<p>Depo-Provera: yes, some gain 5 to 10 pounds, some gain 0 pounds, and some gain up to 40 pounds! Unfortunately, we can’t predict who will gain how much.
Average weight gain on the pill: 1 pound.
Red flags for the pill: family history of thrombophlebitis, stroke at a young age, or pulmonary embolus (blood clot in lung). If this is the case, all family members should get clotting factors analyzed (called a “Bontempo profile”). People with genetic mutations causing abnormal clotting should NOT go on estrogen-based birth control or replacement and should have precautions before and during surgery.
Serious complications related to HPV vaccine: exceedingly rare: (about 4 hundredths of a percent according to the CDC)</p>
<p>For those who have turned to the Pill due to menstrual cycle related problems, acne, etc, I highly recommend Fertility, Cycles & Nutrition, Self care for improved cycles and fertility…naturally! by Marilyn M. Shannon [Amazon.com:</a> Fertility, Cycles & Nutrition 4th Edition (9780926412347): Marilyn M. Shannon, The Couple to Couple League: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Fertility-Cycles-Nutrition-Marilyn-Shannon/dp/0926412345]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Fertility-Cycles-Nutrition-Marilyn-Shannon/dp/0926412345)</p>
<p>Actually, I recommend this book to all women. There is also a chapter on men’s fertility issues.</p>
<p>This thread has been very helpful - thank you to the OP for starting it, and for all of the input here.</p>
<p>I gave my daughter “Hooking Up” ([Amazon.com:</a> Hooking Up: Sex, Dating, and Relationships on Campus (9780814799697): Kathleen Bogle: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Hooking-Up-Dating-Relationships-Campus/dp/0814799698/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302142711&sr=8-1]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Hooking-Up-Dating-Relationships-Campus/dp/0814799698/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302142711&sr=8-1)) when she was a senior in high school. It is an ethnography in which college students and recent alums talk about casual sex on campus. The voices of the students (rather than a lecturing adult) say it all. By the time they are juniors and seniors, most young women regret the casual sex of their Freshman year. Alcohol is shown to be a key factor in regretted sexual encounters as is girls’ low self-esteem. Young men mature more slowly than young women and express a desire for sex within a committed relationship AFTER they graduate. The cumulative message of the book from young women interviewed in the book to the reader: the men will finally catch up with you and your values after graduation. You don’t have to settle and you aren’t missing anything if you wait. I think this book really helped me daughter put the partying of her first two years of college in perspective and make choices apart from peer influences.</p>
<p>I would be hesitant to start any hormonal BC right when going away to college… The psychological side effects can be pretty bad (rollercoaster emotions, depression) and that combined with being in a new environment away from home could have some disastrous effects. I would either start the summer before, or wait until you get to college and determine if you really need it once you’re settled in.</p>
<p>I don’t know if this is an issue for any of your kids, but I wanted to share it, just in case.</p>
<p>I scheduled an appointment with a gynecologist for D early in the summer before she went away to college. Took the matter-of-fact approach mentioned above (taking responsibility for health, just like for an allergy 
)</p>
<p>Anyway, I found out that D was simply terrified by the prospect of the Dr visit. She was not sexually active yet and to say she was scared about having the “exam” was an understatement. I’d assumed she’d have a complete physical exam with pap, etc.</p>
<p>Turns out that these days, unless a person is sexually active already (after a frank discussion with the dr or physician’s assistant), there is NOT an intrusive physical exam. D was enormously relieved and told me later that she knew of many girls who refused to go for the “appointment” because they believed the dreaded physical exam would occur.</p>
<p>Since her own visit, which was extremely helpful in setting her up on a good birth control path, she became the “buddy” to several friends, encouraging them to go–and physically accompanying them for moral support.</p>
<p>If I’d have understood this, I would have certainly allayed D’s fear upfront. But I didn’t realize it and assumed the exam would be what I expected and experienced myself, all those years ago.</p>
<p>We had the experience of going to the gyno for the first time. The doctor (a very sweet girl…and when did they all start looking so <em>young</em> to me?) asked my D if she was sexually active. My D said no. When I left the room to get some paperwork done, the doctor asked her, “Now that Mom isn’t here, are you sexually active?” My D laughed and said, “It’s still no.”</p>
<p>Knowing that my kid tells me the truth Made My Day.</p>
<p>@libartsmom - THANK YOU for recommending the book “Hooking Up: Sex, Dating, and Relationships on Campus” by Kathleen A. Bogle </p>
<p>I just ordered it and will give it to my daughter to read. While we have open conversations (which consist of me lecturing and her nodding and saying ‘I know’) I think with having the info in the book it will be much better. </p>
<p>She plans on rushing and the combination of available alcohol at college parties and older frat boys scares me! I’ve heard too many stories of not only date-rape but the pressure put on these girls to have casual sex because “everyone is doing it” and the fear of being called a prude.</p>
<p>D has a good head on her shoulders and thank goodness has not given in to the casual hooking up that goes on at her high school but I think it’s better to be prepared than to assume!</p>
<p>I previewed both “Hooking Up” and “UnHooked” on amazon and I just can’t believe how different things are. I will be ordering both and having a discussion with my D. I knew kids had gotten more casual about sex but just had no idea it was that bad. It seems like some of these kids treat sex like its a hand shake.</p>
<p>I agree with socalmother…better to be prepared than to assume.</p>