Tuffy Luv Talks Birth Control

August 10, 2010 1:00 pm     Posted in Advice, Body, Relationships  Tuffy Luv g+ page


By Tuffy Luv

Question for La Tuff? Answers may be available at TuffyLuv@collegecandy.com. While supplies last. Void where prohibited.

Dear Tuffy Luv,

My boyfriend and I have been dating for almost five months, and until recently, it has been amazing.  About a month and a half ago I began taking the pill – Loestrin 24 Fe – out of necessity.  The condom broke a few times and I had to take Plan B.  At first I was pleased with it.  My skin’s clearer, my hair (which had thinned in recent years) is thicker, and I haven’t had any weight gain.  There’s only one side effect.  But it’s a BIG one. I’ve been an emotional wreck. I’m crying on and off frequently and not am as talkative/friendly/outgoing.  In general, just not myself.

I know my boyfriend (and also my bff/roommate) sees a big difference and it’s definitely put a strain on things.  I get unreasonably upset if we have to cancel plans or can’t hang out.  I’ll get teary during a phone conversation and have no explanation for what’s wrong.  We used to have so much fun together but my change in personality has put a damper on things most of the time.  I’ve tried explaining my situation, and I know he tries to be understanding, but he just doesn’t know how to deal with me.  I don’t know what to do anymore.  Should I forgo the pill and go back to condoms or wait it out and see if the side effects subside?  I can’t imagine another pill having the same positive effects and no negative side effects.  Any advice is much appreciated, as the clock’s a-ticking and I don’t know how much longer he’ll be willing to put up with my shenanigans.

Please Help!!
BC Bitch

Dear BC Non-Bitch,

Before we talk about Lo-Lo and/or other birth control pills, let’s just quickly address your little condom issue.

Girl, why does the condom keep breaking? This is not good. Something is going wrong, yes?

Lots of people think they know how to use a condom but then find it’s often not staying on or that it’s ripping. If this is the case–YA DOIN IT WRONG. No big deal, though: Learning to use a condom effectively is simple. Check out this article from Planned Parenthood to make sure you’re using condoms correctly.

And, please, kids, let’s give a round of applause for BC Non-Bitch! She absolutely did the right thing: she used condoms (YES!!! You go, girl!!!) and then, when they failed, she sought out Plan B! Proud of you!!!

Okay, now let’s get to this birth control pill business. Loestrin 24 Fe is low-dosage and has a lot of nice little benefits, like the stuff you’ve noticed. According to the company’s Patient Prescribing Information, Loestrin 24 Fe can, in fact, cause both “nervousness” and “depression.” This is true of all birth control pills, because of the hormones involved, but different people have different levels of success with different pills.

The way I see it, you have three options:

(1) Wait until the end of the third month of taking it to see if your body will adjust. Tuffy does NOT recommend this option. That is a looooong time to wait, given the circumstances.

(2) Switch back to condoms. This, of course, would be after you and your boyf BOTH re-learn to use them, just to be safe. [By the way, you should STILL be using condoms if you're on birth control! You still want to be protected from diseases, right?!?!?!]

(3) Go back to your doctor and explain your symptoms. This is the option Tuffy highly recommends. You may just need a different pill.

Again, though, please use condoms in addition to any future birth control pill you take. The pill only prevents babies from being made; the condoms prevent the clap.

Also of note–be sure to never smoke while on any birth control pill. It’s very dangerous for your heart and overall health.

Good luck, girl!

Hearts & Skulls,

Tuffy Luv

33 Comments on "Tuffy Luv Talks Birth Control"

  1. Maggie says:
    Tue, 10th Aug 20108:25 am 

    I know how you feel! I was in the same boat last year, when I first started birth control pills, except I gained 10+ lbs as well. I was an emotional wreck all the time and snapped at the tiniest little thing (a problem compounded by the fact that my boyfriend just graduated and had to move back home while looking for a job, so we were hundreds of miles apart). I also remember my boobs being super sore all the time, so all in all, I was not too pleased with the effects of the pill.

