Disclaimer: I did not write this. This information was written by a fellow moderator on another forum that I moderate and thought would be useful for the Girls' Club section since there seems to be a lot of questions about the Pill. I modified it slightly, but please let me know if there are things that should be corrected as I am not completely familiar with the Malaysian system.

The Contraceptive Pill

Where can I get the pill?
The contraceptive pill should be given on prescription - it's definitely NOT a good idea to walk into a pharmacy and ask for a certain brand your friend recommended because every woman is unique. What works for one woman will not necessarily work for another. There are two main places that you can and should go to get the contraceptive pill: your gynecologist (GP) or a family planning clinic.

What will happen when I see a doctor about going on the pill?
When you go to your GP/a clinic about going on the pill there are a number of things that you can expect to happen. The doctor will probably have a talk to you about your past sexual experiences and any health problems that you might have, this is so that they can determine whether or not you might be at risk of a sexually transmitted infection and to determine if it is safe for you to go on the pill. Before you get your pill the doctor/clinic nurse will also take your blood pressure and weigh you, this is again just to make sure that it is safe for you to go on the pill.

How many types of pill are there?
While there are many brands of the oral contraceptive pill there are two main types. The most important thing when it comes to the pill is making sure that you are on the one that is best suited to you. It can take a few tries before you find the right one, so if after a month or so of taking it you are still experiencing uncomfortable side effects don’t be scared to go back to your doctor and talk to them about changing. The two main types of pill are the combined oral contraceptive pill and the progesterone only pill.

Combined oral contraceptive pill: Fact File
How does it work?
The combined pill contains two hormones oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones work to stop you ovulating (releasing an egg), making the lining of the womb thinner to prevent a fertilised egg from implanting and thickening the mucus at your cervix to stop sperm getting into your womb.

How effective is the combined pill?
The combined pill is 99% effective if taken perfectly. This means that if 100 women are using the pill perfectly for a year then one of them will become pregnant.

How do I take the combined pill?
There three main types of combined pill that you could be prescribed.
Monophasic 21 day pills: With this pill you will get 21 pills to take. Each of them will contain the same amount of hormone and it doesn’t matter which order you take the pack in. You take the pill for 21 days and then take no pills for the next seven days.

Phasic 21 day pills: This type of pill will again come in packs of 21, however the different pills will contain different amounts of hormones. It is important that you take these pills in order, they will be in two or three different coloured sections. You again take these pills for 21 days and then take a seven day break.

ED (EveryDay pills): ED pills come in packs of 28. In each pack 21 pills will contain hormones and seven will be inactive (contain no hormones). With the ED pill you don’t take a break between packets but it is important that you take the pills in order.

When you go and talk to your doctor about taking the contraceptive pill you can ask them about which pill they think would work for you.

Progesterone only pill: Fact File
How does it work?
The progesterone only pill works in a similar way to the combined pill however it only contains the hormone progesterone. The main ways that the progesterone only pill prevents pregnancy is to thinken the mucus at your cervix to prevent sperm entry and prevent the lining of the womb from becoming thick which reduces the chances of implantation however it is not uncommon for the minipill to also prevent ovulation.

How effective is the progesterone only pill?
Generally the minipill is considered slightly less reliable than the combined pill. However it is still said to have a reliability of about 99%. This means that if 100 women and taking the minipill for a year one of them will become pregnant.

How do I take the progesterone only pill?
Each pill in the pack will contain the same amount of progesterone so you just need to take the pack. You can then start a new pack straight away without taking a break.

How do I start my pack of pills?
You can start the pill at any time in your cycle as long as you are sure that you aren’t pregnant. However there are only certain times where you will get instant protection from pregnancy.

If you take your first pill up to and including the fifth day of your period then you will have immediate protection. If you start the pill at any point during your cycle then you have to use another from of contraception for the first seven days after starting the pill. It is important to not that if you have an unusual or irregular menstrual cycle then you should discuss this with the doctor or nurse before stating the pill.

Is it important that I take my pill at the same time every day?
This depends on the type of pill that you are taking, however it can be useful to take your pill at the same time each day (e.g. as you brush your teeth) because it can help you to remember to take it. Some pills are sensitive enough that if you don't take it within 15 minutes of your usual time, your hormone levels will fluctuate and can result in breakthrough bleeding.

The combined pill: With the combined pill it is important that you take the pill within in the same twelve hour window each day. However it is recommended that you don’t take the pill this irregularly and that you have a three to four hour window each day in which you take the pill.

The progesterone only pill: With the progesterone only pill it is more important that you take your pill at the same time each day. There is a three hour window in which you should take your pill. The exception to this is Cerazette which is a progesterone only pill but has a twelve hour window in which to take it like the combined pill.

What do I do if I miss my pill?
If you are on the combined pill:
This depends how many pills you have missed. If you have only missed one or two pills then you need to take the last pill that you missed as soon as you remember and then finish the pack as normal. You shouldn’t need to use any additional contraception. If you have missed more than two pills then you need to finish the pack as normal but use additional contraception for the next seven days. If when you miss the pill less than seven pills are left in your pack it is advisable that you do not take the usual seven day break and start the next pack when the current one finishes.

If you are on the progesterone only pill:
Your pill is consider late if you take more than three hours late unless you are taking Cerazette in which case if it is more than twelve hours late. If this happens you will not be protected against pregnancy. Take the next pill in your pack as soon as your remember (even if this means taking two pills in one day). Use and additional method of contraception for the next two days.

Read the instructions pamphlet that comes with your pack and make sure to ask your doctor every single question you have.

Is it safe to run two pill packs together (take them without a break)?
It is not harmful to run two or potentially three pill packets together. To do this just start a second pill packet the day after your pill pack finishes and you will be protected against pregnancy. You may experience some spotting (light bleeding) but this isn’t something that you should be concerned about in this situation.

