Birth control?

[Kirsten&Gypsy]

I have really, really been wanting to get off of oral contraceptives for a while. No problems taking them on time, relatively few side effects, but the idea of pumping hormones into my body daily wigs me out. The blood clot risk is concerning, and I'd potentially be taking oral BC through menopause (I probably do not want kids). Been on a couple different pills for 2+ years now. My main problem is that I do not cycle normally every month, though I should. I've gone every 3 months, every 5, etc. I'm very skinny. I dunno if they affect me more because of that?

I'm interested in the IUD - specifically the copper IUD, without hormones - but I've never given birth. I also wonder whether my man would feel it in there. LOL.

 

[Dogdragoness]

The glow in the dark and other "fun" ones all have a warning that they aren't to be used as BC

:rofl1: hahaha

 

[stardogs]

K&G - some docs don't like to place it in women without kids, but mine was ok with it. It hurts for a short time during placement for most people, but everyone's a little different. My DH has never mentioned feeling it, though the strings are where they are supposed to be.

 

[eddieq]

The whole "if used correctly" thing on condoms amuses me. They are pretty simple, really. They only go on one way. How are these people putting them on?

I understand failures for breakage, defective ones, etc. But even as an awkward teenager, those things aren't rocket science (well, I guess they are "pocket rocket science")

 

[Barbara!]

I don't think I'll ever do the pill again. I did two different types and gained weight horribly. Finally dropped it when I got off. The depo sounds like a good idea! Just reeeeally want to avoid condoms but still get long term birth control. I may not have another child. If I decide that, I also may just get my tubes tied.

 

[noludoru]

Anti depressants. They're fantastic - if I don't want to have sex, I can't possibly get pregnant!

Mirena IUD for 3.5yrs... and I love it.

Okay, the real answer is this. Change it to two+ years, though.

Yaz made me completely lose my mind.

Also going to agree with this. Yaz doesn't work for a pretty high percentage of women, but when it does work for you, it seems to be awesome.

The whole "if used correctly" thing on condoms amuses me. They are pretty simple, really. They only go on one way. How are these people putting them on?

Some people can't read directions?

You have to put it on in the right direction, pinch the tip, and roll it down the shaft. You also have to make sure to add lube if there's not enough of it already. Next, you have to be intelligent enough to replace it after extended periods of sex. Most importantly is storage - never keep them in your car, purse, wallet, etc, unless you can guarantee temperature control. If you're doing all of that perfectly every time and having them break, your sizing or the quality of the brand you use is the problem.

 

[Romy]

You have to put it on in the right direction, pinch the tip, and roll it down the shaft. You also have to make sure to add lube if there's not enough of it already. Next, you have to be intelligent enough to replace it after extended periods of sex. Most importantly is storage - never keep them in your car, purse, wallet, etc, unless you can guarantee temperature control. If you're doing all of that perfectly every time and having them break, your sizing or the quality of the brand you use is the problem.

Don't forget the right lube. One of my friends in high school was permanently scarred when he got a girlfriend. His dad pulled him aside for The Talk and informed him that petroleum jelly weakens latex, and that's how my friend was conceived. :rofl1:

My first kid was unplanned and happened with condoms + spermicide (used correctly). The second was unplanned and happened with progesterone-only BC pills. Out of all BC pills I tried they were the best. Had no side effects, and they're safe/effective if you're breast feeding. The only reason I had an oops is because Planned Parenthood gave me a pack of pills that had been expired for 7 months. So... check the expiration dates! They're serious!

 

[GipsyQueen]

Ugh. I forgot how much I don't like the pill. :rofl1: I woke up last night with horrible cramps. -.- I blame the pill.
(TMI: I started my period early though it is lighter than usual. Started taking the pill yesterday as well for the first time in like 2 year. I couldn't sleep last night because I had horrible cramping. If I'm pregant, I'm blaming the chaz baby boom. )

 

[Taqroy]

I tried the patch (I don't even know if that's still around) briefly in high school. It made me itch like mad and I once passed out in the hallway while trying to make it to the bathroom to puke. Luckily my dad caught me before I smashed into a wall.

Pre being pregnant we used condoms only. Before that I was on the Nuva ring for 2 years and it destroyed my sex drive. It was awful and put a TON of strain on our relationship. And it was gradual enough that I didn't realize that the cause was the Nuvaring until my prescription ran out and I was off BC for three months.

I'm really interested in the Paragard IUD, it's hormone free which sounds awesome and hopefully would keep me from itching/puking/passing out/hating sex. Has anyone here tried it or heard about it?

The pill and condoms.

Frodo and I take our pills at the same time. One night I even wrapped my pill in bologna and nearly fed it to him :yikes: At the last minute I was like...this feels wrong...ABORT ABORT! :rofl1: I got to take a bologna flavored bc pill that night

:rofl1::rofl1::rofl1:

 

[Beanie]

I'm really interested in the Paragard IUD, it's hormone free which sounds awesome and hopefully would keep me from itching/puking/passing out/hating sex. Has anyone here tried it or heard about it?

A friend of mine has one. I never hear her complain about it but she never raves about it either... it seems to be working for her thus far though. I think she really enjoys that it's hormone free. It does come with some of the same risks as Mirena, like getting imbedded where it's sitting, coming loose and going missing in your body, and ectopic pregnancy. But I would imagine most of the issues you have stem from the hormones, so it probably would be fine. Have you tried anything that's progesterone based? A lot of women struggle with estrogen and most pills are estrogen based; switching to a different kind of hormone can make a world of difference.

