Poll on Birth Control - Get Personal Ladies. Lol

I found out when I was trying to get pregnant-that I am extremely fertile, so I needed something that worked- and that is Mirena for me. I have been told that my uterus is a bit tilted and I think this is why the insertion was painful for me, the girl at work said it didn't bother her at all (can I hit her please) no just kidding hehehe- actually I hope that it won't bother any other gals out there if they decide on it.

Hey zoomomma - I was on orthotricyclen lo for years, and then started having a LOT of bleeding and issues, and I had totally lost my sex drive. Major bummer. So, I told my husband that I was done with the pill, and we went back to condoms. My hubby was not all that excited about it, in fact he is still not that excited about it....BUT, my sex drive came back with a vengeance, so he IS excited about that!
It is kind of a pain, especially when for 7 years we didn't have to "stop" in the middle of foreplay, but for me....totally worth it!
L.

I used condoms from age 13 to 17
The pill (Alesse) from age 17 to 27
A brief foray into the Nuvaring for about three months, also tried spermicidal lubricant
Got pregnant with my son at 27
Then condoms again for about a year
Now my husband has had a vasectomy

When I was on the pill I had to up my depression meds but it was otherwise okay. Nuvaring gave me horrible yeast infections. (Awesome!) I discovered I'm allergic to spermicides. (Ouch.) Condoms, I've NEVER had good luck with condoms. Now that I've had my husband fixed things life is grand. :)

I use the fertility awareness method which is basically temping with a basal body thermometer and checking cervical mucus and sometimes cervical position. I tried a ton of different pills and also the patch and nuvaring before going this route. I just don't do well with those added hormones. Get yourself of copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler and read it---it really changed the way I thought about my body and how it all works. I am not a crunchy mom by any means, but every woman should read that book. The method is very reliable once you chart for awhile. Best of luck. Oh and--I am obviously not suggesting this method for anyone that is not in a committed adult relationship--it prevents pregnancy, but not STD's!

hi
well charting once you have done it for awhile is pretty reliable, not too mention, it allows a woman to really understand her cycle not just when you have a period. but that which is taking place when you are not..
there are many free charts online in which to use.
best of luck

I find it interesting that in an age where we mamas go through so much effort to eliminate pathogens, toxins, hormones in food, etc, we are more than ever before pumping our bodies full of hormones in order to achieve our ideal family structure/size/spacing. Please don't overlook or underestimate the power of your built in birth control system--your body's cycle and fertility signs.

I have been with my husband for 9 years and we have used Natural Family Planning for the last 6 years. In that time, our only pregnancies have both been planned, but we still have a very full and active sex life. He knows where I am in my cycle at all times (helps to get some extra support when I'm PMSing ;)) and it really helps add some extra excitement and anticipation when we resume having sex after our abstinence periods.

A second vote for the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility"! It's easy to follow. When you learn your body's cycles you know when to have sex and when not to.
We have used this method to both achieve and prevent pregnancy.

I love the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)!! Looks like it's been mentioned a couple times already. I chart my basal body temp (on my blackberry!) each day & when I can tell I'm in my most fertile time of my cycle we use condoms for BC, otherwise we use nothing the rest of the month. Easy! I used the pill for years, & then we used FAM to help us conceive. After having my son I tried the minipill & it was horrible, so I've said goodbye to hormonal BC methods. FAM is easy once you get the hang of it, quick, & doesn't mess with your body. Definitely read Taking Charge of You Fertility by Toni Wechsler...EVERY woman should read that to really understand her body! For free online charting I love FertilityFriend.com. HTH! Good luck making the right choice for you!! :o)

LOVE LOVE LOVE my copper IUD (Paraguard). I'm nearly on year 8 with it. 2 more years to go before it's time to change it out.

What I love about it:

- Don't have to think about it
- It's more effective than a tubal
- No hormones, or hormone related side effects
- It's effective the same day as insertion, and isn't effected by antibiotics or other meds. AKA... 24/7 no matter what
- It doesn't give me cancer (I'm prone to cervical cancer, which is most frequently triggered by pregnancy hormones... so I can NEVER use hormone BC)
- I had 3 crampy periods, and that was it. No other side effects. And those 3 periods were nearly 8 years ago.
- In the VERY unlikely even that I got pregnant (nearly never happens... remember the failure rate is better than getting a tubal ligation) it doesn't harm the fetus

(Paraguard Copper IUD is very very different from the Mirena which is hormonal).

