Ladies, I need advice on birth control

24

Replies

  • simplycorey
    simplycorey Posts: 721 Member
    Any type of hormonal bc makes me crazy and gain weight. I have had the non-hormonal Paragard IUD for 2 years now without any issues.
  • mrslcoop
    mrslcoop Posts: 317 Member
    Honestly, every woman will react to different types of BC differently, but here is my experience with Yasmin. I was on Yasmin for 9 years. It’s a diuretic so while on it I never gained much weight until my diet got out of control. In fact when I first started it I was a freshmen in college and I actually lost weight rather than gaining that elusive “freshmen 15.”

    Fast forward 8.5 years and I decided as a woman married for a couple of years it was time to get the F off of BC. The thought of putting hormones into my body became less and less appealing. What kind of damage was I doing? So I quit. It took me nearly 6 months to take myself off them (I had cold turkey’d in the past and it didn’t go well so I stepped down even though that’s not considered necessary).

    The side effects of quitting have been horrendous. And I just want to warn you. Two of the worst things are hair loss (it’s been 6 months and it’s still falling out. And honestly, I’m starting to get depressed about it even though no one notices, but me) and the weight gain. I gained 10 lbs despite the fact that I eat 1000% better now than I did when I started BC. It’s all water hanging out in my stomach…. The acne and brittle nails have been also annoying, but not as horrible side effects of quitting.

    I do however feel like myself again and I would take the hair loss and weight gain any day if that means I’m happier, more patient, and more attracted to my husband again (it does destroy your drive for those out there wondering).
  • redbev306
    redbev306 Posts: 62
    just get married. they put something in the cake that makes you never want to have sex again. problem solved.

    lol
  • spatulathumbs
    spatulathumbs Posts: 125 Member
    For me, the copper IUD, Paragard, was the best choice. No hormones at all, and I don't even have to think about it. :)

    Insertion was not painful at all, just a bit uncomfortable, but then it was done. First period was a bit heavier than before, but since then it's been about the same. And there's no hormonal effects so that's really nice.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I am looking for a birth control that will not give me crazy mood swings and most importantly one that will not make me gain weight or make it impossible to keep losing weight. So I am asking for your experiences with different types. Right now I am looking into the Nexplanon arm implant or the smaller Skyla IUD, but I am open to anything else. Thanks in advance!
    Different BC will work differently for different people.

    I had an awful time with Mirena, but I know plenty of women who love it. I had no problems with the pill for 11 years, but I know women who can't take the pill I took or who can't take the pill at all.

    Talk to your doctor and try different things until you find something that works.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    I use Nuvaring. No mood swings or PMS, and I get to skip a period if I want!

    This^^^
    I have used Nuvaring for 7 years and recommend it!

    NuvaRing. It's awesome. Unless you're allergic to latex....
  • tavenne323
    tavenne323 Posts: 332 Member
    I've been on the pill for about 4 years. I've gained weight and I've lost weight, so I don't think it has anything to do with it. It has definitely kept me more "stable"...I was never unstable, but the hormonal ups and downs have gone away. Sex drive is a little lower, but not significantly. I do the periods every three months. Not much cramping, much lighter periods. It sucks to have to remember to take it everyday, especially when travelling....but I've done it. I'll probably never go off it until I'm ready for a child (if ever).
  • babyj0
    babyj0 Posts: 531 Member
    I've never had any problems with weight while taking birth control. But I've had some crazy mood swings! :sad:
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    Different ladies react different to different meds!

    I only say this because you will get a lot of responses about what certain ones did for them, but you may not have the same experience. In fact, yours may be opposite of what you read from others.

    I personally can't use ANY birth control that has hormones in it because they ALL made me bipolar (not clinically diagnosed, but the mood swings were from hell and like the flip of a switch!) and caused other issues for me like migraines, etc. I considered the copper coil, but that one has issues all of it's own that I didn't want to deal with.

    You'll probably just have to try one and see...if it sucks, go back to the OB and change it to another. It sucks, but you can't take one woman's experience and think that you will have the same. I wish we could though!

