Finding the right birth control for you can be a very uncertain experience — and some people are definitely luckier than others. Sometimes, if you’re one of those lucky folks, you’ll find the perfect fit for you right on your first try. For others, it can be a major struggle. Between side effects, cost and convenience, it’s all enough to make some people wonder if it’s worth it. The members of Her Campus at Wilfrid Laurier feel that pain, and have ever so graciously agreed to share some of their uber-relatable experiences!
Disclaimer: Everyone’s body will have different reactions to medications. What is true for one person might not be true for you. If you are considering starting birth control, do so only after consulting with your doctor.
Form of birth control: Pill
“Initially when I started on the pill, my skin went absolutely nuts. I had the worst breakouts of my life and strongly considered stopping the pill. But I stuck with it and after about a month my skin cleared up and since then my skin has been the clearest it’s ever been. I love birth control because its done wonders for my skin, it regulates my mood and regulates my period. I know exactly when I’m going to get my period, which is great because before it used to fluctuate and I would always be anxious when it would be late. Also, having sex without a condom is great (in a committed relationship)!”
Form of birth control: Pill
“I originally was against birth control because I believe that any artificial chemical changing your hormones can be problematic for the natural state of a woman’s body. However, it wasn’t until I was diagnosed with abnormally high estrogen levels that I had to be put on birth control to level out my estrogen so my ovaries would not swell and grow follicular and dermoid cysts. I went through a pretty traumatic experience with growing an ovarian cyst the size of an orange; I didn’t feel it until it got to this specific size, as I kept feeling unusually bloated and sluggish. Thankfully, the cyst went away with the help of birth control and pelvic exercises. Although I’m thankful for birth control helping regulate my estrogen levels so they don’t skyrocket high again, I wish I didn’t have to rely on a pill to help my flower bed (a term I use for my uterus) function normally.”
Form of birth control: Pill
“At the beginning of the year, I forgot my birth control at home and did not get to a pharmacy in time. I ended up missing six days of my pill, having to wait for my period to come and start a new pack. Right when I started a new pack I left for vacation and forgot my pill pack AGAIN at home and had to wait for another cycle to start, meaning yet again a new pack. Ended up having my period three times in six weeks and now on a new pack, I’m finally back on track.”
Form of birth control: Patch
“The amount of times my hair got stuck on this thing — holy smokes.”
Form of birth control: Pill
“Boobs. My boobs got bigger overnight — and it was the best!”
Form of birth control: Pill
“I had a terrible experience when I started taking birth control pills. I was 15 and I was going to become sexually active, so we went to my family doctor and got prescribed some oral contraceptives. Between January 2012 to June 2012, I switched brands four times. One made me break out, another gave me terrible mood swings, another made me gain weight (15 lbs in one month) and the last made me lose close to 20 lbs in a month because it suppressed my hunger. The worst part is I had my period for three months straight! Heavy bleeding, to the point where I missed school for close to a month. It was insane. I’m very fortunate to have found my “Goldilocks” of oral contraceptives and I’ve been with the same brand since about 2013. I feel for the girls who are never able to find their perfect match. It’s a pain!”
Form of birth control: Pill
“I have been on three different birth controls and each have been completely different. My first time being on the pill I was 15. It gave me the most awful headaches and constantly made me feel as though I was going to throw up. So I just stopped using it. My second experience on the pill came when I was 19. The pill was PHENOMENAL: I only got my period for two days each month and it was the lightest thing in the entire world. UGH! Unfortunately, it is not covered by OHIP and NO ONE needs to be paying $75+ for three months, on this student budget. No wayyyy! So I am now on one that is covered and so far it’s been pretty good, hasn’t been too mean to me. But I am slightly worried. I have been diagnosed with a couple of mental health issues and one of the symptoms is that it can heighten those situations. Due to the fact that I already have the illnesses, it is likely to further it, which is not fully discussed but it is something that I needed to research to ensure that it did not cause a problem that I couldn’t handle. The doctors said that I could get off it, if it was a problem and that if I do feel that it is affecting me to please stay off of it.”
Form of birth control: Pill
“I was someone who was constantly changing my tampon and asking friends to see if I had leaked through my pants (because it has happened more times than it really should). Going on birth control has provided me with a MUCH lighter flow and has given me the comfort of having everything under control when it’s that time of the month.”