The Student Room Group

The Pill

Hey I've been in sexually active relationships before, but have never bothered to go on the pill. However now I'm tired of having to plan my sex life around my monthly cycle - I don't want my summer of love to be ruined by the damn thing coming at inappropriate times.

Anyway the point is I know absolutely nothing about it - do I just wander into my (male) GP and say I want it or do you go to a family planning place. I do apologise for being so uninformed.

Also if you're on the pill and in a relationship do you need to use condoms?

I expect you all may fly at my stupidity :rolleyes:

Basically if someone could give me the raw facts about starting taking it - I've looked at threads on here about the pill but everyone seems supremely clued up about it all

Thankyou I'll love you all for ever

Scroll to see replies

I went to the Information Shop (i.e. my local family planning clinic, I didn't even have to make an appointment and that's really why I chose not to see my doctor) and they tested my blood pressure, asked me a few questions and sent me away with a few packs of pills (you'll probably be put on microgynon to start off with).

You don't *need* to use condoms whilst on the pill, as the pill is a highly effective method of contraception, but it is advisable to use them anyway to avoid STDs or if you accidentally forget a pill.

I adore the pill, I don't quit know how I coped without it. I didn't start it for contraceptive reasons (hurrah for 18 year old virgins such as moi!) I just wanted to control my periods as they were so irregular and always decided to start just as I was about to go on holiday, have a huge party etc. I bow down to the person who invented them - now I have control!
Reply 2
You can go to your GP about it, or to a family planning type place. You might be able to request that a woman sees you, but I'm not sure - that might only be for physical examinations, or simply something I've made up.
There are loads of different pills, your GP (or whoever prescribes it) should be able to help you get the most appropriate one, and if you're not happy with it, then you can go back and ask to switch to a different one. Some of them can also mess your cycle up more (as well as other things), so you might want to check out the possible side effects, maybe talk to people on here about their experiences.
About condoms...neither the pill nor condoms are totally guaranteed to prevent pregnancy, so some people decide to use both 'just to be sure'. However, I don't think being on just the pill is any less safe than just using condoms, so that shouldn't worry you too much. You might want to get yourself and your partner checked out for STIs and so on before you decide not to use condoms. The pill offers no protection against STIs, so if you're with a new partner or you/your partner has recently slept with someone else (no comment on your situation intended, merely giving information), you want to use condoms as well.
Have fun!
Reply 3
you just book an appointment with your gp, walk in and say "i'd like to go on the pill please". you can get different ones depending on whether you want it for heavy periods, skin etc. i like dianette.

regardling relationships/condoms, it's your choice. if you both are sti free then there's no reason why you need one, except it's extra protection against pregnancy.
Lozza
you just book an appointment with your gp, walk in and say "i'd like to go on the pill please". you can get different ones depending on whether you want it for heavy periods, skin etc. i like dianette.

regardling relationships/condoms, it's your choice. if you both are sti free then there's no reason why you need one, except it's extra protection against pregnancy.


O.o no dianette!!! One of the chemicals in it is know to be toxic to the liver and is associated with liver cancer if used for long periods of time. Also it has 4 times the risk of causing DVT than other contraceptive pills. Note that Dianette is the exact same drug as Juliet, Estelle, Brenda and Diane. If you have acne please try Yasmin instead it's meant to be as good for acne. I was Diane for years and no one told me about the risks, I only discovered it by accident while researching pills that might be suit me better 2 weeks ago. They know say that Dianette should only be used as a last resort for severe acne that doesn't respond to antibiotics and should only be continued for 4 months and no longer. Unfortunately most doctors don't seem to have a clue about the dangers of Dianette (at least in Australia). I wouldn't freak out if you are on Diane but please do a search for "Diane health warnings" and weigh up the risks yourself.
Reply 5
I didn't start it for contraceptive reasons (hurrah for 18 year old virgins such as moi!) I just wanted to control my periods as they were so irregular and always decided to start just as I was about to go on holiday, have a huge party etc. I bow down to the person who invented them - now I have control!


