The growing topic of concern when it comes to safe sex. Birth control. These days there are many different types of contraceptives that can be used to help prevent pregnancy. To name a few, there is the pill, an IUD, a shot, a patch, and so many more. There are so many options, choosing one should be easy right? Not quite in some instances. Some questions that might arise when it comes to choosing a birth control could include, how much does it cost? Where can I get it? Is it hormonal? How effective is it? And those are just some questions that scratch the surface of obtaining birth control.
To speak for myself, I have been on birth control from a very young age, about 8th grade to be exact. Just to be clear, I went on it for medical reasons. I had very irregular periods, so my doctor prescribed me birth control to regulate my menstrual cycle. In my experience, it was basically a no brainer to go on the pill because it was easy, efficient, and I didn’t really think about the effects it might have on my body in the future. It wasn’t until I got to high school that I learned about all of the other methods that my friends used. I also have recently been seeing Tik Toks about some experiences of women going off hormonal birth control and how, in their opinion, it made their lives so much better.
Nobody’s body reacts the same way to birth control, so it is solely your decision which type you chose, if any! I think that hearing other’s stories can help to spark questions about what you feel is best for your health, but ultimately, it is up to YOU. In my opinion at least.
Unruly Bodies 
I have an IUD, and for the longest time I’ve really loved it! I went to the planned parenthood when I was 16 with my then boyfriend and I was so excited to feel in control of my body! But I didn’t realize all the things that would come along with it. Every problem I have now, if I’m depressed or anxious or my periods come too quickly or not at all- I wonder if I should get on another medication or if I should get my iud out. Horomones are crazy stuff! It’s so important to be informed, talk to a doctor and switch birth controls if you need to!!
I have been on birth control since I was 12 for my periods as well. I took a combination of estrogen and progesterone for roughly 6 years until I switched to the Nexplanon, which is a little stick of progesterone they insert in your arm. Once I switched, my body definitely noticed the difference. I started to get acne for the first time, at 18, which sucked. I guess the extra estrogen over the years of puberty prevented it. I also gained some weight, but it wasn’t anything crazy. My biggest changed was that I completely stopped getting my period, which was such a win! Over the past 2 years, I’ve only gotten it a handful of times. After reading all of the horror stories that people go through when getting on and switching BC, I count myself lucky. I prefer the Nexplanon, as I don’t have to worry about it for 3 whole years! I’m really glad there are people who like to talk about this stuff, we need more of that in the world.
I’ve been on the pill since I was 16 (just turned 22 this past Wednesday), even tried the shot in my ass once, and nothing makes me feel worse than birth control. I want to get off of it so badly, but want to be intimate with my boyfriend and not have to worry about pregnancy scares or the fear of having horrible periods again. It just sucks that we as women have to worry about this, when men should be given the same choices to use birth control, since it takes a man to get a woman pregnant *rolling eye emoji*.
I used to have really irregulat periods when I was in high school. When I finally turned 18, I saw a gynecologist and they diagnosed me with having PCOS. It was not a decision I took lightly at the peak of my adulthood but I decided to start taking the pill to make my periods more regular. People would ask me why I was using the pill (I come from a very traditional immigrant family) and they wouldn’t believe me when I said it was genuinely because my hormones where f-ed up. Just recently, I have been getting into all the different kinds of birth control. Your post was very informative of all the different ways to help. Birth control should be a human right for every and all genders. We should all be able to take care of our own bodies.
Ive been on birth control since I was 16 and honestly had no idea what type was right for me. I am still on the pill but have had several through out my life. Some made me break out in cysts and completely destroyed my skin. There needs to be more education on different methods on birth control.