Expert: DW - 2/19/2011

Question
I was contemplating going on the pill.. I've recently become sexually active with my longterm boyfriend, and we always use condoms. I just want to make sure we're completely safe, because i know that getting pregnant could ruin my life if i didn't want a child. But this isn't the main problem. My periods have always been very long, stupidly heavy and incredibly painful. It's really difficult  to deal with and causes all kinds of problems. I heard that the pill will make your periods lighter, and i was wondering if i should consider taking them. Gaining weight doesn't really bother me. I was wondering what you, as a professorial, think of my situation?

Answer
Dear Katie,

No, I don't recommend going on the birth control pill. I don't advise those ever. There are too many health risks and problems that go along with the hormones. There are other problems besides gaining weight. Some of the problems are long-term. I can tell you more but go ahead and email so we can talk at length.

Also, condoms are not 100% completely safe in preventing pregnancy. No birth control method is 100% safe. So I really don't know what to recommend. The only methods that don't have hormones are condoms or Natural Family Planning. You might find more information on http://www.ccli.org
on NFP. Let me know what you think.

My email address is DWooley97@aol.com and I would love to hear from you.

Sincerely,
Diane W.