I didn’t bleed during my break week, am I pregnant?
If you have taken your pill correctly then you are unlikely to be pregnant. However if you have any reason to suspect that you might be pregnant it is important that you take a pregnancy test of consult your doctor. If you have two breaks where you do not have a bleed then take a pregnancy test just to be sure.

I am bleeding when I am not meant to be, is something wrong?
When you first start taking the pill it is not uncommon for you to have some bleeding. This is called "breakthrough bleeding". So if this bleeding is happening in the first three months of taking a new pill there is unlikely to be any cause for concern. Bleeding can be caused by missed pills as well as sexually transmitted infections (STI) so if you think you may have been at risk of contracting an STI contact your GP or local family planning clinic.

I am unwell, am I still protected against pregnancy?
Being unwell will only affect your protection if you have diarrhoea or if you have vomited. If you vomit within two hours of taking your pill then it is important that you take a second pill as soon as you feel able to. As long as you do this you should be protected.
If you have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours then you pill may be less effective so continue taking your pill and behave in the same way you would if you had missed a pill using extra protection if necessary.

It is important that if you unwell for any prolonged period of time that you visit your GP.

I am on other medication, is this going to stop my pill being effective?
Most medication is perfectly safe to take with your pill. However certain types could make your pill less effective. Antibiotics can impact on your pills effectiveness, it is important that you use additional methods of contraception while you are taking your antibiotics and for seven days after you finish. If your pill packet ends during your course of antibiotics or will do in the seven days following continue straight on to your next packet without taking a break. Seek advice from a healthcare professional if you are in the first week of your pill packet and you have had sex recently as you may need emergency contraception or if you are on antibiotics fo more than two weeks. Other types of medication that can effect your pill are HIV,TB or epilepsy treatment or St Johns Wort (a herbal treatment for depression).

It is important that if you are prescribed any medication you inform the doctor of all the medication including the pill that you are on. If you have any concerns talk to the prescribing doctor or your pharmacist.

An important note:
It is important to note that the contraceptive pill does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections. If you have had unprotected sex with someone when you don’t know if they are clear from STIs the it is important that you contact your GP or local GUM clinic for an STI test.

This post has been edited by spunkberry: Jan 29 2012, 03:10 AM

Disclaimer: This is extra information that may or may not apply to Malaysians, but it's always good to know

Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)
The Government and various health bods are very keen on promoting these to young people as they are more reliable than the Pill – there’s less opportunity for user error and they last a long time. There are three main types: Injections, Implants and IUD/IUS.

Before going any further, however, it is important to say that NONE of these protect you against STIs so you MUST use condoms every time or get yourself and your partner checked out before using any of these on their own, for the sake of your own fertility and mental and physical health.

The following are a number of resources on the LARCs (and other contraception). If you still have questions, please post below and I will attempt to respond to your questions the best I can. Ask Google first, of course.
Firstly, the wiki has a great and very comprehensive article on all types of contraception, their advantages and disadvantages. Look here.
Other useful websites are the NHS Choices website where you can search for information on the different types of contraception and the FPA’s leaflet section which has info leaflets on everything under the sun.

Now, some basic facts and useful links for all the options:

Injection
This is an injection of progesterone, usually given in the buttock, leg or arm. There are two main types – Noristerat and Depo Provera. They work by stopping ovulation, as well as making your cervical mucus thicker and the lining of your uterus less receptive to a fertilised egg.
Duration. 8 (Noristerat) or 12 (Depo Provera) weeks depending on type. It is extremely important not to be late for your next injection, as you may no longer be protected against pregnancy.
Efficacy. >99% - Depo Provera is slightly more effective than Noristerat.
Starting the injection. If you have your first injection within 5 days of the start of your period, you are immediately protected from pregnancy. At any other point in your cycle, you need to use a condom for the first 7 days after your first injection.
More information, including side-effects and contra-indications.
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Contr...tive_Injections
http://www.fpa.org.uk/information/leaflets...m?contentid=135
Some practices may not offer the injection to under 18s as it affects bone growth and your skeleton may still be developing.

Implanon
This is a matchstick-sized piece of plastic which is fitted under the skin on the inner side of the upper arm. It releases progesterone at a steady rate, preventing pregnancy in the same way as the injection.
Duration. 3 years.
Efficacy. >99.9%. Fewer than 1/1000 women will get pregnant in the three years they have the implant.
Starting the implant. As with the injection, if inserted in the first 5 days of your cycle, you will be protected immediately, otherwise you must use condoms for 7 days. Some places like you to try Cerazette (a POP with a similar hormone to the implant) for a few months first to see if the hormones agree with you. If this is the case, you just need to carry on taking that for the first 7 days you have the implant in.
More information, including side-effects and contra-indications.
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/The_C...ceptive_Implant
http://www.fpa.org.uk/information/leaflets...m?contentid=133

Mirena IUS
The Mirena IUS is a small T-shaped plastic device which sits inside your uterus. Like the implant, it releases progesterone at a constant rate. However, as it is within the uterus, the progesterone mainly acts locally rather than via the bloodstream so it is less likely that ovulation will be suppressed. It mainly prevents pregnancy by thinning the uterine lining (endometrium) and increasing the thickness of cervical mucus. Because of its effects on the endometrium, it tends to make periods much lighter and is often also used as a treatment for heavy periods.
Duration. 5 years.
Efficacy >99%. Fewer than 1/100 women will get pregnant in the 5 years they have the IUS.
Starting the IUS. The same rules apply for which point in the cycle to get it inserted (and use condoms for 7 days if needed). Having an IUS inserted increases the risk of infections, so it is a good idea to have an STI check before you get one inserted (some places may offer this as part of the service). It can be quite an uncomfortable procedure so taking a couple of painkillers beforehand might be a good idea.
More information, including side-effects and contra-indications.
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Contr...ystem_.5BIUS.5D
http://www.fpa.org.uk/information/leaflets...m?contentID=153

