Trying to Decide What Birth Control Is Best

Hey... I was the same way. I always forgot to take my birth control pill, and it would mess up my periods horribly. I was on the Nuvaring for 5 months and loved it! But now I have a 5 month old we like to refer to as Nuvaring... Racheal is our Nuvaring surprise!!!!

Good luck, but unless you want a beautiful surprise like us, DONT TRY THE NUVARING!! : )

I LOVE the depo shot! I have tried the pill, but missed three to five of them a month. I tried the Nuva-ring, but needing to have it refrigerated was a problem. I always seemed to need to change it when we were out of town. It also gave yeast a place to grow which was gross and not pleasant to remove. Also My husband could feel it and he thought that was wierd. I also had extreme mood swings. A bad day would consisit of breaking a nail, the grocery store would be out of the oatmeal I like, then someone would cut me off in traffic, this series of events would send me over the edge with uncontrolable sobbing. So my husband finally called my doctor to say we need something else.
The depo shot (depoprovera)is given every three months in a large muscle, the buttocks or shoulder. The pharmacy and the doctors office calls me to remind me when it is time for another one. I was on it for 9 yrs previously, but then there was some concern about women who had been on it for an extended period of time developing osteopenia, which is early osteoperosis, so I got off it for two years. During which time I tried YAZ and Nuva-Ring. When those were not working my gyno ordered a bone scan, when that came back fine, she put me back on the depo and has me take a calcium supplement with a multi- vitamin.
There are rumors that depo causes weight gain, I have not found that to be true.
Good Luck!
Also every wommen will react differnetly to different hormonal brith control methods, because we all have different levels of hormone to begin with. So I reccomend trying one at a time for three months until you find what works for you. Know your body, listen to your gut, and remember that going from one form of hormonal bc to another from one month to the next you are still protected.

I've never had mirena, but the nuva ring is the only birth control I've been on where I actually started my cycle when I was supposed to, has less cramps and lighter flow. I've been on ortho-tri-cyclen, ortho-tri-cyclen-lo, ortho-novum (several different strengths) and I hated the depo-provera shot. I would suggest using the nuva ring, but do remember that the first month on anything you should use some sort of back-up, even if it's just spermicide gels.

I've tried lots of birth control methods. Four children later my doctor told me about the mirena. Don't get me wrong, I love all my children very much! I've had it for almost four years out of the five. I've not had one single complication. My sister has had it for five years now. She's ready to take it out. She has had no complications. You have no period which is great if you're on the go alot. That has been a blessing!!! You will have a period for about a month like after a baby, but after that it's very random for the first six months and then just gone. No cramping, no weight gain, no mood swings, nothing. You don't have to remember to take or do anything!! My advice is the mirena. I love it and would recommend it to anybody! Good luck!

I have used the Nuva Ring since my son was born. I have loved it. I suffer from cluster headaches and migraines, which means I have to be careful what hormones I take. The Depo shot(took in college)made my migraines extremely bad and I gained about 40 pounds. When I talked to my OB/GYN about Mirena he said that it would probably do the same thing to me. I have not had any problems with the ring. Just remember to mark a calendar or so some kind of reminder that you have to take it out after 21 days and then put a new one in after 7 days. Hope you find the answers you are needing.

I've never used an IUD, so I can't advise you one way or the other regarding Mirena.
I did use the Nuva ring and hated it. I had a lot of breakthrough bleeding with it.
In fact, I had problems with every hormonal birth control I used.
My preference was condoms and spermicide.

I had the same problem trying to remember take the pill (that's how I got pregnant in the first place). My doctor recommended both Nuva Ring (3-month free sample) and Mirena. She told me the Mirena was expensive, but that some insurances may cover it.
So far I have been on the Nuva Ring for two months. I don't believe I would recommend it to anyone. Excuse the vividness of the next part of this sentence, but it sometimes feels like you haven't put your tampon all the way in. I am constantly having to push it back up. Also, my periods did not change from before I was pregnant...I am still extra heavy and on the same 5-7 day cycle. (Once again only been on it for 2 months tho) I am also afraid to use a tampon while the ring is in during my period so I use pads (I may have the ring in during my periods because I waited a few days after I started my period to put in the first Nuva Ring instead of the day of) And, although this hasn't ever happened with me, I have heard that it comes out during sex. BTW, my husband cannot feel the ring during sex.
Good luck.

I didn't have the Mirena but I had the copper IUD. I bled for 3 months and finally made them take it out. Now I use a diaphragm and LOVE it!

I had the Mirena. I had it in place for a little over a year. Although not having to take a pill was great and it did stop my periods all together, I ended up removing it because I had problems. I continuously had yeast infections which I never had prior to the implant. Mine were taking place almost every other month. There was a period of time where I really could not be sexually active with my husband for about two months. On top of that, my acne seemed to get worse with it. My body just really did not agree with it. Now my sister has had the Nuva Ring and she hasn't had any problems. She really likes it and loves the fact that she does not have to take a pill. I on the other hand went back to the pill refusing to do anything that had to be inserted. Since the removal, my face has stayed really clear and knock on wood I have not had one yeast infection. Hope that helps

I've had the Mirena for 3 years now and I love it! Like you, I would never be able to remember to take the pill on a regular basis. I can't even remember to take vitamins or Zyrtec every day for more than a couple weeks!