R

OK, I think I have a unique one for you. When I was using my ovulation predictor trying to get pregnant, I suddenly came to the realization that it would be a GREAT form of non-hormonal birth control. I have the Maybemom saliva ovulation tester. It's SO easy. You just lick the slide every morning and look through a little tube when it dries. Based on what you see and what time of the month it is, you will know whether it is safe to have sex or not. Of course, you will have to use this almost every day, but it's super cheap and very easy and NO HORMONES!

Depo provera shot. I just make a trip to my GYN's office within the 2 week period (they give me the dates I'm due and I stick it on my computer screen)once every three months. I only see the nurse so I don't even have to do a co-pay! I only have a slight spotting period maybe once every 3 to 4 months. And as far as I can tell, I don't have the hormonal rush each month. LOVE IT!

I have Mirena right now. got it while I was BFing. I am skeptical about the hormones though... I think it is supposed to be a super low dose, but I am all full of mood issues now and don't know if it's just post-partum or Mirena or something else all-together.

When I was single I used Depo and loved it. never had a problem, although after we got married, we had trouble getting prego and don't know if that was related.

I am wife of 7 yrs and mom of 2 girls, 30months and 14 months.

P.S. my girlfriend used a copper IUD, but got prego with it anyway.

I use to use the patch and loved it, I didnt have to remember to take anything.
My best friend has a IUD Mirana, she loves it, no period and prevents pregnancy.

I got tired of pills too! Started using the Nuvaring and loved it. Then decided to get Mirena just because you don't have to change it out etc. - I have had it about 3 months now and have had no problems - so I think I love it too. If you are planning on getting pregnant in the near future I would probably try the Nuvaring because you can take it out - if you know your not wanting any babies for a long while then you may want to try the Mirena! Hope this helps!

i am on ortho tri cyclen lo, to control endometriosis. my periods are light and last 3 days (YAYYY), but there is that ONE week before getting the period that it's jekyll and hyde thing. i hate it. hormones flying all over. but i used another before this one and that made me gain weight and was bad on my skin. ortho is great for skin, no weight gain but very pre-period week

I posted to your other questions and told you how much I hated the NuvaRing, though I know it works well for some women. My tubes are tied now (I was using the NuvaRing to balance out my hormones because of migraines). Before getting my tubes tied, I used a copper IUD and loved it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hi I'm late on this. But since you said you posted about BC pills before are you wanting to get off of it because it's hard to remember each day or the hormones are an issue? I take progesterin BC pills. This is BC pills with no hormones. The diff between these and hormones is that your period lasts a day or two longer than when you were on regular pills. I was on the pill since 21 years and switched to the Nuvaring when it came out which I loved for convenience. But it turned out I have a blod clot disorder and can not use BC with hormones and my doc switched me to progesterin. I had asked her since the pill can be non hormonal why make them with hormones. BC pills w/ hormones help women with pms, painful periods and other conditions deemed uncomfortable. The non hormonal just prevents prgnancy no side benefits. Condoms were not going to do it for me and hubby and I wanted the protection I always had from the pill.

I'm about ready to throw my birth control pills out the window, too! I have had break through bleeding, etc., and I am an emotional mess, too. I am on Loestrin 24 FE. What are you on?
My doc wants me to try an IUD.

I use the copper IUD.. I HATE what hormones do to me.. I've used a few different types and I haven not found one that I liked.. make me feel weird.. so I decided to try the copper IUD and I absolutely love it.. I love not being affected by the hormones.. The negs for me have been: it was a little painful (like really bad cramps) putting it in, the first few days I had cramps and spotting.. I spot during ovulation and my period can be a little longer than normal.. The pos is I'm not affected by hormones so I actually feel like having sex with my husband (something that usually didn't happen on hormonal bc) my mood is much more even and like not having to remember to take a pill everday, or get a shot every 3 months or change my ring once a month..

There is the Today sponge (it's back) I tried that as well but I don't like having to stop what you're doing to go and run to put in it (it takes awhile if you're not too practiced at it). It was kinda the same thing with condoms and didn't like the feeling of them.

Anyways good luck.. I hope you figure something out that works well for you.

I am now 27 and have been on bc since I was 14 due to the irregular periods and heavy cramping. I have tried a number of pills throughout the years along with depo Vera, mirena iud. I had to have the iud removed after about a year because it had moved outta place. I had the implanon put in a little over 2 years ago and I love it!!! My periods Are still irregular but I don't have to worry about getting pregnant. I am almost ready for another baby ( mine is 6) I just have to talk my husband into it. Hope this helps and good luck !!

I use the shot. It lasts for three months and I don't have a period. Its been 4 years now. Its great. I don't know how the hormone thing would work though.

