My friend just got pregnant on the Nuvaring.

I was on ortho tri-cyclin, but it still gave me cramps and I still had those cramps at the two week mark like I had when I was ovulating. It freaked me out. Now I'm on Yaz and I like it so far. I have almost no cramps (I use to throw up from the pain) and I just feel better all over.

I think it just depends on the person and the case. Like you, I have PCOS too and there is a hx of fibroid tumors in my family. All of my mom's sisters (2) had a hysterectomy (?) by the time they were 35 due to the fibroid tumors. It just depends on the case. I understand the thinking out loud, I just thought I'd throw in an answer. (sorry)

I have a friend who got pregnant on the birth control patch a couple years ago. I know they did research and found out the patch had a higher rate of unplanned pregnancy, but I'm kind of surprised they didn't revamp it and rerelease it. I used to see commercials for the patch all the time on TV and it's been a long, long time before I've seen anything like that.

She needs to find another doctor, then.

No kidding. A more progressive one, maybe.

Women don't talk about their OB/GYNs the same way they'll share info about a primary care physician or a pediatrician. It's kind of a shame when you think about it.

When I first moved here, I saw a doctor who had been recommended by a friend. During my first appointment, I indicated that I would need to schedule an exam soon in order to refill my bc pill prescription. The doctor (a woman) said, "I don't prescribe birth control pills." I thought she would follow up with another suggestion for pregnancy prevention, but she didn't. So, after a long pause and a blank stare I said, "Oh? Why not?"

"Because God, not science, should dictate when a pregnancy should or shouldn't happen."

That was the last time I ever saw that doctor. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a professional lets his/her own religious beliefs interfere with performing the services they are paid to perform.

Ever since then, I have been extremely open when someone asks for suggestions regarding area doctors. She was nice, and she was probably very good at what she does, but I draw the line at her holding ME to HER religious beliefs.

Holy smokes.

When I was initially looking for an OB/GYN and I was calling around, I accidentally called a conservative Catholic-run practice. But luckily one of the first things the receptionist told me over the phone was "We don't prescribe birth control pills or do abortions." Which I appreciated. Hey, why waste your time and mine?

Most of my friends have had no problem recommending OB/GYNs to me, and I'll recommend mine in a heartbeat. I think unless a doctor does something completely egregious (see above), most women will stick with a doctor for years, especially considering you ideally see them once a year.

SydneyK, wow... just wow. She should have told you that up front, so that you wouldn't waste your time.

My parents are retired doctors, and they are vehemently pro-life. Not only would they not participate in abortions, they would not participate in permanent sterilization surgery either. (They'd probably strangle me if they knew I was using birth control. Still, I've been married for nearly ten years and haven't had a baby - they must suspect.) In their cases, it wasn't an issue, because there were plenty of doctors on staff who would do these procedures (big city hospitals).

But I feel sorry for those women who live in parts of the world where they can't get an abortion, can't get a tubal, can't even get the pill, because of religious factors - especially if those factors come from a religion they don't even follow.

I'm not currently in a committed relationship, so I'm not taking Nuvaring for birth control. I take it so I can leave my house and have a normal life. I was planing to go off of it this year to have kids, but that is not going to happen. I kind of don't know what I'll do when I plan to get pregnant because I will likely have some miserable months.

I just switched mine but I can't remember the name of it! The old one had an easier name (Levlen). It's basically the same thing, both from Planned Parenthood. I'm getting tired of taking a pill every day, but I'm really grateful for their services and not planning on having a baby anytime soon soooo I'll keep at it.

I was glad to get of a tri cyclic pill. Talk about mood swings from hell! OMG I was a psycho bitch!


Oh honey! I will recommend my OB and/or Reproductive Endicrinologist in a New York minute! :)

I was on the birth control pill for about 20 years (with a few breaks in between). I got pregnant about 15 months after stopping BC. Sadly, it ended in a miscarriage :(

After my miscarriage and D&C, we used condoms. I was SO NOT trying to go back on the pill (being over 35 and all). Since I had to have a D&C, they want you to wait a couple of cycles before thinking about trying again

We tossed the condoms 18 months ago

She has decided to go to her oncologist to get a referral for the surgery. Given her breast cancer history, she thinks he will be more progressive.

Geez, I would hope so. That's terrible.

Me too! I tried it for two months, and that was the worst time of my life.