IUD
Formerly known as the copper coil, this is another T-shaped (usually) plastic device with copper wrapped around it, which sits inside your uterus. It does not contain any hormones, and is believed to work because the copper in it is toxic to sperm and prevents the implantation of a fertilised egg. For these reasons, the copper IUD can also be used as emergency contraception if inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Unlike the Mirena, copper IUDs tend to make periods heavier after they are inserted, although this can improve with time.
Duration. 5-10 years, depending on type (make sure you check!)
Efficacy. Around 99% depending on type – newer designs are better than older ones.
Starting the IUD. I wasn’t able to find information about what stage of the cycle it needs to be inserted, though I believe it’s usually done mid-cycle as this reduces the risk of expulsion. As with the Mirena, it’s very important to be checked for STIs before getting an IUD as it increases the risk of getting pelvic inflammatory disease.
More information, including side-effects and contra-indications.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/intrauterine-...What-is-it.aspx
http://www.fpa.org.uk/information/leaflets...m?contentid=151

The Patch
The birth control patch is a thin, beige, 1¾-inch (4½-centimeter) square patch that sticks to the skin. It releases hormones through the skin into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. Hormones are chemical substances that control the functioning of the body's organs.
Duration. One a week for three weeks, and none for the fourth week to allow a period.
Efficacy. Around 99%, comparable to the Pill
Starting the Patch.
It's important to apply a new patch on the same day every week to ensure that it keeps working effectively. For example, a girl who applies her first patch on a Monday should always apply her patches on a Monday. When it's time to change the patch, pull the old one off first, before applying a new patch. Place the new patch on a different area from the old patch (but still on one of the four recommended areas listed above) to avoid skin irritation. Don't apply the patch to skin that is red, irritated, or cut. The patch should not be applied over makeup, creams, lotions, powder, or other skin products as these may prevent it from sticking well. (Skin products may also affect how hormones are absorbed by the skin.)
More information, including side-effects and contra-indications.
http://www.orthoevra.com/
http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/sexual...h/bc_patch.html
http://std.emedtv.com/birth-control-patch/...de-effects.html

NuvaRing®
NuvaRing® is an easy-to-use birth control option that, when used as directed, is just as effective as the Pill. But with NuvaRing®, you don’t have to take it every day in order to get a full month of pregnancy protection. In a given 1-month period, NuvaRing® must be inserted into your vagina, removed after 3 weeks, and a new ring must be inserted no more than 7 days later. NuvaRing® is a different form of birth control. It’s a flexible ring about 2” in diameter that you insert vaginally once a month. Once inside, NuvaRing® releases a continuous low dose of hormones to prevent pregnancy.
Duration. Every 3 weeks, with a week between rings to allow for a period.
Efficacy. Around 99%, comparable to the Pill and the Patch.
Starting NuvaRing®.
If you haven’t used a hormonal birth control in the past month or have been using only condoms, a diaphragm, or other barrier method of birth control in the past month: Count the first day of your menstrual period as Day 1, and insert your first NuvaRing® into your vagina on or before Day 5 (but no later, even if you have not finished your period). During this first cycle, use an extra method of birth control, such as male condoms or spermicide, for the first 7 days of NuvaRing® use. If you insert NuvaRing® on Day 1, it is not necessary to use an extra method of birth control.
More information, including side-effects and contra-indications.
http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/index.asp
http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/aboutNuva...fects/index.asp

Sounds good - how do I get one?
Your first port of call should be your GP or local FPA clinic, to discuss the risks and benefits of any of the above methods, and whether they'd be suitable for you. Certain medications and medical conditions can affect which ones are appropriate, as well as your personal preferences.

Once you've decided what you want, you may be able to get it at your GP if they have suitably trained staff, or they may have to refer you to the FPA or another clinic - this is particularly common for implants and IUS/IUDs as not all GPs are trained in inserting them. You may need to get a prescription for the device and pick it up from the pharmacist yourself, or they may have them ready for you at the clinic - check what the protocol is. If you are already on the pill or other contraception, you will need to discuss when to stop this - before or after the changeover.

All of these are usually inserted relatively quickly and you can then carry on with your normal life and enjoy the freedom of not having to think about contraception! (This does NOT mean you don't have to think about STIs though...)

This post has been edited by spunkberry: Jan 29 2012, 03:10 AM

Relevant thread about Emergency Contraceptives: http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/176435


You can find yourself in a situation where you need to use emergency contraception for any number of reasons. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel you may have put yourself at risk of pregnancy it is important that you act quickly. There are two forms of emergency contraception that you might want to consider.

You can also get the morning after pill at some pharmacies for free. This will depend upon whether the pharmacist working at the time is trained and signed up to something called a patient group direction (PGD) for supply of the morning after pill. Some pharmacies only supply it free to people within certain age ranges - this will depend on what is written in the PGD so will vary from pharmacy to pharmacy.

Also you can see a healthcare professional at your pharmacy - just ask to speak to the pharmacist! All pharmacies now should really have a private consultation room you can go into to talk into the pharmacy.

The morning after pill

Where can I get the morning after pill?
You should be able to buy the morning-after pill at your nearest pharmacy - after all, if you can't, what's the point of it? If you want to get it free or you want to see a health care professional then you can get it free from your GP, any family planning clinic and some walk-in clinics.

How does the morning after pill work?
The morning after pill can work in three ways. It will either stop or delay ovulation (when your egg is released) or prevent a fertilised egg from implanting into the womb.

How effective is the morning after pill?
How effective the morning after pill has a lot to do with how soon after having unprotected sex you take it. It has to be taken within the first 72 hours after having sex.

