Birthcontrol Options

Mirena IUD!!! It's awesome. Nothing to take. Nothing to do. FIVE YEARS of birth control. I love it!

http://www.mirena-us.com/index.html

It wasn't Ortho Trycyclene was it? Me and my neighbor both have twins from that one. I have also ran into many others who became pregnate on it as well. One even said that she was told that grapefruit juice could even reduce the effetivness of that one. So if you are leary because it was that pill, just get a different type.

I'm going to suggest the copper T IUD...my daughter is 8 and I've just recently had it removed, cause I'm ready for my 2nd child. It worked wonder's for me, so you might want to look into it. I loved the fact that i didn't have to worry about taking a pill everyday, bloating me, or having to put a diaphragm in when it came time to couple. Nothing more irritating then getting in the mood and having to stop the romance. excuse myself to put that thing in...LOL

you can have the IUD in for 5 years max and then a 3 mon break before putting in a new one. i hope this was helpful. GOOD LUCK!

J.

Other than what has already been mentioned, the only other option I might suggest looking at is the new implant contraceptive that is modeled after the old Norplant. I don't know if it is available in the US yet, but it has been approved by the FDA as far as I know. I personally had Norplant for 5 years and thought it was great! I don't understand why your doc limits Depo to 2 years...I have friends who have been on it 7 and 10 years.

As a nurse, I too have heardlots of positive comments about both the Mirena IUD and the Nuvaring. I also used Ortho-Evra for a few years without any problems. It was also the only method I have ever gotten good cycle control with (no bleeding between periods like I had with every pill I ever tried)

Hope this helps!

I am on the Nuva-ring and absolutely love it!!! You insert it day 2-5 of your period leave it in for 3 weeks and take out for 1 week. I always had a hard time remembering to take the pill and I HATE shots so the Depo was out. Nuvaring is a little expensive (well my insurance--it is the top tear med so $30.00) but yours maybe different.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

R. Webb
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I was on the patch for 2 years before my second child. I loved it. I never had any problems with it at all. The patch itself was very durable and stayed on the entire week. I also liked not having to take a pill everyday. Since this you only have to worry about once a week it worked well for me. I know you are hearing bad things about it right now, but be up front with you doctor and it may work for you. Good luck.

Great ideas from everyone. My only questions is if your doing well on the shot and you like it, why only 2 yrs? I was on Depo for 9 years and loved it. Best part being no menstral cycle! I got off the shot in April of 2004 and was pregnant in November 2004. I gave birth to a healthy baby boy, so it was still totally reversable. I did gain about 10 lbs, but that's not too bad for 9 years, and I didn't gain that until around the 7th year. Just a question to ask your doctor if you like it. Otherwise I have heard the IUD is a good choice. We chose a more permanent solution this time. Oh, and those 10 lbs came off after I got off the shot, so I am back to weighing what I did when I was 22yrs old.
Good Luck!

I think the absolute best form of birth control is to be in tune with your own body and know EXACTLY (to the day or even hour) when you ovulate. I know I sound like some kind of tree-hugger or something :), but really it's more effective, more reliable, and much less expensive with fewer (NO) side-effects. To find out about how, read the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler, MPH. I recommend it to anyone looking for either birth control or to get pregnant.

By now you've probably already made a decision, but here goes anyway :)

My experience:
I was on the patch for quite awhile and other than minor skin irritation, had really no issue with it - until they pulled it off the market for the excessive cases of blood clots, strokes, etc.
I then went on the ring, which killed my sex drive (we're talking from nympho to nothing in three weeks flat), completely dried me up (we became very familiar with our local astroglide dealership), and then threw me into early menopause, hot flashes and all.
Then I went on back on the pill, and promptly became pregnant three months into it, as I had before.

In regard to IUD - do make sure before getting one that you don't have a metal allergy. (eg, I'm allergic to everything but platinum and silver) More than likely, if you don't have a problem with costume earring studs, etc, you'll be fine.

Above all, discuss it with your OB :)

Good luck! Hope you find something that works for you....but mainly I would recommend staying away from the ring. And if all else fails, condoms do work adequately enough (but they're not fun to use if you don't have to...)

Dear S.,

If you are looking for long term birth control, you may be happy with the Mirena IUD. It is a safe way to have 99% birth control for 3-5years. It is not like the old fashioned IUDs of the past. It is made of a flexible metal and has a timed released estrogen that makes the lining of the uterus no longer favorable for a pregnancy, but at the same time protects the uterus. The major plus is that over time you may no longer have your monthly cycles, like you may have experienced with Depo Provera. You can research the IUD online at www.mirena-us.com. I hope this helps.

Sincerely,
T.

