Ladies! Birth Control Question!

ashlielinn

So, after having to be off of Birth Control for about five years, I have an appointment on Monday morning to talk about going back on it (yay!). I'm looking for some insight on the different types, and what you like best and why. I was on Orthotricylcin-lo for years, and never had a problem with it, but I am slightly concerned about gaining a few pounds from starting it again. Another option in which I'm very interested is an IUD. Anyone have one? I'd love to hear your thoughts and appreciate the insight!

amandacochran15

I'm interested in this too. I've tried different types... but you can never tell if the issues are actually bc. I just had my mirena removed (IUD) Husband and I wanted another baby, but now we're not sure... so I am going to go back on soemthing. You read so many horro stories about bc. I personally like Mirena... No periods and no real cramping. I did gain weight but I think that was just me. Because once I started trying, it came off just fine. SO.... I think a non-hormonel one would be ideal?

lizard053

I have Implanon. It's an implant with the exact same hormone as mirena. The only issue I have with it is I got acne. As long as I'm good about keeping my face clean, it's a non-issue. I like not having to worry for 3 whole years! My periods are all over the place, like before I ever used BC. But in general they are shorter and lighter than in recent years. I'll take a whacked out schedule for easier periods though!

linz1125

I have been on several different types...depo, Seasonale, Orthotricyclen, Yaz, and now I have the Mirena....I love it! It is very expensive, but very worth it. Considering the last time I got pregnant because I couldn't take my pills (long story but the pharmacy closed before I could get there to get my RX), not having to take a pill every day is VERY appealing to me.
I loved seasonale - I think now they have Seasonique where you only get your period every 3 months....it was great! And Yaz was great too because it helped lighten my periods. I DO NOT recommend the depo shot...for so many reasons. It was awful going off of it...just don't do it.

jenlarz

I recently went for a permanent form. I had a procedure called Essure done. They insert spring things into fallopian tubes and scar tissue builds, essentially non surgical tubal ligation. I can't say much about it, the procedure itself was not terrible, not comfortable by any means either. I have to go back after they've been in 3 months to get a test to see if they are fully blocked. As long as it works like it should, I am happy with this. But I have 2 children and both my husband and I have decided that two is enough

TeachTheGirl

I've tried all different types of pills and I swear they made me crazy. I had Mirena implanted after my daughter was born and the first three months SUCKED, but now I don't have to think about it. No side-effects (that I know of) whatsoever.

Sp1nGoddess

I liked Seasonale a lot - I was considering Mirena... but now I just cross my fingers....

MaryDreamer

Don't do Yaz! I quit taking that one. Now I'm on some low dose pill don't even remember the name of it but I'm good with it. I know I'm alot of help LOL

acurtis82

I just had the paraguard (IUD) put in last week. It has no hormones in it, just copper. I was afraid the hormones would offset my weight. So far, I am happy with it! Plus, it is good for 10 years and anytime we want to have another baby (not any time soon lol), they can take it out easy!

MissMom85

I recently switched to Nuvaring, and LOVE it! It is so easy and there is no pill everyday to remember. And my periods since the switch have been really light. I had the Mirena as well and liked it, but this is way handier since my husband and I plan on having another baby sometime in the near future.

ladykaisa

I was on Tricyclin lo and Yaz over the past few years... as soon as I start my first pack, the weight packs on like no other. Doesn't happen with everyone, though. I found moods more stable on Yaz, but the 20lb gain in less then a year was unacceptable for me. Fiancee and I are just using condoms. I actually find my skin is better acne wise while NOT on OCP as well....

kellybean14

I'm on the extended cycle Levlen pill and it's AWESOME! I only get my period once every three months and it didn't make me put on weight.

MrsSorenson

I was on the same Orthotrycyclen-lo for years! Then after I had kids, I would forget to take the pill. I'm not planning on having more kids, but too young for the final surgery. So I am on Mirena and love it. I'm good for 5 years, and I have had no bad side effects. No period since it was put in 3 years ago! I'd say that is a darn perk! Good luck on your decision.

UpEarly

Yaz has been a miracle drug for me. I know the risk of blood clots is slightly higher with Yaz (because of the drospirenone) than it is with other oral contraceptives. Although, in truth, ALL hormone-based contraceptives raise your blood clot risk a bit. But, it's the one my doctor recommended for me. I had debilitating PMS before I took Yaz.

Cramps are gone.
Ovulation pain is gone.
Paranoia and depression are gone
My skin looks flawless
And... a box of 20 tampons lasts me over a year. My period lasts one day.

