Opinions of a Certain Type of Birth Control.

Please be careful about the Depo shot. I know some people love it but I hated it. My estrogen bottomed out and it threw me into something much like menopause. It was HORRIBLE...

The Depo shot is good and its bad. I was on it for 6 years. I started at age 14 at first it was used to regulate my period (regulate yeah right i didnt have one, which was fine with me.) Later it was used as birth control. But while i was on it i gained 75-80 pounds (which from what i understand is normal alot of people gain weight on it, it is much harder to loose though). I have heard that it can take up to 2 years to be able to get preggo after you stop (i know you said you were done, but incase you change your mind), it took me a year. It also messed my insides up a bit, my ovaries and uterus hurts alot sometimes i get really bad cramps. But it is nice cause you only go in every three months and get a shot in your hip (switching sides everytime), i have also heard of some getting it in the arm i didnt though. With the pill i would always forget or the ones i didnt forget didnt work, so i gave up and got "fixed" but for medical reasons also (b/c of what the depo shot did to me, my dr. didnt think it was a good idea for me to get preggo again. Well i hope i didnt scare you, i just wanted to give you my veiw point on it from someone who took it. But the outcome and side effects are different for everyone. Good Luck!!!!!

Dear I.,

I have 2 wonderful children of my own and my husband and I decided that we were very happy with 2! We looked into having the tubal ligation done and knew it wasnt for us! My doctor suggested Essure as an option for permanent birth control. I went and checked out the website at www.essure.com and found out all the facts. My husband and I decided to go for it! The procedure can be done in the doctor's office in 15 minutes or less (you can decide to be put under at the hospital), the doctor inserts 2 separate coils into your fallopian tubes, and then you wait 3 months (other method until you are "sealed" is getting the depovera shot). Each body is different and it will take up to 3 months for your tissue to grow over the coils and seal your falopian tubes. You then go to the hospital and they perform a radiology test that determines if your tubes are closed off and therefore are sterile!

When I had my procedure done, my doctor gave me a shot for pain before the procedure. Although there was pain on my right fallopian tube, it was due to the fact that I had tissue build up. Other than that the procedure went perfect! My husband and I have been having "fun" with NO other protection and so far so good!

I do not have any pains now like you do with the IUD and also the one you are talking about! If you have any more questions please do not hesitate to email me at ____@____.com. I will be more than happy to help you! I hope that you find the right one for you and I hope this helps!

Sincerely

S.

I would get a second opinion on that tilted uterus...my uterus tilts backwards and i've had a mirena iud for five years...just replaced it last month (mirena is only good for 5 years.) i LOVE it! i've never had a problem and still only have the 2 sons i planned on having!

I have a half inch scar on my arm from getting it removed. It cause my 45 pound weight gain. It worked to keep me from getting pregnant while I had it aswell as for another 2 years to conceive. It took 3 hours to have it removed due to the fact that scar tissue had adhered to the norplant. I only use the nuva ring now and it caused no side effects for me and with the timer that they provide it would remind me to change it once a month. Good luck.

ok, I have a tilted uterus also.. I had to go back for a second time to get my IUD. My OB GYN put my device in while using an ultra-sound to guide him. I have had it for 2 years and it's a dream.
It can be done because my dr. had also said he had seen tilted uterus(s) before but mine was the most tilted he had ever seen in his 25+yrs. experience.

I am really shocked doctors still suggest that! Is it the Norplant? I have known many people that had issues with it, but that was when it came out. I haven't even seen it offered in the OB offices I have been in. I would really research it.

I hate for you that you can't get the IUD, I love mine. I know lots of people that have the Nuva Ring and while you still have to insert it, it is just a once a month thing. I think that would have been my next choice in b/c as my blood pressure won't allow me to be on the pill. ( it made me sick anyways, so wasn't a big loss for me)

I would really have to see a lot of literature and hear experiences on the implantation thing. Look into the Nuva Ring...

Good luck..

