RateItAll: The Opinion Network

Pros: I had a very light, timely period. I always knew what day I was going to get my period, I only had my period for 4-5 days (never heavy at all), I had NO horrible cramps, and I have not got pregnant and I have been on it for a little over 1 1/2 years. Cons: I am switching my birth control, because my body cannot take taking pills everyday. I really do not mind taking a pill everyday, because an alarm goes off on my handheld to remind me. However, I get sick atleast 2 times every month on the pill. I mean I throw up for 6-7 hours during the night. If this occurs to you and you do not want to switch try to take the pill for lunch or earlier than 5:00p.m. before you have a meal to make sure that thing is well digested. During these throw up spells I would get overly dizzy, because I was really dehydrated from the constant throw-uping. Thus, I am getting my BC switched asap. It really sucks because it did treat all my problems, except for mye exessive vomitting the BC works great. Both of my sisters are on it too and they are in there 20s and have been using it for about 5 years and they love it. They never get sick like me, I just always react horribly to medicine-it occurs often that I get sick from taking pills too often so there is still a good chance that this will be a good BC choice for your!

The only real birth control on this list is abortion, and that is equivalent to murder. All other are conception control.

I was on the pill for about 4 years when I got pregnant with my son. He is now 7 years old. I was told by a nurse that my body my have become immune to the pill. I don't regret having my son one bit, but I wish they would put that information in the brochure about Ortho Tri-Cyclin. I'd never even knew that you could become immune to birth control. The crazy thing about the whole situation is that when I found out I was 4 months pregnant already. I didn't understand because I hadn't missed any periods. The good thing about it is that I was half way through the pregnancy and it went very fast. I'd been taking the pill everyday and on time up until that point. The doctors did do more ultrasounds that normal to make sure the baby was fine.I figured it was meant to be. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Pills increase your breast cancer risk. Also have 40+ other side effects from loss of libido to pulmonary thrombosis (blood clots). They can be abortifacient. Recently, dosages have been decreased because of bad side effects, but this makes them less effective.

I've taken various forms of The Pill for five years now and have no children to show for it, even though I'm not the best at remembering to take the pills, especially the white pills at the end of the month. So, it must be pretty effective. I have, however, noticed that some brands/types are more effective and have more side-effects than others. I was on Ortho Cyclen (not ortho tri-cyclen) and loved the effect, except for my 30 lb weight gain (all in about 2 months); lighter period, less moodiness, few cramps, less bloating, fewer headaches. But over time, the effects wore off and I was back to square one: cramping and hating life. Then I tried Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo and wound up with a period every two weeks and severe cramps. I quickly switched back to Orttho Cyclen. All was well, but I didnt get the same pain-relieving effect. Finally, last December, my doctor put me on Yasmine. I've got nothing but good things to say. I dont really cramp (other than a twinge here or there) and my periods have gone down to 2 days/month. I feel better, barely bloat, and my havent had it effect my weight, blood pressure, overall health, or my breast size as the others did (i went up 2 cup sizes with Ortho Cyclen). Of course, i'm only 22 and have never smoked, so I might be experiencing fewer side effects than some of the other women, but all in all, Yasmine seems to be the way to go for me!

i was on the pill for almost 3 years and could not remeber to take it for the life of me...(haha) didnt get knocked up though thank god but i didnt like it, it made me very moody towards my fiancee and i would get the worst cramps ever...i was on ortho tricyclin lo....pills didnt go down easy but maybe it was just me...so now i have switched to the shot and hopefully that will be better and not how most the girls on here say its the devil..

i recently went on the mini pill because i have factor 5. anyone on it? im looking to see what the pregnancy rate is on it...everywhere i look they are different

You worry about the contraception honey, I don't want my little guy to suffocate.

I am bad at taking pills but still remembered to take "the pill" every day, I was on it for over a year and got pregnant while on it. I guess I am just one of the 1% it's not effective on

I'd advise you ladies to that the pill unless you want Ih8rateitall.com jr. The pill is a good thing people, it's a good thing dudes.

If used properly the pill is 99% effective. However there are women who cannot take the pill for one reason or another. I took it for years but as I got older I didn't like the way it made me feel. Still overall one of the best choices on the market.

Maybe better for teens- if they can remember to take it... but it is too disruptive to a woman's hormonal cycle. I had a spike in blood pressure- even on the low dose, no libido, moody.. I was only 19, on it for 2 years. It messed so bad with me that it took me almost 2 years to get my cycles back to normal after I was off it. I also had the panic filled time of the occasional missed period while on it. I could never trust it completely. On the plus side- apparently there are some possible health benefits to taking it for a short(1-2yrs) time, but not enough for me to say it would be worth it.

Great for the man but messes with a womans hormones a bit. Plus I know of a few men that have been duked into believing the woman was taking it properly and sure enough the woman was lying to get money or sucker a guy into marriage. When there is a pill for men that doesn't cause side effects comes out then I would definitely use. Until then the pill is probably the best way to avoid unwanted pregnancy. Condoms aren't bad but when you are dating someone who the hecks gonna wear a condom 2-3 times a day.

As far as effectiveness, as long as the woman isn't forgetful, it's a good alternative but as most people already know, not good for older women or women who smoke. When I took this, it made sex less desirable for me. Not sure why. But, I forgot one day and along came child number 3!

For those sensitive to artificial hormonal methods, the pill is a terrible method. if you are one of these people, you may not know that BCP's have varying hormone levels throughout the month (except the mini-pill) which can cause a sensitive system to have all kinds of side effects. The Nuvaring, however has a much lower and a steady dose of hormones. check it out at www.nuvaring.com. it helped me.

