posted
I heard that you can only take the lower dose birth control pills (i.e Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo and aleese) if I am lighter framed (i.e less thatn 130 lbs). If I am heavier, it is best for me to take a regular dosage for the pill to be more effective. Is this true?
Posts: 39 | From: Montreal | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
The hormones in birth control are steroidal, they are fat-soluble. So if you have a high enough proportion of fat in your body, the hormones will dissolve into the fat instead of reaching the target organ (ovaries, uterus). Therefore, it would reduce the medication's efficacy. So that means it would be better to use a pill with an higher dose.
But I doubt this is really something to be concerned about if you're an healthy weight.
By the way, it is not really based on weight but more on percentage of body fat. See, a women with a high body weight can still have a low body fat percentage !
The best thing to do would be to address your concerns to your doctor and you can both discuss what option is best for you. Does that sound okay to you ?
posted
Thanks your reply, it definitely helped to clarify things. Right now I only see my boyfriend during the holidays since we go to different colleges. Would it be wise / worth starting birth control pills just for sex on the holidays? Or would it be better for my body to start during the summer months ?
And.. are birth control pills more commonly used for couples who see each other regularly? (i.e Is it uncommon for couples in a long-distance relationship for the girl to star the pill)?
posted
It's important to know that you have to have been on a full cycle of your pills first before you can start to rely on the pill as a contraceptive method. So you can't just start taking the pill a day or two in the holidays before having sex. It takes a while for your body to adjust to the hormones that are in the pill.
Birth control pills are not intended to a type of women in particular. There's women who use them as a birth control pill and there's even women who use them not for sex protection but more to like reduce their menstrual cramps or something like that. They can be used for a lot of things.So that means you can use them for long-distance relationship. If you want to double your birth control protection it's up to you. I can't tell you if there's a lot of people who does that. It's your decision and looking at numbers just wouldn't help.
P.S. I hope you know birth control pills does not protect you against STD and therefore you intend to use a condom in addition to your birth control pill.
posted
I weigh only 82 pounds and i just began Yaz. Is this low-dose? Or should I get switched to Ortho Tri Cyclen lo, etc??
Posts: 43 | From: USA | Registered: Nov 2006
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posted
Your doctor will have considered your weight when prescribing you a pill, so there's no need to be concerned you're on the right one unless you have had an extensive change in your weight since it was prescribed.
Really, nearly ALL BCPs are low-dose anymore.
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