" and someone, somewhere, has had a horrifying experience....lol! I tend to read about drugs before I take them and someone on this board advised me that I will never know unless I try it. She said it might just be the perfect pill for me (speaking of Seasonale).

You know, she was right. I am currently on my 2nd week of Seasonale (after no BCP for 9 years) and feel fine. I mean, I notice some small things but I think I am looking for them because of what I read. My two major side effects so far are huge breasts and I've been having a light period for 19 days now. I'll keep with this for a year and if not, I'll switch.

Soooo, try it....you might like it! :)

Lucky

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2006
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 11:18pm
I think im just as paranoid as you are!! I start nuvaring this week (once my period gets here) and then ill see how it is. I almost dont want to deal with it and not even go on it for fear of certain side effects. But if I dont try it ill never know. Maybe it wont effect me (or you) and we will be fine!! You're not alone.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 08-01-2006 - 12:16am

Well dang ... the one side effect I would *like* would be bigger breasts! But I guess it's not to be for me. Having been on OTC, Alesse, Ovcon-35, and Yasmin, it seems the estrogen in the Pill just isn't destined to make my little bitties any bigger ... alas ...

This I guess is a good indication that everyone is different and everyone reacts differently. The only awful side effects I ever had was on OTC, I got awful cystic acne that required Accutane to treat (go figure, right? for everyone else, it clears up the acne) and on Ovcon, I bled 19 days every month. On Alesse and Yasmin, I had no problems. I love(d) them both! Light, short periods, knowing when it was coming every month (which was a first for me) - it was great!

If you do get unpleasant side effects, don't freak out about them. Give your Pill some time, and if they don't go away, there are always other ones to try.

Good luck!