Lovelyish

5.   Generic versions are basically the same

Yeah, they may work the same way, but they’re NOT basically the same and it’s the same for different generics of the same pill… 
I had a horrible period this month (I’m on the pill mostly for period issues) because they took one generic off the market and gave me a new one; it was like starting a new whole pill AND I had horrible cramps. 

Interesting/informative article.  Wondering why heat makes them less effective, though.

Also very important:

Studies have shown that being on birth control can change your attraction to your partner and cause you to choose a bad mate.  If you were attracted to him while on hormonal birth control, you might not be once you stop taking it (if you’re trying to get pregnant, for example).  If you were attracted to him before you took birth control, you may not be attracted to him once you start.

Another important point is that if you get migraine with visual aura & hemiplegia, you may be at increased risk of stroke if you go on the full-dose pill, that’s why I’m not allowed to take the pill (and less-dose pills don’t work for me).

I hate the pill lol Depo ftw!

ok… first mistake… antibiotics are used to battle BACTERIA, not viruses. lol. antiVIRALS are used to battle viruses.
but other than that, yes, antibiotics and birth control pills have drug interactions – antibiotics, especially Rifampin, decrease the effectiveness of birth control, and you may get pregnant as a result.

and just finished reading the rest of the article — everything else is correct.

@annamariuhh@xanga - probably causes degradation of the pill/hormones in the pill.

You don’t have to take it at EXACTLY the same time every day. I think they just tell you that so that you don’t forget. I’ve missed two in a row before, taken them all at once, and didn’t get pregnant. Not the best practice. Really though, you really don’t need to set that bc alarm on your phone.
Also, if you’re that worried about getting pregnant, and you’re against abortion, you should probably think more than twice about having sex in the first place.

@methodElevated@xanga - That’s one thing I’ve never heard concerning the pill. It’s never happened to me.

OP:

I know all of these. I’ve taken the pill and talked to my gynecologist about it. He was frank and honest and answered everything I had concerns with. It’s good to voice these and questions to your doctor. Not to mention, that the booklets tell you this information as well. It’s also as simple as reading the information given to you and researching it to see if it’s right for you. Same with every other medication you may take.

@starcrossedloversdivine@xanga - you have to take it GENERALLY at the same time. if you don’t, you’re chancing getting pregnant. 

@starcrossedloversdivine@xanga - micronor is a low dose contraceptive and should be taken at the same time daily because the of the low drug concentration in the body. A delay of an hour can cause pregnancy.

8. bc can cause thrombosis (blood clots)

#3 is incorrect. 3 days if you miss one pill, 7 if you miss 2, according to the instructions.

@UnconventionalButterfly@xanga - depo provera causes loss of bone density and risk of osteoporosis fyi. An IUD (paragard) has less side effects than depo if you dislike oral bc.

@glittershadow@xanga - you’re right.

@din02243158@xanga - Thats why you add more calcium to your diet. 

@methodElevated@xanga - WHOA.  Have never heard of that.  It’s quite interesting!

broad spectrum antibiotics such as amoxil, tetracycline etc.. can alter the intestinal flora and decrease the absorption of sex hormones.

9. Anticonvulsant such as Tegretol and Dilantin can reduce the circulation of bc in the body system. It’s not recommended to take a bc < 35 mcg for patients taking anticonvulsant.

I hope I never use these. 

@sassij - how about an IUD? It doesn’t have the side effects of the oral bc

Sometimes I think about going back on birth control just to realize that the medication I’m on only makes it around 80% effective (with accounting for human error and all).  Besides, BC always gives me crazy mood swings (which I already have bad enough) and, to be honest, I’d rather not risk the pill increasing my chest size again or adding to my waist size.

Meh.  It would just be nice to not have the hassle of worrying every few months that something has gone terribly, terribly wrong, even with precautions.

@UnconventionalButterfly@xanga - Oh man, I had a horrible experience with Depo! I wish I could’ve stuck with it though, ’cause it was awesome to just get the shot and then not have to think about birth control or periods for three months!

@din02243158@xanga - well, to be a smartass about it from my end, only sperm can cause pregnancy. drugs or not taking them only have an effect on the chance of getting pregnant.

3.   Missing one pill means that you should use a backup form of birth control for the next SEVEN DAYS

Has anyone else been told differently about this? When I started the pill the first time, the doctor told me that if you’ve been on a good schedule, one slip-up shouldn’t matter unless it’s been over 12 hours. I’ve never tested that theory because I’m always uber paranoid about getting pregnant and I’ve heard other people say that if you miss the pill by even a few hours, you could be in trouble.

@UnconventionalButterfly@xanga -  I’m on Depo too and I love it

why are there never sources…

@nomnomyourbewbs@xanga - I’m pretty sure these are common sense things. 

Generics are NOT basically the same. Generic brands can be up to 20% less effective than the name brand birth control they are standing in for. Talk to your doctor first and make sure that’s not the case with the generic you choose.