If you take it:

• within the first 24 hours then the pill then it is 95% effective
• between 24 - 48 hours then the pill is 85% effective
• between 48 - 72 hours then the pill is 58% effective

Are there any possible side effects of the morning after pill?
There are no serious long term or short tem complications of taking the morning after pill. You may experience some dizziness, headaches or abdominal pain. In extreme cases some women may vomit, if you vomit within 2 hours of taking the pill contact your doctor or pharmacist. . If any of this symptoms persist then contact your doctor . You may also find that your periods are disrupted for the next few months.

How can I be sure that the pill has worked?
If you have your period as normal it is very unlikely that you are pregnant. However it is recommended that you take a pregnancy test approximately two weeks after you have taken the morning after pill to be sure.

The IUD

What is an IUD and how does it work?
IUD stands for intrauterine device. It is a small device made out of copper and plastic. It is inserted into your womb by a trained nurse or a doctor. It can be fitted up to five days away after you have had unprotected sex. It works by preventing the egg from being fertilised or implanting in the womb.

Where can I get an IUD fitted?
An IUD is a more difficult method of emergency contraception to get hold of. The person who is fitting the IUD has to have been trained to do so and therefore your GP may not be able to. You should contact your local family planning clinic.

Is having an IUD fitted going to hurt?
It can sometimes be uncomfortable or painful to have the IUD fitted so it is advisable to take a painkiller such as paracetamol before you have it fitted. You also may experience some spotting or cramping in the days after you have had your coil fitted. For the first hand experience of someone who has had the coil fitted read this.

How long will this protect me from pregnancy?
Unlike the morning after pill and IUD can be used as a long term form of contraception. It is 99% effective and lasts for five years. It can also help with period problems. It is possible for you to have the IUD removed once the risk of pregnancy from your unprotected encounter has passed. Either way you should see a doctor or nurse six weeks after you have had your IUD fitted to have its positioning checked.

Is there anything else that I need to be thinking about?
Infection is one issue with an IUD. In the week after you have had it fitted you will be at increased risk of an infection so it is important that you use condoms during any sexual encounters htat you have in that time.

PLEASE NOTE

If you are in a situation where you are at risk from pregnancy there is also the possibility that you have contracted a sexually transmitted infection. If you think that there is any risk of this contact your doctor or local clinic for a check up.

This post has been edited by spunkberry: Jan 29 2012, 03:10 AM

Nice info you got there.
Haven't really had much thoughts of going on the pill cause I'm hopeless with taking pills regularly and was afraid of all the hormones and side effects.

But it sounds quite safe now. Was thinking of taking BCP to clear my pimples as well. Do you think it will work? Probably should visit a gynae soon.

I'm on the pill myself and so far, the only side effect I've been experiencing is the breakthrough bleeding ... which I suspect is due to the antibiotics I took for a week about a month ago. I am also on the 3-month regiment, meaning I am on one pack for 3 months.

I don't know if it will work for clearing pimples, but I do know some of my friends went on some sort of medication. I personally think if your skin is oily, you'll get pimples whether you're on your period or not. I still have a couple pimples here and there, but my skin agrees with the weather around here.

This post has been edited by spunkberry: Apr 11 2011, 09:21 AM

I see. I have a lot to learn about the pills. Previously I just thought eat the pills daily and that's it. But then it seems it will affect the menstrual cycle as well eh.

My pimples are from hormones and congested skin. Doctors have been telling me even how clean my skin is also will get pimple cause it's hormones. -.-

well there are two main reasons why girls go on the pill:
1. To regulate their periods.
2. To have unprotected sex.

The whole point of the pill is to affect your menstrual and ovulation cycle and prevent the release of an egg so you are less likely to get pregnant if you have unprotected sex The information above tells you what type of pill does what to your body You get a period because you ovulate and every month, your body gets rid of the ovum .... the pill stops ovulation, so that would mean that your period stops, or rather, lightens.

The breakthrough bleeding I'm experiencing is a common occurrence in women who just started on birth control, and those on the 3-month regiment are more likely to have it. It's my uterus clearing out the lining, like the hormones are telling it to do lol

The information I provided above is about the monthly pack, which is cheaper (my pack cost $75, for 3 months while the monthly pack costs $10 a month in the USA). I don't know how much it costs in Malaysia, as I've never asked for birth control in Malaysia. I also think that it's pretty ridiculous that someone can get over-the-counter birth control pills? Shouldn't that stuff be regulated? It's hormones that affect your body!

This post has been edited by spunkberry: Apr 12 2011, 12:39 AM

Thanks for the info

Is it true that oral birth control pills will cause you to gain weight?

I haven't gained any weight, to be honest. Like previously mentioned, the pill affects different women in different ways, so it depends on the individual. I have friends who gained weight, others who didn't even notice any difference. If your pill makes you gain weight, you can always change it

This post has been edited by spunkberry: Apr 12 2011, 11:48 AM

I don't think we can get BCP over the counter here in Malaysia. The last I check, they were distributing brochurs at the private hospital I was visiting. So I assume we could only get it from hospitals thru the gynae.

Still deciding whether should go on the pills or not. My menstrual cycle is quite regular I would say. And I know when I'm ovulating because there would be noticeable changes to my body, discharge and occasionally I get ovulation pain. Shall probably stick back to condoms at the moment. Thanks for the info though.

Well then that's a good thing ... I was reading through the other thread and got the impression that you could just walk into a pharmacy and ask for some.

it's a personal choice, of course. I went on the pill when I became active, and I use two methods: me on the pill and him on a condom. A blog friend of mine and I agree that people should use two - way too many accidents to be worth relying on only one. With the pack I'm on, I've essentially eliminated my period, and if you're good about taking it every day at approximately the same time, you can even have unprotected sex.

