Birth Control Questions...

sallywilson06

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I go to a regular gynecologist for my screenings but I am actually going to the family planning clinic for the birth control as it is income based and more affordable than my regular Dr. I want to make sure that I am being protected in more ways than just one.. I don't want to lose that spark though.. So I am going to ask about an IUD. Thanks again for all of your suggestions.

notsosimplyabby

Nuva-ring all the way! Low side effects in every direction!

Hellbent_Heidi

Soo.. I have never been on Birth Control before and it's time. However, I have a family history of blood clots. I am wondering if there is anything out there that is safe to take for someone like me. My grandmother died from a blood clot to her heart. I have a Dr.'s appointment about this but just curious if I am wasting my money and time seeing her for this if she is going to tell me no..?

Definitely discuss with your doctor...only he/she can tell you what your best options are with your family history. People here are just going to tell you what they like best. I've been on b/c pills for over 20 years with relatively NO side effects, but everyone is SO different!

Wezlfuss

I've been on Nuvaring for over a year now.

~It essentially works the same way as the pill, but is great for people like me who's memories aren't good enough to remember to take the pill every day.

~I chose it over the patch because the patch was only recommended for women under 200lbs. This had a higher weight limit.

~No big changes in mood, though I always had pretty bad mood swings/anxiety issues to begin with. And sex drive is a little less than I remember, but still functioning well enough.

~Also, my cramps went from being downright debilitating to just being "meh." Pretty nice side effect.

Bottom line, though, you should definitely see your doctor to ask about the blood clot effects, they probably aren't as high as you think.

katescurios

Do NOT get the depo, I was on it for 4 years and while I was on it, it was fantastic, no periods, no symptoms and no problem, it was only when me and the hubby decided we wanted to start trying for a baby that I learnt it can take over a year for the hormones to leave your system!

If I ever go on birth control again I'll be going with a non hormonal IUD. My advise is to stay away from any hormone based birth control.

fiberartist219

I got the Paragard IUD and I'm happy with it. If the pill is not an option for you, ask about the IUD.

MelissR75

I was on Yasmin after the birth of my 3rd child. After about 6 months I was taken by ambulance and admitted to Yale Hospital, cardiac floor. So, Id say no especially considering your family history but thats just me.

junebaby21

I was on BC for 3 years. It made me miserable. It suppresses your hormones, which made me really moody. I was also told by a nurse that for every year you are on BC, your cervix ages 3. I'm not a doctor - so check with yours.

Hopelessone

I know I wouldn't recommend the "Shot" to anyone, that is where my weight gain began. I had 3 shots over 3 months and went from being anerexic looking to obese. I know everyone's body is different, I am just putting it out there. Good luck with your decision

girlwapp

I'm on Ortho Evra, the patch, and have been for almost 2.5 years. It's high estrogen, so probably not a good choice for you with family history of clotting, but to everyone claiming that hormonal BC killed your libido: I am so sorry. I gained a little weight, but otherwise I've had no ill-effects regarding my BC. My libido is still right where it has been for years, my periods are lighter and I can actually function through my cramps. Huzzah birth control!

Ask your doctor about the "low" HBCs, like Ortho Tri-cyclen low. Or try a copper IUD, they have no hormones and last as long as you want them too. Also, try looking into the implant, Implanon is the newest, I think, and it puts you in the clear for at least 2 years.

nikinyx6

I couldn't take the pill because of this, so I went on The depo injection, been no troubles for 5 years now

XXXMinnieXXX

Definitely see the doctor with the family history. I'm. Recovering from. Liver surgery. I had liver tumors caused by the contraceptive pill. I would go for a no hormone option if possible. I know this is not a very regular occurance... But why take any chances if you don't need to? Something to think about.