    I ended up taking Option 1 and sticking it out for 3 months, then doing Option 3 and switched to a low-estrogen pill after talking to my doctor. It helped a little, but what worked best for me was being aware of the effects that the pill would have, keeping my boyfriend informed about these changes, and trying to have an open mind when I did react to a small issue.

    For me, the pill got better with time. If I had a choice, I wouldn't be on it, but I think it's better to be safe than sorry. I think you should definitely take Tuffy's advice and talk to your doctor first!

  2. Morgan says:
    Tue, 10th Aug 20108:57 am 

    I agree with Maggie, keep an open mind and make sure that your bf is aware of why your emotions seem out of control!

    I went on Loestrin 24 Fe about a year and a half ago for medical purposes, and for the first 3 or 4 months, my emotions were kind of crazy. But I eventually figured out what it was, and told my boyfriend why I was always getting so frustrated and upset with him, and he was ok with it. And once you figure out that it's a pill causing these things, it makes it slightly easier to control yourself.

  3. S says:
    Tue, 10th Aug 20109:18 am 

    I was on Lutera (which is another low dose pill) and I realized after a few months that it was making me throw up every morning. I talked to my doctor and she put me on Yaz which hasn't had the physical side effects but I did notice some emotional ones as well. However, after a few months things calmed down, my body adapted and generally normalized.

    In either case, there are so many types of pills out there, something should work for you.

  4. Sam says:
    Tue, 10th Aug 201010:05 am 

    Loestrin made me that way too, I had to switch and then felt better. Your doctor should be able to help you out like Tuffy said. Being an emotional mess is terrible!

  5. maressasb says:
    Tue, 10th Aug 201010:12 am 

    Hey Tuff Luv, how come you didn't mention the nonhormonal IUD, Paragard? That's a very good option for young women who would prefer not to deal with the many, sometimes life-altering side effects of synthetic franken-hormones. And dear BC Bitch, you are not alone! Lots of young women (and I) have found that the Pill makes them feel anywhere from 'blah' to an emotional basketcase. I wrote about it here: http://thebodylogic.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/war-… Whatever you do, please don't let your doctor tell you that younger women cannot get IUDs (that's not true) or try to switch you from Pill to Pill, if it just isn't for you.

  6. Lynds says:
    Tue, 10th Aug 201010:37 am 

    I've been on the pill for almost 7 years, I started when I was 15 because I was diagnosed with endometriosis. Taking the pill while I was already an emotional teenager had serious effects on me. I gained weight I had serious emotional issues. I went through four different types of pills before I found the one that worked right for me. The first two made me an emotional wreck, the third yaz made me suicidal during the third week of each month. It only took me two months taking each pill to realize it wasn't for me. I recommend try another pill, I'm currently on othro-tricyclin and have been for years. just make sure to keep track of how your feeling and when and whether its really you or the drugs. I wish you the best of luck!

  7. Samantha says:
    Tue, 10th Aug 201010:53 am 

    I agree with Tuffy's 3rd suggestion. When I started bc I started with Yasmin and I had craazzyyy side effects that did NOT go away. Finally I saw my nurse practitioner again and she switched me to Aviane (Allesse) and POOF I was all better :) . Also I'm wondering if you take the placebo pills/ wait the week between packs? I find if I go too long without taking that week off (like if I go three months with taking the pills back to back so I can skip my period) I get REALLY crazy/ emotional. Good luck! I hope you find a solution :)

  8. Anna says:
    Tue, 10th Aug 201011:14 am 

    I love how much Tuffy recommends birth control. Great advice! However, an exception to the "condoms even with the pill" rule- if you and your partner are monogamous and get tested, then condoms are only an added precaution against babies.