I went on the pill for the exact same reason. My periods were getting to the point where they were 6 months or so apart!!!

When they eventually did turn up I'd spend the preceeding week in bed with migraines too.

Im so glad I went to see the doctor-now I know when my period will turn up!!
Reply 6
is it true that the pill increases risk of breast cancer? Because it runs in my family and I'm worried about going on it. It's only to clear up my skin though :P
Reply 7
wow going on the pill clears up spotty skin!? I never knew that, so lots of people go on it just to reap those benefits then. Sounds like a 'wonder drug' - apart from perhaps the causing cancer, radioactive brain etc.
Haushinka
is it true that the pill increases risk of breast cancer? Because it runs in my family and I'm worried about going on it. It's only to clear up my skin though :P


Yes it is true but it's only meant to be a fairly small increase. The instructions that come with the pill say to tell your doctor you have a family history of breast cancer and that if you do take the pill you should be closely observed by a doctor. Have you tried antibotics first? If you do take the pill for you skin I'd consider only going on it until your skin clears and then stop using it. The acne may return but most people find that it is less severe and sometimes it doesn't come back. I stopped taking the pill after a year and my skin problems didn't come back for over a year, after which I started taking it again.
Reply 9
Special Patrol
O.o no dianette!!! One of the chemicals in it is know to be toxic to the liver and is associated with liver cancer if used for long periods of time. Also it has 4 times the risk of causing DVT than other contraceptive pills. Note that Dianette is the exact same drug as Juliet, Estelle, Brenda and Diane. If you have acne please try Yasmin instead it's meant to be as good for acne. I was Diane for years and no one told me about the risks, I only discovered it by accident while researching pills that might be suit me better 2 weeks ago. They know say that Dianette should only be used as a last resort for severe acne that doesn't respond to antibiotics and should only be continued for 4 months and no longer. Unfortunately most doctors don't seem to have a clue about the dangers of Dianette (at least in Australia). I wouldn't freak out if you are on Diane but please do a search for "Diane health warnings" and weigh up the risks yourself.


whoops. i was on it for 2 1/2 years. i loved it. i'm on yasmin now and i dont like it.
Lozza
whoops. i was on it for 2 1/2 years. i loved it. i'm on yasmin now and i dont like it.


I just started Yasmin and I was really hoping it would be good :frown: Oh, well maybe it will work for me. Right now a have a horrible head ache and am wonder if it's because of Yasmin. I've never had one this bad before but I bet it's due to looking at the computer screen for to long.
Reply 11
Special Patrol
Yes it is true but it's only meant to be a fairly small increase. The instructions that come with the pill say to tell your doctor you have a family history of breast cancer and that if you do take the pill you should be closely observed by a doctor. Have you tried antibotics first? If you do take the pill for you skin I'd consider only going on it until your skin clears and then stop using it. The acne may return but most people find that it is less severe and sometimes it doesn't come back. I stopped taking the pill after a year and my skin problems didn't come back for over a year, after which I started taking it again.

Yes I have tried antibiotics in forms of creams and tablets. They worked for a while but then my skin got used to them and it only made it worse.
I think I may be growing out of it now though, I've had them since around 14 and I'm now nearly 18. The past few months haven't been so bad, but I do get very heavy periods as well I fainted last night because of it. I'm going to the doctor about it anyway because I'm having a test to see if I carry the gene for breast cancer.
Thanks for your help :smile:
Special Patrol
One of the chemicals in it is know to be toxic to the liver and is associated with liver cancer if used for long periods of time. Also it has 4 times the risk of causing DVT than other contraceptive pills.