Ooo ooo! The Nuvaring for sure! I've been on it for seven years, no unexpected suprises, and the lightest periods ever! It's a ring, a little bigger around than a rubberband, and a little bit wider. You insert it yourself-you have to feel comfortable enough to do this, but it's no more invasive than wearing a tampon-and remove it every three or four weeks for one week, which triggers a period. I don't feel the ring, nor does my DH (sorry to get personal, but you asked!!) Wearing it three weeks is standard, but my NP said you can safely-and effectively-wear it for four, thus only having a period once every four weeks. I've been doing this for years. My periods only last three days, and I can somewhat plan them, like if there is an event coming up, I'll take the ring out after week three, instead of four or vice versa. It's wonderful to only have to worry about it once a month, and I feel its the safest. IUD's can cause scar tissue which can make it difficult to get pregnant in the future, Depo and the Patch can wreck havoc on your body. Some articles have even said that the Patch is dangerous. I haven't heard of ANY horror stories from the Nuvaring. Give it a try!

I used a diaphram for a while - I do NOT recommend that. It's messy and a pain. I have a copper IUD. I LOVE it. I never have to think about birth control, I had almost zero pain upon insertion (it was done about 8 weeks postpartum, so it was easier). My periods are very heavy for the first two days of the cycle, but I have no problems at all with cramping. After two days, it's about two days of a light period and then two days of spotting. My periods were never super regular until recently, so I don't know if that's a lot or a little, but for the no-hormone safe and removable birth control (we do hope to have more kids someday), I'll deal with it. Good luck with your decision.

Well...it's going to depend on how reliable you want it to be. Would you be really upset/have your life turned upside down if you got pregnant at this point? Many options, like condoms or sponge or spermicides have a pretty decent rate, but I think the practical rate, not the ideal use rate, is somewhere around 85%. Personally, I use the the pill and condoms, but I'm not married, and have absolutely no desire to have another child right now. I like to be really, really sure! I've never tried to the IUD, but it seems people either love them or hate them. Talk ot your doctor, or if your doctor isn't willing to discuss all of your options, find another doctor! Good luck to you!

FIRST: I won't EVER EVER get the Copper IUD. my dr in Benton didn't recommend it. HOWEVER the MIRENA IUD which is plastic is great thats what i have now i love having no periods. the copper seems to be fading out it seems anyway with the issues my dr was pointing out so many people havewith it.. lots of bleeding etc. there's an extreme tiny amt of hormonein the mirena but barely anything. i refuse to ever use bc pills again. i was on them at one time and I truly believe they caused my inability to get pg.. or more exact stopped my ovulation thus needing med to conceive my 2nd child. my mom had the same issue many yrs ago ironically ..with the pill. Good Luck on whatever you decide. mirena is 5yr and the copper is 10yr but both can come out at anytime at least i know the mirena can if you decide in 2yrs you want a baby rather then waiting 5yrs or so on.. and you can have it replaced after that 5yrs is up no problem ;).

I have a Mirena.
I got pregnant on the pill (my fault, I didn't take it perfectly) after using it for 10+ years successfully - I guess I just got sloppy.
Neither my marriage nor our finances would survive another baby right now, so it needed something reliable (99% +), that I didn't have to remember every day and it could not interfere with BF my daughter.
My husband has been talking about getting a Vasectomy, but he's a bit squeamish and I am not ready to make it final yet, so I am not pushing.

That narrowed it down to Mirena or Paraguard. I was skeptic about Mirena because of the possible side effects, but the Paraguard is not quite a effective and you're basically guaranteed heavy periods (very common side effect).
I took a chance and chose Mirena and I am very happy with it (2+years now). The hormonal dose is very small and I have none of the side effects the pill used to give me.
Good luck!

We use condoms because birth control makes me gain weight and right now I am really working on getting to a healthy weight. We're planning to start trying for another baby in another year so I didn't want the hassles of going on and off pills, plus I'm BF so that got in the way....
Good luck:)

Hi There
I was on the pill for about seven years before deciding to try for a baby. Then we used condoms between our first and second child with no problems. We have used condoms since my second child was born (he's now four years old) and they have worked for us. I didn't want to go back on the pill because of the risk of thrombosis and other health concerns due a family history of heart/circulatory health problems. We have found condoms to be 100% reliable and we got used to using them really quite quickly.

I use an IUD (the Mirena) going on 4 years now. Not too many issues, and no period. I like it, but won't get another one after this one's time is up. We're done having kids, so Hubby is getting "fixed" in a couple months.