A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:Hello all, just a small question here, I am going the doctors tomorrow to ask to go on the contraceptive pill, and I was wondering how it works.. Do I get a choice of which contraceptive pill I get to take? Or will they just prescribe me a certain kind? Sorry if this seems like a dumb question, I 've just never been on the pill before.. Thanks in advance.
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (20 June 2011): Thank you very much guys that's really helpful :] I've heard that certain contraceptive pills can cause hair loss, has anyone ever experienced this?
A
female
reader, chigirl  +, writes (20 June 2011):
 You decide yourself what you want. But unless you know precicely, they'll just prescribe you the one they think is ok, or the most used one.
Things to take into consideration is ifyou have pimples or acne. Some pills help against this more effectively than others. Most pills work wonders agains menstruation pains, but some are more expensive than others.
Excuse my inprecise description here, ask yuor doctor about it specifically when you talk to them... but another thing to think about is this. Some pills have the same hormonal balance in all the pills, and you take a break for the period to come. Some have different levels of hormones for each week, and some have placebo-pills for the last week so that you continue to take the pill ever day (even though the placebo pills don't do you anything at all).
They all have the same effect, but different "styles" if you like, and you choose the one that fits you best. If you think it might be hard to remember what day to start up again if you've taken a week off the pill (which you must every month), then a type of pill that has placebo pills for the week off might be more practical for you.
Also consider the option of a hormonal shot instead. You take it every 3rd month, and don't have to remember about the pill every day. This can be practical depending on your life style.
So mainly, when it comes to deciding what birth control you want, consider price (they are all equally effective, but some are way cheaper than others), skin problems, if you have any you might want a pill that helps the problem.. other pills might make it worse, and if you want pills with placebo-pills for the week off or not.
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A
female
reader, ashlee lynn  +, writes (20 June 2011):
If there is a certain one you would like to try you can tell your doctor about it and he can let you know if it would be ok for you to use it.
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A
female
reader, k_c100 +, writes (20 June 2011):
 Your doctor should discuss with you the many contraceptive options (the pill, the injection, the implant etc) - each one is slightly different and once you have discussed it with your doctor, you might find that actually the pill is not the best option and you want to go for something different.
Try this website - it has loads of information for you. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Contraception/Pages/Introduction.aspx
If you decide on the pill, then normally to start off with they prescribe one of the more popular and widely used pills, like Microgynon. However if you have other things you would like taken care of, for example very heavy periods, or acne - there are pills that can help with these. There are a lot of different brands of the contraceptive pill and often a doctor may choose them at random, or depending on what stock is available locally etc. None of them differ massively, apart from the obvious combined pill and mini-pill. If you want to ask for something specific - probably best to start with a "low-dose" which carry the lowest health risks (although the high dose pills carry only marginally higher risks of cancer, DVT etc).
If I were you, I would go along, discuss the types of contraception and think about that more than the brand of the pill. If you do choose the pill - then take the prescription given to you, try it for 3 months and if you are not happy then go back to the doctors and swap. Doctors are very happy for you to swap around your pills and try to find what suits you best. I know I have been on nearly all of them until I have found my current one which works well for me!
Everyone is different and our bodies react slightly differently, so what works for one person might not sit too well with you. If you feel unhappy with your pill for medical reasons, then the doctor will be happy for you to change. So dont worry too much about the brand of pill - they are all incrdibly similar with only minor differences and if you feel it is having negative side effects, then it is easily changed.
I hope this helps and good luck!
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A
female
reader, celtic_tiger +, writes (20 June 2011):
 Generally, the Doctor/nurse will ask you a series of questions relating to your health, general well being, and past medical history.
They will also ask you if you want a pill where you have a monthly 'bleed' (not a period, just a withdrawal bleed) or if you want a pill where you do not. So many different options!
There are MANY different brands of pill, and the majority of women may have to try two or more before they find one that suits them.
The pill really is something that affects all women differently. Your friend may be on Brand 1, another on Brand 2, but both of these may make you sick, bloated, headaches, sickness, mood swings etc.... so you may need Brand 3.
What works for one person, makes another feel like death warmed up.
The best thing is to take their advice, and try one, if you dont think it is working, go back and ask to try a different brand. Whatever you do - dont settle if it is making you feel rubbish. Do not suffer. The first pill I had turned me into a nurotic wreck, depression, stressy, and on the brink of suicidal thoughts. SO DO NOT carry on if you begin to feel odd and not yourself, go back to the Doctor immediately.
Good luck!
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A
female
reader, Battista +, writes (20 June 2011):
They will probably prescribe you what they feel is the best option, and then if you get any side-effects or problems you can go back and let them know. There are lots of different types so they will probably explain a bit about them to you. Unless you have a particular one you wish to take for a good reason I imagine the GP will choose one themselves.
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