I'm on it, and it defiantly has ... calmed... me, HAHA. my emotions went from none for 3 weeks and then CRAZY dramatic for a week. To basically, calm sailing, reasonable emotion all 4 weeks of the month, I'm into my 4th month now.

I hope that works out for her. I'll keep her in my thoughts. :)

I feel the same way. I don't plan on having this issue for a long time but, when I do, BC sounds like a good option but that voice at the end of the commercials that rambles off all the side effects scares me. I know that all pills have side effects but women can develop so many things when their hormones are off balance, from minor to life-threatening. Adding extra hormones into my body just sounds like bad news. It really scares me! Looking through this thread has helped a tad to see so many women who have found what works for them, but there are some horror stories in here, too (thanks a lot guys). ;)

A lot of it has to do with your chemistry and your overall health. Be an informed consumer and talk with your doctor, and know your body, most importantly. Are you trying to control cramping, blood flow, regulate your cycle or just want to prevent babies? I'm still scared to try Seasonale but I really love the idea of four periods a year. I started on BC at 16 to control dysmenorreha (sp?), or very painful cramps. I stopped taking it in college because my schedule was all over the place and I couldn't remember to take it every day. One baby later, lol, I went back on the patch for a bit, but didn't like the skin irritation and the limited placement choices (having a patch on your left cheek at day six that itches like hell is not cute) and the price just didnt really work for me. Having another baby before I want to REALLY doesn't work for me, either!!

The best birth control: a screaming, crying baby. :)

OMG me too! I would really like to try it, but i'm scared as well.

When I first started thinking of trying BC, a friend of mine was a sooo adamently against it. I don't know if was because she's a "strong" Catholic (her words) or because she thinks she knows everything about the medical world (she's going to be a vet). But she claimed I was gonna get sterile or get cancer or something serious like that. She claims she would never in her life get on BC.

Well that's cool, but if she had the periods I had she might reconsider. I started at 13, and never once was "regular." I went almost a year without having a period....and then there were times it would come twice a month. I never knew when my period was coming, it would always be a surprise. Thank the Lord for BC pills because I know when i'll start my period and how long it will last. It's gone from a 7 day cycle w/ painful, mind-numbing cramps, to a 3 day cycle with no pain.

I was on Seasonale for a year and a half before I gave up on it. Yes, it was nice having only 4 periods a year, but the constant spotting wasn't worth it. I kept thinking, "Once my body gets used to Seasonale, I'll stop spotting." Never happened. I put up with it for as long as I could.

I'm finally off bc. With the exceptions of my pregnancies, I'd been on it for 15 years. I never really thought about how frequently I had headaches, but looking back, it seems like I had one all the time. Since I've been bc-free, I haven't had nearly so many. I'm really liking this.

My bff is on it and she is having complications, but we aren't sure if its the BC or other issues she has that are exacerbating the constant bleeding. She's been bleeding for three weeks straight. Yes, she's been to the dr, who seems a bit clueless as to why or what to do next. I told her to get another doctor.

Male POV
 

My wife and I are probably not the best example, but I thought I would throw in my two cents worth...

My wife and I were married when she got out of college (I'm about 5 years older) and she got pregnant on our wedding night (honestly, we abstained before marriage). After our oldest was born we tried a couple of solutions including Condoms and Diaphragm, but mostly condoms. Two years and three months after the first was born we went off birth control and she got pregnant within the month. The second was born 3yrs+1 day after the first.

After the standard 6-8 weeks, we went back on BC, just condoms for ease of use and then after another year and 3/4, we went off BC and then something strange happened, the Pregnancy test was positive and then she had a heavy wierd flow, the best bet is a *very* early spontaneous abortion. And then she got pregnant *again* a month later...

About six months after the third was born, we decided to call it quits with having kids. We'd talked about having 2 or 3 before we were married and she had more nausea with each successive pregnancy. After looking at the options, I decided that having a Vasectomy was our best option. Given that it only took me five days to recover, I count it as *much* better than having her have a Tubal ligation and besides, I got waited on hand and foot while I recovered. :)

Thanks for realizing that a vasectomy is less invasive than a tubal ligation, reversible, and taking responsibility for your part in reproductive health. More men need to share in that, and you're a good example.

I heard once (I need to do some research) that there was a male birth control pill, but it was rendered ineffective when alcohol was present.

Which pretty much means, forget about it.

