I was on birth control (bc as I call them) pills from the age of about 16 until I was 20. I decided to stop them, because I'm scared to have all those hormones and things in my body. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think they're safe? I don't want to get pregnant, but I just feel weird putting something so unnatural in my body. What do you guys use to protect against pregnancy?

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-Brittany Brydahl

I have been on the pill for a very long time, since I was 17 years old, so that's 14 years. I have had just over two years off during that time whilest I was pregnant.

Recently I have become more aware of the side effects of the pill and that's why I am considering sterilisation as my best option. I have tried to convince my husband that he should have the snip, but all he does is cringe at the thought of it!

The pill is very effective with the chances of getting pregnant while taking it are just 1 in 1000.

I also want to try using pills as a birth control I've never used any since I was a teen. I really am not sure if it's gonna work for me or not. What kind of side effect does the pill have?

I've been on the pill, and I did feel uneasy about it, even though the doctor had told me it was safe. I did not experience any side effects, maybe only some weight gain (not much, and I don't know for sure whether it was caused by the pill or not). Anyway, I decided to stop taking it. I felt it was a risk to my health.

I've been on the pill since I was 16yrs, mainly to help with my heavy periods, fortunately without any noticeable side effects.

I don't feel or consider it to be a health risk at all, if anything it is keeping me in good health by preventing me becoming pregnant, and of course helping my periods be more managable.

Naturally it goes without saying that my boyfriend always uses a condom when we have intercourse, as he feels he needs to contribute to the prevention of me becoming pregnant.

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Come what may count your blessings.

Some side effects of birth control are weight gain, headaches I think, bloated feelings.. Those are just the ones I can remember.

Here's more info:
http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20326842,00.html

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-Brittany Brydahl

A relative of ours smoked while she was on the pill, and she had a stroke. She was very young, not even thirty when it happened. From what I understand, it is not uncommon, so smoking is very dangerous while taking the pill.

Oh gain weight that's not really good to hear. I know smoking is really bad for the health and I don't smoke or drink. I really want to try the pill but something is holding me back from doing it.

I knew of one girl in high school who was on birth control, and she did gain a lot of weight...or at least that's what she blamed the weight gain on. She said something about absorbing a lot of water. Does that make any sense?

I've heard something like that, but I'm not sure how true it really is

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-Brittany Brydahl