Birth Control is a beautiful thing, it's just not for me. Birth control prevents so many unwanted pregnancies, it allows women to be proactive toward their future, it helps people with hormonal disorders like PCOS. It prevents the spread of STI's. It allows people to be sexually expressive. It gives women and men around the world peace of mind. It is a wonderful invention that has helped on a grand scale (i.e. population control).
But, it's just not for me. I was a Junior in high school and went on my first pill- Beyaz. I became a depressed, couch potato, with a bloated belly, and erratic thoughts. I thought going on the pill was the cool thing to do- even though I wasn't sexually active. Little did I know it would open years of medical issues that probably would have never existed if I hadn't used hormonal birth control. But, one thing is for sure, when I did become sexually active, I didn't get pregnant, so there's that. A few months on my first pill, my mom took me back to the doctor- she told them I was depressed, not acting myself, and they switched me to a different brand. Junell. This pill didn't do a whole lot different- other than completely stopping my monthly bleeding. I was on this pill for 3.5 years. Still not in the best mental state. I lost 7 pounds on this pill- so at least it made me look good (sarcasm). Then I went back to my OBGYN in college, and I was like look- I need something more "natural" something that will give me variation of hormones, will give me a period. I feel to blah all the time. My hormones aren't changing, which is causing my mood to be the same all the time. Honestly, I was looking for something like an copper IUD, but she suggested a three tier pill. I was on that for about a year. NO DAMN CHANGE. Then I was like enough is enough- I QUIT HORMONAL BIRTH CONTROL. I went birth control free for about 4 months, then finally got a copper IUD. I had that bad boy for a year and two months- until it shifted and perforated the right side of my uterus and caused me to bleed 400 cc's of blood every month during my period (NO LIE LADIES).
I LOVE BIRTH CONTROL, BUT IT HAS FAILED ME.
I wish I was taught how to take charge of my body. I wish I was taught what happened every month hormonally, and I wish I was presented this option from my doctors as a form of birth control. I find that women are VERY uneducated about what happens to them on a biological level, and they are just thrown medication that makes them depressed, anxious, ill, or have no sex drive at all. Why are we not educating? If you are struggling with birth control, you are not alone. You do have options of natural, safe, and effective birth control. If you cannot find a provider that will present you the option of the fertility awareness method, then find a different one and educate yourself. There are great resources out there such as Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler.
The fertility awareness method is NOT for everyone. It requires more work than taking the pill or having an IUD. It does not protect against STI's. It will not work well for someone who is not willing to put in the time to educate themselves or to properly do the method. Although it is 'harder', I've never felt more free and educated about my body. I know exactly what it is going through every single day, and that is so liberating.
Find what's right for you, whether is the pill, shot, diaphragm, condoms, fertility awareness method, or IUD it doesn't matter as long as it's not infringing on your health (mental or physical).