Are birth control pills really that ineffective?

[heathrow42]

Now I use Depo Provera injections which I LOVE!!! I haven't had a period in 8 years. So fabulous! And no side effects - no puking, no headaches, nothing like when I was on the pill. We don't want more kids so I don't worry about my cycles ever returning to normal if I quit the injections.

8 Years!!! ..with the same doctor?? The FDA really reccommends that you not take it more than 1.5-2 years, enough so that they blackboxed it? ...if I'm not mistaken, doesn't your doctor want you to get your period for atleast once before giving the next shot? What about your bone density?

Getting your period sucks, I'm sure we'd all agree... but long term depo, and taking the pill and skipping the placebo so you miss your period for months or years, stops some really important chemical and hormonal processes from happening. Especially with depo.. research has found that long term use leads to significant losses in bone density, making you more prone to osteoporosis and breaking bones. This is really bad in younger women who are still growing, or pre-child bearing they really need to have stronger bones. It is also bad for older women who are done with kids, but not menopausal... because you are lowering your bone density right before menopause (when women's bone density naturally goes down.. because they've stopped menstruating).

Sorry for the rant.. but your post really scared me. Just because you can't see or feel the side effects, doesn't mean there aren't any.

here's the link to the FDA page: FDA blackbox warning

--heather

 

[Mandy_in_NC]

I am one of "those women". I got pregnant with my second child while I was on the pill. I took the pills the same time every night and I never missed one. I was in shock when I missed my period. I was even in more shock when I realized I was pregnant. I was so much in shock that when the home test came back postive all I could do was cry. We had not planned on having more than 1 child. I was so upset that I threw the home test at my DH and hollered at him. So needless to say he was in shock also. I cried fro about 2 hours. Then I realized that I was ment to be pregnant and I could not be happier. I love both of my DDs with all my heart. I would not trade them for anything in the world. As a matter of fact my youngest DD is a huge momma's girl. She is 6 and a half and still likes to climb up in my lap and sit with me. As a side note the day after DH and I got married I was supposed to start a new pack of pills and we decided that I would not start the new pack because I had been told that it sometimes takes a while to get prenant after a person had been on birth control for a while and I had been on birth control for close to 5 years for irr periods and cramps. Well it only took me 10 days to get pregnant. So I got married Jan 4th 1997 and I was pregnant by Jan 15th 1997.

 

[goofygirl]

I believe in using 2 methods of birth control, as I don't trust just one method alone. I've been "accident free" and I'm staying that way.

But I do believe most pregnancies that "happen on the pill" are just results of forgetting to take pills. Nobody really wants to admit to making a mistake with birth control.

 

[2infinity&B-ond]

I too got pregnant while on the pill. I took it at the same time EVERY DAY. I never missed one. This was my second child. Then, I got an IUD. I got pregnant with that too.

I realize that BC pills are 99% effective...but no ONE way is 100% effective. It doesn't mean the USER is at fault. Just that no one means of birth control is 100% effective.

I wouldn't change anything. I love my kids, even though two of them were surprises!

 

[tiggersmom2]

I believe in using 2 methods of birth control, as I don't trust just one method alone. I've been "accident free" and I'm staying that way.

But I do believe most pregnancies that "happen on the pill" are just results of forgetting to take pills. Nobody really wants to admit to making a mistake with birth control.

Yep...I am sure that is the case in MOST of the "birth control pregnancies"

 

[Caradana]

So imagine you have a pretty good reputation on the DIS, you're family-oriented, you like feeling like others respect your good sense and strong values. Are you going to admit that you screwed up the pill and paid for it hugely? No way. Many, many posters fall into the category of the first sentence.

I'm a huge fan of the Nuvaring. Unintended pregnancies happen when women mis-time or forget the pill, so, take the whole factor of timing and forgetting out of the equation. I think about bc twice a month - that's it. I have over a dozen of my friends addicted to this thing. It works like a charm.

 

[becka]

I always wonder how many of the on bcp pregnancies were the result of the mini-pill. I had terrible side effects with the regular pills so I stopped using them after 2 years or so when I finally figured out they were what was making me feel so bad. After I had DS I really, really, really did not want another kid right away so my doctor suggested I try the mini-pill since it was safe while nursing. Well I got my first month prescription, opened the box, read the instructions and immediately put it back in the cabinet where it sat unused. The instructions were to take it within the same two hour window everyday or you needed to use a back-up method, etc.. As a new mother there was no way I could commit and remember to take a pill within the same two hour window each day. Such a small window for error scared me so bad that I would not even try it.

 

[poohandwendy]

So imagine you have a pretty good reputation on the DIS, you're family-oriented, you like feeling like others respect your good sense and strong values. Are you going to admit that you screwed up the pill and paid for it hugely? No way. Many, many posters fall into the category of the first sentence.

LOL, allow me to be the first (although I am not sure how well-respected I am...hey no comments from the peanut gallery! )


...I went off the pill for a few days (was going to get a diaphram and never got around to it) because I hated the side effects and thought I was 'safe' because everyone always said it was so hard to become pregnant after taking the pill consistently for years. Used a condom, with the exception of like 3 days right after stopping the pill.

Well, that decision is now a 19 year old college student named Jessica. LOL. But, in the defense of my integrity and honest nature, I do not say I got pregnant 'on the pill'. because I didn't. I got pregnant the good old fashioned way, sperm meets egg..no barrier.