Ps...Please don't consider the Depo shot... I had a horrible time on it and it really messed me up. It took us forever to conceive afterwards and I blame it for my miscarriage...There are even groups of women trying to conceive after the shot and all that I discovered after the fact.

the implanon can last up to three years, i believe and is essentially the same as the depo provera shot, but in the implant form. i know two women on it w/no problems as of yet (i think they've each had it six months or so).

being like depo, that means your periods will probably eventually go away b/c the lining of your uterus will thin out so much that it won't need to shed, but you could have irregular (or, actually, somewhat REGULAR) spotting the first few months. (i work at planned parenthood, that's how i know so much ... )

it's a good option for women who: won't remember a pill, who have estrogen sensitivity (no estrogen), smoke, etc.

your insurance may cover it just nicely -- or if you happen to be on medicaid, it is covered on medicaid, too.

nuvaring is good, too, the monthly option of the vaginal ring, still contains estrogen so not so good for smokers, etc., can be somewhat expensive depending on your insurance coverage. implanon, out-of-pocket can be expensive up front, but if you keep it the full three years, it averages to a pretty fair price.

hth some.

I used what was called a norplant in 1994. After my first son, I needed a break so I can complete my college education, so I opted for that. I had it on for four years with no side effect, and was able to get pregnant within a year of removing it. However there were others that went on it and either had gained some extra pounds, or had heavy periods and cramps. I tried it and it worked for me. if it does not work for you, you have the option to remove it and try something esle.
Good luck in your decision
M. E

Have you looked at the Nuvaring? You insert it into your uterus right after your period and then remove it in 3 weeks. It's really easy!

I always hate the risk of using artificial hormones. If you are truly serious about not wanting more kids, I would consider getting the tubes cut and tied. I have had that done and its so much better than dealing with the side effects of hormoanes and the risks associated with using them. Good luck- A. j

I work at a pregnancy resource center and run across this sort of stuff all the time. While some like the implanted birth control others dont. The thing I seem to hear most often is the constant worry that they may rupture the capsules. Others seem to not have this issue. It seems that as long as you arent doing something that may result in this then I would go for it. Some of them from what I understand from my clients can cause a slight weight gain and some hormonal craziness at first. I am sure that your doctor would not have recommended it if they thought any of this would be an issue.

Hi, I.:

As others responded, a "tilted" (or retrograde) uterus shouldn't be a problem for an IUD. I have a VERY retrograde uterus, and had a copper IUD (10 yr) placed after the birth of my second son. The placement was a bit more difficult, however, and some practitioners cannot seem to handle it. My midwife couldn't get my IUD in correctly, and she called another midwife (who had worked for Planned Parenthood for 25 years and done thousands of IUD insertions), who then inserted it correctly. For me, she needed to gently straighten the lower end of my uterus (the cervical part that connects directly to the vagina) and she did this using special forceps. Once that part was "tugged straighter", the IUD went in without a hitch. Its been in 5 years now, without incident. I have the strings checked and a pelvic x-ray done at my OB/GYN office once per year to make sure everything is in place.

If you really want an IUD, the folks at Planned Parenthood can insert one for you correctly and easily. This is one of the things they do all day long, and they really KNOW how to do it from experience. Also, its quite a bit less expensive to have it done there.

BTW, I chose the 10 year copper IUD so that I didn't have to worry about synthetic hormones in my body. The Mirena IUD (NOT copper) contains low levels of slow-release hormones and the inserts that go into your upper arm also contain slow-release hormones. Just something to consider.

Best!

LisaB

I have to agree with some of the others on this one. I CANNOT believe that they are still offering implant as a choice. I had it done and it was a nightmare. I gained about 75 pounds, the removal was horrible because of the scar tissue that grows around it and I have had to spend thousands in electrolysis for hair removal due to growing a man beard!! As well as my period never seemed to stop or was reversed (21 days period and one week no period)(all listed side effects of the implant.) I don't think the side effects are worth it.

I had the Norplant (SP) before having children and it worked great. I was going to recommend having your Husband getting a vasectomy (that is what we did when we were done having children, but I was 35) but as you are only 24 probably not a good idea. Good luck.