Best tasting of ALL contreception methods

Scary side effects (blood clots, heart attack, stroke) that become more of a risk as the woman gets older. It simply isn't good for a womans body to be on this form of birth control for prolonged periods of time. Furthermore it does nothing to prevent STD's, so I'd say it isn't at the top of the list.

This form of contraception is too unhealthy for women,plus it leaves ALL of the responsibility on HER.I don't think that's fair.

In my eyes the best way for the guy and the girl. It helps reguate the womans period and it stops you from having unwanted children.

Thinking about the pill makes me queasy! I had UNBEARABLE side affects (migraines, nausea, severe depression) and hated being forced to remember to take it everyday. I'd rather be celebate...

To many side effects especially later in life. A real man will not subject his woman to the dangers of the pill.

In the early 1960s when the pill was new it was often referred to as an oral contraceptive. Here is an example of another kind of oral contraceptive that works every time. I asked a woman to go to bed with me. She said No.

The pill is very reliable if you take the pill on time every day. If you know that you are going to forget then you need to look for another type of method or get an alarm to remind you. Sex carries responsibility so if you do not want the consequence of a child then you need to get on the pill. Its safe, reliable (when taken correctly) and easy to use. The pill is great for anyone who is sexually active and needs another barrier of protection from pregnancy. You should use a condom with the pill because you are at rick for STD's especially if you have more than one partner. The pill works wonderful for me.

great if you dont smoke and can get on the right dose. Oh you forgetful people out there, maybe not for you because one little missed pill can make you a parent very quickly.

The #1 choice if you are married or in a long-term monogamous relationship.

Marvelous. Thank God. As a man, I only wish there was a pill we could take. Such a thing is sorely needed in this day and age in a society that holds men financially responsible for their fertility.

got PG x2 on pills

I was on the pill for a while and got pregnant while on it. I know for a fact that I used it correctly an'all that jazz so I know that it was not just my error. I am on depo provera now (which is a more painful but excellent form of contraception.) The pill is rubbish... I know that it looks good because it is painless and 'easy' but it is a real hassle and it doesn't really work. It has a whole lot of side effects that woman don't need at all such as weight gain and it mucks with your hormonal balance (makin ya in a poo mood all the time... making women more at risk of those tiring 'PMS' jokes from the inferior gender :P.) I was concieved on the pill, I concieved on the pill and a friend of mine had 3 children on the pill. It's rubbish, rubbish, rubbish and I can't dog it enough!

the pill maybe highly effective in stopping birth but it is still open to STD's. aside from the women who deicde to skip it or just forget it, it works if you can trusts those you are with.

Right now, I don't want kids. So I believe in using all forms to protect myself. The pill is used to prevent BIRTH only, not STDs.

It can be great for the majority of women, but I was one of the few of whom it causes havoc. I've been in a steady relationship for 4 years now, and when I was 19 (we had been going out for a year by then) I went to the doctors to get a new prescription as I had run out. The doctor did a blood pressure check and to my astonishment I got told that I had high blood pressure. 19, healthy, slim and high blood pressure.... So no more pill for me.

I'm not a girl, so I would never have to take this, but my opinion is that the Pill is terrific. All of my long-term girlfriends have been on this, and it makes everything just more natural without the worry of unplanned pregnancy. You can go at it whenever the mood takes you with no preparation (and it also makes her extra moist - I can't say it any more politely than that). Of course, if I didn't know the person well, there's no way I'd trust her if she said she was on the pill. In that case, I'd use a condom. But for a long-term, monogamous relationship where both partners trust each other and there's no playing around going on, nothing can beat the Pill.

My wife has been on the pill for the last 4 years, because we're not ready for kids yet. As long as you take it regularly (it's not a good idea to go off it and then start back up) and you go to your gynecologist every 6 months to check for any possible side effects, it's great. Another good thing about it is it regulates her period so she knows the exact day she will get it.

I light a few candles during the year and bless Zeus for the joy the pill has given my life. .. but is there any connection between the pill and breast cancer? I've known several women where this was a common thread. (Although there are several other possibilities as well. .. ) I wonder if this is one of those things Americans never question because, well. . .sex without pregnancy is so damn cool. ..

Still the most effective and convenient method if the woman doesn't suffer from side effects and uses it properly.

the pill is great u dont need a condom and you dont need to pull out. hit it raw

No kids, don't have to wear a jimmy - its a win win

The pill is great at first, but i think after a long period it stops working. After 3 years of being on the pill I became pregnant. Be careful and remember to take it every day.

I took the pill for a while, and one disturbing side effect I had was hyperpigmentation across my cheeks and chin (also known as "the mask of pregnancy."It can occur from taking hormones as well.) Women over 35 should look for alternate forms of B.C. as well.

Can tell from personal experience;)

Won't stop social diseases from being spread, but when used correctly it stops more pregnancies than condoms.

OK but gives your signif. other a chance to cheat and not have to worrie about getting prego.

From what I understand, the pill is fairly effective, and does not interfere with the physical pleasures of sex. I've seen a good deal of physical side effects from some people who have used the pill (mostly enlargement of breasts and increase in body fat, but I think it depends on the individual), but side effects don't happen to everyone, and it seemed to be an effective way to prevent pregnancy.

I personally know girls who have been knocked up while on the pill. It doesn't ALWAYS work. The problem with the pill is you have no control over the effectiveness. With condoms, if you are careless then their effectiveness is lowered whereas if you use them properly then I think they are the most effective. I've never had a problem using them.

The pill is probably the best fighter against getting pregnant, but it does absolutely nothing to prevent STD's.

The pill is great. It's extremely effective at preventing pregnancy and is not disruptive to sex. It does not prevent against STD's so it should not be used outside a monogamous relationship, but as long as it is monogamous; it's great.

Convenient, simple and few side effects but take it when you should, or you might wind up with twins!