I was on the pill and got pregnant too..aghhh! LOL
I then got on the dep shot and gained weight and hated needles too...now, after 3 children, i am on an IUD...I can't remember the name of it..i think it's mirena...anyway, i don't have a period anymore and all i had to pay was the office co-pay for my doctor to insert it. The only thing was there were a few cramps, but nothing i hadn't experienced before..it felt like a papsmear or exam when he inserted it and I've had no problems at all...You can have it taken out at any time and get pregnant soon after if you wanted or you can leave it in for either 5 years or 10 years...A friend of mine also has this and loves it, she is the one who told me about it...i just have to go get it checked every year or 6 months (can't remember)...good luck! have a great weekend!
T.

I personally can't take birth control pills and really only needed them for hormone balance. Some women are estrogen dominate and I must be one of them. My Dr. after my son was born put me on the Nuva-ring, women swear by it but because of the estrogen it made me feel worse. Because it is easily inserted once per month by the woman the chemicals in the birth control are not processed through the stomach and liver so it's easier on the body and you won't have nausea like some women have on the pill.

I love my IUD!! There are 2 kinds, a copper one good for 10 years and the other (cant think of it's name) but it is good for 7 years and it has hormones in the IUD itself.
I have had no problems, and it is a no brainer. if ya ever want to have more children you just have to have it removed.

Hi S.,

I used the IUD called Mirena, andI loved it. It is good for 5 years. After I got it,I spotted for afew months, but eventually my periods stopped. I thought I was pregnant and called the doctor, and it turns out that it is a very nice effect of the IUD. You can read about it on the Mirena website. Anyhow, hope that gives you another option to consider.

I am yet another women who got pregnant while on Ortho Tryclene birth control. I wasn't on antibiotics or didn't forget to take any pills. The same thing happened to my sister in law and a girlfriend. If you really don't want to get pregnant - Don't use the pill. I have had awesome luck with the Ortho Evra patch. I know that there have been horror stories about it, but most of those cases were of women over 35 who were heavy smokers. My old OB (in Chicago) actually conducted a study (that was published) on the patch and that there are no more risks associated with the patch than there are with other birth control pills. I think that it is like any other drug, it's not right for SOME people.
Im not really famaliar with the ring, but some women have claimed that it can move during intercourse, causing it to become ineffective.
Try the patch, it's great. It never falls off, you only think about 3 x's a month and the best part.....no weight gain (at least for me).

Hi S.-
I have an IUD and love it! There is nothing to worry about and it is good for 10 years. You can have it easily removed if you want more children and conception is easy after that. I tried the patch and kept worrying that it would fall off or that I didn't have it in the right spot, but with this I never have to worry!!!

J.

The pill is very effective if you have the right dose, if they are taken properly and as long as you use a back-up if you are on antibiotics. I have always used the pill. I did get pg with my son while on it but was also taking an antibiotic. My current pg I was on the pill but forgot a few pills. But when i was taking them right, I did not get pg. good luck!

S.,

I have been using the Nuva Ring as well and LOVE it! As I'm sure you are well aware, being a mother is a full time job. I'm lucky to remember my own birthday, let alone to take a pill on a daily basis! I'm lucky if I get 1 meal a day in! haha So if you're looking for something that is effective, easy to use and you don't have to remember to take/insert it more than once a mth...I'd recommend the Nuva Ring. It's so easy to put in, you don't feel it and your partner won't even know it's there. So simple! You only have to remember to take it out once a mth and put a new one in a week later.
Good luck w/your decision.

Hi,
I also have the copper IUD. It's good for 10 years, and it has a 99.7% success rate. I got it because I've heard a lot of bad things about messing with hormones, and I wanted something I didn't have to think about. Two of my friends have them also and love the freedom of not messing with hormones and going to the pharmacy. It costs about $600 without insurance, but even if you have to pay out of pocket that is still a whole lot less than pills.

a vasectomy is outpatient and only requires a day or two of pain killers....im also married to a man who is my everything. he had his when we were pregnant for our 3rd child since we only wanted 3 kids....we were 100% sure that we wanted a permanent form of birth control, so it was best for us. but if you have any doubt that you may want kids ..more kids...then think maybe not.
the pill pretty much is a joke..bc if you get sick or something its not in your system and you get pregnant anyway. i used the patch before and had no symptoms.....but i after i got off the patch so i could become pregnant......it took a few months to get pregnant and my daughter was born with heart problems.....not sure if there was a connection, but we have no hx of any issues relating to the heart as far back as either great grandparents.
good luck

I am currently on the Patch but I'm getting ready to switch to an IUD. I hate some of the side effects of the patch and towards the end of the week, after all the showers, it starts to look a little gross.
I''m not ready to get "fixed" and currently don't want to have any more kids but you never know, I'm still young and could change my mind. I've heard great things about the IUD so I'm going to try it out.