Zara x

afikaris

I've been on a generic BC (Levora) for 3 years now and I'm always ready to go. No problems with libido here. lol

afoz1990

Been on Nuvaring for about a year! Works wonders, everything from my PMS being way less extreme, my periods being lighter, and no mood swings! And contrary to popular belief, it is not felt during lol. It's very easy to put in and the first day maybe you realize it's there but then you forget! No need to set an alarm everyday just in for 3 weeks out for 1 and you're good to go! I would highly suggest it

SueGremlin

This is between you and your doctor, but if I had a family history of blood clots, there would be no way in hell you'd get me to take hormonal BC.
I'd use something else.

Advaya

I see some misinformation here...

Combined hormonal birth control options, including the ring, increase your risks for clots. It has to do with the estrogen in it. There is some evidence that desogen type progesterone may play a role, but it is DEFINITE that the estrogen does. For most women combined BCP are totally safe, for those that they aren't, they can be fatal or heartbreaking (strokes at 24?). Most of the time they're safe for women under 35 who don't smoke, but if you have ANY family history of clots, strokes or hypertension, I'd consider something else. If you have a history of migraines with aura, I'd consider something else.

Progesterone only choices include the mini-pill, which is nearly as effective as the combined pills, but must be taken within a three hour time frame everyday. You have a much smaller window for remembering your pill. In standard birth control, missing a pill by even a day is not much of an issue. This is not the case with the minipill, you have to be exact. I use this, and I just set my alarm to go of at 7 am everyday since I'm usually asleep at that time and I keep my pills on the nightstand. Alarm goes off, I pop the pill, and am back to sleep in about 10 seconds flat.

Implannon is a good choice for women who are at risk for blood clots. It is implanted in the arm, and it lasts 3 years. Side effects can include some weight gain and spotting, but the reviews on it are far more favorable than for many kinds of birth control.

The Mirena IUD and the paraguard are both good options. I had a paraguard for years (and I've never had a baby nor been pregnant) and I loved a lot of things about it. I did have very heavy periods, and eventually started to get freaked out by the idea of something in my uterus. I wish I had kept it now. The Mirena has a shorter lifespan (5 years vs the 10 to 12 of the paraguard), but the hormone is progesterone only and is, in theory, limited to presence in the uterus. Personally I don't believe the hormone is limited to here, but as I said, its progesterone only so its not a risk factor.

Depo is safe for at risk women, however the side effects are iffy and once you take the shot you have to let it wear off. You can't just stop it if you react badly. Weight gain is common, but not guaranteed. It may lower bone density used long term, but this can be watched with scans if necessary.

Good luck. I am a midwifery student working towards becoming a nurse practitioner. Women's health and birth control options are a passion of mine.

AliciaStinger

I'm not a doctor/nurse/pharmacist, so I can't speak for every pill out there -- but I was on Junel 1.5/something, which is a "low dose" pill, and in the instructions it said (several times) that you shouldn't take that pill if you have blood clotting issues. My gyne said there are different kinds of birth control pills, so maybe there's one with a reduced risk...but I'm not sure that doctor was a great source for information. She kept suggesting more pills to cure the problems that THE PILL had caused...so I wasn't sure whether there was a safe alternative for me, or if she just wanted to write me more prescriptions.

For me, the pill caused far more problems (for my health and my family/social life/career) than it EVER helped. In fact, all it did for me was temporarily hide the symptoms of a problem I will have to have surgery to fix. (Problem started in my senior year of high school, in 2008/09; surgery is scheduled for the week of Thanksgiving.) I don't have any hang-ups about doctors or medications, but you couldn't pay me to recommend the pill, let alone get back on it. If you're taking this for cramps, switch to Ibuprofen if you can/haven't already, use heating pads, take fish oil, do yoga or something...but skip the life-screwing chemicals. I WISH I had.

know_your_worth

I would just talk to your doctor about your concerns. If it's risky due to family history, there are always other alternatives. Good luck!

AdventureVia

Vasagel! I can't wait to get it approved in the USofA. Seriously, going to be a game changer.