Birth Control: My experience with the MINI PILL




So. Birth control pills. something that I am so very against but have been taking. If I were not in a relationship, or even in a relationship I knew were going to last a long time...I wouldn't be taking it. I was using Natural Family Planning before,the method of keeping track of your cycle, knowing when you're ovulating, and avoiding/protecting against pregnancy when you are most "fertile".
This method is as effective or even more so effective than a pill. 
However, I did fall pregnant with my sweetest Indee using this method. Mainly I think because I wasn't being as accurate as I should have been with keeping track  a certain month, and just so happen to get pregnant that month. We were using the "pull out method" at this time, but we see how that can fail! 
Sooo...as much as I would LOVE to go back to NFP for the sake of my body, it is just not possible at the moment. I have a new boyfriend, two kids from a previous relationship, an unstable cycle, and I think it makes my boyfriend more at ease that I am on birth control. Now...if things get really serious between the two of us and we are talking long term relationship I may educate him on this method and give it another go, but for now him and I are both comfortable with birth control pills. 

I have been taking the Mini Pill for 3 months now, and so far IM NOT pregnant, and all is well. It is working effectively I must admit, but here is what has been going on with my body.

First of all, my cycle is completely unpredictable. For the first time in YEARS I have no idea where my cycle is at. I think that is due to the pill changing my cycle, but maybe still postpartum problems? My body getting back to its normal? I am not sure, but I have no regular pattern, and I am not even sure I am ovulating right now. My cervical mucus is changing from the pill, and its very hard to tell if I am ovulating at all. 
How the pill works: The mini pill has no estrogen, used for breastfeeding mothers so that the combo hormones do not dry up the milk. If you are not breastfeeding the pill is not recommended because a combo hormone pill is most effective. The pill works by changing the lining of the uterus so that it is almost impossible for fertilization to occur. It also changes the cervical mucus making it hard for sperm to live in such environment.
What has been happening to me though is inbetween period spotting/bleeding. Since I have been taking the pill I have had a period to last 5 or so days, very heavy at the beginning, then slow down and stop by day 5. Then One to two weeks later I have a "mini period" that is spotting/bleeding but not even enough to use anything. Mostly occurs when I wipe, or have sex. Which is so irritating!!! I am bleeding every two weeks for 5 days at a time...which feels like I am bleeding ALL THE TIME. Sucks so bad. I just want to be able to have sex without a damn bloddy sex towell or bloody sheets. Is that too much to ask?

From the research I have done, this is pretty normal, but if it continues for months and months longer I should talk to my doctor. 
I am also experiencing mood changes/irritability, breast tenderness at times, a breast GROWTH, bloated around period start.
I have also experienced a more serious side effect of abdominal cramping/pain. 
This is all pretty normal effects for me on birth control, as it was the same when taking it in the past...but I KNOW in my heart it isn't natural or good for my body. Sigh :(

What can you do?
Get pregnant? NOT ready for that, nor do I want that. I am still trying to enjoy my new relationship, and have a baby Indee who is only 7 months old.
It's so hard to believe my body is still recovering from 9 months pregnancy, and childbirth...so the thought of another pregnancy and baby so soon makes me cringe!
Anyway....there is my experience with this birth control. This is where I am now with it, as much as I hate it, it is the best option for my boyfriend and I at the moment, even though I know it's doing my body no good.

What birth control methods do you use?

Lots of love!

xoxoxoxoxo
Naomi<3