I’ve been on Birth Control since I was 13….I’m 29 now sooo I’ve tried a lot of Birth Controls. 

There are SO MANY birth control options so I thought I’d break down my thoughts on each. 

But first you’re probably wondering why I started Birth Control when I was 13. Well, I was diagnosed with a bleeding disorder where you bleed more than the average person (Von Willebrand's disease) which would also happen during my periods. AND birth control can help your periods lighten up. So I was put on birth control at 13 for those reasons. WELP turns out I was misdiagnosed...I found out literally a year ago. Apparently the doc had a thing for misdiagnosing patients with bleeding disorders and cancer. I got retested after I heard the news...and shocker no bleeding disorder. 

Okay, let’s get into the options.

The Pill

Pros:

This is what I started with. It was fine, no weight gain or weird reactions. AND it definitely made my periods lighter. 

Cons:

Remembering to take a pill around the same time every day is a challenge. Sometimes I’m busy and it’s not realistic to remember that pill when I’m 7 mimosas in on a brunch. 

The Patch (Xulane)

Pros:

You only have to remember to put it on once a month and take it off once a month. No weight gain or weird reactions. 

Cons:

It would irritate my skin and get really red and itchy where the patch was. When I was using these I was tanning and spray tanning so I’d always have little white squares on my stomach (because you’d move it to a different spot each time). Sooo not the cutest thing and it really messed up the look of my playboy bunny tan sticker outline..because that was in then. Also when I’d get sweaty sometimes it’d just fall off.

The Thing in Your Arm (Nexplanon)

Pros:

You don’t have to worry about it for 3 years. 

Cons:

I GAINED WEIGHT LIKE CRAZY AND I WAS SO EMOTIONAL. IT WAS SOOO PAINFUL GETTING IT IN AND ESPECIALLY OUT (IT GOT STUCK)!!! My doctor literally had to dig around in my arm forever. ALSO I couldn’t get it out right when I wanted...the insurance had to approve the removal first so I felt like I was being forced to keep this thing in my body that was hurting me!

The Ring (NuvaRing)

Pros:

You only have to remember to take it out and put a new one in once a month. I forget it’s there it’s not uncomfortable at all. This is what I’m currently using so it’s my current favorite!

Cons:

You have to stick your fingers inside yourself to get it and when it’s bloody it’s kind of gross. Also, it sometimes pops out during sex or plays ring toss with your man...so that can be kind of awkward. 

The Pole (IUD)

I’ve never tried this one because of my experience with the arm birth control...I’ve heard it can be just as painful. I don’t like the idea of not being to remove it if it’s hurting me or causing reactions AND I’ve heard the string can go into your guys' penis...sooo that just creeped me out along with the thought of being able to feel it hanging there...ewe no thanks. 

You're a BC Pro! 

I hope this candid look into birth controls options was helpful to you!

I’m thinking about doing another post comparing tampons, pads and cups. Let me know if that’s something you’d be interested in by commenting on my last Instagram post @PrettyAF_com. 

PS - Just because this is how my body responded to each birth control doesn’t mean you’re going to have the same exact reactions. We’re all different. If one of the ones I hate works for you, use it!