3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going on Birth Control

A little over a year ago, I decided to venture into the unknown and get birth control pills for myself. I was a young girl…in college…with a boyfriend…who hated her period. The answer lay with the pills. I was obviously really nervous about going on birth control, as I had never really been on any sort of prescription before. However, after meeting with my doctor, and having her explain everything to me, I was happily reassured that I was making the right decision. These are some things I wish I knew (both good and bad) before going on the pill: 

1. You will get VERY hormonal.

I started taking my pills during my first semester in college, and boy let me tell you, my hormones were off the wall. I’d randomly get really emotional, even if I was nowhere close to getting my period. I’d be subjected to mood swings, random bursts of happiness, and of course, late night crying sessions. However, all of this is considered normal, especially if you just started the pill. Eventually, I grew out of these hormonal imbalances after being on the pill for over a year now. Yes, it sucks in the beginning. Obviously no one likes to randomly start crying. But it does happen, and you get over it in time. Trust me. 

2. You will learn to keep track of time.

When I first started taking my pills, my doctor informed me that I should try to take them around the same time every day. My solution to this was to set an alarm on my phone so that, at 4:00 everyday, I would know to take my pill. This really helped me get used to making schedules, as I’d have to make sure I had my pills with me at that time, or shortly thereafter. Technically, it’s not the end of the world if you take your pills a little later than usual; just so long as it’s somewhat around the same time everyday. But overall, taking the pills really helped me get used to a schedule that I try to follow everyday. 

3. You may (or may not) get your period each month.

The pill is designed to make it harder for sperm to enter the uterus, and one such way it does this is by thinning the uterus lining. By thinning the uterus lining, it is harder for an egg to attach. One’s period is the shedding of the uterus lining. If you put two and two together, the pill can cause you to miss your period because of this lessening of the uterus lining. There is basically nothing for your body to get rid of, so you may not bleed. The first time this has happened to me, I almost started crying. I was so nervous that the pills hadn’t worked, and I definitely was not ready to be pregnant. However, after asking my doctor, she said that this is entirely normal, and can happen after taking the pill for a few months continuously. Therefore, if you’re the type of girl who strongly dislikes your period, the pill can help you shorten it, lessen its intensity, and can even get rid of it. 

Overall, I believe that the pills were a good investment for me. However, they are not for everyone. If any of the topics I mentioned above are deal breakers for you, I would suggest not going on the pills. Basically, just do what makes you comfortable. There are plenty of methods out there, and there is certainly one for everyone!