I didn't experience any weight gain, either. I like the way I feel on this pill so much that I have continued to take it even after my husband had his vasectomy.

janeite1990

I hated Depo. The Mirena fell halfway out and had to be removed. I'd do the pill, but I have blood clotting issues. I'd say, find a pill that works for you. You might have to try them out for 6 months or so to know if you like them, but I think the pill is the best invention in the course of human history.

helenwilliams78

I'm on a pill called Microgynon 30 and it's fab! Regular periods with no pain - awesome. I have heard that some people put on weight with it though. I did have an increased appetite at first but knowing what to eat that is healthy and filling helped a lot. (Plus it's free on the NHS in UK!)

ChristineMarie89

i had merena(IUD) theytell u it only hurts a lil. . . thats a lie. also u will "spot" forever!!! also if u . . . do it. . . and the wire gets hit. . .not pleasant >.> made me gain like crazy and break out too lol ortho(however u spell it)didn't make me gain

saragato

I'll second the no Yaz motion.

That aside it's hard to say what's best because everyone's different and reacts different. For example I had to switch off the pill form to the Depo Provera shot because not only was I having depression and migraines (one pill even gave me migraines so severe I had to wear sunglasses in any light and while I watched TV or sat at the computer) but it had not regulated my period, which was part of why I was on them to begin with. And personally I couldn't say how good they were working if I was having my period two weeks after the placebo pills. I've heard a lot of bad things about Depo but I haven't had any bad experiences with it but then again I'm not on BC for the no baby aspect, though it helps when I see my boyfriend. I'm on it because I had PMDD, painfully heavy periods, and irregular periods. I only started them when I went two months without a cycle and for a whole month I had the PMDD which usually only lasted two weeks before I started.

Anyway, since you're up for suggestions I would probably jot down a few mentioned options you want to look in to and discuss it at length with the doctor. Also, do some research at home; look at genuine studies and feedback not just for-women sites that have a bunch of complaints or places like WebMD that can make you think you have cancer if you sneeze too hard. And any type you're given, look up the side effects and monitor yourself after you begin taking it/have it inserted/whatever so you can get an idea of where something may be coming from.

mrs_mcd

I take severe hormonal headaches, the only medication that stops then completely is the combined pill. So for me microgynon is a way of life now. I have tried the mini pill-it made my headaches worse, gave me acne, bloated me and gained weight and turned me into a raging ball of hormones, the mirena coil-made my periods more painful and ended up falling pregnant with it and as for the injection or another implant, well my GP thinks it'll have the same effect on me as the mini pill did.

I'm very lucky in that the pill for me corrects my unbalanced hormones and whereas when i'm not on the pill i usually gain 7lb at that time of the month, get bad pmt and bloat this all disappears when i'm taking the pill. I think BC is very much a trial and error system as what works for some won't and doesn't work for others. Which ever kind you decide on i would watch carefully for symptoms or side effects and if you're not happy then try something else. Regarding weight, my GP said that if you notice early on after starting BC that you're gaining weight or not losing despite dieting then you'll probably always have problems with weight and that particular form of BC. Some side effects like mood swings can settle down over a few weeks as your body adjusts to it, but weight gain isn't one of these that will settle down.

Hope that helps a bit. x

DSCLBD

Terrible side effects from mirena (whilst I know some have no issue, after all my issues I could not in good conscience ever tell anyone to ever get this, plus there is a class action suit in Canada against the makers and thousands of people suffering from side effects that doctors dont believe to be from this but all my symptoms get better within weeks of having it removed - just google, so many negative reactions!) ... decided to not use any hormone treatment for myself anymore - that means "if it's not on ... it's NOT on!" :laugh: Hubby doesn't care either way and I much prefer not taking the pill or other stuff after bombarding my body with it for over 15 years!

I actually think that a condom is the best as you know immediately if it breaks but medication and illness can affect the pill even grapefruit if eaten at the same time as taking the pill will stop it working eek!

Of course you could always be absolutely sure and go celibate :laugh:

Mrsfullwood

I was on the Depo for about six years and went from a size 10 to a size 18 and I never had a period. I got off of that and was on the patch for about 2 years, I actually liked it because there were no side effects and my period were regular. I gave bc a rest for about 7 years and now I'm on the pill no side effects of the pill either. It helps regulate my cycles and helps with the cramps because I have endometriosis.

JustJennie1

I'd just discuss it with your doctor. The question is though do you want hormones or not? The hormone pills/BC while you can manipulate your period on most of them and they keep you regular they're not good for you and not because of all the warnings.

I was on a hormone BC for 18 years and I was all screwed up while on it. I was exhausted all the time, could barely pull myself out of bed in the mornings, napped all the time. I thought it was my thyroid so I had that checked but it was fine. I got blood work done every year and my hormones were completely out of whack. I got off the pill about a year ago and a few weeks after I was off of it it was a complete turn-around with how I felt. Not only that but where as I was napping all the time (I don't know how I made it through an entire day at work without one to be honest) I can now count on one hand the amount of times I've felt so exhausted that I've needed to lay down. Not only that but my hormone levels are much different than they were while I was on the pill. I've honestly never felt better. Yeah it's a PITA when I get my period on vacation but I'd never go back to something hormonal based on how I felt before.