    This - I would be okay on one for a few months and then it would start to go downhill, so I'd have to switch. The last one I had was the Mirena iud...probaly the worst for me (MAJOR scary reactions including a complete stall weight-wise), but it's working really well for my best friend. (I am officially hormone free now, sane, and losing weight steadily. Yay for the Big V!! lol) You'll just have to try and see which one is going to be best for you. Best of luck!
  • chelseascounter
    chelseascounter Posts: 1,283 Member
    I was on depo(the shot) and didn't gain any weight. I was the same weight for 3 years, until I stopped taking the shot!
  • hidbee
    hidbee Posts: 52 Member
    I have been on Lo Lo Estrin FE for about a year and a half. It has been AMAZING. Super low dose of hormones, great skin and NO WEIGHT GAIN. This has been the only pill I've taken where losing weight has been a challenge. I highly recommend.
  • loriwhitefaith
    loriwhitefaith Posts: 116 Member
    hormone free copper iud PARAGUARD LASTS 10 YEARS- I used mine for eight years without a single problem. I had it removed by my choice in November last year and had my tubes tied in January of this year.

    I have tried many other options but I liked this one best for me. We all know our bodies are different and certain things work for some, and some things do not work for others. I can also say I tried the Mirena and it failed 3 times on me. For this you will have to find what works best for you and you only. I don't mind saying what worked for me and my body though.

    Im just saying it may not work for you.......but it worked perfectly for me

    I highly recommend this one over the five year iud because this one is hormone free
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I use Nuvaring. No mood swings or PMS, and I get to skip a period if I want!

    This^^^
    I have used Nuvaring for 7 years and recommend it!

    NuvaRing. It's awesome. Unless you're allergic to latex....
    I have a friend who had an AWFUL time with that.

    Like I said, you can't choose BC based on what worked for someone else.
  • kyleekay10
    kyleekay10 Posts: 1,812 Member
    just get married. they put something in the cake that makes you never want to have sex again. problem solved.

    lol

    :laugh:

    You win the internet for today.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    I have PCOS and the hormonal symptoms were horrible before I started my current BC. I had terrible cystic acne, had gained lots of weight after giving birth and was an all around mess.

    My doctor diagnosed me with PCOS and started me on Tri-Nessa (pill), saying it would help regulate my hormones again. Within the first month, my skin was more clear than I had seen it since middle school . I started dieting and lost a fair amount of weight. The only issues I have had have been stress-related (messing up hormones and causing spotting) or boyfriend related (gained back some weight from dating and lots of sweets we've made).

    I highly recommend.

    I would never do and IUD. My best friend just had one put in and had to take 3 days off work because of pain. She has never been pregnant so the doctor advised against it and it took over an hour for her to try to get it in. The doctor almost gave up. LOL. She was hurting for a few days and has been on her period for 6 weeks now.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    I use Nuvaring. No mood swings or PMS, and I get to skip a period if I want!

    This^^^
    I have used Nuvaring for 7 years and recommend it!

    NuvaRing. It's awesome. Unless you're allergic to latex....
    I have a friend who had an AWFUL time with that.

    Like I said, you can't choose BC based on what worked for someone else.

    But you can get recommendations on what to try... There's no way to know if you don't try.
  • ElyseL1
    ElyseL1 Posts: 504 Member
    you have to go see a dr. I have literally been on five different types of birth control in my life, I'm a difficult case bc my body has always been sensitive to hormone changing meds. it may take a year to find a pill that will work for you.
  • ChublessBunny
    ChublessBunny Posts: 10 Member
    I use a copper IUD like others here -- aside from the fact that my cramps and flow are a little worse some months, it's perfect....I've had it for five years. I almost died from blood clots in my early twenties from the pill, so no hormones for me!
  • Erica0718
    Erica0718 Posts: 469 Member
    Never want kids so I got a tubal ligation best thing I ever did, after being on horomonal bc for 10 yrs .
  • UNLESS19
    UNLESS19 Posts: 118
    hi there :)
    Everyone reacts differently with birth control methods- although i know a few people with the implant where although it's great it makes you gain weight! so warning for you there
    I used to use microgynon 30 and where i was fine on it (though i can't say about mood problems as i had them before the pill) my friend became really aggressive and went to her dr, explained, tried a new type and was fine- so don't forget that you can shop around :)
    I'm now on rigevidon (apparently micro is too expensive for the NHS now haha so they're giving this cheaper version, which did throw me about a little to begin with but you need a week-a month to adjust and get used to them) i say i'm fine on it but it doesn't really help my cramps or anything really
    I also try not to skip a break/period as i have a period from hell if i do! (may not happen to you but i'm just saying haha)
    Hope this helps and you can always talk to your dr about it :)
    I've been on the pill for 2 years now and i don't think it made me gain weight but i am loosing now :)
    good luck!!
  • fhargis0002
    fhargis0002 Posts: 113 Member
    i have the mirena, and have for 3 years. I want to remove it only because the long term affects of any bc are not good. My husband is going to get fixed lol. I gained a lot of weight while one it, but I also quit smoking and replaced the habit with food. In the last yr I have been able to loose 55 lbs with the implant still intact. So I believe the Mirena is a good option and if you gain any weight you may need to work on your diet, but i dont think the mirena caused my weight gain.
  • Howdoyoufeeltoday
    Howdoyoufeeltoday Posts: 481 Member
    I've been on Yasmine for about 7 years now and Ive had no problems.I know lots of ppl don't like it and say it causes a whole bunch of clots and stuff but ive never had an issue. I didn't gain weight on it either. but lots of ppl don't like taking the pill everyday. The side affects to any pill or iud will be different with every person. you wont know how it affects you till you take it. Good luck!
  • liesevanlingen
    liesevanlingen Posts: 508 Member
    I was on several different types of pill--it took my doctor a little while to find one that worked for me. A couple of types gave me really bad mood swings (crying one minute, laughing next, screeching in outrage the third--it was scary!) but we eventually found one that worked and I had no problems whatsoever. AND I got pregnant right away after I went off birth control, with no problems. So don't be scared if you do have negative reactions to one type--it just means it's not a good fit for your personal body chemistry. There are so many types out there that you should be able to find one that works for you if you don't want one of the other options.

