Aviane and blood clots

I've used 3 different kinds of birth control, and my advice is--STICK WITH IT! :) Any hormonal birth control is going to give you some side effects, and they're going to be different for everyone. That's why there are so many different kinds we can try. But you have to give it time! Never switch types of hormonal birth control if you've been on it less than 3 or 4 months, unless of course you've got the dangerous side effects that are really rare (like heart attack, blood clots, severe depression, etc.). Hormones are really complicated, and it TAKES TIME for your body to get used to them.

Have you been on Aviane less than 3 months and you've got: breast tenderness, increase in acne, weight gain, decrease in sex drive, headaches, nausea, mild depression, mood swings, irritability, breakthrough bleeding, cramps, increased appetite, problems with your contacts, etc.? Welcome to the club. :) I PROMISE that most (if not all) of these will go away by the time you're on your third or fourth period, and you get so used to the ones that are left that they don't really even impact your life anymore. If after 3-4 months you've still got side effects that are really impacting your lifestyle, that's when you need to go to your doctor and talk about other options. It really is a trial and error kind of thing, but you have to be patient! Birth control isn't like popping a pill when you've got a headache--it's a commitment, something you have to really stick with if you want the benefits (like no babies!). Pay attention to what your body needs, of course, but if you're going to take hormonal birth control, you kind of have to pay a price for a few months first.

But hey, birth control really is great. It's so much easier than trying to worry about condoms or diaphragms or other kinds of barrier birth control (can you say "kills the moment?"). And there are good side effects, too--shorter, lighter, less painful periods (over time), etc.

Good luck! Stick with it!