Obviously you should be checking for STDs if your partner isn't the first one you've been with and vice versa.

This post has been edited by spunkberry: Apr 12 2011, 09:17 PM

Pinned!

my gf doesn't like condom... and also doesn't like to eat pills cos it makes her feel like she's sick and need to eat med...

~~me in dillemma~~

your girlfriend is irresponsible.

i never think of her like that...

there's other option though..using Billing Method

anything that doesn't involve the methods covered above in the information is being irresponsible. if she ends up pregnant, I won't be surprised. As it is, like I said before, it's scary how little women in Malaysia know about birth control.

Nice info..very detail..
I'm still skeptical abt pills..so condom is gd enuff

I don't understand all this skepticism about the pill. If it doesn't work for you, there are always other pills to try. It has a 99.9% protection rate when taken correctly, and judging by the sheer stupidity of so many guys around these parts, girls would do better to go on the pill. It feeds your uterus hormones that tell it not to ovulate. Once you go off the pill, you go back to normal. There are side effects, of course, but there are side effects to everything. Even with condoms, there are people who are allergic to latex ... so how now brown cow?

Side effects are manageable. An unwanted baby is not. Are you going to step up and take responsibility for what you're doing?

As it is, a lot of Malaysian women are ridiculously irresponsible enough with the condom and even more so without one - you really think the withdrawal method works, people? PRECUM is enough to get you pregnant!

This post has been edited by spunkberry: Apr 23 2011, 02:03 AM

My gf got her particular view towards medical tablets, she's a paranoid! She scared she can't conceive in the future after taking BCP for sometime. Haaiz..... She has totally 0 knowledge towards these

tell her to do her research. it is very rare that someone is unable to conceive after coming off the pill ... but it does take a while to flush the hormones from your system (about a week) before you start ovulating normally again.

She totally can't accept orally consume pills, even i show her articals and stuff, she's still afraid of difficulties to concieve in future.

would she rather have the injection? IUD?
The pill is the cheapest, safest way for birth control.

This post has been edited by spunkberry: Apr 29 2011, 01:20 PM

aisay .....jb can get the pill wan meh ?

you'll have to get a prescription for it, but it should be available in Malaysia

U know wat.... I'm definitely sure that she'll only take take medical birth control after giving birth to at least 1 kid, lol.... She's too afraid of not being able to b a mum, haha...

Mayb I can put it this way, she's not exposed to real life testimony from ppl around her, i.e relatives/cousins on BCP for few years, after married with few kids.

that's understandable, but there is tons of research material out there that already shows that bc does not affect ability to have children.

That's not reliable.
If she doesn't mind having an unwanted baby then let her be. Or else you be responsible and wear a condom whether she likes it or not.

Unless you also don't mind being an unprepared father la.

---

Added on April 29, 2011, 7:03 pmSome people just wouldn't open up their minds and listen to others opinion before they shut everyone else's opinions including research and published articles. What to do.

This post has been edited by munkeyflo: Apr 29 2011, 07:03 PM

what the hell is the billing method?

Yes, someone PLEASE answer this. Ever since I read this post I've been wondering about it.

Also, input: I think you need to mention other forms of birth control. I'm not sure if they're available in Malaysia, but what about the patch? What about the Nuvaring? You covered a lot of the long-lasting ones and you covered the pill, but you didn't cover anything in the mid-range in terms of timespan. Just thought you should consider. :)

I'll get on that when I can. thanks for the suggestion

hey spunk looks like you're well-informed on the pills.

well, if me and my partner were gonna have unprotected sex say for over a period of 7 days. should my partner take the 21 days pills? or I call it the long-term pill.

she has taken the 'morning-pills' before and the side effects are somewhat unfavorable, so I don't prefer she takes that.

I'm new on this area so I'd very much appreciate if you can help me out here.

if you're going to be taking any sort of pill, the morning-after-oh-shit pill is not one to be taken regularly because that pill gives a huge burst of hormones to make a period come quicker because ... well, it's the oh-shit pill ... and too much hormone at any given time is always a bad idea. It's honestly kinda scary that you and your partner have been relying on the morning pill. It's only for emergencies, hence why it's listed under EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION. So for your purposes, your partner should essentially "go on the pill" - take the regular pill.

There are only two types of pills: the monthly packs and the extended packs. If your partner is good at taking the pill at the same time every day (and by same time, I mean it shouldn't be more than 10-15 minutes after the chosen time), it shouldn't matter how much unprotected sex you have AS LONG AS it is after the first 7 days from when she starts the pill. So the pill is usually started on a Sunday, you shouldn't have unprotected sex until the following Monday

There will be side-effects associated with the pill as well, you can look that up in the information I've posted or even better, if your partner has already been prescribed a pill, she can look up the specific effects. All pills have side effects, and I personally believe that small, manageable side effects are infinitely better than the unprotected-no-pill sex side effect ... a permanent baby.

Of course, there are other methods, as listed on the first page... but PLEASE oh PLEASE STOP TAKING THE MORNING-AFTER PILL LIKE A REGULAR ONE.

This post has been edited by spunkberry: May 2 2011, 11:57 PM

she has only taken the morning pills two times and those were the times when things are quite screwed, hence the oh-shit pills i suppose.

think i wasn't clear on my question. like you said. 7 days after the pills it'll be safe to have unprotected intercourse. Doesn't matter when she takes it on her menstrual cycle right?

can she stop taking the pills after intercourse stops, for instance taking it for only 10days.

BTW, the safe period is one week before period comes and one week after period, is this right >

This post has been edited by blu3_apple: May 3 2011, 12:14 AM

you start the pill on the sunday after your period, or if your period starts on a sunday, you start the pill the same day.

she can stop the pill whenever she wants, but then why bother going through seeing a doctor, getting the prescription and paying for it? the pill is not that cheap ... I paid $45 for 3 packs ... $15 each. So if she stops taking the pill, she's wasting the money she's put in it.

