Ladies! Birth Control Question!

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!)

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Totally Mirena.