What kind of birth control should i choose?

bagaydina
bagaydina Posts: 46
edited September 19 in Health and Weight Loss
I am calling all the women who is using birth control, i can't decide which one to use. I heard that any kind of pills affect your weight, and besides they can cause the stroke. Anyone has any ideas or information?

Does anyone think that IUD is the best method?
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Replies

  • molsongirl
    molsongirl Posts: 1,373 Member
    I am calling all the women who is using birth control, i can't decide which one to use. I heard that any kind of pills affect your weight, and besides they can cause the stroke. Anyone has any ideas or information?

    abstinence, take all that sexual energy and hit the gym..imagine the workout!! :laugh: :tongue: ..just kidding.
  • littleluvbug
    littleluvbug Posts: 137 Member
    I swear by Yasmin, not Yaz, Yasmin...it is low hormone and has minimal side affects. That's my two cents!
  • littleluvbug
    littleluvbug Posts: 137 Member
    I am calling all the women who is using birth control, i can't decide which one to use. I heard that any kind of pills affect your weight, and besides they can cause the stroke. Anyone has any ideas or information?

    abstinence, take all that sexual energy and hit the gym..imagine the workout!! :laugh: :tongue: ..just kidding.

    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    I adore mine... Levora (aka Levlen)
    it is a monophasic, meaning it has the same dose of hormone all month long.
    benefits:
    1. less mood swing/PMS symptoms
    2. less acne
    3. ability to decide to skip a period...just start taking a new pill pack on the day the "active" pills run out of the first pack. (heard of pills like seasonale? that's how they work)

    tri-phasic (three levels of hormone) can't offer these benefits to the same degree, and cannot be used to skip your period
  • bagaydina
    bagaydina Posts: 46
    do u think that birth control can cause any side effects such as stroke or aneurysm? I had a friend who had brain aneurysm she was using Nuva ring, i don't know if it's somehow related
  • tiff1632
    tiff1632 Posts: 52 Member
    I am calling all the women who is using birth control, i can't decide which one to use. I heard that any kind of pills affect your weight, and besides they can cause the stroke. Anyone has any ideas or information?

    abstinence, take all that sexual energy and hit the gym..imagine the workout!! :laugh: :tongue: ..just kidding.


    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

    I use Mirena (the IUD). :heart: IT!!! It's good for 5 years and don't have the weight gain or mood swings when I was on Tri-Sprintec. Since I am going to be in Pharmacy School the entire time... It worked for me. Tri-Cyclen Low is a great one to keep you feeling "normal". Oh FYI...generics are not all they are cracked up to be (read not REALLY the same as the name brand....but close enough). When it comes to birth control, just go for the good ones. Better quality less side effecfts! The Ring has a lot of side effects so does the patch...
  • molsongirl
    molsongirl Posts: 1,373 Member
    I am calling all the women who is using birth control, i can't decide which one to use. I heard that any kind of pills affect your weight, and besides they can cause the stroke. Anyone has any ideas or information?

    abstinence, take all that sexual energy and hit the gym..imagine the workout!! :laugh: :tongue: ..just kidding.


    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

    I use Mirena (the IUD). :heart: IT!!! It's good for 5 years and don't have the weight gain or mood swings when I was on Tri-Sprintec. Since I am going to be in Pharmacy School the entire time... It worked for me. Tri-Cyclen Low is a great one to keep you feeling "normal". Oh FYI...generics are not all they are cracked up to be (read not REALLY the same as the name brand....but close enough). When it comes to birth control, just go for the good ones. Better quality less side effecfts! The Ring has a lot of side effects so does the patch...

    funny you mentioned the patch, one of my clients and good friends was using the patch, she suffered a blood clot that killed her...be wary!
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    all hormones regardless of method of delivery (pill, patch, ring) carry a risk of stroke or blood clot. this risk is WAAAY higher if you smoke as well.

    I take a baby aspirin every day to "counter" this. not because I have to, but just in case....
  • twinsmama08
    twinsmama08 Posts: 1
    I have a really hard time with hormonal bc so we use VCF (vaginal contraceptive film). I think it's awesome! You can get it at walmart or probably any pharmacy.
  • Wynnie
    Wynnie Posts: 225 Member
    I used Depo Provera for 2 years (the shot) and then had switched to Seasonique, where you take pills for 3 months and then take a week off. Both were my choice becasue they keep you from menstruating.

    BUT......

    Right after I stopped using b/c, I got a serious DVT blood clot that nearly killed me! I also (although this is less significant than near death) gained 40 pounds while on Depo. This affect is rare, but it happens. I'm off b/c for good!
  • ildi007
    ildi007 Posts: 107
    How about the kind with a period every 3 months?
    :love:
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    How about the kind with a period every 3 months?
    :love:

    that's seasonale/seasonique

    you can do the same thing with any mono-phasic pill. just ask your doc for a pill with one same level of hormone all month long (one name brand is levlen, aka levora for generic). then when you get to the "inactive" (last week) of pills, toss 'em, and start a new pack. you may have a bit of spotting, but not like a regular period.
  • jdl249
    jdl249 Posts: 46
    I'm on the Depo Provera shot. I haven't gained weight with it, and my periods are lighter and NO CRAMPS!!!! :love:
  • cdh1234
    cdh1234 Posts: 5 Member
    I have treid 3 kinds myself.