If you only want to take it for a certain time, then just use condoms. I'm sure you'll agree with me that sacrificing SOME (not even that much) feeling is worth not having a baby.

you'll want to only have sex after the period has arrived, and even then, her period has to be VERY regular for you to rely on this.

This post has been edited by spunkberry: May 3 2011, 12:46 AM

We want 2 contraceptive measures as opposed to only using condoms, and might also skip the condom. See, we're in a LDR. I'll meet up with her soon and be there for a week, and during that week unprotected sex could happen. So the pills came into mind, and I don't want to rely on morning-pills for the sake of her body n health. I don't mind paying for the pills and ask her to stop taking them when its not necessary to take them anymore.

So no pregnancy will happen if she stops sex and the pills at the same time? Im confused,sorry!
Once she starts the pills, 7 days after, its safe to have unprotected sex and stop pills when sex also stops, right. I just want to make things clear if you don't mind.

P/S: i don't understand your very last sentence!

This post has been edited by blu3_apple: May 3 2011, 01:04 AM

I don't see why you only want her to be on the pill at certain times. why not just be on it regularly and make it a habit? I'm in an LDR as well and I'm on the pill all the time. Never know when he decides to show up. It doesn't make sense to take the pill only when you're coming. It takes a week every time before you can have unprotected sex if you want her to be on and off the pill, and you have to take it AFTER your period or on the first day of your period, so if your timing sucks, the pill is ineffective and you won't be able to have unprotected sex anyway. If she's gonna go on the pill, STAY on the pill.

I use two contraceptive methods too, condoms and the pill, and I don't stop the pill just because he's not around. The pill is hormonal, and starting and stopping the pill is only going to make her bleed in between periods because of the up and down hormone surges, which I seriously doubt she will find convenient. You start the pill, you stay on the pill. If you only want to take the pill when he's around, just use a condom. Your body will not react well to up and down hormones.

The last sentence I said ... I mean that you are talking about the rhythm method, asking about the safest time to have unprotected sex without a condom or pill. the best time is actually right after her period is done. before, you're risking it ... and the factor the rhythm method relies on is REGULAR PERIODS. So unless your partner is extremely regular, I suggest you don't risk it.

I reiterate: the pill is not exactly something you can take as a start stop start stop. If you want her on the pill, she stays on the pill. If not, then just use a condom. I've already stated why. There's a reason why they come in monthly packs, not weekly or daily. You start the pill, you stay on it. You go off, you stay off. Even changing pills requires a week in between.

also, I don't care how much money you have to waste on unused pills. what you're suggesting about your partner's pill-taking habits does not make sense at all. If anything, she can take the pack for the month you're coming to visit, finish it off properly, and then not get another packet until you come visit again.

This post has been edited by spunkberry: May 3 2011, 03:07 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billings_ovulation_method

learnt about this is marriage preparation course

Billings method = Rhythm method = Natural family planning = DOESN'T WORK
there's a reason why it's a stereotype that Catholic families are big ... because they rely on this method.

Stereotypes are based on general truth.

This post has been edited by spunkberry: May 4 2011, 09:57 AM

whoa... good intense info!

well, i take morning after pills maybe once in a month? that is only IF i'm doing it unprotected. but so far, no side effects on it other than period do some earlier at times.

as for BCP.. its pretty questionable for me because I have irregular hormone. I tried it before (to control my hormone) but it doesn't affect me. So, its not much of an option for me mostly cause I'm more afraid of it turning irregular again now that's pretty regular.

however, i'm considering for BC Jab. Anyone knows the est. cost for this?

I had to google to find out what it was either.

Morning after pills is only for Emergency. I wouldn't take it on a regular basis.

I don't think taking the pills for short period of time is recommended. Anyway, spunkberry has all the info and first hand experience on this topic. I'm still not on the pills yet. Still sticking to condom at the moment.

morning pills will change your menstrual pattern, that's why you have period coming out of the blue. taking birth control pills can make it back to normal again...

like what jlgoh said, taking the morning after pill is most likely what is causing you to have random periods. like what munkey says, the morning-after pill is only for emergencies (see EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION - there's a reason why the morning after pill is listed under that).

BCP is effective MONTHLY. taking it only a few days ... or a few weeks (under a month) will not regulate your cycle. If you take the monthly packs for about 3 months (for example) you are more likely to be able to regulate it.

hi babe, will multivitamin affect the effectiveness of BCP?

Vitamins will not. They boost your immune system, and are not exactly hormones that would interfere with the hormones from the pill. antibiotics is the main medication that affects the effectiveness of the pill. HOWEVER, be aware of what hormones are in your pill because you should always check. I wanted to take a flu pill, and the box said not to take with <insert complicated pill hormone here> because it reduces effectiveness. I wasn't going to be having sex any time soon, and my flu was killing me, so I took it anyway.

P.S. Kudos on using the words "affect" and "effect" correctly.

Hi spunkberry. I echo your sentiments. 'nuff said. Ive been having a hard time talking with my msian friends, both guys/girls. They just don't get it. You had quite an interesting resource there, rather similar to yes i can website. however, a point worth noting about pills is that they reduce the risk to ovarian and uterus cancer.

To correct your point, the pill hormones doesn't feed your uterus telling it not to ovulate. It tells your ovaries not to ovulate. The progestin component of the pill does two things; thicken your cervical mucus to impair sperm movements up into the uterus, and also to reduce proliferation of lining of the uterus wall, hence making an implantation of an egg impossible (if an egg does get released).

i am always wonder, i do alot research on the BCP. It says that the BCP is like stop the egg being released and some said it lie the body that pregnancy happened. but if taken for long time i.e. 5-10yrs, will it drag the menopause?

no. it is only in very rare cases that the pill affects your ability to become pregnant. it does not drag on menopause at all.

