Contraception When You Can't Take the Pill or Other Synthetic Hormones

Diaphragm, cervical cap, contraceptive foam/jelly/film (these are chemical, not hormonal), non-hormonal IUD, rhythm method, withdrawal, abstinence - are all non-hormonal forms of contraception.

i was on DEPO for 6 + years and I loved it. the side effects don't effect everyone. I didn;t gain weight. I actually lost 80 lb while on it. It was a wonderful alternative for me. You could also get fitted for a diaphram. You have to use it everytime, but it's non hormaonal and pretty effective when used with a spermicide. Good luck and hope you find something that works.

Haven't read the other responses, but get yourself a copy of "Taking charge of your fertility" by Toni Weschler and read it cover to cover. I am 29 and have been using her method for 4 years (since I had my daughter) and it works great. Birth control also makes me nutty, and I have tried three different pills, the patch, and the nuvaring---I just can't do hormones, lol! The only concern I have is that you said you just had a baby and I'm not sure if you are breastfeeding? That can be a bit trickier because it can be harder to pinpoint the signs of ovulation. But either way, please get the book, get a $5 basal body thermometer from walgreens, and start charting. Use fertilityfriend.com (basic is free) and that makes it a cinch. So easy once you get the hang of it! Now we only use condoms during my "fertile" phase or we abstain, we haven't had any "accidents" in four years. And it just really helps you get to know your own body in a way you probably haven't in the past. Personally I think that book should be mandatory reading for every girl over the age of 13! Why give yourself something everyday that is known to have side effects such as heart attack and stroke? That is crazy---pregnancy is a lot better than the risk of stroke at 22! Okay, I will get off my soapbox now, but seriously get the book, read it, follow it, love it and then don't worry about it anymore =)

My husband and I use a natural method that has worked very well for us and is actually as effective as hormonal contraception. I really encourage you to look into it... I am not able to use hormonal stuff because of migraines, but that is only one of the reasons we use the natural method. Here is a link for more info. Good luck to you. Congrats on the birth of your new baby! :-)
http://www.fertilitycare.org/creighton-model/

Natural Family Planning is always an option. This is what I've been doing for several years due to the same problems with literally going crazy once a month. The modern methods are very effective (it's not the rhythm method anymore). There are also a couple of kinds to choose from so you can pick the one that best suits your lifestyle. I would suggest checking out classes in your area.

Sorry to say this but it sounds like your body cannot handle any kind of "hormone based" contraception. Condoms might be the only way to go unless you decide for sure your Done. It might not be what you want to hear, sorry. Have you tried some of the newer types of condoms that are out? Some are actually quite fun. :)

I am sorry but I am not aware of any. I am the same way and I went on the Depo shot and it leveled me out and all but the other side effect ARE NOT worth it. I would NEVER recomend the shot .

I would talk to your GYN about your options.

An IUD is a great option, but everyone responds differently to them. I just had my Paraguard IUD removed after bleeding almost every single day for over a year. I was against hormones and was very upset that my body responded that way. I finally decided to try the Mirena IUD because it only releases a small amount of hormone similar to what your body naturally produces and its just into the uterus. A very "natural" friend of mine, who is a nutritionist and naturapath, told me about it and has it herself. So, I REALLY hope it works for me....I just had it placed a few days ago!! It seems the bleeding is already decreasing!! Good luck!!

You can also check into ParaGard which is the copper IUD that does not release hormones.

I have the same issues and will say that I tried Mirena which is the IUD that releases low doses locally and that made me go 50 kinds of nutso just like the pill did. I don't know that my issue so much was the hormones, as that my body was rejecting it and I was in a lot of physical discomfort. Don't let my ordeal talk you out of an IUD, just talk to your doctor in depth about it before you get one to see if you're a good candidate for it. Do research on it yourself as well. I did natural family planning between my first child and my next child. We successfully avoided pregnancy for over 9 months with NFP alone. I say only 9 months because the rest of the time between baby 1 and two I was goofing around trying to find a hormonal birth control that worked. Then when I decided I didn't want hormonal birth control anymore I started NFP. You can also look into FAM which allows for barrier methods during fertile times.

