For the Ladies--Birth Control Issues

Does anyone else have a problem with Birth Control? I tried BC when I was 18 years old and after trying several (5, I think) different types, they had to take me off of it because the hormone dosages were too high for my body type. MAJOR DEPRESSION!!! Anyhow, after 7 years, I decided to try it again. The doc put me on Ortho-Tricylen Lo! It is incredible! No mood swings, no excess hunger (don't know what "excess" would be for me anymore), and the best part....NO CRAMPS! Now, I have read that after the surgery I will have to up the dose. I really don't want to go through all th on top of the depression and moodiness I will naturally have after the surgery! (I don't think my SO will either! ) Does anyone have the same side effects from BC? And, how did you do after the surgery? Any complications?

Hi Andi! I went to my doc for birth control and was put on the low dose. I was unsure how this would affect my weight loss so I calles my WL doc and he said it dows slow down the weight loss. I chose not to take it right now only because I am in my peak time of loosing. I never really had a problem with bc pills when I was younger. No moodiness or depression ( other than the norm!! ) I have noticed since my surgery and loosing 110 pds. that my cycles have been much easier. No cramping and much quicker (3-4 days). I don't know about the higher dosage after surgery, like I said my doc said it slows down your weight loss. Good Luck and have a great day!! Karry

Before surgery, I didn't take birth control and hadn't gotten pregnant in many many years. I thought it was the weight. Anyway, post-op, I was WARNED by my surgeon to get some BC quick. My GYN at the time also put me on the low dose Pill. I can't say that I had any of the usual side effects that are associated with birth control pills - but I did wonder if it would slow down my weight loss. I was told that it was a possibility but it would not slow it down all that much. Nevertheless, I was not happy with being put back on birth control at age 43. I took myself OFF birth control pills at age 18. I spoke with a few post-op women between the ages of about 34 - 45 and was told about the Nuvaring form of birth control. It is a ring that is inserted vaginally for 3 weeks and you remove it for the week that you will have your period and insert a new one at the beginning of that 5th week. It releases small amounts of hormones into your body vaginally - instead of having to go through your stomach and I am very satisfied with it. No side effects. Fairly regular periods. Did not affect my weight loss.

I too have looked into the nuvaring, but does it help with the cramps. I decided on the pill because of cramps and irregular ovulation (doc was afraid my cycle wasn't consistent enough). I know that many women say the cramps are much better after losing weight, but I double over in pain with mine, and am afraid of the pain in the meantime. But, I still dont' want to lose weight more slowly. I will look more into the nuvaring and ask the gyn! Thanks for your post! Andi

I used to be on BC when I was younger and I noticed I gained weight on it, as did the shot. And my surgeon told me to get on BC quick before my surgery b/c the weight loss will help if you're trying to get pregnant. I went for the IUD, I've never had it before and I didn't want to take pills. I hate taking pills. Ok so it wasn't really anything bad, virtually painless except for a cramp or two when they placed it in. Otherwise, I've been happy and I've only had it a few weeks. I would reccommend the IUD personally, it's been really easy to manage and I can forget about it. Except for the end of the month where you gotta make sure it's still in place. (use your imagination for that) however it's good up to 5 years..I thought that's great for me, because I wanna try and have another baby after 3. Good luck.