Hi Destiny>
I tried to respond to you earlier, but the forum apparently crashed and it wouldn't post it.
Anyway...I doubt you'll be able to get an idea of what to expect. Everybody's body is different, and will respond to birth control pills in different ways. I too have heard plenty of birth control horror stories, but I've been on the pill for years and years and have never had any problems. It's cleared up my skin. It's given me lighter periods with less cramping (which was my primary reason for going on it in the first place...my periods before were horrible and extremely painful). I haven't had any weight loss or gain from the pill, but new research shows that the pill really doesn't have anything to do with weight fluctuation anyway. Of course, the findings seem to always be changing, so take that with a grain of salt if you want.
Don't sweat the horror stories. People are quicker to complain than to praise, so it's likely you'll hear more negative things about the pill than positive things. But there are a lot of people out there like me who have nothing bad to say about the pill at all.
It is sometimes difficult to remember everyday, but make sure you take them at the same time every day (I keep mine in the drawer with my toothpaste so I take it after I brush my teeth in the morning). I do forget on occasion, but I always take the one I missed as soon as I remember, and have only had to deal with a bit of spotting and maybe a cramp or two. I am thinking about switching to NuvaRing though, just because I like not having to think about my birth control everyday. But I'm also worried I would forget to switch out my ring once a month.
Give your pills a few months. If you find they aren't working for you, consult your doctor. Each pill works a bit differently, so your doctor may find another pill that might work better for you, or you can discuss other birth control options.
Here's a birth control pill FAQ from Mayo Clinic that you might find helpful...it addresses the issue of weight changes with the pill:
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