Try the copper IUD. It is good for ten years and contains no hormones

Try a Mirena IUD. Some IUDs have no hormone in, which works for some people but I found when I had a non-hormone IUD I got horrible heavy periods - I had to take medication to stop the bleeding, so I got it taken out. But the Mirena has a low dose hormone in it which reduces bleeding. I still get regular periods but much lighter, and a lot of people find it stops periods altogether.
I could NOT tolerate either the regular pill or the progesterone only pill - migraines, mood swings, you name it. But the Mirena is fine on that front - better than fine actually. I used to get bad PMS, but since I got the Mirena in my PMS is much much better - I still feel a little moody every month, but nothing like the 3 days of feeling depressed and horrible that I used to.
I have had it in 2 and a half years and I love it.
You can always have it out if it doesn't work for you. I found insertion and removal of IUDs a little sore, but it's over very quickly (a few seconds) - well worth it for up to 5 years of contraception.

My BFF used the Nuva ring, it inserts in the vagina and is a very low dose of hormones. It comes in a box with freezer pouches in it to keep them cold. She could even take it out for several hours at a time too. Her husband said he never felt it during intimacy and he thought it worked better than other more invasive medications.

Nuva-Ring ::www.nuvaring.com
I think this is your answer.

The Billings Method is fantastic; we have used it to conceive and to not conceive for 14 years. It is natural, free and 10,000 blind women in India used it successfully (World Health Org. study some years ago). Get the book at amazon. You learn your cycle and when you are fertile and not - it is 99% effective with the only side effect that you and your husband work together and understand your body and no vascectomy later (which has its own side effects). Enjoy!

I will put my vote in for the ParaGuard- copper IUD. I will say nothing is without it's downsides but overall I've been happy with my ParaGaurd. For about the first 6 months my periods were more uncomfortable and they have definitely been heavier since I had it put in but the pros out-weigh the cons. I don't have to remember anything, I don't have to buy anything, I don't have any extra hormones going into me and it's not permanant. Good luck on your decision.

check out lady comp which takes your tem and wht p and tells you when you are fertile or not. does the work for you. and they also have baby comp which tells you when to concieve and what days more likely to get boy or girl. http://www.ladycomputer.com/

I use the diaphragm- love it! It cabe inserted way before hand, taken out way afterward, doesn't interfere with anything- no hormones. They are a little hard to find, as peole consider them old fashioned, but it works just as well as a condom.

Paraguard is a copper IUD that is hormone-free. It doesn't prevent ovulation; if you are pro-life, you may have issues with letting fertilized eggs die, but if not, it could be a good solution for you.

I have used a diaphragm for 10 yrs. While we plan on hubby having a V when we are done having kids, a diaphragm has worked really well for us. It is also easily compatiable with the natural fam planning route, and only using the diapragm when you are at risk of concieving. It does take some planning or initiative, in that you have to put it in before sex, but it doesn't take away from the expereince of sex the same way a condom does, IMO.

You have had plenty of suggestions here and it is just a matter of picking which set of pros and cons will work best for you. Fertility Awareness is free and natural but harder to learn your cycle right after having a baby. Condoms work but are and interruption and most men dislike them. Spermicide cream or jelly is messy and not the highest effectiveness by itself. I have been using it alone for a few years with no issues but I am nearly 40, not in my 20's. Diaphrams with contraceptive jelly are good alternative but need to be fitted and take some practice to take in and out. They can contribute to getting bladder infections if you are prone to them or it isn't fitted correctly. If you can get the contraceptive sponge, it is worth a try. I liked it a lot in college but it was off the market for a while. It is inserted like a diaphram and can stay in 24 hours. I found it more comfortable than the diaphram but my roomate never got the hang of getting it out easily. I never tried an IUD but others have covered the topic. If you want to check the library Our Bodies, Ourselves has a great chapter on contraception though I don't know when it was last updated (my copy is years old).

Paraguard copper IUD. I've had mine for six years now. Yes my periods got heavier, but it's nothing I can't handle. I got mine originally because I was breastfeeding, but the 10 year life of it is a big plus.

Natural Family Planning