I have been using the Nuvaring for over 3 years now (minus the 18 months I was pregnant and nursing) and LOVE IT!!!You put it in on a Sunday and take it out on a Sunday 3 weeks later. You keep it out for one week (during which you will have your period) and then put a new one in the following Sunday. I HATE birth control, have gotten pregnant twice on it and have heard more often than not that if you don't take it at the SAME TIME EVERY DAY you have lowered it's effectiveness to only 70%. Those are not good odds for me as I forget my brain quite frequently. :) My sister and many others I know have tried IUD's and have ALL ended up in the ER with major problems (no joke). I would stear VERY clear of those! When we wanted to get pregnant I stopped using the NuvaRing and we were pregnant 2 months later. I am very sensitive to any hormonal changes and the pill kept me on an emotional rollercoaster. Because Nuvaring is localized birth control you don't have all those funny hormones coursing through your blood stream so it doesn't affect your moods. My sister FINALLY switched to it herself and loves it to. You can get a FREE SAMPLE kit from your doctor with a few rings in it to try and a cute little carrying case with instructions and such. TRY IT OUT! :) Good luck!

Sorry to hear about it! I don't know much about the implants other than they are supposed to have a decent success rate. Have you thought about the shot depo-provera that is given once every three months? (I'm like you... no chance on the pill... both my kids were the blessings from being inconsistent on the pill.) I've got the IUD and I actually miss my periods... weird! I wonder how my body is cleansing itself the way menstruation is supposed to. I also worry about (I have Mirena) the hormones in the IUD messing with my endocrine system. I've got thyroid issues. My husband joined 'the club'- he got a vasectomy a couple months ago, and I am going to have my IUD pulled. Is your husband willing? Let me just say - I think it's a nice thing a man can do when a couple decides their family is large enough after the wife gives birth - and the man is man enough to take a valium, spend 30 min. in a doctors office, and sit with an ice pack on his lap watching football for a day. For that, my husband achieved hero-ism for me. Hope you find what works.

I.,

I have had very good sucess with the nvaring. Insert the ring once a month and forget about it until removal. Hope this is helpful

I have been on the ortho evera patch for five years now and I love it. You only have to remember to change it out once a week and I have not had any of the side effects I had with the pill.

I.,

Try the ring. It stays in you for three weeks and you take it out for the fourth week for your period. I used this for about two years and loved it. However I did put on a few pounds. I just recently stopped b/c my husband and I are trying for a second child. But after the second one I will be sure to go back on it.

A couple things.....
DO NOT get the Depo shot. Both my sister-in-law and mother-in-law have used them and gained a LOT of weight that they are having a very hard time losing.
The nuva ring is great - once a month as everyone has explained - but you can't use it if you're breastfeeding.
If you're positive about being done having children, why not opt for a surgical procedure that will ensure it?

I have never had the arm implant or heard of it personally. However, I have a tilted uterus and have had the mirena for over a year with no issues other than the normal side effects in the begining. If you don't want anymore children why not look into that new her-option sterilization they do in office. Or have your hubby get snipped.

I absolutely loved the Nuva-Ring. You insert it vaginally and leave it there for 3 weeks and then take it out for 1 week to have your period then insert a new one. I couldn't feel it and neither could my husband no side effects either

hope that helps

i have not heard of it, but they couldn't do an iud on me either so i got a nuvaring (i think that is what it is called) it is a ring you put in you and leave it for 3 weeks ant take it out to have your period. you can't feel it, and can leave it in during sex, but sometimes it falls out during sex so be sure and check afterwards, but we liked it. we decided to have another last year and i got a tubal after her, but it did it's job for the time we needed it.

I have a friend who hasn't had kids and she uses the nuvaring. I think it's once every week and she loves it. Once a week is better than every day... Good luck

Check out a option called essure ; my sister in Houston has worked for a ob-gyn there for over 12 yrs. and suggested that. I'm going for it next month.
S.'in Austin,Tx.

I had a good friend have horrible results with that arm implant. Her hormones went so crazy it took her years to get everything straightened out. It may seem like a convenient fix but believe me you will pay in other ways.

Since you are only 24 I would never suggest anything permanant. You never know what may happen in the future.

As far as other types of birth control go, make sure you do your due dilligence in the "long term effects" arena. This is one area that is too often left unexplored, but you will thank yourself for years to come if you aviod the wrong options. They have been proven to cause cancer from long term use. Just think about it, they use hormones from horse pee to control your cycles. Is that something your body needs?
Sorry to blab on and on but this is one area that I feel very stongly about.