Datingish reader Shannon wrote, "I have been dating my boyfriend for 3 months been on birth control for about 4 1/2 months. ive been gaining LOT of weigh in my lower area...starting to really scare me but, im on birth control. we also dont always use a condom".
Birth control is great, but Datingish recommends using condoms as well - the Pill doesn't protect against STDs! Birth control should also be taken at the same time every day - my doctor told me that some medications need to be taken within the same three-hour window each day or it's like you haven't even taken the pill. If Shannon isn't taking it at the same time every day or has missed a pill during the month (it happens to the best of us), she may be at risk for pregnancy.
If you're worried about taking the pill effectively and can't get a hold of your doctor, Google the name of your specific birth control - its official site should have the exact instructions you need.
What's your advice for Shannon?
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Comments (48)
Pregnancy test + use condoms.
the pill may not work for some and it really takes a full year before the pill becomes 99.9% effective. However there are those 0.1% that it doesn't work for and I fall in that category...I have proof.
You can tell if you are pregnant if you don't get your period every month while on the pill. It also won't affect a pregnancy test result, so feel free. If you have forgotten a pill, use a condom for a week after, and then you should be OK. As for STD's, the pill doesn't protect you against them, so if you are unsure about your boyfriend being STD free, make sure you both go to a doctor and get tested. The pill also makes some people gain weight, so that could be it as well :P
If I have questions I just go on the planned parenthood site, they are really helpful!
I hope this helps!
yeah, you gotta make sure you are taking your pill around the same time everyday. i've a my daily pill right after i get up.
although i don't believe the girls, but my boyfriend just so happened to have two kids with two different girls, who claimed the pill and condoms failed. they didn't use condoms all the time.
there is still that chance, you it's better to be safe than sorry!
get a pregnancy test to be sure. plus possible weight gain is a side effect.
xo
go pee on a stick.
the pill can fail.
go pee on a stick
Well, first of all, take a pregnancy test and you can stop wondering. Second of all, birth control is very effective when used 100% correctly, but it can be really hard to take a pill at the same time every day, and if you missed even once, you're more at risk. Besides, even if you used it perfectly for a year, the Pill is only about 99% effective so there's probably a one in one hundred chance you'd get pregnant anyway. Everyone's saying to use a backup method, and I would have to agree it's the smart thing to do. (Even my husband and I always use a backup method because we REALLY don't want to get me pregnant yet.) In the future for you, a birth control I highly recommend is the NuvaRing. It's a flexible plastic ring you stick way up your vagina that releases the same hormones in pills. It's AWESOME because I don't ever have to take a pill and I forget it's even there. I can't feel it. They say 9 out of 10 partners don't feel it during sex but you can take it out for up to 3 hours without being at risk. I haven't gained any weight on it and I obviously haven't gotten pregnant, and there haven't been any other annoying side effects either. Also, my acne cleared up and I don't have killer cramps anymore. Everyone is different. At any rate, something isn't right- your BC is either making you gain weight or you are pregnant. Try other pills or the Ring or the patch or whatever else you want, and use condoms... Time to go get some answers and make a couple of changes!
The only way to for sure not get pregnant is abstinence.
Just to be annoying.
If you get scared double up on stuff. Use the Pill and condoms and that sperm killer gel and the morning after pill.
Or just not have sex.
There are so many alternatives to BC. The pill I find is the hardest to keep up with.
I got pregnant while on the pill.
It happens.
You can never be too careful.
People say to use a condom and BC, but in reality, not a lot of people actually do that.
A lot of people, I have heard, gain weight from the birth control. It can change your hormones and make you have a bigger appetite. It's natural for a lot of women to gain weight in their midsection, because even if they're not pregnant, the body likes to have cushioning in that area just in case.
If you're really worried, you can go to a doctor and/or buy a pregnancy test.
Maybe she's just getting fat. That happens sometimes too.
You USUALLY don't start showing til the 3rd month or so (depending). So, you SHOULD know by then because of morning sickness, missed periods, tender breasts, tired all the time, etc. Some people never show, and and some start showing right away! I worked with a girl who looked 6 months pregnant at 3 months!
I started on the pill about 4 months ago, and damnn i've been gaining weight ... bad times!
but yeah... go pee on that stick just to make sure :)
BC tend to make people gain weight. And let's say he got you pregnant the first time he did it...3 months ago, assuming...your tummy won't start until it's at least 4 months and it's only if you tend to eat a lot or if the baby is a big one.
if you happen to take antibiotics, your doctor might ask you if you're on BC, it can very well work against each other so birth control so it's safer to stick to a condom.
i have some issues about BC and my health so my doctors have advised that i don't use it. it does funny things to the chemistry and the weight gain is something i don't want to adjust to. not to mention, my mom used to be on bc and my brother was conceived regardless of her prep so there you go.
Take a pregnancy test!
It could be weight from the pill... but maybe not.
I have a girlfriend who's significant other has some intensely potent sperm (his doctor told him it's about 99% effective at doing its 'job') and she knows that birth control plus condom is the only safe way for them to have sex. Even though she's on the pill, she managed to get pregnant because their condom broke (she later miscarried). If you're really worried, use both!
I've heard of girls gaining weight from BC but the only noticable weight gain I had was in my boobs.
I hated the pill. and I hated the patch. So I got an IUD. They're more effective.
Anyways, Shannon should get a pregnancy test. Everything can fail other than abstinence.
Hey, don't trust Birth Control alone. I was conceived on the pill. (But I sure am glad I'm here!)
take a pregnancy test and if you're still uncertain, go see your family doctor for a check up.
I gained a ton of weight when I started taking Yaz. My boobs got huge and I gained 20 pounds.
Really? Seriously? It sounds as if this Shannon is shocked that the Pill could fail. Or at least questioning that the Pill has failed. Has anybody every said that the Pill is 100% effective? Ever? Even with condom use, it's still not 100%. In fact, because of the all the hormones in birth control, it may have the opposite effect on some women, and INCREASE their chances of becoming pregnant, especially within the first month of starting the Pill, or switching brands.
I -and my twin brother- am living proof that the pill is not fool proof. Don't be so naive to think that just because you are taking birth control- or any other form of contraception for that matter- that you are never going to get pregnant.
I'm going to be on the pill for irregular periods. I am not looking forward to weight gain!
@GiantUnicorn@xanga - sperm killer gell can cancel out the effects of condoms.
The pill sometimes causes weight gain, however, it should not cause more than three or so pounds. Â Also, the pill is 92 to 99% effective when taken correctly according to the Mayo clinic. Â This means you statistically lost effectiveness when skipping a day, but if you doubled up the next day, it shouldn't be a big deal. Â It loses effectiveness when taken with other medication as well. Â For example, an antibiotic may cause the pill to not work as well. Â However, antibiotics differ on how much they affect the pill. Â Pineapple and smoking also mitigates effectiveness. Â The chance of you being pregnant is not very likely. Â However, if you're worried, I'd wait till the first missed day of my period to take a pregnancy test. When taken on the first day of your missed period, pregnancy tests are 99.9% effective. Â My assumption is that you are just gaining a little weight, and there's no real need to worry. Â Most people don't gain baby weight that soon into their pregnancy. Â I'd suggest you talk to your doctor about your pill or research your brand. Â It's better to be safe than pregnant when you're not ready.