---

Added on May 13, 2011, 1:25 pmmy information is not incorrect, you are just being nitpicky.

This post has been edited by spunkberry: May 13 2011, 01:25 PM

I'm not sure where to ask this but its kinda related to this thread.... Do you girls lets your parents know that you're active? Like do they know that you're on pills and going for pap smear coz you're active and all that?

I took my first morning after pill last Sunday and I'm still having backache and pain in my breasts. It has almost been a week...is this normal?

I don't think there's an issue having your parents know you visit the gynecologist regularly, especially since it is essential to women's health. regarding them knowing if you're active or not, that depends on the relationship. some parents don't mind and stress safety, others get REALLY angry because of the conservative, traditional mindset that sex should be saved for marriage.

I don't know if that's normal, but I looked up your situation and this page shows a lot of women having the same issue, so it's not uncommon, which is a good thing.

The main question is: HAVE YOU HAD YOUR PERIOD?

Thanks, I think the pills delayed my period...supposed to have it on the 26th or 27th.

yes, the morning after pill will cause your menstrual cycle to be thrown off for a while. you should have had a period though, because the morning after pill causes your period to come immediately to flush the ovum out

This post has been edited by spunkberry: May 29 2011, 10:41 PM

i've been on the pill 4 almost 2 years now..but sometimes i do feel nauseous..maybe i should try out other brands..any suggestions??

n yes i agree, girls should have more knowledge on this n stop being irresponsible

feeling nauseous on the pill is normal, as long as it's not occurring constantly (as in you're nauseous ALL the time) then it's fine. My pill makes me feel nauseous sometimes too, so it doesn't matter what pill you're on ... that's a normal side effect.

I don't think it's just irresponsibility. I think it's also because Malaysian women seem to have this idea that going on the pill would affect their ability to have children .. and I personally believe that that is a VERY narrow-minded, uninformed view. Everybody in the West, Americas and Europe, is on the pill and the global population isn't declining because people can't have children - it's because they don't WANT to have children!

This post has been edited by spunkberry: Jun 7 2011, 10:31 PM

I'm on Mercilon pink pack for 2 years plus now.

I recently switched from Jolessa to Loestrin 24Fe

why switch? any benefits? Malaysia got this brand?

I switched because Jolessa's dose was too high for me. I take the extended cycle pills and was experiencing breakthrough bleeding on my second month so I changed.

I'm not in Malaysia, so I don't know what brands are available in Malaysia.

oh! did u heard bout mercilon before? any comment on this brand? only this brand makes me not vomitting or nausea. I ate it at night, always the same time.

no I've never heard of mercilon so I can't give you a comment about it. it's the only brand? what have you tried?

I take mine at night too, at the same time

I tried Diane before but makes me headache dizzy. Then change to this no problem so continue using it. Ya Mercilon is d brand name..

well I meant, it's the only brand that makes you feel nauseous? you've only tried Diane other than that?

yeah thats d only brand.. Yeah after Diane I tried Mercilon. Then this one didnt make me nausea so I continue using it.

that's a good idea

Yeap! =)

Say your partner is on condoms, is it still neccesary to go on the pills?

my gf started to take birth control pill, but seems her libido decreased. Any recommendations of what action should be taken to gain her libido back?

it is not necessary to take two methods of birth control at the same time, though it is a good precaution.

decreased libido is a side effect of the pill. there are two options: herbal enhancers (which may or may not work), or change the pill to a lower dosage.

my bb is on yasmin 21 for nearly one year ++
1)she just on new pack of yasmin, go for unprotected sex after 3 days of new pack...is this safe? i'm worried of course but when i asked her she said nothing to be worried!

2) just finish one pack of yasmin 21...but period didn't come after 7 days. Normal?? Again, told me nothing worried...

of coz i'm worried!!

1) Your girlfriend has been on the pill for over a year and she still can't read simple instructions? when you start a new pack, you CANNOT have unprotected sex until SEVEN days after you start!

2) If you had unprotected sex 3 days after she started a new pack, congratulations and happy father's day.

Hi,sorry,but would like to clarify a few things. So basically BCP is taken BEFORE if u wanna have a month of unprotected sex.

And EC is for us that accidentally had unprotected sex?

And also,I'm aware that BCP is a 21 days pill. What about EC?? one-time pill or what?

I no longer log into LYN often and I forgot to ask this: Did she start the pill on the first day of her period?

BCP is taken every day at approximately the same time, and started before you have unprotected sex yes.
EC is for "oops I had unprotected sex last night" yes.

EC is a one-time pill.

Thank u so much for the reply! Any recommendation on brands for EC?

I don't think you should be worrying about what BRAND the EC pill is going to be, since the fact that you need EC means you have bigger things to worry about. They all function the same way.

If you want to worry about brands, you worry about BCP because there are a million different types out there

Hi all..
Me myself just took the postinor2 pill..
Anything that I can do like having Chinese medicine such as bird's nest drink and blabla... To get rid of the drug contain from body?
As my knowledge, it's still drugs, and although it's the first one I took.. Still it's bad for us-- girl's body..

This post has been edited by vivianting: Sep 2 2011, 12:45 PM

yes, i do have to agree with spunkberry. malaysians are really so narrow minded. every time someone mentioned bcp, they'll go, there's side effects and it'll affect your fertility in the future. i trust my doctor. i went to a gynae and he gave me a prescription for it. if it's dangerous, i believe the pill wouldn't even be approved of in the first place.

then don't take antibiotics. don't take antihistamines. don't take any sort of medication because those are all drugs that are bad for your girl's body

it's very annoying, yes. The pill has been around since the 1950s and the world's population is still increasing ... so OBVIOUSLY the effects of the pill are not as detrimental as uneducated-about-the-pill malaysian girls seem to think. EVERYTHING you take as medication has a side effect, not just the Pill. Have you (not you in particular, @nn@nn) ever read the side effects on your benadryl box? Your antihistamine box?