There it is...I am paying majorly for that...every time I get the bill from Tuition Management, LOL

 

[Poohnatic]

PAW, I'm with you. I had a BC failure, but it wasn't the pill. We wanted kids, but thought the time wasn't right. It was, and I'm happy that we've got him.

Now, the second kid-absolutely and totally planned, yet his nickname is Boo Boo!

Suzanne

 

[ChrisnSteph]

You can become pregnant while on the pill if you aren't taking them properly. Missing even one dose, and not making up for it as directed can cause them to be ineffective. This happened to me. I was wishy washy about taking my pills, and I got pregnant while on them.

I also think young girls will say they're on the pill when they aren't.

 

[poohandwendy]

I also think young girls will say they're on the pill when they aren't.

That is a BIG problem and one I beat into my sons (16) head everytime we discuss issues like this.

He can only be sure if he protects himself.

 

[poohandwendy]

PAW, I'm with you. I had a BC failure, but it wasn't the pill. We wanted kids, but thought the time wasn't right. It was, and I'm happy that we've got him.

Now, the second kid-absolutely and totally planned, yet his nickname is Boo Boo!

Suzanne

Thanks, I don't feel totally isolated from the herd now

FWIW, my 2nd and 3rd were both planned. Can't fool me twice. LOL

 

[Davids-Coco]

There are so many things that can go wrong with any birth control. Nothing is 100% (although doubling up gets you pretty close). But there are also those things that a lot of doctors don't mention. Now they are saying that if you are over 150, it is less effective. The mini pill isn't really as effective as a "regular" pill and HAS to be taken at the same time each day.

I am sure some of it is user error... but there are people it doesn't work for. But that is with everything. On Depo Provera, I bleed the ENTIRE time. On the pill, I was just fine and they have helped so much for my cysts.

In terms of teens, I do think that if they are not in a comitted relationship, they should be using two forms. Before anyone laughs about a comitted relationship, it is possible and I do mean over 2-3 years. DH and I have been together for 10 years (through high school) and because we were only with each other and were both fully tested, I feel it was okay not to double up.

And before it gets to this (because this place has been a little snippy lately), yes, it was planned and no I wasn't on the pill.

 

[justhat]

Thanks, I don't feel totally isolated from the herd now

FWIW, my 2nd and 3rd were both planned. Can't fool me twice. LOL

If only I were that smart! We've got an unplanned 2yo daughter and unplanned son on the way. You'd think after the first time we'd have figured things out. I will admit though that while neither child was planned, we were in the planning stages so we weren't totally careful (obviously ) but we just thought we'd have a few more baby-free months. But I wasn't on BCP anymore at the time of either conception. I went off them 9 months before my daughter was conceived and then breastfed her till 1 week after my son was conceived so I never went back on them (and never did the mini-pill either). 1st time was a result of no protection on what should have been a 'safe' day and the 2nd time was just a miscalculation on my part/complete lack of thought on my husband's end( ).

With that said though, my husband told me that in his obgyn rotation in med school that he was taught that BCP are not as effective in overweight women as they are in 'average' weight women so that might lead to a lot of babies conceived while on the pill.

 

[poohandwendy]

Oh, I did forget about the "Great Depressing Condom Break of '87"...


My DD was 3 months old. Now follow along folks, we were newly married, both very young (me 20, him 19)...just gave birth to our unexpected bundle of joy.

DH tries a special type of condom, supposed to be the 'best'. Figures out afterwards that it broke. Ok...I am breastfeeding so there is no missed period to look out for. I was sweating for a month, till I could take a test. I mean, really physically ill and sweating. I cried...buckets. I swore at him for buying that "expletive" condom.

All I could think of is how on earth do I tell people I am unexpectedly pregnant so soon, AGAIN????? It would be just my luck, kwim? No, I was not pregnant, but holy cow!

God was shining a little protective light down on me then. Answered prayers folks....seriously.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I haven't had a period in 8 years. So fabulous!

I'm sorry, but I think that is extrememly unhealthy.

 

[EthansMom]

Oh, I did forget about the "Great Depressing Condom Break of '87"...

I remember talking to a male friend at my high school graduation party who was sweating it because a condom had broken during a casual hook-up. Poor guy was very depressed and couldn't enjoy the party at all.

 

[DVCLiz]

So imagine you have a pretty good reputation on the DIS, you're family-oriented, you like feeling like others respect your good sense and strong values. Are you going to admit that you screwed up the pill and paid for it hugely? No way. Many, many posters fall into the category of the first sentence.

I'm a huge fan of the Nuvaring. Unintended pregnancies happen when women mis-time or forget the pill, so, take the whole factor of timing and forgetting out of the equation. I think about bc twice a month - that's it. I have over a dozen of my friends addicted to this thing. It works like a charm.

Caradana, could you educate me on this Nuvaring, please? Because one of DD17's friends just started using it (and condoms) and it seems like a good thing to recommend to an older teen instead of the pill. But I am an old fogie and this is new since I needed bc. Thanks!!!

 

[VSL]

I was on BCP since I was 16 until about a month ago (I'm 21 now, so I was on BCP for approx. 4.5yrs). I always used two forms of contraception (BCP + Condoms) apart from once or twice.

I came off it about a month ago because I really didn't want to be putting hormones in my body like that. Oh, and my sex drive had all but vanished... - it's back up now, but my BF and I really do not want to get preggers!! And we don't trust condoms alone... *sigh*

 

[mylilnikita]

Nuvaring is great! You keep it in for 3 weeks, 1 week off for period and put in a new one. It releases hormones like a pill, just don't have to take it every day.