  9. Han says:
    Tue, 10th Aug 20101:39 pm 

    Sometimes its like College Candy just KNOWS! I am in the exact same position as this girl except with different pill brands and no serious boyfriend. The main issue is that I was depressed before switching pills and now that I am adjusting to this new one everything has heightened EXTREMELY and it is AWFUL. Plus, this pill is supposed to clear my skin and instead my acne is worse. The dilemma is, should I go to the trouble to switching pills again, or stick with this pill until my body begins to get used to the hormones and the GOOD side effects begin to appear? I agree with Tuffy Luv at the least, we should see a doc / planned parenthood and get their opinion.

  10. Amy says:
    Tue, 10th Aug 20104:05 pm 

    I started taking Loestrin after my bf and I became sexually active last year. I was in exactly the same situation. Crying all the time, snapping at my boyfriend and my roomie all the time. I was a mess.

    I switched to Yaz after about 2 months on Loestrin and saw a significant improvement. I got less emotional and my boobs actually grew a size (my bf definitely didn't mind that…)

    I would definitely recommend getting on Yaz if you can.

  11. NoBarbieDoll says:
    Tue, 10th Aug 20105:38 pm 

    Uhm… how about you quit taking hormones that mess around with your brain chemistry?? I mean, I’m sure that will have great long-term effects. And I took the Pill in high school, but I will never do it again! Too many side effects– crazy moods, feeling out of control, hair loss, all sorts of nasty things. Don’t put your body through all of this just for a guy. Sorry, not worth it. It just isn’t. Condoms should always work– if they are tearing, then there are some problems that can be addressed:

    –Too much friction… use some lube, water-based, since oil-based will cause condoms to fail.

    –Wrong condom size.

    –Your boyfriend is putting it on wrong. Read package directions.

    Darling, don’t take those horrid, lab-made hormones! No wonder you feel like absolute crap. GET RID OF THE PILLS!

  12. NK says:
    Tue, 10th Aug 20105:43 pm 

    I’d been on BC since I was 17 for medical reasons and had soooo many issues that doctors could never seem to explain…when I was 19, I’d faint ALL the time and I lost 30 lbs in about 3 months…they put me through all these tests, including sleep studies to see if I was having seizures, etc. I had headaches CONSTANTLY, I’d get ovarian cysts that ruptured about 3 times a year…I was an emotional wreck over THE pettiest things….seriously, the smallest lil thing would throw me over the deep end… my doctor started considering a bipolar diagnoses…what?! (Thank god after a few Dr’s and psychiatrists, they ruled that one out!) To top it all off I had absolutely ZERO libido…which made me question sooo many things as a 24 year old female, it made dating nearly impossible cuz I simply just was NOT interested. Then I started working for a natural health doctor who suggested I go off birth control for a few months and see what happens. As I wasn’t interested in sex, it wasn’t really an issue…..I was more worried about the symptoms I originally started taking the pill for, returning.

    Long story short…..all the issues I’d had disappeared in 2 short months. My libido “woke up”…headaches and cysts disappeared…my mood was completely NORMAL, etc. etc. etc. It was like I was a whole new person!! Flash forward a few years til last August when I met my current boyfriend. After a few months of dating he asked if I’d go on BC…I told him about my past horrors but we agreed I’d try it for a few months and if those things started happening again, I’d go back off of it. Sure enough……not even 2 months has passed when my boyfriend told me I was right, the stuff made me crazy and to please stop using it!

    So I dunno…maybe my body’s just completely different than anyone else’s, but I know I’ll never touch the stuff again. Being 28 with a full time job and a supportive boyfriend with whom I’m planning on marrying, I guess it’s a little different than still being in college and not having your life completely figured out, but personally birth control scares the hell out of me now! Like I said though…everyone’s different. Maybe if you try switching to a different brand/lower dose pill, it will work out for you! Good luck!! I hope you get it figured out for what works best for you!