    The patch does NOT stay stuck.

    The pill made me hormonal and a bit nuts !

    I have been on the Depo shot for about 5 years and have not had any troubles with it, and you only have to worry about birth control every 3 months instead of every day.
  • OliveBranch
    OliveBranch Posts: 104
    I'm on the IUD and It's starting to work well for me...
    spotting for the first few months, but my skin has cleared up dramatically, fewer mood swings.
    A bit rough at first, but I like it now!
    Keep asking questions and talking to your doctor!
    Good luck!
  • jess42
    jess42 Posts: 11 Member
    All of these have good feedback, now here's my two cents--

    I tried several kinds of hormonal birth control-- tri-phase, monophase, progesterone only, and the ring, and had similar results with all of them--crazy mood swings and depression.

    While there's anecdotal evidence all over the place and some research, doctors do not tend to take the complaint of mood effects seriously. I was told several times to "just stick with it and wait it out" after 6 months or a year. My doctors also suggested anti-depressants, claiming that the bc couldn't possibly be causing the problem and that I must have a genetic tendency towards depression that needed to be treated with yet more meds (also a disaster--yeesh). When I'd been off the meds for a year, I went into therapy and my counselor was surprised that I'd ever been diagnosed with depression or medicated.

    This doesn't by any means happen to everyone, but for every 3 women I know who do really well on bc, 1 has had the same experience as me. It's more common than suggested by doctors.

    SO, talk to your doc, find something that you think will work, give it a fair shot (yes, it does take a while to get used to)... but remember that you know your body and your mind. If you're experiencing crazy weight gain or mood swings, GET OFF IT! You're putting extra hormones in your body and messing with its natural balance. Your body may cope just fine with that... or not.

    And condoms work just fine, and if you work with your partner to find the right brand and size and activity to go along with them, the sex is just as good imho=)

    Good luck!
  • aeswan
    aeswan Posts: 66 Member
    I won't use hormone-based birth control anymore. It give me yeast infections and makes me gain weight. I had an IUD in between pregnancies, and I had very heavy periods with it, with lots of cramping. I highly recommend the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." If you're regular, it's pretty easy to figure out when you're fertile (i.e. ovulating), and you really only need to use bc during that short phase of each month, during which time condoms can be just fine. Good luck!
  • Lillybelle1889
    Lillybelle1889 Posts: 19 Member
    I have mirena and hate it. As soon as i have health insurance again it is gone. It has caused me problems from the beginning. I bleed for almost 7 months straight and had horrible cramping the entire time (which has not stopped). I get yeast infections constantly and I'm pretty sure I have been getting ovarian cysts (happened on the pill). For me though it seems anything with hormones does this to me. I just seem to have bad luck i guess.
    If it doesn't cause you these problems it would be great though. It is supposed to lighten periods and is good for 5 years. But for some people it causes big problems.
  • JJLM
    JJLM Posts: 48
    I use a cervical cap called a femcap. Its really easy to use, none hormonal, and doesn't bug my hubby too much. I don't use the hormones do to having 2 hormone related breast tumors already, one that was huge. I have had surgery on both breasts and am only 27. Anyways when I did use them I was a wee bit like a raving lunatic. LOL

    Good Luck on your choice!
  • magichatter06
    magichatter06 Posts: 3,593 Member
    I just use ortho tri cyclen lo

    I can tell that TOM is a little bit lighter...lol I like to know when it will come instead of SURPRISE!
  • blink14
    blink14 Posts: 57 Member
    I also use ortho tri cyclen lo - mainly for skin problems, but I've liked it thus far, used that one for almost a year. I haven't noticed any significant weight gain from it.
  • mommyto2cuties
    mommyto2cuties Posts: 82 Member
    I won't use hormone-based birth control anymore. It give me yeast infections and makes me gain weight. I had an IUD in between pregnancies, and I had very heavy periods with it, with lots of cramping. I highly recommend the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." If you're regular, it's pretty easy to figure out when you're fertile (i.e. ovulating), and you really only need to use bc during that short phase of each month, during which time condoms can be just fine. Good luck!

    What kind of IUD did you use? I am considering one and heard that the Mirena is good, but at the moment I am just paying attention to my cycle and using condoms. Makes me nervous though because my cycles can be irregular.
  • stratdl
    stratdl Posts: 303 Member
    I used Depo Provera for 2 years (the shot) and then had switched to Seasonique, where you take pills for 3 months and then take a week off. Both were my choice becasue they keep you from menstruating.

    BUT......

    Right after I stopped using b/c, I got a serious DVT blood clot that nearly killed me! I also (although this is less significant than near death) gained 40 pounds while on Depo. This affect is rare, but it happens. I'm off b/c for good!

