Help me please :( - Women's Health Message Board

SunKissed · 02-24-2005, 09:41 PM

My boyfriend and I Just started having sex. I have been on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo for about 4 or 5 months now....i am a bit worried about it's effectiveness though. I am 5'7 and about 180 lbs..but not really fat? I just have a lot of muscle, maybe a little chubby around my midsection, but I don't look wayy overweight. I heard though that the pill can be less effective for women who weigh over 150 lbs. or something. I asked my doctor about this, and didn't get much of an answer..just 'take the pills correctly and i should be fine'. Also since they are the low-dose pills I am worried. I take them everyday at the SAME time, and have very regular periods. We used a condom as well.

Am I playing it safe here or should I be worried about the effectiveness of the pill I'm on?? How are any of you other women who are heavier and on the pill? Is it working for you?

Thanks so much.

Hangin in There · 02-25-2005, 10:04 AM

You should be fine. 180 pounds isn't that big when you're 5'7. Now if you were 5'7" and weighed 280.....

Zerberbaby · 02-25-2005, 10:53 PM

Your weight should not be a problem. Low-dose pills however do have a slightly less effective percentage than regular birth control pills, the trade off is a reduction in side effects.

You are also using a condom...which is also highly effective for preventing pregnancy...and also VERY smart since it will protect you from STDs and HIV as well.

Between the two it should take a small miracle for you to become pregnant.

NodiGoiterGirl · 02-28-2005, 10:56 AM

I remember reading that story and thinking wow, I should have had lots of babies by now. I am on a low-dose pill and am 175 lbs and 5'3. I don't look that overweight even though it sounds bad. I am muscular in most places. Anyway, I've been on the low-dose pills for a few years and never had a pregnancy scare. Did give birth to an ovarian tumor but that seems unrelated to birth control. I have known skinny women who have gotten pregnant on the pill, or so they say, so I guess it can go either way. You just take your chances.
Nodi