I recently had my second child and wanted to try a new form of birth control so I looked into it some. I finally decided on the Mirena IUC. I just got it inserted this past Monday and so far so good. It is a small device that is inserted into your uterus (takes less than 5 minutes at the doctor's office) and releases hormones directly to your ovaries.
Check it out at http://www.mirena-us.com/index.html?c=S1&WT.srch=1.
It's birth control that can last up to 5 years without shots, pills and it is completely reversible!

I am currently pregnant - due in October - after I have the baby I am going to use Paraguard - it's an IUD with no hormones. You can keep it in for up to 10 years and you only have to get it checked annually. I chose it because I can't take regular birth control, the hormones screw up my system! It's supposed to be really safe - made out of copper and plastic - your body already makes copper, so it shouldn't be a problem. Hope this helps! A.

I too was on the Depo shot and then went to the NuvaRing and I LOVE IT!!! Some women are turned off becauase of the way it has to be applied each month but don't let that scare you. It is one of the only birth controls out there that evenly releases hormones throught the time you have it in. I truly recomend it!
S.

Hi S.,
I tried just about everything over the years LOL My favorite was the Nuva Ring. ( not sure if I am spelling it correctly..but that is how you would say it) My life is not conducive to trying to remember to take a pill at the exact same time every day...so the ring was great for me...as you just insert it and leave it for the month.
My Best to you in your search for the birth control that is right for you. I know from my search, it is not always an easy one! :-)
Jenny ( and baby Sophie)

My sister was on the patch and really liked it. However, there are side effects such as heart conditions and stroke.

She had her second baby and then decided to have an vaginal insertion birth control. It costed around 500 dollars. She loves it and the best thing it lasts for 5 years and if you want to get off of b/c then you have it removed.

I have had the Mirena IUD for over a year and I love it. It is efective for 5 years and is in testing for up to 7 years. It is a bit of pain when it is put in but afterwards the periods are light or not at all. I love mine and it is completely safe. I had it put in after my youngest, who just turned two and I have been nothing other than thrilled with it. I would check into it because it is so tiny and it releases a medication really slow over the time it is in and it is effective immediately.

I was on the depo and switched to the Nuevo Ring. You insert the rubber ring after your period. You barely feel the ring at all. If the ring is placed just right, your period can stop.

Have you heard of the Mirena IUD? I've heard great things about it. I was going to use it myself but I only want birth control for about a year and a half. It can be expensive, but if you get on their website it details payment plans. It's also worth it if you use it a long time-- you can use it up to 5 years. I've also heard good things about the NuvaRing, and am thinking of looking into that myself. I guess the big question is how long you want birth control to decide which method is right for you. Good luck!

Hey,

I had trouble with the pill and the patch so I am know on the NuvaRing. I love it and your partner doesn't even know that it's in. You insert it and leave it in for three weeks and on the last day of the third week you take it out for a week and then insert a new one. I love it and ain't had any troubles so far.

M.

I don't want to scare you, but once you get off of the shot, just keep an eye on yourself for any weird symptoms that could be the effect of forming an ovarian cyst. It's quite common with women who use the depo, and I wasn't aware of this when I began using it. I was on it for 1 year and one of the most noticeable symptoms I had was vaginal cramping. Not the kind that come along with periods, this was a sharp, knife like pain that I was experiencing deep down, below where normal menstrual cramps are. Also, later I began losing control of my bladder. I was so young when this happened that I was in total denial and never went to a doctor about it. I had no health insurance either, so I was scared about what I may find out. Eventually one night I had pain so bad that I fell to the floor. I couldn't get out of the fetal position so one of my roommates who was a guy picked me up and put me in the car and rushed me to the hospital. Come to find out, I had had a cyst on my right ovary and it had grown to the point that it ruptured. I was very lucky in that no fragments were left inside me, they all passed through my body so there was no need for surgery. I always tell people about this that tell me they were on the shot and you'd be surprised of how many people have come back and told me they ended up having a cyst also. Just pay attention, it obviously doesn't happen to everyone, but be aware just in case. You DO NOT want to have it rupture. It was seriously as painful as childbirth in my opinion.

As for recommendations on future birth control, try to find something that is free of hormones, like the one that is inserted into the vagina, I only wish I could remember the name of it, nuva ring maybe?

Sincerely,
Julie

I discovered temping and charting while on bcp and will never do anything hormonal or invasive again.

Check out www.ovusoft.com. Fascinating! GL.