You may look into depo, but the doctors I've asked about it flat out refuse to prescribe it because of the side effects. One doctor I asked about it said that it was suitable only for use in third world countries. Ick.

You can get 12 months of birth control pills at once, but they might not be covered by insurance. In my case, I can get up to 3 packs at a time covered by insurance. If I want more at a time, I can pay for them and submit a claim later.

The patch or nuvaring might be a more convenient option for you as you are travelling, but different delivery methods of combination hormones may present different sets of side effects. If you're happy with the pill, I'd say stick with it.

If you can't get 12 months of bc at once, depending on where you're from, you might be able to get birth control from family planning clinics in Canada and Europe, especially if you explain your situation. You could even try calling a few before you leave.

I was able to get 6 months from planned parenthood, but that's because I'm a student...

We have no idea how your body would react to Depo. Some women stop bleeding right away and don't bleed again until they get off Depo. Other women start Depo, then bleed or spot for weeks or even months.

Anne is right that the side effects of Depo really make it not worth it either way though.

i agree the side effects are not worth the trouble. I was on it twice two different times and i turned into major grouch 1 and time 2 just after my twns and lost my mind almost very hard on your hormones makes everything crazy. Also if you get the shot it is only effective to pre vent pregancy for 3 months while it is in your system. Up here in canada I do not know of any place that would give you free birth control other than condoms, especially when you are not a canadian resident. Have you though of purchsing blue cross for your trip? Also if you go o a doctor up here and get a prescription it will cost less up here for your meds. i had a friend this passed weekend who came up for the folk festival and ended up with poison ivy and was prescribed pednazone and whenwe filled rx it was cheaper for her than for me and she had no coverage. Also if it is a canadian doctor prescribing it is alot easier to get the rx fillled.

I live in Canada and I *could* go out of my way and get 12 packets of birth control but then it's just a pain carrying them around and taking them everyday blah blah when I'm travelling. It was going to be my last option because I thought maybe Depo would be easier but I'm hearing way too many horror stories lol. I'm probably just gonna stick to the pills..or check this nuvaring thing out..

hello is there any chance that you could abstain from sex for your entire trip or are you going with your partner? Because if you abstain then you do not have to worry about any birth control. But if you plan to be sexually active during trip then what about the foam condoms diafram female codom any of these options are not 100% but nothing is anyways. are you on the pill to control your bleeding? What aboout the patch. You said you are in canada have you applied for the national pharmacare plan it is free to all canadians you apply through the pharmacy closest to you and the decutable goes on your income from last year my decutable is 250 this year and it is FREE to register for this. and your health insurance through your province should cover you for your trip at least for three months and if you let them know you are going away but are coming back and this is still your mailing address the will keep you covered. Any medicail expense at a hospital will be covered by your provicail health. i recomend getting some blue cross travel insureance even just the cheapest one. When I was your age I travel from coast to coast and even just that little bit of insureance with be enough allong with your provincial health. Especailly out of the country. I am now 33 with children but from19 to 26 traveled everywhere u.s., europe, and most of canada on basic blue cross I think I paid at that time 150 for the year and i ended up needing it twice 1 bad car accident in Ab. and then enflactic reaction to fish in NFLD. good luck

I just got the shot and I have been on my period for a month straight. Let's just say that I'm not going back for another shot!

The depo answer is that everyone is different. My roomate had a period for over a month, while I use it now, and I have no mood swings, no period at all, and no weight gain. Problem is you wont know till you try it...

I lived in california and was able to get 12 months supply from planned parenthood. They gave me the whole years supply when I just went in for birth control. Apparently they were worried about girls who never go back for more than just the first visit.