    Good luck!
  • supahstar71
    supahstar71 Posts: 926 Member
    I have the mirena IUD and have not had any problems with weight gain or mood swings...

    Yep. No weight gain + no mood swings + no periods + no having to remember to take anything + lasts 5 years = PURE WIN
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I use Nuvaring. No mood swings or PMS, and I get to skip a period if I want!

    This^^^
    I have used Nuvaring for 7 years and recommend it!

    NuvaRing. It's awesome. Unless you're allergic to latex....
    I have a friend who had an AWFUL time with that.

    Like I said, you can't choose BC based on what worked for someone else.

    But you can get recommendations on what to try... There's no way to know if you don't try.
    True. But that's more a conversation that should be had with the doctor who knows all about your medical history and the ins and outs of different forms of BC than randomly online.

    When I was having trouble with the pill the last two years on it, I had a very in-depth conversation with my gyno. And when Mirena was screwing with me, I talked to her about getting the tubes done.

    I see people on here push the copper IUD all the time. If you have a heavy flow, you can't get that, but someone who never had a heavy flow is probably unaware of that and doesn't know if the OP has a heavy flow or any other issues.

    The OP wants a BC that won't mess with her moods. Well, the pill never messed with MINE, but it does mess with others. Is she at risk for blood clots? What other meds is she on? Is she in a long-term, monogamous relationship? That was a prerequisite for me to get Mirena because it increases the chances of contracting an STD if you're exposed.

    There are a million variables.
  • DashDeV
    DashDeV Posts: 545 Member
    In the bum no babies
  • Taterpoof
    Taterpoof Posts: 416 Member
    I've been on the depo shot a little over a year. I didn't gain any weight, but I did notice my appetite increase. I haven't had my period since I started on it so I am in love with it. However, from what I've heard the majority of girls get bad side effects.
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    I have implanon (nexplanon) and I could not be happier with it.

    I have had it for a year now, I have not gained weight at any different rate than when I was on pills.

    I have had a total of about 3 days in the last year total when I had anything resembling a period. They're unpredictable but very very short and symptom-free (no pms/bloat/other signs of a "normal" period)

    There's nothing to remember or mess up.

    Planned Parenthood gave it to me for free.

    I have no cons to report at all. When the 3 yrs are up, I will most likely get another one.
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    watch out with the arm implant. I had wanted to get that too, but once I researched it I found that pieces could break off in your arm and need to be surgically removed. the idea that something keeping me from being fertile could get lost in my body was more risk than I was willing to take. I am on seasonique which is delightful bc I don't have to had a period every month.

    no way this could happen.

    it's like a rubbery matchstick. You can feel it under the skin. It's very flexible and soft, I can bend it and move it around, and there's nowhere for it to get lost.
  • Cliffslosinit
    Cliffslosinit Posts: 5,044 Member
    Get a girlfriend!:tongue:

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