Birth Control - Mechanicsburg, PA

the depo shot was bad for me and everyone i knew i gained 30 lbs while on it and my hair was falling out the first year off it then tricyclen lo i was havin bad moodswings yasmin was good for me but i wasnt into pills everyday and thats how i got pregnant so im about to get mirena its an iud thats in place for up to 5yrs can be removed whenever and you will go right back into normal cycles
K.
goodluck

I don't know what to recommend, but it would definatly NOT be the depo...I gained over 70 lbs. while on this before we realized that that's what it was from. There were also other side effects that my dr. never bothered to tell me about. I was on the patch for a while and LOVED it, but with all the talk going on about what that can cause, I stopped that also. Good Luck!

I have the Paraguard copper IUD and I've had it for 6 years. I recommend it because it doesn't require you to do anything and it's about as effective as birth control can get.

Hope this helps!

Hi A.. I've run into different problems with some pills. With the Ortho my period got really screwed up. I didn't have any problems with the weight. I decided to take the shot after my oldest was born. I had my period for 3 day the 1st month, 3 weeks the 2nd month, and i wound up bleeding for over a whole month then. I became depressed and found out that the shot has several side effects, including depression. I couldn't take that and the bleeding everyday too. I went on the ortho with the low estogen but i stopped taking them. Within 5 months i was pregnant again. I wanted to get the IUD but some insurance companies will NOT pay for it--Access, Gateway,etc. My dr. told me it would be out of pocket, 500 to insert it and 250 to remove it. He gave me some samples of Yasmin to try and see how they work before prescribing something for me. I'd talk to your dr. and see what he/she has to say. Take care.

I have to agree with many of the women that Depo Provera is an excellent birth control method. I was on Depo for 10 years (no side effects nor weight gain - but that really does depend on each person) and when i decided to become pregnant it took around 6 months after my last shot expired. I experienced no side effects and loved the freedom of a shot every 3 months. You have to keep in mind though that it's a risk - you can do depo, have no problems and love it or you can do depo, have side effects and hate it - but then you have to hate it for 3 months! Good luck!

Hi A.,
I just gave birth to my daughter on August 24th, and I also have a son who is almost 3. Before my son, I used the pill - which was horrible because I'm not great at remembering to take something every day. After my son was born I went on the Patch - that worked pretty well, I only had to change it every week, but the lint on my clothes always stuck to it and when I took it off there was a square of sticky lint. I also was on that when I got pregnant with my daughter. There is a weight limit on it - it says if you're over a certain amount of weight, it becomes a certain percentage less effective.

Since having my daughter, I started the Nuva Ring - I LOVE IT!! My doctor said to replace it on the same day I started it (eg. started 01/08/07 - replace it 02/08/07) that way I don't get my period - but that I should give my body a break every 4 months or so. It was a little weird putting it in, and takes some practice getting it out - but I love it and won't even think about using anything else.

you could always try mirena - IUD. it works for 5 years and if your insurance covers it - I'd look into it. You can have it taken out at any time during the five years if you change your mind. and it's like 99.9 percent effective! I wanted that in the worst way but my insurance wouldn't cover it so I use nuvaring. thats also a way to go :)

Hi. I have what is called an iud. It's great. Here is a web page you can check it out. http://www.engenderhealth.org/wh/fp/ciud2.html (let me know if you can get on the page). I love it. I don't have to remember to take anything and I don't get a monthly visit. I hated taking the pill. So once you read this page you should talk to your dr & see if it's for you.

what about getting on the depo shot theres a few side affects like bleeding and all the dr will tell u what the affects r but i was on depo for a little over a yr and i had good results up till the last shot it hurts a little bit like an needle but after i got off depo i switched to alesse28 (pill) on average is about 35.00$ without insurance and with the depo still being in my system n the pill i didnt get pregnant for at least 18months after i stopped them both

the Nuva-Ring is something new, you might want to talk to your doctor about that. Or maybe even the IUD. these are ones that yu only worry about about 1 a month. you don't have to worry about taking pills everyday or frgetting to take a pill.

i just started taking yasmin about a month and a half ago and i love it. it actually put some fullness in my breasts that went away when i had my son!

try deprovera it will help and all and you wont loose you willingness to wanting intercourse and all.and if that dose not work then try the shunt you get in your arm.

I am 24 married and have a 13 month old and we are having another baby tommorw by ce-section

good luck
A.