    Luckily for me, I didn't get anything like a DVT--BUT I DID gain weight on Depo (and AFTER Depo :grumble: ). I would also be completely wiped out for 2 weeks after each shot! Not really my cup of tea! I do believe that there have been studies that show (at least anecdotally) that women have been known to gain weight due to taking Depo--it could be due to the hormones, etc., that can mess with your metabolism.

    I'm now on a monophasic pill (like Lucky) called Apri (the generic form of Desogen). I think it's pretty good. I LOVE the fact that I can skip periods if I want to do so with this one. And, while I wanted the shot because I always forgot to take my pill, I have learned in the last 9 years (my Goodness, has it been that long?) how to do it daily.

    All that being said, nobody can make this choice for you BUT you. You really need to have a long heart to heart with your doc and explain what you want in BC. Hopefully, your doctor is really good and can give you good advice to help make up your mind. Keep in mind that some forms of birth control (I'm thinking it's the patch, but I can't be sure) may depend on your weight being low to be effective!!! :noway:

    I hope that things work out for you! :flowerforyou:
  • molsongirl
    molsongirl Posts: 1,373 Member
    We used the rhythm method....we're roman catholic, but we have 8 kids...so i'm not too sure it's working for us :laugh:
  • 5KNohno
    5KNohno Posts: 503
    NOT DEPO! My sister and I both had HORRIBLE experiences with it and there are websites with thousands of people with extremely negative side effects. If you are considering it, make sure you do a lot of research.

    Here are a few common side effects:
    *70% of women using Depo Provera gain weight. Almost half of the women using Depo Provera gain more than 5 pounds after one year of use. Many women gain more than 10 pounds.
    *Possible sterility with long term use.
    *Headaches, nervousness, mood changes, paranoia, bloating, hot flashes, insomnia, decreased interest in sex (My sister used to tease that it is effective because it makes you hate men and you can't stand them to be anywhere near you!), breast tenderness, acne, hair loss, loss of bone density, and back aches.
    *Even after discontinuing Depo Provera, it can take several months or even years for all the side effects to go away.

    I realize that there are some women who get DP shots and love this method, but after what we went through I promised that I would warn any woman who was considering it, so at least she would know the possibility of what she was getting herself into. Each woman is different though, so I hope you find what works for you. :smile:
  • BrandiiNicolee
    BrandiiNicolee Posts: 8
    I was on that. worked great. No side effects spotting or anything.

    I am on Depo now (NEVER GET DEPO) & will switch back once it runs out.
  • timetoembrace
    timetoembrace Posts: 77
    I swear by Yasmin, not Yaz, Yasmin...it is low hormone and has minimal side affects. That's my two cents!

    I love Yazmin. I have been on it since Jan and I think it helped in my weight loss. So far I am down 51lbs. I was on Yazmin once before and I lost weight while on it then. I think its because it helps control crazings...maybe?

    I think the best thing is to find what works well with your body.

    Ang
  • foxyforce
    foxyforce Posts: 3,078 Member
    I am calling all the women who is using birth control, i can't decide which one to use. I heard that any kind of pills affect your weight, and besides they can cause the stroke. Anyone has any ideas or information?

    Does anyone think that IUD is the best method?

    if you ever plan on having kids, i would not use the iud. i have been blessed with very good doctors who acctually reject methods that i have wanted to try. i was on depo provera for like 3 and a 1/2 years and they cut me off when it was found that it can lead to osteoporosis. i got a second opinion, and that person rejected me too! to this day, i still hear people say 'i'm on depo!'...and while i am jealous, i am thankful that at least my docs said no.

    she said no to the iud as well, and said she would only recommend it to those who are choosing not to have kids anymore.
  • foxyforce
    foxyforce Posts: 3,078 Member
    NOT DEPO! My sister and I both had HORRIBLE experiences with it and there are websites with thousands of people with extremely negative side effects. If you are considering it, make sure you do a lot of research.

    Here are a few common side effects:
    *70% of women using Depo Provera gain weight. Almost half of the women using Depo Provera gain more than 5 pounds after one year of use. Many women gain more than 10 pounds.
    *Possible sterility with long term use.
    *Headaches, nervousness, mood changes, paranoia, bloating, hot flashes, insomnia, decreased interest in sex (My sister used to tease that it is effective because it makes you hate men and you can't stand them to be anywhere near you!), breast tenderness, acne, hair loss, loss of bone density, and back aches.
    *Even after discontinuing Depo Provera, it can take several months or even years for all the side effects to go away.

    I realize that there are some women who get DP shots and love this method, but after what we went through I promised that I would warn any woman who was considering it, so at least she would know the possibility of what she was getting herself into. Each woman is different though, so I hope you find what works for you. :smile:

    i totally gained weight from depo too! and i have issues with my bones, but i am not sure if that is a result of depo or not. a shot every three months though..they were on to something good lol!
  • ktthegr8
    ktthegr8 Posts: 479
    I have an IUD(paragard) and I love it! A friend of mine had one of the first IUDs available and had it removed to get pregnant again and conceived the next month. I think we're done for now but don't want to do anything drastic until we're sure. So the IUD was a perfect option for me. I hated the depo and pills make me crazy(er)!
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