The Right Contraceptive??? HELP!

Hi J.,
I have had many problems with BC pills because the estrogen levels are too high. I get terrible migraines and if the estrogen is too high I tend to get them more often. I was on Ortho years ago and it made me CRAZY!! I hated myself too!! Devil pills I called them. After many different trials I have found that Yasmine works best for me. Although Yaz has lower levels, the combination of hormones on Yasmine worked best for me.
On another note I have 18 month old b/g twins. Aren't they the best??? Hard at times but truly THE greatest! Good luck I hope you find a pill that works for you.
Danielle

I second the recomendation for Mirena IUD. I am about to have mine removed after 5 years and have had great luck. I, too, did not do well on oral BCP.

I was on the Depo-Provera shot which I had great experience with. Now, after having my first baby 3 months ago, I am on Loestrin and am having great luck with that as well.

Hi
I used to be on Ortho-Trycyclen but was also moody and crazy. It has three levels of hormones throughout the month. I told my obgyn what was going on and they switched me to Allesse. It is a single hormone throughout the month and I was no longer moody or crazy!!! I love it.
Good Luck
D.

Whatever you choose, do NOT choose Mirena. Do some research on the side effects that most women have. I had it in and within 6 months had it taken out. I was having violent mood swings, joint pain, back pain, major weight gain, migraines and irregular periods just to name a few symptoms. I am now going through the withdrawal 3 months after having it removed and have major depression, headaches, swelling of hands and feet. I can not wait until this is out of my system for good.

I am on the mini pill for now because I am breastfeeding but when I'm done I plan on getting on the lowest dose hormone pill I can. As for Depo, I know of 2 people that have gotten pregnant while on it, 1 of them had 3 of her kids while on it and one miscarriage because of it. Obviously what you choose is up to you but I highly suggest that you do major research, both medical and personal. You'll definitely be able to learn a lot just by googling something specific that your doctor may not tell you. For example, my doctor told me that the side effects that I was experiencing were almost definitely not from the Mirena but when I did a search most other women on it were experiencing the same things and they went away when I had it taken out. Good luck!

Hi J.! I had to stop anything with hormones because I felt like a raging lunatic on them! I decided to go to a diaphragm. I do not recommend this as it is a hassle and subsequently how I ended up pregnant with my daughter! Not that it was a bad thing, she's the best thing that ever happened to me, but diaphragms are not convenient! You said you were with someone for a long time, does that mean you are not anymore? I would stick with condoms for the time being until you find someone who you can trust and are going to be exclusive with. After all pregnancy is the least of the problems that occur from unprotected sex. I'm sure you already know this, but that's what I would do.Good luck!

If you aren't planning on getting pregnant again for at least a couple of years, I would actually really recommend the Mirena! It's a hassle, insurance-wise. Mine wouldn't cover it! But it's been well worth the money. Once it's in, your periods are lighter, you never have to worry about taking a pill, and the hormone levels are so low that I had no side effects! (And I HATED the pill, because it made me feel crazy!)

It's not really worth the money though, if you're going to get pregnant soon. It's pretty expensive!

PS My experience with the Depo shot was pretty awful. I had massive breakouts all over my face, and I gained 15 pounds really fast. I also bled a lot. :(

Hi J.:

I have a mirena, have had it for over a year now and love it. You do not even know it is there, it brings your periods to almost a complete stop, mine is almost non existant, no cramps, nothing. I highly recommend it!

Good Luck!

K.

i have tried many methods of birth controll.

i can strongly NOT recomend these:
seasonalle, it brings out what ever rage issues you have.
MIRENA: DO NOT USE THIS IN MY LOCATION ALONE THERE ARE ATLEAST 5 WOMEN THAT HAVE HAD THIS MIGRATE OUT OF THEIR UTERUS. This happened to me-it was painful to say the least and the recovery from the surgery wasnt fun either. do research on this if you consider it, there are many class action suits trying to get it off the market.

yasmin and ortho low might be a good option for you.
i hope this has helped some,
K.

There are many choices,and I think that you deserve a healthcare provider who will take the time to discuss risks and benefits for your unique situation. And every woman has a unique situation. See if there is a Certified Nurse Midwife in your area. Midwives treat the individual in a non-hurried, personalized way.
Good luck,
L.

J.,

Hello. I have been on Yasmin for years. It keeps me very regulated and I think my hormones in check. You sound like a very strong woman who has many wonderful goals.

Happy New Year.

M.