Personally, I prefer Depo Provera. It's so simple! Just get a shot every 3 months and you don't have to worry all the time to remember anything. I was on it for 5 years with no problems. Some people have crazy side effects (weight gai, headaches) but that can happen with any hormonal birth control. When my husband and I wanted to have a bab, it didn't take long to get pregnant. Another thing you can try is the IUD- but that thing scares me. LOL Hope that helps.

A., I just had my 1 yr apt. after my son was born, i did nurse so i could not use anything but condoms.I just started with Loestrin 24. You may have seen advertisements for it on TV, or in magazines. I was also on Orto tri cyclen, I hated it. It made me another person. Literally, I was not myself. I was on Loestrin a bout 7 yrs. ago when it was out before. It worked so well. I did not have any problems and now that it is back out on the mearket I am using it. It shortens your periods to only three days and it makes them very light. There can be slight breakthrew bleeding in the first month of taking it but that is not for everyone. My OB has even but her daughter on it as well. I like it....but there are tons of options...if you are not interested in taking a pill every day they have the nuva ring, that is inserted once a month. I do not like the idea of hvaing all the hormones in my system at one time, i 'd rather take it one at a time. But If you just talk to your dr. i am sure you can come up with something that will work for you. I hope that has helped some.
K.

I think it's the birth control pill that if you're on any antibiotics you have to use a backup method. This is the only think I can add to the excellent advice given below about birth control pills.

Look into the contraceptive implant. That way you don't have to remember to take it.

Meanwhile, if you and your fiance aren't exclusive, make him wear condoms, anyway!!

I love this one!!! Try the birth control shot!! I know, no one likes shots. But what is one shot every three months to make sure you don't get pregnant again? You don't have anything to worry about. No pills, nothing! The only problems are some side effects. It made my hair fall out, but that doesn't happen very often. Or if you are on other medication you have to make sure its not going to effect it. But, i HIGHLY suggest the shot!!! They usually do it in the backside of your hip (the fat right above your butt). You barely feel it, if the nurse knows what she's doing.

when i first came home after giving birth i started on the pill, but bcz of the hormone dosage on it i got really bad migraines, and ended up in the ER. and do to not using a BC im now pregnant agn! im goin to try the Nuva Ring after this baby is born, i've heard good things about it ;)

I have used Ortho Tri Cyclen without any problems. But as with all birth control methods, you must follow the information closely! I worked in a reproduction clinic and this was my specialty...here's some info to consider:

The Pill (any pill): take it at the same time every day, any fluctuation in time can lead to hormone level changes, but as L. as you haven't missed 2 days without making them up there is no need for a back-up method (condoms or absinence), ovulation usually begins within a month of stopping the pill but can take longer

Depo Provera (the shot): the doctor gives you a shot every 12 weeks, many women completely stop bleeding (periods) within a year of being on the shot, often times is can take a year for ovulation to begin after stopping but there are also people who become pregnant when they are late for their shot.

Ortho Evra (the patch): you wear it for 7 days, change the patch, in a month you wear it for three weeks then fo one week without it (period week) and go back to it. One big warning of the patch is that people who are overweight should not use it because the body has a harder time absorbing the hormones.

Nuva Ring: is quickly becoming the most popular choice because you insert it (like a tampon) and don't have to worry about it again for three weeks! Then you have a "ring free" week (period) and then reinsert another ring. The nuva ring has the lowest hormones of all the methods and is considered to be slightly more effective than the pill because it does not have to go through your digestive system. Plus, since you aren't putting it through your digestive system, there's virtually no chance of nausea.

All medications have side effects and most side effects listed are because one person out of all the people studied had the effect - even if it was caused by something else they still have to mention it.

Personally, I have not had any problems with ortho tri cyclen and I like to flexibility to skip my period when needed (for example: I was due to get it the week of my wedding but started a new pack of pills so I wouldn't get it). I was on depo provera for a couple years and did have a hard time losing weight (once I stopped taking it and switched back to the pill I dropped 20 pounds in a matter of 3 months without dieting/exercising).

Definitely research all methods and get all the information from your doctor.

If you have anymore questions, send me a message I would be happy to share more info.

Good luck!

After I have this baby, I'm probably going to get an IUD. I have heard a lot of good things about the Mirena IUD.

I will caution you about Depo because I saw alot of people recommending it. My mom did homebound tutoring for the high schools in my home town for several years. She had several girls who were on homebound tutoring because of the side effects they had from Depo -- namely severe migraines. Because it is a shot and not a pill or IUD, you have to also remember it's not as simple to fix the side effects once you have had it. For most of the girls, they were left to "deal with" the side effects until the shots wore off.

