Time out sa pills

Ma’am Rica,

Walong taon na po akong nagte-take ng birth control pills at iniisip ko kung okay lang ba na tumigil muna ako ng ilang months. They were prescribed to me noong mas bata pa ako dahil sa irregu­larity ng aking periods.

Nasa isang monogamous and long-term relationship din naman ako ng mga pa­nahong ‘yon kaya conve­nient lang din sa akin ang pagpipills. Sa ngayon, nasa stage ako na hindi regular or steady ang aking part­ners. Casual and fun lang kaya gusto ko din maexperi­ence to be not on pills.

Kailangan bang ikonsulta ko muna ang pagtigil dito or pwede kong itigil na lang by myself? At pag biglang naging masama ang period ko by being off them okay lang ba to start it up again by myself?

Salamat,

Wonderwall

Hello Wonderwall,

Mabuti ‘yang paghahanap mo ng information tungkol sa iyong prescription medication. Normal ang pagte-take ng hormonal birth control pills para sa men­strual irregularities rather than contraception.

Nasa 14 percent ng lahat ng nagte-take ng pills ay para sa non-contraceptive reasons. Isa sa perks ng birth control pills ay madaling mag-on and off them by yourself. Pero dahil eight years ka nang nagpi-pills, mas mainam kung ikokonsulta mo ito sa isang health professional for possible risks and side ef­fects ng iyong action.

Bukod sa pagreregulate ng menstrual periods ng isang ba­bae, nakakatulong din ang pills sa pagti-treat ng dysmenor­rhea, PMS, at Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS. Hindi lang clear ang diagnosis sa iyo kung bakit ka pinag hormonal birth control pills ng iyong doctor. Merong iba na kapag irregular ang kanilang periods ay nagig­ing regular after stopping the take of pills after some time.

I hope that by being sexu­ally active and being off the pill, you consider having other contraceptives and protection against sexually transmitted infections. Maaaring excited ka ngayong with the thought of exploring your sexuality but siyempre do not forget to be safe while having fun and en­joying.

With love and lust,

Rica

If you have questions on love and sex that you want me to answer, you may message me at www.facebook.com/The­SexyMind or DM me on Twitter or Instagram: @_ricacruz.

Biography: Rica Cruz is a Li­censed Psychologist, Marriage Counselor, and Sex Therapist. She comes out as the Resident Psychologist on Boys’ Night Out every Thursday night on Magic 89.9.