AW Starting BCPs... is there anything I should know?

emmuffy · December 2014

Hey 3T. I'm going to be starting BCPs for the first time as part of my IVF#2 cycle. I've never taken BCPs before - is there anything I should know? Is it better to take them at night, with food, etc? What should I expect in terms of side effects? I'm only going to be on them for approx. 11 days.

Remylove1011 · December 2014

I'd say take it when you think you'll remember. For me it worked best to take it with my multi-vitamin as I wouldn't forget ( I was on BCP for 8 years). I'm not sure what side efects ou'll get or taking them in the short period, but agree with PP that it often makes your boobs tender.

BunnyBerry · December 2014

For me, the SEs always showed up when it was close to another dosing time, until the pill "kicked in" for the day (as the hormones were dropping). That's why I switched off pills to the patch in college, because every morning I felt nauseous and down. So for me, taking it in the evening probably would have been a better bet?

This summer, I had to take them for about 7 weeks, and didn't notice anything serious, so maybe it was a lower dose or something?

emmuffy · December 2014

I'm on Marvelon 21. I have no idea what all these terms mean, so I don't know what kind it is.

meredithcarole · December 2014

I went off BCPs in August of 2013 after being on them for 13 years. Recently I went back on as a pre-op condition. Boob soreness (like @lemonliz‌ mentioned) was definitely a thing. I also immediately gained 5 lbs from water retention/bloat (I know recent studies say weight gain isn't a side effect, but I call bullshit).

Sewfie · December 2014

I was on loestrin for about 5 or 6 weeks to prep for IVF. I've used both triphasic and monophasic bc pills in the past without issue, but this time I had sore breasts (lawd, so sore!) and was so quick to get ragey. Which was kind of fun, since normally I'm as (outwardly) even-keeled as you can be.

I just take it with my prenatal vitamin at night, as part of my routine. I used to take in in the morning, when I had a better morning routine. I never noticed a difference regarding the time of day I took it.

theholmanherd · December 2014

I used to set an alarm for the same time each day. I always took it at around 10pm on an empty stomach (unless I had just eaten). My wake up times were inconsistent, but I was always up until at least 10pm back then. (Okay so that's still the case for me, but that's irrelevant).

PeonyPop · December 2014

No side effects for me any time I've taken (monophasic, I believe) BC (PCOS wack job cycles off BC, if any), but lots of side effects for my sister such as bloating, weight gain, acne, etc (normal cycles off BC, lucky gal). It really does vary person to person, and I'm sure your diagnosis may play a factor - it definitely does for PCOS girls (I had more "SEs" off BC pills, haha!).

Anyway, it will be only a short period of time andso the side effects shouldn't be too bad, if any. As PP stated, I would take them at the same time every day (setting a phone alarm is a great tip), if you can, but don't worry too much if you're off by a small amount of time. I took them at night, since I could guarantee that I'd be awake at that time every day!

BandM14 · December 2014

I'm with @sammae and @BlueFairy5‌ in that I SUCKED at taking my pills correctly. Over the 8 years I was on BC I probably took at least 10 pregnancy tests because I was, like, OMG sooo scared I was KU. (Insert old pulling out hair emoji)

I will say that I started on triphasic and had an emotional meltdown every time I started the third type of pill. I noticed the pattern after a few months when I switched to monophasic. The only SEs of that were actually pretty awesome- clear skin and bigger boobs.

blsav23 · December 2014

I took mine at night to sleep through the SE. I puked my brains out the first day I took them so I quickly learned they make me very nauseous. Just a little tidbit I forgot from 10 years ago when I last took them☺️

blsav23 · December 2014

BlueFairy5 said:
@blsav23 Oh man, that used to happen to my roommate the day she'd put on her patch at the start of a new cycle. She'd have to miss class that day, more often than not. I felt soooo bad for her.

I pretty much hated life. As if it wasn't insult enough to have to take BCP due to a cyst! Yuck!

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