Medication for Heartburn. Side effects include vomiting, migraines, indigestion... etc.

How come women only worry about the pill's side effects? Why worry about fertility so much if people who don't want to have children anyway? Do they still have to take care of their ovaries?
*eyeroll*

hello, i am off to Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) for a 2 week business trip. will there be any available birth control pills like Marvelon in the pharmacy without my gyne's prescription?

thanks for your help!

I am very interested to know country you're living in if you are able to get a hormone-altering pill such as the BCP without a prescription.
That should be made illegal and is dangerous if used incorrectly.

You can get the emergency contraceptive pill without a prescription. Not the pack.

This post has been edited by spunkberry: Sep 12 2011, 02:21 AM

Thanks spunkberry! I have been working and living in Manila Philippines for the past 2 years now. The thing here is that you can get a pack of bcp like its as if youre just buying panadol or some medicine over the counter.. There's also watsons here and i can get my pills there without the pharmacists asking for my RX.

doesn't work like that in Malaysia and most other legitimate operations. fill your "prescription" before your business trip.

Words out there are there might be further side effects for morning after pills. As in long term side effects as in difficulties in getting pregnant if the morning after pills was taken not to say frequently but more than a 10 times for example throughout a year or two.

How true is it??

morning after pills are emergency contraception. how many times does a hospital experience an emergency? if it's more than a certain number, there's obviously something bigger that is wrong with the community.
The same applies to the morning after pill. why would you take it so often? don't know how to use a condom? don't know how to take the birth control pill on a regular basis?

the morning after pill and the birth control pill both have effects on fertility later in life for children, but are rare. I know of ONE person, out of the hundreds I know who take the pill, who had her ovaries destroyed because of the pill ... and she is the mother of three children, all three conceived after the pill damage. I am personally more iffy about taking the morning pill regularly than I am about the birth control pill you take regularly ALTHOUGH it is good to note that the morning after pill (Plan B) is merely a mega dose of the birth control pill.

I've read on my packets that one entire pack of BCP is equivalent to the morning after pill. So let me ask you: knowing that, which one would you rather take on a regular basis, if you are so concerned about fertility?

This post has been edited by spunkberry: Sep 20 2011, 03:11 AM

Hey padfoot1122,

Philippines is different from Malaysia. If not mistaken, physicians only prescribe while pharmacist dispenses drugs right?

Anyway, you can get them over the counter, here in Watsons as well. All Watsons pharmacist are licensed to dispense them. However, there are certain brands that requires prescription though. Depends on the concentration you're looking for.

Hope this helps.

hi, what brands of birth control pills are available in malaysia? i've been on yasmin for 1/2 year. it makes me tired and kills my libido. i'm planning to switch but unsure of which brand to switch to. i heard alesse(Lessina, Aviane, Lutera) is a lower dosage one but is it available in malaysia? also i know diane is popular but it's not fdi approved in the us? and i heard of hair loss problems as well? kinda worried. any recommendations?

Brand names for birth control pills mean NOTHING. you should also be aware that all birth control pills kill the libido somewhat, just some not as much as others. As for recommendations as to which "brand" you should switch to, that is a discussion you should have with your doctor. They would know what is really a lower dosage and what is FDA approved.

From my experience as a sales assistant in a pharmacy, most customers who request for emergency contraceptive pills didn't consult doctor for it. They came for the "morning after pill" mostly without prescription letters. In fact they are not educated about RISK of overdosing the pills. These would usually result in hormonal imbalance of the body and may increase risk of cancers caused by sex hormones.

there is no prescription required for the emergency contraceptive pill. but it seems to me that a lot of Malaysian women think that the emergency pill can be taken on a regular basis ... which is a great indicator of how shitty our sex education is.

Sex education should involve both boys and girls. During my secondary school, Kotex did a seminar on women's health, generally to educate the the girls about menstruation. It's sad that the boys are excluded from this seminar. When I was 17 years old I had no idea about women's menstruation. I only know that they bleed sometimes but, didn't know the reason why. I learnt it after I'm in college.

It was unfortunate to know how much our youths missed such an important knowledge. With entertainment media extensively sexualizing actors, actresss, musicians(SNSD), proper sex education should be disseminated. The media portrayed the standards of how man and women should be. The lead to a majority of women to believe that she has to be beautiful so she can be ordained with respect by society. To be beautiful is fine however, what's evil is the obsession of beauty.

I believe boy should be educated about women's health extensively as this would help to curb irresponsible sexual behaviour. I'm sure it is common for most ladies to be pressured for sex by their man. As a man, I believe it's NOT because man don't understand women but, they are not properly educated about what a women is.





This post has been edited by gsdfan: Oct 26 2011, 04:18 AM

I agree that men should also be educated about sex ... but the women who ARE anyway are retarded about it. go look around - so many stupids

Hi. Can i ask you about Emergency Contraception?

The morning after pill, does it has any brand? Can you recommend some of them? How much usually it cost if i buy it at pharmacy?

How to consume the pill?

I read about some article regarding the side effect of the pill : nausea, headache, etc. Is it very seriously pain?

How to know to stop consume the pill? (Since the pill is not for long term).

Is there any condition where she is not suitable to take the pill?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks a lot.

Hi there I'm new here, I'm really impress with your comments and information. Wow...solid. Merry Christmas ya!!!

Spunkberry, I notice quite a number of people asking about ECP here.
Just for their info, there's a whole thread about ECP in H&F section. I think it should go into the first few posts so people will be directed there as there's tons of info on ECP there.

Link: http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/176435