-H.

Hi A.,
I would don't have any good suggestions on which what to use because it has been a while since i have been on any birth control. But i do want to warn you to watch the depro varo shot. Please read all and any information you get get your hands on. I know a lot of people who had major side effects, one being massive weight gain. Me being one of them. I also had some health issues also.They were minor, i just don't think it's worth the risk. If it is offered to you PLEASE have the explain every and any side effect and the percentage possible. I am sure they are high. Now and days there are much better things out there. I just wanted to warn you of this one. Good luck.

Hi A.,

I have only tried one type of medically prescribed birth control and that would be the Depo provera shot. It is pretty effective. One major downfall that I have experienced with it is that i don't have a sex drive. A positive for it is that i havent had a period so im pretty sure that there is no way i could get pregnant on this one. but of course it works differently for everyone. ive been on it for 2 years and am planning to change to the pill. i hope this helps you. and im sorry for the bluntness about some of this.

Before baby # 4 I was on Seasonale. I loved it. You only get your cycle 4 times a year. After s/o & I decided to have another baby, I stop taking it & got pregnant right away. I also used the patch and loved that. My problem was i gained weight to quickly with the shot's & other pills & patch. with Seasonale I didnt gain weight. I also liked it cause I knew when i was getting my cycle & could plan our vacations ahead of time.I also got pregnant on other birth controls. Seasonale I didnt.

Hi A.

WOW! You have a lot on your plate it sounds like. Hang in there. I know it is tough but just take it one day at a time. A couple of thoughts on both of the questions: do you wrap your baby in a tight blanket/swaddling type of blanket? You can find these in most stores and should help your baby to sleep better. We started to put the baby in his own room from about 7-8 weeks on. We tried to let the baby cry it out at night and it worked. I know it is really hard but I think it may help to avoid having "binky dependence."
Also I got pregnant on Ortho TriCyclen too. So we actually just use condoms and it has worked really well for us. The hormones in the birth control were terrible for me post-partum and I would just as soon not mess with that for now if I were you since your baby is so young. Are you nursing? If you can nurse I also would advice that strongly. I can give you more thoughts if you want to also. Thanks!
M. H.

I did Depo shot for 3 years. I loved it. At first I had break through bleeding and major mood swings/headaches. That went away by my second dose. Hence it's a young womans birhtcontol. I was warned my my ob/gyn that it will cause bone lose in women over 30's. After I had my son (was close to 30 then)
I did the pill called seasonal. Where you get your period every 3 months. I had NO issues at all on this.

I recently had a miscarriage and want to try to get pregnant soon. My next option (God willing the next pregnancy goes on fine) will be tie my tubes.

Good luck

N.

I had my OBGYN put a IUD that was good for 5yrs...no pills nor shots to worry about.. :o)

I was horrible at remembering to take my pills at the same time each day. Now I use the Nuva Ring and love it. I put it in once a month and forget about it till I need to take it out. My period only lasts about 3 days.

I use the cooper Iud, no hormones, just heavier periods. Lasts for 10 years and it didn't hurt at all to get. No pills to worry about no hormones to make you gain weight or feel funny.

Good luck and congratulations on the new baby

Hi A.,
Congratulations both on becoming a new mom & for being smart enough to get yourself on some sort of birth control right after! After my son in 99 I also went on Ortho & got pregnant w/ my daughter. So after my daughter in 2001, I went on the Depo-Provera shot & loved it. I'm taking a 6 month break from it right now because my dr thought that was a good idea & I'm on the nuva-ring. I do not like it nearly as much as the shot & can hardly wait until June when I go back on it. I just dropped into my dr.'s office once every 3 months, they gave me my shot & told me when to come back the next time. Also, I never got a period which I loved. Hope you find something that works as well for you!

Melissa

Hi A.. I also got pregnant on Ortho Tri Cyclen. Afterwards, I became hyper fearful of getting pregnant again. I tried the NuvaRing, which is a really nice method but for me personally, my hormones were very different after giving birth so my libido was zero. I would give that a try first though because if it doesn't affect your libido, it's a really great method. It also has a low dosage of hormones (8 percent vs. 20 percent in bc pills). I ended up getting an IUD, which works wonderfully for me, but the procedure is a bit painful and the cramping is bad intermittently throughout the month. It works for me though and it gives me peace of mind. In any case, the IUD was kind of a last resort for me and so far, so good. Good luck. Please keep us posted as to what you chose and how you like it!

