I gained a stone, bleed like I was dying, cried like a bitch, but
now we're best friends.
I went on the
contraceptive pill when I was 12 years old, so eight years ago and I'm still on
it till this day and I have never had a break from it. So it’s fair to say that
I can share my experience as I have been on it long enough. But please do
remember, this is MY experience and everyone’s experience on medication/ pills
is different so don’t just go by what I say – speak to your GP and do your own
research too.
I'm on the Zelleta
pill that comes in 75 microgram tablets and contains the hormone Desogestrel.
Desogestrel is a
progestin used in hormonal contraceptives. Most combined oral pills contain it
and its estrogen dosage is lower than what was previously used in the pill and
therefore allegedly reduces the likelihood of weight gain, breast tenderness,
and migraines.
You may know that
there is a hell of a lot of controversy surrounding contraceptives containing
Desogestrel. Studies as far back as 1995 suggested that the risk of blood clots
is doubled for women on these pills, the one I take daily. However, it was
discovered (so they say) that drugs containing Desogestrel as the only active
ingredient do not show an increase in the risk of blood clots.
So, you're probably
wondering, why do you take a pill that some experts say is deadly? Why consume
something that is so extremely controversial? Because it works for me.
For eight years my
body has grown on this pill, transformed and aged. For my pill to work and stop
me getting pregnant I have to take it every single day and at the same time
each day. For the first couple of years, I took it consistently and rarely
forgot to take it. In eight years I have never had a pregnancy scare, never
even needed to take a pregnancy test and I have had an overall tremendous
experience (and yes, I have been regularly sexually active throughout my time
on this pill because I can’t seem to function without sex).
Do I still take it
daily and if not does it affect me? Honestly, no I don't. I often forget to
take it. Because my body is so used to it now I can forget the occasional day
and not fall pregnant (so far, quickly touching wood right now. Do not
recommend my idiocy always take your pill). For me to fall pregnant now I would
probably have to not take my pill for a whole year before my body could even
fall pregnant. However, nothing is impossible and it's important to remember
that it could happen and you could very well fall pregnant after not taking it
for a day. But there is one thing if I miss a couple of days in a row Mother
Nature greets me.
Periods, how have I
not mentioned Satan yet. My pill stops me having them, fabulous right? No
cramps, no mess and no moods for 4-7 days of the month. Honestly, in my
opinion, it is my favourite part of being on this pill. I can't remember what a
period cramp feels like now, it's been years. But if I forget to take my pill a
lot that month I have a 'little bleed'. A 'little bleed' is just that, blood
spotting or more frank my body releases a tiny bit of blood. But there are no
period cramps and no mood swings. I can choose when I allow my body to do this,
all I have to do is stop taking my pill for a couple of days. But I do not
recommend this. I've been on this pill for nearly a decade and I know how my
body works, yours is completely different.
A lot of people ask me
if my pill made me put on weight (because it's debated whether they do increase
weight gain) and to be honest, its hard to tell. Because I went on the pill
when I was 12, had ‘puppy fat’ and my body was already changing it was hard to
tell whether it was the pill making me gain weight or just my body
transforming. I did gain a lot of weight around the time I went on the pill,
however. Another reason it’s hard to tell is because I do little to no exercise
and eat like a bloody pig (feel free to send me your diet tips).
If you have any other questions please feel
free to tweet me them at @JournalistSoph comment below or email me at vavaviolett@outlook.com
Photo credit: Getty Images.