I've never been on any other birth control to compare the Mirena to. (I actually got the pills but was told to wait until I started my period again to start taking them... well I never had my next period, I got pregnant! ha!) But, it has helped lighten my periods significantly. Some women have fewer periods, but might just got really light. I used to have BAD cramps before, now I hardly ever have any & they are nothing.

Hormonal birth control really messes with us very deeply. In fact, it has been shown to reverse mate choice. So you might find yourself feeling blah about your relationship, or feeling irritable toward your husband when things were just fine before, or feeling like things are irreparable when you two were just kind of fiesty before.

We just use condoms and like them just fine. Have you considered that these might be the way to go? If you're not considering having any more children, is your husband interested in getting a vasectomy?

L.

I personally will NOT EVER get the Mirena. My sis n law had one and got prego and had a miscarriage. She was very upset about it.

I love the Mirena IUD. I haven't had any complications. I barely have a period (a few days of spotting every two months or so). The best part is, you don't have to remember to take anything for 5 years.

I have had the Mirena for about 2 1/2 years an love it! I have a period about once every 2 months, nothing a panty liner can't handle. I can't use any of the hormonal birth control like the pill, depo provera, nuva ring, patch, etc because of blood clotting issues. My husband doesn't want a vasectomy, and I don't blame him. The Mirena has been a wonderful choice for us. Three boys is enough for me!

I have the Mirena and while it is nice not having periods and not worring about taking a pill everyday, it does cause weight gain. They will tell you that there are no studies to back this up but everyone I know that has gotten it has gained 10-20 lbs.

Hello M.,
I was surprised to find that being an RN, you wouldn't have first hand info on these sort of things, knowing more than all of us. In any case, please heed the warnings of Susan B. She was absolutely spot on. Not only is it dangerous to your own health, but should be the determining factor in defense of the unborn...usually never taken into consideration. Be above it M.. Search your conscience and do the right thing. There are doctors to advise you correctly along this line, as well as your church or synagogue. I can't forget the cute little girl from the movie Juno chanting the sweet innocent phrase ..... all babies want to be born. Worth remembering.
God bless you.
Sincerely_____________

I have used the pill, nuva ring, the shot, and now am using Mirena. I love the Mirena. I don't have to worry about anything for up to 5 years. My period has been a little different but that's not a big deal. I hope you find something that works for you.

i have the mirena and have had it 4.5 years now and i LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I am due to have it changed out this year and will do it again. I have had no problems whatso ever and the best part is my cycle is almost none. You can use a pantyliner for 2 days....did i mention that i LOVE it. :)

i saw some responses saying the Mirena has caused them wight gain. I did not have weight gain. I am smaller now than i was when i had it put in. Everyone is different though.

i am 17 and was on nuva ring and using it the way the doctor told me when i got pregnant i am now 7 months and really it just depends if you like it or not after i have my daughter i am getting mirena i have tried the pill and depo and nuva ring i have heard really good things about mirena i know many people that have it and they all love it the have all said i should try it you might like it too

I friend of mine got pregnant with her daughter while using Mirena.

Hi!

I used the nuva ring for 4 months and I loved it. Once you put it in you can just forget about it for 3 weeks and you don't have to remember it everyday. At first my husband didn't like it because he could feel it but he got use to it. I had to go back on the pill because it cost $50.00 a month and that was using my insurance, birth control pills are $10.00 a month.

K.

its different for everyone. I haver tried both. With nuvaring it was nice. only problem i had with it was after like week two the ring starts to lose its shape and kinda feels like its gonna fall out. Check to make sure it's there every once in awhile! mine fell out once and i didnt notice.(they are clear and i couldnt feel them when they were in). I couldnt tolerate mirena. I got it after my first baby. and i gained massive weight(while seriously dieting)30 lbs in three months(i only gained 23 in nine months with my pregnancy and it was all baby!) It also progressively made me very hormonal and slightly crazy! I eventually had it taken out.Having said that i have heard many women say they LOVE LOVE LOVE mirena. So i really think it's just whether it works for u or not. definitely worth trying, but be prepared that it might not be for u and you might have to get it taken out. (the procedure was painfree for me putting in and taking out...maybe mild cramping)so dont let that discourage you from mirena if your seriously considering it. bottom line.do your homework on mirena beforehand...read all the side affects. i wish i had done it first before it may have changed my decision. you have to pick whats right for you!

Be aware that many birth control methods actually cause abortions. Birth control pills that prevent a fertilized egg from implanting have moral implications for those of us who believe that life begins at conception. Most people are not aware that their birth control pills do this! Check with your doctor and look it up in the Physicians Desk Reference. I understand that some pills keep you from ovulating, which is a different method of birth control altogether. Also, IUDs (intrauterine devices) work by causing early miscarriage/abortions. I've had more than one friend who got pregnant, then miscarried in the first trimester due to her IUD. They were horrified to discover that the IUDs are meant to work that way -- only they are supposed to cause the baby to be miscarried earlier, before mom knows she is pregnant. Regardless of where you stand on abortion, please check this out .
S. Brown