If possible change ob/gyn's. You have to be able to be comfortable with yours. I know how you feel. I only see a woman ob. They have many different birth control pills with different levels of hormones that your dr. can recommend but like I said if you cant talk to him and he isnt knowledgeable then its time to find one who is. There is a pill somewhat new out called Seasonique. It has lower hormone levels and stops you from having periods as well. It takes a few months for the prds. to stop but it also takes away pms symptons as well. Ask him if you can try that one. Ive been on the pill for over 20 yrs and I really think thats your best fool proof method. IUD's arent always effective nor is the ring and the patch may make you gain weight as well. Good luck, Ann

I have been on orthonovum 777 since I was 19 and I have never had any problems with it. I had gone back on after my 2 kids were born and didn't have any issues. I think it's the most common pill. give it a try

You could try a different version of the pill. There are several different strengths and hormone combinations. Whatever the college health center prescribed made everyone have horrible mood swings. I thought I was losing my mind, I never knew what reaction I would have to something or how fast my mood would change. But I have been on others that had no affect on my mental state.

The only thing I DON'T recommend is the Depo Provera shot. It made me horrible depressed and I had to go on the pill afterward to regulate my hormones and get back to normal.

Sorry I wasn't more help.

I've heard great things about mirena, but it still has hormones. I decided to have a copper IUD put in due to the fact that it is non hormonal. I've had it in for 4 1/2 months and have had no problems at all. I'm still breastfeeding so no period yet.

My midwife said that some people have very severe cramping but I haven't at all! It's also good for 10 year but can be removed at any time. Also safe to become pregnant right after removing it. Once again no hormones! If your insurance covers it it's worth a shot.

Also consider finding a OBGYN or a midwife you a comfortable with. Good luck!

I dont do well with hormones, either.

I opted for the Paraguard IUD. No hormones. A little cramping when it was inserted. No complaints since.

Hi J., I have used the pill for many years. You can have your doctor try one for you with a lower dose of the hormone. I have also had a IUD and found I was having terrible periods (very bloody and crampy) Yes you should ask your doctor. There are new things out there since I was in my child bearing years. Find what is right for you. Enjoy your twins and have a very Happy New Year. Grandma Mary

I highly recommend the Mirena. I have had it for 5 months now and have no side effects. In fact my periods are so light I only need a pantyliner for one day and with no cramps. Before I was doubled over in pain and it lasted 7 days. It's the best thing since sliced bread! :)

I had trouble with hormones too and will never go back to the pill. I've had great luck with a non-hormonal IUD, but you will get the strong caution from your doc that you need to be sure you have a monogomous relationship - terrible reactions with STDs. Good luck!

Ive been on the pill, had the shot and even had Norplant - not sure if they still make those... Let me tell you I was totally wacky for all of them! I depressed, mean and bleeding all the time. Since then I stopped trying anything putting hormones in my body for obvious reasons. My husband and I used the rhythm method - which worked well for us. After my daughter was born - he got a vasectomy cause we were done having kids.

Good Luck in your search

Hi J.,

After my twins, I closed up shop. I wanted to get my tubes tied, but my then-husband poo-pooed that idea because we had lost our first son & was worried about the twins. I got the Mirena IUD instead. I could feel it (or so I thought) for the first couple of weeks, but nothing painful. I don't even get a period anymore. Yeah!! Remember, everyone reacts differently to IUD's or medications. I've had it for two years now & I absolutely love it. The fact that I'm not having any sex also is helping me with birth control. LOL At least I'm ready if & when it ever happens again. As far as a gyno, I would suggest getting a female since they know our bodies better than a man ever will.

Good luck & best wishes in 2009!
~A.

How about one of the lower dose pills? I used to be on Mircette and it made me moody for 2-3 months when I first started but after that I was fine.

I second the depo provera suggestion. I was on it for years before and after my first daughter was born. I never hasd any problems. Some of the side effects can be bad, but I really think it depends on the person. If you're a person who ususally gets alot of the side effects of a medication then I would go with something else. If you don't get med. side effects then I would go with the depo. With me, if I gained a few pounds I didn't notice, and my periods stopped except for some spotting a few days before my next shot was due. Its every three months, takes only minutes in the doctor's office and you don't have to worry about birth control. There's no pills to forget or an IUD inside you to worry about. Good luck. Oh and when I wanted another child, I went off the depo and was pregnant within 2 years. I guess that is the one down fall to depo.(not in my opinion). If you want to be able to decide and get pregnant quickly, its not really possible.

After my first son, I used Nuvaring. It's the ring that you insert once a month, then take it out to get your period and put a new one in - it was VERY easy and I never had any ill effects from it. I, too, had a rough go with various pills. The hormones were always too much or too little. Nuvaring was great - never thought twice about it. After my second son I had Mirena implanted. I've only had it for about 6 weeks (nothing to complain about yet) but so far so good! The only reason I didn't go back on Nuvaring was because the IUD option was longer term and we don't plan to have any more kids at this point so it was the logical next step vs. more permanant options. Hope this helps!