# So I'm considering going on birth control...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-considering-going-on-birth-control/175012>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 13, 2003, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-considering-going-on-birth-control/175012 "2003-05-13T18:58:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![monica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@monica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monica)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-considering-going-on-birth-control/175012/1 "2003-05-13T18:58:03Z")

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Because my periods normally last longer than they should (sometimes 2 weeks) and aren’t terrible regular, and I’m tired of cramps, I’m planning to ask my doctor about birth control pills when I go to my doctor next week. However, I like to go informed, so I have a few questions (I’m 16, if that makes any difference.):

First of all, are there any brands that are less likely to cause side effects? I’m most worried about weight gain and acne (mine is finally clearing up!)

Also, there is a chance that I may be having sex while using the birth control pill. I figure that if condoms are 97% effective, and the pills are 99.6% effective, then together they should be 99.988% effective (someone check my math, please.)

Also, any other comments about the birth control pills that you may have are welcome.

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**Author:** ![monica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@monica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monica)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-considering-going-on-birth-control/175012/2 "2003-05-13T19:00:11Z")

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Ooops, didn’t mean to double post…I will now refer this to a mod. Please ignore this thread.