  13. Diana says:
    Wed, 11th Aug 20102:46 am 

    I also take Lo-Estrin FE and have found that it makes me totally CRAZY! This is the fourth BC pill I have tried and I am starting to lose hope. It's nice to not have to worry as much about pregnancy but the insane mood swings and the vomiting EVERY. MORNING. is wearing me down!

  14. Jacqui says:
    Wed, 11th Aug 201011:23 am 

    I was on Loestrin 24 FE for the past 6 months or so and had the exact same problem! I'm so glad it's not just me. I've been on various BC pills since I was 14. I had crazy emotional problems on Ortho-Tricyclene when I was younger and was switched to Microgestin for a long time (it's basically the generic version of Loestrin – yay cheaper!), and I had no problems. My new doctor convinced me to make the switch to Loestrin 24 FE back in Februrary, and the first few months were fine, but then I realized I was getting really emotional (very out of character) even over things that normally wouldn't bother me. I switched back to the Microgestin about a month ago and I've been problem free for 2 weeks or so now. So at least my body and mind seem to have adjusted back to normal quickly. But from experience, tell your doctor the problems you're having. She may have another pill to switch you to that will work amazing for you. Good luck!

  15. Natalie says:
    Wed, 11th Aug 201012:19 pm 

    If you don't like the pill there re other birth control alternatives…

    Not just condoms or diaphrams (sorry can't spell >.<) either.

    I use the Nuvaring. All you do is pop it in, and then after three weeks pop it out. I used to have bad side effects from the pill (as well as constantly battling to remember to take it at the same time everyday) so I switched.

  16. Megan says:
    Wed, 11th Aug 20102:44 pm 

    I know exactly how you feel! When I was on BC for the first time, my doctor put me on Yasmin. Everything was fine the first month or two but after that, I became an emotional wreck. It really put a strain on the relationship I was in at that time and I eventually just stopped taking it all together. My doctor put me on a different pill a few months later which didn't have as much estrogen in it. I've been on it for 3 years now and haven't had any side effects with it. Try going back to your doctor and maybe he/she will put you on a different pill.

  17. Carrie Leneweaver says:
    Wed, 11th Aug 20105:52 pm 

    I'm SO GLAD I'm not the only one that went through something like this!

    I was in basically the exact same situation; My boyfriend and I had been together 4 months when I started Loestrin. The only bad side effects were that I gained about 5 pounds (which i lost a few months later, thankfully) and I experienced horrible depression. Granted, I was in extremely stressful situations with school, work, family, and just about everything else at the time which no doubt amplified these feelings. My boyfriend was a saint for putting up with me. I've never been an overly emotional person, but I found myself crying just about every other day and getting upset at him over the slightest things.

    After the first 2 months I switched to Microgestin (the generic version of Loestrin) and started getting back to my normal self. I'm not sure whether it was the switch that helped me or if it just took that long for my body to adjust. If you notice that it's not getting any better soon, definitely talk to your doctor.

  18. Leigha says:
    Thu, 12th Aug 20101:06 pm 

    @NoBarbieDoll–Just because you don't feel it's worth it for you doesn't mean it isn't worth it for anyone.

    Me without the pill=having my period randomly anywhere from 3-12 times a year, with no real warning, which also means I would never be able to tell if I'd accidentally gotten pregnant because there's no such thing as late if there's no normal. Oh, yeah, it also lasted 10+ days

    With the pill=every 4th week, like clockwork, Monday morning, for 5 days. Only downside is, I get cramps now, which I never did before.

    For me, it is INCREDIBLY worth it, and I know it is for a lot of other people, too. Plus, the only long-term effect I can think of is that it tends to lower your risk of breast cancer. It's been around for DECADES. It's fine. (Yes, it can cause clots, and individual types may have side effects for some people, but you realize like 3/4 of the women in the US are on it? Clearly, not everyone thinks it isn't worth it.)