Congratrs on your new baby enjoy every minute it goes so fast. I take Yasmin and I just love it. I have been on it for 5 years and I tell everyone how great it is. I also ready about your binky problem. I had the same thing with my son, it does take a few months but she will hold onto it as she gets older. I know it seems like forever but remember she is only a month old and those little lips give out sometimes. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and YES SLEEP!!!

Get an IUD! i got onbe after I had my daughter 3 years ago. It's the best birth control ever. Nothing to remember or change and it's non hormonal.

Hi A.,
If you are not planning on having more children for a little while I would suggest a BC called Mirena. It is an intrauterine device. Check out there website http://www.mirena-us.com/index.jsp. I have a friend who has been very happy with it. I nothing else you can ask your doctor for more information and then make a decision. Your best bet is to make an educated decision. Good luck to you!

Hi A.,
I didn't read all of this thread,so I hope this isn't reduntant, but I have the Paragard IUD, and I Love it!!! I take an anti-depressant and I had a hard time with any hormonal form of BC. I talked to my OB about IUD's and he suggested the Paragard. It takes less than 5 minutes for the procedure (most GYN's won't insert it unless you have an appt. during your cycle). Now I don't have to think about BC for 10 whole years, and it's 100% non-hormonal. I have a 2 1/2 year old now, and my husband and I don't plan on having any more. Plus, it has really helped our relationship because intimacy is more spontaneous, and you don't have to think about whether or not your pill is working, or if you remembered to take it everyday etc.
I will be honest, the first 3 months are tough, intermittant spotting, heavier periods, heavier cramps, but trust me, I believe it's entirely worth it. Also, check with your health insurance before you go to the Dr., because some do not cover it, and it can cost in excess of $600.00. Mine was covered, I only had to pay the co-pay because I had it inserted on one of my usual visits. GOOD LUCK!!!

The Depo Vera is really effective. You go to the doctor and get an injection about every 3-4 months and if you decide to come off of it.. it usually takes about a year or two before you will get pregnant again... I was off for a year w/o any other birth control before I got pregnant again.

I, right now, have the mirena i.u.d. It has been working wonders as to pregnancy protection. It also makes your monthly period a lot lighter, even nothing. It is good for 5 years once they insert it and it starts working IMMEDIATELY! Though, I must warn you... the first 3 months of adjusting to it are a little hard. Your body is trying to adjust to it, so you will have some minor cramping. But, the way I saw it... I've had a child, the pain couldn't be any worse. And it wasn't.
I've also gone through a deal of different methods. I can't remeber to take a pill every day, and I had a minor stroke on the patch. The mirena I.U.D. is the best thing out there. At least that I could find.

I would suggest talking to your doctor about your future plans for children. If you are planning to wait awhile then maybe trying for an IUD would work. I have one and it is great. As my husband puts it it is a set it and forget it kind. It lasts 5 years but can be removed sooner. I have the Mirena IUD and it works great. No problems so far and it has been in for 7 months. I causes a bit of cramping for about an hour after it is inserted but after that you have no idea it is there. My cousin had the IUD too and decided after 2 years to try for another baby she was pregnant in like 2 months after having it removed. I got pregnant on the patch with my second son who is now 8 months old. The Depo shot will make you gain alot of weight and now they are unsure if it is really safe. I was also on the depo shot and when my husband and i decided to try for our first child it took me 14 months to get pregnant and in some cases can take up to 10 years for fertility to return. It works for some but i have heard more bad stories about it then good ones. They also have a Nuva ring which I hear is expensive. So talk to your doctor and see what they say. Good luck

Hi A.

I would suggest trying the nuva ring(I don't know if I spelled that on right)But me I'm on depovera. I was on the birth control patch but got pregnant with my second child with that one. But look up the diffrent kinds of Birth Control online. Or talk to your Doctor about what might suit you..

Hi, Well I would advise you to NOT use Ortho Evra. I got pregnant on that with my 3rd child. Birth Control never really worked for me anyway. Before I decided to have a tubal after this delivery (4th baby) a couple weeks ago, I was going to get the Mirena which is a Interuterine Device. A newer one though that isnt with copper like the old ones. And My midwifes and Dr.s recommend it because you do get to space your children out at least 5 years and I think that would have been the best thing for me if they had it 5 years ago. All of my children are 2 years apart and belive me YOU want a little more space between them because of the attention they crave.