Dont let things like this scare you! I was on the pill for 1yr n a half! It made my friend a bit sick at first but thats it.. u've gotta just be wary that people react differently.. so read the sheet about what possibe symptoms could be.. N u can jut go straight to ur GP it's probably easier that way.. i hate going down family planning.. give's me the creeps! + u dnt ned condoms as well but it's safer if u do.. + u never kno where the boys bin!? Have a good summer! :wink: Xx
Reply 15
im not on the pill anymore cos I dont have a boyfriend at the mo, but do you think its silly just to go back on the pill just so i can control my periods and maybe my boobs will get bigger again lol
its just I feel a bit stupid taking them for no other reason than I want to control when my period comes. its not like its irregular but I preferred my periods when I ahd the pill - werent so damn heavy :mad:
And plus if there is a slight risk in taking the pill (after all its not completely natural to feed your body with extra hormones) is it worth taking for such a petty reason?
Then again when I go to uni it might be sensible to go on the pill just in case a situation arises :wink:
Reply 16
You might appreciate being able to control your periods during exam time - or possibly post-exam party time! - so you shouldn't feel guilty for going onto the pill for a "petty reason", especially as loads of girls take it just for that reason. But you weigh those benefits against the risks and decide what might be best for you.
Also, if you are having casual sex, use a condom! The pill does not protect against STIs.
jeni8686
im not on the pill anymore cos I dont have a boyfriend at the mo, but do you think its silly just to go back on the pill just so i can control my periods and maybe my boobs will get bigger again lol
its just I feel a bit stupid taking them for no other reason than I want to control when my period comes. its not like its irregular but I preferred my periods when I ahd the pill - werent so damn heavy :mad:
And plus if there is a slight risk in taking the pill (after all its not completely natural to feed your body with extra hormones) is it worth taking for such a petty reason?
Then again when I go to uni it might be sensible to go on the pill just in case a situation arises :wink:


i was originally put on the pill to relieve period pain....and not until later on did i want it for its contraceptive purposes....so if it has other benefits for you such as lighter periods then go and speak to your doctor about it, and i'm sure that they wouldn't object.

Ruthie xx

EDIT: and i'm still taking it even though i don't have a bf at the mo, as it has benefits period wise :smile:
blueprints
Hey I've been in sexually active relationships before, but have never bothered to go on the pill. However now I'm tired of having to plan my sex life around my monthly cycle - I don't want my summer of love to be ruined by the damn thing coming at inappropriate times.

Anyway the point is I know absolutely nothing about it - do I just wander into my (male) GP and say I want it or do you go to a family planning place. I do apologise for being so uninformed.

Also if you're on the pill and in a relationship do you need to use condoms?

I expect you all may fly at my stupidity :rolleyes:

Basically if someone could give me the raw facts about starting taking it - I've looked at threads on here about the pill but everyone seems supremely clued up about it all

Thankyou I'll love you all for ever


I am in EXACTLY the same position as you (it's actually quite scary - and no i don't mean literally :p:) I just walked into my (male) GPs and he told me everything i need to know (make sure you ask about risks etc) i'd advise you to do that! It's ok once you get in there. My doctor did tell me to go back when i was on my period and then he would giv me the pill, so that might be something to take into consideration. Good luck!! :biggrin:

Also can i ask.....how bad is the weight gain/chances of thrombosis?!


xxxx
Reply 19
Special Patrol
Yes it is true but it's only meant to be a fairly small increase. The instructions that come with the pill say to tell your doctor you have a family history of breast cancer and that if you do take the pill you should be closely observed by a doctor. Have you tried antibotics first? If you do take the pill for you skin I'd consider only going on it until your skin clears and then stop using it. The acne may return but most people find that it is less severe and sometimes it doesn't come back. I stopped taking the pill after a year and my skin problems didn't come back for over a year, after which I started taking it again.


I read somewhere that, if taken regularly and as prescribed, one of the pill types can actually decrease the risk of breast cancer as it regulates the hormones or something. Don't quote me on this though - my medical knowledge is not the greatest!!! :confused: :rolleyes: