Okay....Im about to be 35 and I just recently went through a miscarriage/presumed ectopic pregnancy. I was thinking about an IUD but after speaking with my doctor today I didn't like what he had to say about it. Number one I wanted the NON-hormonal one because I hate the way I feel and act like a crazy woman when the hormones are messed with ....that being said I just don't see any other option that will be the "most" effective....birth control pills. Okay so which one do I choose then? In the past I was on seasonique. Ive been on the ring. Ive been on the shot. Ive been on the patch. Ive been on just about everything and none of them I was particulary happy with but just dealt with it.
I don't want to get pregnant again anytime soon-I can't go through that again right now. I can't stand the "natural" family planning method because it feels like you have no freedom. Meaning there are certain times during the month you literally cannot touch one another and if you do you need to use protection-which anything outside of birth control doesn't seem to be very reliable-not as reliable as birth control pills. I hate condoms-despise them. My husband is right on board with that one too. I'm so confused now-thought the IUD was the answer but now it looks as though I am back to square one again.......any advice? Any birth control suggestions? I wish I could find an effective way of birth control without all the hormonal side effects.......what to do what to do......
Basically I learned that your chances of ectopic pregnancy increase with an IUD-no matter which one. Actually he said I needed to understand that no matter what type of birth control I use whether its an IUD or pills that it increases your chances of an ectopic pregnancy. Since I just went through that and I wasn't even on any type of birth control I don't feel comfortable putting myself at a "higher" risk so to say with an ectopic pregnancy. I have been through that once and I don't want to go thru it again but there is really nothing I can do to "prevent" it either. Also I didn't like the fact that the non-hormanol IUD most women complain that their periods are heavier-some not all. I don't want to take that chance either....just not a whole lot of positive things about it in my opinion so I guess I will have to go back onto some type of birth control pill........now I'm just not sure which one because I have tried just about all of them...the ring, the patch, the shot -that was the worst! Maybe I will just go back on the seasonique again....that seemed to be "okay" I suppose. I just didn't want anything to mess with the hormones-why can't they make a birth control that is effective but without all the hormanal crap? LOL!
The Mirena is like the mini pill.
It has minimal hormones and it's not estrogen .
I am on my second and love it.
To be clear, if you get pregnant with an IUD you are more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy. But you are less likely to get pregnant. So overall your risk of an ectopic pregnancy is not higher, it is just higher if you do get pregnant. Your overall risk of an ectopic is lower.
Just wanted to make that point clear becuase it sounds like your doctor didn't quite understand or explain it well. Birth control pills are not the most ":effective" method. It goes IUD, essure, tubal ligation, birth control pills condoms, diaphragm, cervical cap, contraceptive film.
So what did your doctor say about the non-hormonal copper IUD that put you off of it? My doctor pushes Mirena, but was fine with the copper IUD if that's what I wanted. My husband had a vasectomy instead, but if you want the copper IUD, maybe you should get a second opinion. I, too, despise hormonal birth control and have an allergy to nonoxyl-9, so diaphragms and that sort of thing were always awful. If you don't have an issue with it, then that's a possibility, but it's not as effective.
There is a non-hormonal copper IUD. I have never used it, because I have a copper allergy. I have known woman who have really loved it.
i was on microgestren that is what i was on for 3 months recently and it is a super low hormone aka mini pill i liked it the hormone balance was semi normal to pre hormones
I too am a crazy woman when I'm on the pill/hormone birth control. I look forward to your responses as well; as I am not a good candidate for the IUD either.
Well, I would collect more info on the non hormonal IUD before you rule it out. See what other women have to say about it. I say this because when I asked ny doctor about it she acted like I was stupid for even asking it and said that she hadn't even put one of those in in years. And she works for one of the biggest practicies in my city. She heavily pushed Mirena and poo-pooed all of my arguments against it. Got me thinking-could the doctors have incentives to push this one so heavily over the other...probably.
Mirena caused me to have surgery. Lame!!!! Now I'm trying paraguard because I'm crazy on hormones. Good luck!!
Have you thought about the Nuva ring? It is hormonal but absorbed via the ring (down there) instead of ingested. My doc said the hormones didn't have to be as strong as oral ingested pills.
I have several friends who have the Mirena and LOVE it! Virtually no periods and no side effects. Good for five years. No fuss no bother.
I've been on the pill for a total of over 20 years, minimal side effects. Effective.
I don't know that I have an answer for you other than I agree that most IUDs are a pain. I hated my Mirena, and would NEVER get another one. Is there a pill that didn't cause you much trouble? Maybe going back to that for a little while would work? I know I probably didn't help much, but I did want to reiterate your thoughts on IUDs...don't do it! Good luck!
I'm confused...you don't want hormones but you're going back on the pill? Although Mirena has some hormone it has WAY less than a traditional pill. Another option is the copper IUD as someone mentioned. I have the Mireana, this is my second time wtih it actually and I love it. You will always find people who love/hate every form of BC, but I would consider the IUD some more before ruling it out, especially if you're trying to get away from extra hormones!
Honestly, no matter what form of birth control you use, there will be some upsides and some downsides. My sister used the patch. She hated it...always fell off, looked "gummy" on her skin. I used the pill for many years...had so many side effects that it was more hassle than it was good. Tried the vaginal gels...they were okay for me until hubby had a reaction to them. Never used an IUD or the injection but I know someone who used the injection and she gained quite a bit of weight. I'd say condoms but you already stated you hate them. I think you will have to compromise somewhere. Good luck.