 

[Dogdragoness]

Possible TMI:

We use trogians with the end that you don't have to pinch the tip also if stores & used correctly, trogians are garenteed

 

[RedHotDobe]

Pill and condoms, though I think I'm about to stop taking the pill. I've tried Yaz, which made me suicidal, depressed, and physically sick. Then Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo, which seemed okay I guess but I was severely moody. Switched to Ortho Cyclen and then Sprintec, the generic. Worked for a long time until I got a bit moody again and then they stopped producing Sprintec. I can't remember what they auto-switched me to. Now I'm on Avianne. I never get my period and I have pretty severe breakthrough bleeding, plus I'm back to being moody. I don't know if I should ask for more options or just give up. They all make sex seem gross and me seem grumpy.

 

[Dogdragoness]

I dont like the pill & most other BC's because they mess with my cycle, i am normally super regular like clockwork. like i could set a clock by my cycle. but on every pill i tried i became bloated, irritable, bleeding all the time moody mess ... so i just stuck to condoms & being careful about 'doing it' when i am close to or am ovulating (i dont know how i can tell ... but i just can when i am) I make sure to use ultra strong, name brand condoms & always store them correctly & NEVER use them if they are compromised in any way or there is the ghost of a chance they would be compromised.

 

[kady05]

I don't think I'll ever do the pill again. I did two different types and gained weight horribly. Finally dropped it when I got off. The depo sounds like a good idea! Just reeeeally want to avoid condoms but still get long term birth control. I may not have another child. If I decide that, I also may just get my tubes tied.

FWIW, if you're worried about weight gain, Depo would definitely not be for you. It's one of the BC's that most often causes weight gain.

I have a hate/hate relationship with BC, haven't taken any for almost a year now. Tried numerous different kinds (Yaz, NuvaRing, did Depo twice, and a few others) and they really never agreed with me. I didn't gain weight on any of them, but they caused all kinds of weird symptoms. When my hair started falling out a few years ago, a few people told me it could be the BC, but I didn't listen til almost a year ago. I do still lose quite a bit of hair, but it's actually growing now and everyone says it looks better. BC related? I don't know, but I do know that it's better off the BC than on.

I do however, wish I could take it because I am COMPLETELY paranoid about getting pregnant and it really kills any sex drive that I may have. I want to get my tubes tied since I never want kids.. my Dr. is finally accepting that so I hope to have it done within the next year!

 

[Beanie]

FWIW, if you're worried about weight gain, Depo would definitely not be for you. It's one of the BC's that most often causes weight gain.

Birth control does not cause weight gain.

Hormones (birth control!) affect your metabolism, which might make you feel hungry, which might cause you to overeat, which causes weight gain.

I'm on depo, 29 years old, and I am currently thinner than I was in high school pre-ANY form of birth control.



That said I do not actually recommend depo to very many people (nor Mirena/Paragard/Implanon for that matter.) It's a hefty drug with a long list of potential side-effects. I don't care if I ruin my uterus (even better if I do) but it's definitely not something to be taken lightly.

 

[Greenmagick]

Birth control does not cause weight gain.

Hormones (birth control!) affect your metabolism, which might make you feel hungry, which might cause you to overeat, which causes weight gain.

I'm on depo, 29 years old, and I am currently thinner than I was in high school pre-ANY form of birth control.



That said I do not actually recommend depo to very many people (nor Mirena/Paragard/Implanon for that matter.) It's a hefty drug with a long list of potential side-effects. I don't care if I ruin my uterus (even better if I do) but it's definitely not something to be taken lightly.

You know, I have seen this but for me, i gained 80lbs in under a year and my diet did NOT change. I was eating less and trying to stop the gain actually. For me, there were many other issues besides weight gain that BC set into motion...may not be the cause but was the catalyst.

 

[GatorDog]

Since losing my health insurance, I'm looking into going through Planned Parenthood for getting BC, but not sure what I'm going to do. I've done ok on pills and may have had some weight gain (diet habits). I can be forgetful at times about taking it, but usually remember within 24 hours and then I just double up. Needles freak me out, so I'm not really sure what else would be an option anyways..

 

[*blackrose]

Worked for a long time until I got a bit moody again and then they stopped producing Sprintec.

I'm still taking Sprintec...?

 

[kady05]

Birth control does not cause weight gain.

Hormones (birth control!) affect your metabolism, which might make you feel hungry, which might cause you to overeat, which causes weight gain.

I'm on depo, 29 years old, and I am currently thinner than I was in high school pre-ANY form of birth control.

That said I do not actually recommend depo to very many people (nor Mirena/Paragard/Implanon for that matter.) It's a hefty drug with a long list of potential side-effects. I don't care if I ruin my uterus (even better if I do) but it's definitely not something to be taken lightly.

I tend to feel the same way, but I didn't want to offend anyone.

I do think many women (not ALL) blame BC for their weight gain, when in reality, they're just eating more or not getting as much exercise, or maybe have some underlying issue(s) causing the weight gain. I've been 92-95lbs. since I graduated high school (I'll be 26 in July), have never gained weight from any of the BC's I've taken.

 

[RedHotDobe]

I'm still taking Sprintec...?

Maybe they started making it again? One of the times I went in to pick up my prescription they said they didn't make it anymore. It's set to auto refill so they call and leave a voicemail with the first two letters of the prescription saying it's available for pickup and I was like uhh, that's not anything I'm taking.