And as far as the BINKY You are NOT OUT OF LUCK! You may want to change your schedule a little. You must wake the baby during the day from naps. I mean if you have to wake he/she up after 30 minutes You must do it so that at night their a bit more tired. If around 8 he/she gets sleepy start playing soft music OR singing. You may want to get a different Binky also. Try either a bigger one or a smaller one and they have all typed of shapes now. With my 2nd oldest I had to try 3 or 4 different shaped Binkys so he could relax. Which ever one stays in the mouth and fits properly when they are not using that sucking motion thats the one you should stick with. But whine the baby down from the day. Close all curtains and shades turn off lights. And When morning comes although you may want to be in a comfort zone in a dim setting BRIGHTEN THAT HOUSE!! That way baby will begin to know that light is day and dark and night. As far as baby sleeping with you in the same room NOT same bed is fine I think. All of my childrens cribs were in my room until I stopped breastfeeding which was maybe 7 or 8 months. You have to remember to always put them BACK INTO THEIR BED!!!!! Because they will Quickly get used to the Smell and warmth of yours. Hope that was helpful Good luck

i would get depo i see and heard a lot of girl your age on it and it seam to work.

I was also on ortho-try cyclen when I too got pregnant with my second child, I was on low-egestrol the first time I got pregnant. After my second child I went on the Ortho Evra Patch. I loved it, I've been on it for just about 2 yrs now. Might be an option for ya! Hope you find something that works good for you!

I used the Nuvoring and loved it. You only have to think about it once a month, and with a new baby this can really be a good thing.

Hi there... I had the same experience of getting pregnant... and not only while on birth control but also breastfeeding... I think I tried everything and I have finally found the most amazing thing... it is called Mirena, they have a website too, i think it is mirena.com, it is so great.. it can stay in for up to 5 years, it has very little hormones and you can have it put in while breastfeeding... I have had it about a year and for the first 3 months or so I had spotting on and off... but now it has been about 6-7 months since I have even have had more than a one day period each month.. look into it, I think you would be relieved to not worry about b control for 5 years or until you were ready for another baby.. good luck

Hi A., Congrats on your little one :) Well I'll have to agree, I was on the depo shot for a while as well and not only did I gain a TON of weight on it I also was not told what the shot does to the calcium in your body. I ended up on the shot for 3 years and other then the weight gain I though all was great.. Then I shattered my knee cap and I was told by my surgon that it was because the shot depleted the calcium in my body so much. Anyway I didn't have much luck with the 3 different kinds of birth control pills I was on either. However I was VERY happy with the PARAGUARD IUD. There are 2 kinds ( Merena & Paraguard) one lasts for 5 years one lasts for 10 years!!! You NEVER have to worry about it once you have it put in and on top of never having to remember to take anything it also usually cuts your period in half! It was a really great thing I thought because once it is done and paid for you get 5 to 10 years of birth control that you dont have to worry about or pay for monthly, worth looking into. Good luck

HA! My first son was conceived on Ortho, my second on Low Novum. So, we opted the other route... I first tried Depo becuase they told me that I would prb get pregnant again on the pill. With Depo I gained 50 lbs and was bleeding for an entire year! I literally had 2 days in a full year where I did not bleed. Then I purchased fertility tests from the local drug store and religiously took those for 4 years to see when I was ovulating. The last year I was not so faithful as for 4 years I ovulated the same time each month and was pretty well on track. Just happened to be that I ovulated 3 days early one month and now I have my princess.

My husband opted for a Vasectomy this time as we are 34 and would rather not have anymore children. He has 2 boys from his first marriage and out 3 children.... 5 is enough for us!

Good luck with that!

The patch has been working for me. Change it once a week, and have a week off. I've been on it for almost a year, and no problems. My sister's best friend has the Nuva-Ring(?sp). She likes that as well. I would not recommend the Depo shot. I gained lots of weight when I took it. I regret it ever since.

how long til you want another baby? I know not somethign you wanna think about. But if you want long term birth control I would opt for the IUD Mirena. I have had this IUD in since March of 04 and I havent had any problem with it. Its good for 5 years. If you decide three years from now you want to TTC then you can get it removed. NO homrones to wait for or anything. Once removed you could get pregnant. Its a little t-shaped plastic device(not copper like the older IUDs) its the size of a quater/ It is easliy inserted. After insertion you will have mild cramping and a little bleeding. SInce I have been on this I havent had a period. I have spotting on occasion but no period. It prevents pregnancy two ways, one there is a low dose hormone that is put into your system that helps prevent the lining from building it( No lining, no period, no pregnancy) and the t-shape prevents any fertilized egg from implanting. Its 99.9 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.