  19. NoBarbieDoll says:
    Thu, 12th Aug 20108:03 pm 

    @Leigha– Just thought I'd let other young women know that there are risks, and not just the ones that are always talked about– spotting, cramping, moodiness… there are ongoing studies that are admitting that synthetic hormonal contraceptives can reduce the amount of free testosterone in a female's body. Testosterone= sex drive, so that is pretty self-defeating. Things like this are not necessarily shared with the eager young women who just want to get the Pill and get out of the doctor's office. Oh, I know, but the FDA is infallible. Well, there have been plenty of public health and safety dangers that they told us were fine, at first. Asbestos, anyone?

    I'm really sorry that your periods are so unpredictable! I can understand why you take the Pill. I am just saying that women should know the risks. Don't just swallow a pill without knowing what it can do to you!

  20. Emmie says:
    Mon, 16th Aug 20106:07 am 

    I recently quit the pill in January, having been on it since I was 14 (I am now 21). I didn't really have moody, emotional problems, nor hair loss, nor noticeably decreased libido (maybe a little). I did have immaculate skin though!!! I am now dealing with broken out, white head laden skin but I am MUCH happier knowing I'm dong something good for my body being off the pill. I just had the copper IUD, Paragard, placed several weeks ago. Things are going great, a little cramping the first day and that's it! I know my periods may be heavier with Paragard, but I appreciate the fact that my body will be naturally ovulating and operating as it should! I want a REAL period…and I DON'T want to run the risk of having a stroke so young because of blood clot complications from the pill…this is scary, girls. and I think far few of you…basically noone except my sister, Maressab, has mentioned IUDS here!! It's hormone free and prevents pregnancy w/ 99% efficacy. For me this is perfect because I have been in a monogamous relationship for almost three years now….but in addition to condoms for any woman, Paragard is natural and offers a peace of mind…GET OFF THE PILLS PEOPLE. Do some research, educate yourself, be proactive about your health. Most doctors sure aint doin it for us!!!

  21. NoBarbieDoll says:
    Wed, 18th Aug 20101:21 pm 

    You go, Emmie! THANK YOU for supporting non-hormonal birth control methods!

  22. maria says:
    Wed, 18th Aug 20109:22 pm 

    I have the Paraguard IUD and i can't feel it and only had stomach pain from it the very first two days of having it. it's completely not hormonal. $400 bucks for for a ten year birth control=fourty dollars per year. you can't tell you have it unless searching with your fingers–your dude will never know you have it unless he's good with the foreplay. I have only used the Nuva Ring before and I also had emotional issues that were heightened. I would highly suggest the IUD. You can get it removed anytime but lasts ten years max.

  23. Elizabeth says:
    Fri, 20th Aug 201012:04 pm 

    I've been considering dropping the pill too. I've been on it for about 10months and I've been with my boyfriend for about 11. Never in my life have I been sooooooo sleepy! I sleep like 10 hours a night, take naps, and am ready to sleep again once the sun goes down. Caffine provides no help whatsoever. And when my body wants to sleep, it just shuts down. I can't tell you how many times I can barely stay awake at parties, ear deafening concerts, or movies. My boyfriend will be at his band practice banging super loud on drums and I'm sleeping like a baby 2 feet away on the studio couch. And during the day I just feel so heavy and listless:( It sucks major balls.

    I hate condoms, plus I'm allergic to latex, so I'm considering an IUD except I get infections really easy (not STD's, I'm talking more UTI's). And if you look up family pact, you get bc services free!

    Hopefully I can start getting energy back into my life.

  24. PaintedPicasso says:
    Mon, 23rd Aug 20104:08 pm 

    same thing happened to me- went on yasmin- major depression that took a long time to work out of, went on tricyclogen lo- was an emotional wreck every 3rd week and had double periods, what im trying now is mirena. it has no progesterone and very little estrogen and it affects only the uterus and the hormones dont travel through the bloodstream

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