With that said: while you can ask people what they prefer and what works for them it comes down to the discussion with your doctor and what YOU want to take and what your doctor thinks will be best for you.

Aviendha_RJ

IUD was a terrible experience for me. I went into labour the day it was put in trying to expell it. Every time my period came, I ended up in the ER on painkillers because it happened again for the first four months.

Eventually, that stopped. So did my period (YAY!) but I had to have it surgically removed after 15 months (it's supposed to last FIVE YEARS) because it had slipped. The exit string had jumped into the Uterus (after my Boyfriend constantly complaining about the bead on the end hurting him during intercourse).

When they surgically removed it, they had to slice open my uteran wall because it had been growing INSIDE the uteran wall... and I had an ENORMOUS amount of pain post surgery.

Do ANYTHING else. Believe me! I'd rather go through a complete hystorectomy & live with the scars before I did that again!

EDITED TO ADD: Oh, this was a Mirena too....

erosales0117

I use to be on Depo when I was 16 years old and went off when I was 19 cause my step dad's insurance didn't cover me anymore so I was about to get my insurance through work and get pregnant. I got back on depo again when I was 22 years old and stopped when I was 24 because the doctor wanted to try something else. Well now I got back on depo again at 27 and I was having nothing but problems. I gain weight which is something that never happened before. I also had painful abdominal pain while I was on it for 6 months that it would keep me up at night. I don't know why it didn't agree with my body this time, but I'm no longer taking any birth control because my boyfriend and I are trying for a baby. So good luck and I hope you find something that works for your body.

mississippi_queen

I have Implanon. It's an implant with the exact same hormone as mirena. The only issue I have with it is I got acne. As long as I'm good about keeping my face clean, it's a non-issue. I like not having to worry for 3 whole years! My periods are all over the place, like before I ever used BC. But in general they are shorter and lighter than in recent years. I'll take a whacked out schedule for easier periods though!

I was on implanon and gained 40 lbs, got terrible acne, ovarian cysts, among other things. I wouldn't recommend anyone getting this as it caused me so many problems. I got it out in December and have been doing fine ever since. Now i'm on generess fe and love it.

Toxictwist

I have had the IUD now for 3 months & have had no issues with it.
In the past I think I have used every pill-form birth control out there & eventually ended up having issues with all of them.

jennifer52484

I liked Seasonale a lot - I was considering Mirena... but now I just cross my fingers....

Crossing fingers lol..

jamiesadler

I personally have been on depo provera shot fro 14 years. I take it once every three months and give it to myself. Its less than 60 dollars without insurance. I have no monthly cycle or mood swings or cravings or bloating, you get the point. I love it and I had no weight gain with it. My cycles were so heavy and painful before I would often have to miss work and since I started the Depo nothing. I highly recommend it. There is a slight chance of bone density loss with it but my doctor has never seen a patient with this and I take a calcium supplement every day to help prevent it.

BAMFMeredith

I'm on Implanon. I've tried Depo, several different pills, and NuvaRing, and I LOVE Implanon!

I actually asked my doctor about the Mirena and she said she recommends Implanon over Mirena to all her patients. Not knocking Mirena, just because I have a lot of friends who've had success with it and other IUDs, BUT the risks are greater with Mirena vs Implanon (ectopic pregnancies and the IUD becoming adjusted wrong or coming loose or whatever, and being able to trap bacteria). Implanon is a small stick (seriously it's like and inch and a half long maybe, and super thin) implanted into the inner side of your bicep for 3 years. I'm on my second one right now, and I've never been so happy with a bc method! I only have one super light period a year, and I haven't had any trouble losing weight with it. And in my opinion it's the most reliable of the many bc methods you can take (obviously besides abstinence, but let's get real here, who's being abstinent?) I'm also not crazy and hormonal (omg, NuvaRing made me a freaking psycho!).

I'd definitely talk to your doctor about Implanon, I love it! All that being said, everybody's body is different so what works amazingly for me might not for you and vice versa.

tdmcmains

Totally Mirena.

ChristiH4000

I have been on orthotricyclen lo for years and years and haven't had any problems with it. IUD's are a great option if you're committed to not having a baby for a good long while. Plus, they don't have as much of an affect on your natural cycle.
After reading the book C*nt by Inga Muscio (a great book for anyone wanting to get in touch with their inner lioness) I have wondered if it ever is a good thing to disrupt our natural cycle with artificial hormones, but having control over my body and not wanting to have a child has always meant more to me than my oneness with the moon. :happy: