23 Jun 2021

I’ve been on the pill for eight years and let me tell ya, it’s been a whirlwind. From breakdowns (maybe just me being emotional but let’s blame the pill) to constant bloating and mood changes, I’ve experienced it all and have tried many alternatives to find the right one.

It’s not all doom and gloom though. Got nights out over the next few weekends and want to skip your period? Want your acne to improve? Not get as many, or no cramps at all? No matter what you might need it for, finding the right pill that works for you, and finding if any works for you at all, can be a beneficial addition to your lifestyle.

 

Before I go any further, let’s deep dive into what the pill actually is.

The combined oral contraceptive pill, also known as “the pill” is a form of contraception consumed orally that includes oestrogen (regulates menstrual cycle) and progestogen (keeps hormones steady + stops the sperm from reaching the egg). The pill varies from brand to brand as well as its dosage, so clarify this with your doctor to fully understand what you’re taking.

Here is a storytime about my journey on the pill.

Flashback to when it all started

I was 15-years-old and with my first boyfriend (I know, I know… early bloomer). I was trying to convince my parents that I needed to see the doctor to get the pill. In all honesty, my period was absolutely unbearable - I would have irregular periods (two periods in a row and then none for three months) and have to go home from school because of excruciating abdominal pain.

The time came to head to my family GP (a bit awkward asking for the pill to a doctor I’ve been seeing since I exited the womb). My parents were in the room. My doctor asked what I wanted to use it for. I gave him the truth (period pain) but not the whole truth (I started having sex with my partner). If my parents weren’t hovering over and listening to the conversation, I would’ve definitely slipped in all the reasons… and it probably would’ve saved me a lot of effort and time in the long run.

The long journey

I started taking my first pill and it seemed to be going smoothly, aside from the fact that I was still nursing my lower stomach during that time of the month. I was still in pain. I was prescribed a new pill and I thought I found the one. No more cramps, no more irregular periods, no more acne, no more running to the bathroom ‘cus my period leaked through (totally not traumatised from asking the office ladies for a pad). 

Three years in, studying for my HSC, I accidentally skipped my pill for three days straight mid-packet and my period went all whack. Thinking it would re-adjust, I kept using the same pill for two years after but my period was coming and going out of nowhere. I would be bleeding for three weeks straight out of the month. Was my body used to it now? Does the pill no longer work for me? My GP prescribed me a pill with a higher dosage and if anything, it got worse.

The right pill

I was fed up with not being able to go to the beach with my friends and carrying a super not discreet pouch to the bathroom with me at all times. I booked in to see a gynecologist. She had a geeze on my history of pills and saw a pattern - I needed to go back on a lower dosage and to add an extra chemical substance in there to balance it. She prescribed it, I tried it and I haven’t looked back.

There was a shortage for nine months though. The same manufacturer that was producing the Covid-19 vaccine all of a sudden couldn’t manufacture my pill… not naming names but… hmm… suss. It’s all good now though, no problems at all, cheers to my fab gyno.

TLDR; it took me eight years to find a pill that worked perfectly for me. You’ll either find yours on the first go but sometimes you might not get so lucky. Track the side effects, have a read at that massive pamphlet in the box and listen to your doctor - if you've got any problems, do not put it off!

To finish us off, let’s also break down some myths:

The pill makes you gain weight - not completely true. You may have water retention or bloating but research has shown no association between weight gain and birth control.

The pill contributes to infertility (not able to have babies) - false. The pill is one of the most researched prescribed medications out there; experts confirm it does not affect infertility. Some people do stop taking it in their late 20s and start trying in their early 30s, thus harder to fall pregnant but that’s just their biological clock talking.

***Disclaimer: All content on the Year13 website is created for informational purposes only and is from personal experience. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Go see a doc!***

Sources: 1 / 2 / 3