My Daugher is considering the Pill for her Periods

[ryecroft]

As a side note since everyone is always on here going on and on about the ‘terrible side effects,’ I just wanted to add that I know there -can- be side effects for the pill, but NOT ALWAYS.

I have been on it for the last year…on a low dosage. My experience? I lost 10 pounds, my acne (very very painful and huge on my chin kind of acne) has completely cleared up, my awful mood swings around my period are gone, my periods are very light and short, and the excruciating pain that would leave me on the couch during 6 days of my period popping pain meds like candy are no longer.

I have had -zero- bad side effects. At all. None. I had a friend that had bad bleeding on one pill, but was fine when her doctor switched her to another. The doctor usually gives you a month on it to see how your body reacts or doesn’t react, and then may try another kind or take you off completely.

I have to agree with this poster - having been on various versions of the “pill”, the patch, etc., the only side effects I have had have been mostly with weight- granted my times of the month can last much longer than most without. But I also have multiple friends who take it without ill side effects. I think it also needs to be said (since I see it often quoted on here) that almost any medication that you take regardless of it being birth control or high blood pressure or whatever has a list of side effects that include almost any ill you could consider (stomach ache, headach, loss of weight, gaining of weight, trouble sleeping, dizziness the list goes on and on - have you guys ever read the list of possible side effects that mainly only come with the most often occuring effects that you get printed out from the pharmacy when you get any medication?) Although, I do agree with many of the posters - if you have the time and the means, I would seriously agree about seeing if there is something else that could be done. Also, I wanted to bring up that anyone that takes any form of asprin during a period could wind up bleeding too much at one time due to the effects of making the blood “thin” a bit. I’ve known of some to actually get light headed or pass out from it. Just a though.
God Bless
Rye
Annie

I have several friends that have experience no side effects. If other underlying causes do not exist, she may just be like me and my friends and have rough periods. My best friend used to cry her eyes out all day on the couch during high school during her period, curled in on herself in agony and skipping class for the week before she got on the pill. Her doctor said that physically she was healthy, and that her periods were just painful naturally. But they were crippling her for a week each month, worse than mine.

If she really wants to go on it she needs to do not only moral, religious research but also unbiased scientific research on it and exactly how it effects your body, as well as the different brands and types of pills. Plus it’s not cheap–mine is $50 per month and not covered by insurance.

I’m in college too, so that’s a rough amount of money to take out of my pocket each month. But $50 versus ugly painful acne + agonizing periods and mood swings? I’ll take the $50 bucks. But it’s not right for everyone. Knowledge will be your daughter’s best friend on this.

The pill sounds so scary especially on these boards, but I have not met anyone that tried it in real life and had such horrendous side effects (although I’m sure a dozen people on here will respond that they have). Again, if she’s serious she needs to read -everything- on it, and talk to her/a doctor.

 

[Seatuck]

Yes I was, sorry I didn’t make that more clear in my previous post. I was specifically addressing that fact that since the OP daughter is celibate it’s licit for her use the pill in this case and there is no concern about possible conception.

I wasn’t addressing the other possible health side effects.

She is not Celibate. She is chaste. She has not chosen to forgo Marriage at this time in her life. But yes, if it is the only alternative she may use the pill. Serious efforts to find an alternative should be take.

 

[SJG1759]

Hello,
My daughter called me tonight from college. She asked me about taking the pill for her horrific periods that she gets. They last 4 days and nothing is helping to relieve the pain. She takes 4 midols at a time, heating pads and hot showers, but nothing is making a difference. They seem to be getting worse and worse.
She is not planning on having sex until she is married. We talked about how this could lead to promiscuity and how it can make her feel not so good as well. But, what can she take? of Do? I had the same periods like her when I was her age, and I did go on the pill.I went off them years later when they were making me feel terrible and I learned how it could make you miscarry. I was ignorant. Plus, we want to follow our faith.

So what can she do?
Any suggestions. I will call my doctor tomorrow, but I’m afraid that he will give me the Pill solution.
Robin:shrug:

It’s not normal for periods to be torturous every single month! Something is very wrong here, and she needs to get to a doctor to figure it out. Oh, and tell her to stay away from her campus health center - those places give out BCPs like candy!

 

[wanner47]

You might want to buy this book or check it out of the library: Fertility, Cycles, & Nutrition: How Your Diet Affects Your Menstrual Cycles and Fertility by Marilyn Shannon. Especially if she’s a college student – I know I lived on TV dinners and canned foods in college and could stand better nutrition.

I heartily second the recommendation of this book! It is wonderful.

The Pill will only treat her symptoms; it won’t help cure the underlying problem. Is there a pro-life doctor in her area who will help her diagnose the problem instead of just hiding the symptoms with ABC?

 

[sandusky1011]

I have been on the pill off and on over the years, the last time for medical reasons and I’ve had no side effects from them. If fact, it’s been only good things that they have helped.

I started my 18 year old daughter on them this summer for very heavy and painful periods that lasted about 6-7 days. Same as mine when I was young. She was taking Ibuprophen most of those days for the cramps. She did see a doctor and she’s fine but some people just have painful periods. She’s not sexually active and has never even dated yet. Unfortunately, she did have side effects like awful mood swings and depression even though they helped her periods a great deal. I suggested she stop for now since she’s about to start school and doesn’t need all that. She can try a different kind later if she chooses.

And, I’ve read that you are less likely to get ovarian cancer by having been on the pill just like pregnancy helps prevent that, too, since it gives the ovaries a rest. My grandmother died of ovarian cancer at 73 so I figure it can’t hurt other than the heart scare.

 

[Amber2]

Hi there
I would recommend that you google: Dr. Thomas Hilgers Endometriosis
There is an online talk and I think you might find it very interesting.
I hope your daughter will get te proper help
Amber

 

[lenni]

heylo…
i think u should read this -
chastity.com/node/214
start from about the 6th para down!
it explains the after-effects. and the fact that half the tablets in the pack that they give u are empty. The estrogen levels in the tablet can cause high blood pressure… There are a couple more side effects that they mention…
i think this is a good source to pass onto your daughter!

 

[kage_ar]

Remember, women on the pill DO NOT HAVE PERIODS.

They bleed because the artificial hormones are gone for one week, however, that is not a period. The pill stops a woman’s natural cycles all together. It takes a healthy organ and makes it act as if it is sick.

Sort of like giving your daughter ipecac every time she eats so she will lose weight.