I'm not on seasonale, but my doctor authorized me to use my pills like seasonale. The only time I had any spotting was when I skipped the period week for 5-6 months. My doctor told me (and I agree) there is nothing wrong with not having a period. But then, birth control has always been wonderful for me. I've been on it for a few years, never had to switch brands or anything.

I echo those who previously stated that they had the Mirena IUD, who had never had kids.

I got mine a week ago yesterday. And it definitely was no walk in the park going in. However, it seems to be GREAT so far. I'm having the typical side effects that they warn you about, but it's been great not having to worry about it. Hubby and I arent planning on any kids for at least 2 more years, so this was a good option for us.

Was it painful or just uncomfortable going in?

It just flat out sucked. I know I'm going to seem like a wimpy baby to the other women on here who've had it done, and without trying to be gross or give TMI, I understand now why when they first came out, they were only given to women who had kids already - because your junk stretches easier.

I had EVER intention of going back to work after the appt. Yeah right. I was thisclose to passing out when it was over. I was wearing a sweatshirt, and I got flush while I was waiting to check out. The lady in front of me was taking forever. Before i could get my sweatshirt off because I realized I was about to roast in it, I slowly slid down the wall I was leaning against. They brought me a glass of water. I thought I was going to throw up. I dont get nautious easily, so it really took me by surprise that I reacted this way.

I am NOT a wimp. It was super embarrassing, and I was trying so hard to just....have it done and be over with. It hurt like hell two little times, but when they were finished actually getting it in, it just felt like regular period cramps. It sucked REAL BAD when they were doing it, but as quickly as it hurt, it was overwith too... I wouldnt discourage anyone from getting one, just caution them that it will hurt. I dont think I was properly prepared for what it was going to be like.

I ended up taking the rest of the day off from work and piled up on the couch with Motrin, M&Ms and Coke. I've had some lower back pain this week, but they said that was normal.

Holy shit. I think you just scared me off of IUDs.

No, dont be scared of them. I didnt take enough motrin the morning of. My doctor told me to take 800mg before hand, and I only took 400, so that was one of my problems.

It's really not that bad. The whole procedure was only about 15 minutes, and the only reason it took that long for me is because my cervix was not cooperating, and wouldnt open. When they finally got it open, that was crampy crampy time #1. Once I calmed down and they actually went to insert it, that was crampy crampy #2 - as it slid past to be inserted. Bascially, the cervix doesnt like to be f*cked with, so it "yells" at you for disturbing it's peace. LOL, that's the best anology I can think of.


Do your research. Ask other people you may know who DONT have kids, who have one - I may have been a freak example - everyone is different.

I'm VERY happy I have it now because it means no more condoms - had to use them since I left my last job, and was waiting for my insurance to kick in at the new job...and I dont have to deal with pills, or shots, or anything else anymore. The mirena website has some good info on what kinds of side effects to expect, etc etc. You should check it out. But dont be scared. Just be prepared, that's all.

I just have to express my frustration here - I stopped taking Depo in August (because of weight gain and emotional crap), and that mess is *still* in my system, screwing me up! My body is all out of whack ... :( Wish I had NEVER started that stuff. The doctor told me that it would mess with my bones and that it would be dangerous to take it for more than two years, she didn't tell me the other side effects or that once I stopped taking it, it would take this long to clear out of my system! :eek:

Depo messed me up, too. I wish I'd done more research on the side effects before I had them give me the shot. At the time it just sounded like a great, safe, long-lasting birth control... and fewer periods is always nice, too.

Yeah, Don't be scared off! My insertion wasn't as bad as Amanda's, although her experience is pretty common, but I had a similar problem with not taking the right kind/enough of painkiller before going in. The insertion hurt, but I just breathed my way through it. They offered to give me a local anesthetic if it got too bothersome, but I opted out of it.

I took the train/bus to get it done and had to go by myself (my male flatmate at the time was not exactly my first choice for hand holding while I had a small metal contraption put in a very private place) and I was ok. But that NIGHT was the problem. I had mistimed my medication and was DYING that night. Hot water bottles (or a hot bath), ibuprofen, and a good novel are the best treatments....chocolate and coke work too ;).

Congratulations on your Mirena! No you are not a whimp! Everything you described is pretty normal for women who have not had a baby first. Like you, I had the idea that I would go to my second job (I taught at a community college at the time) right afterwards...wrong!

I advise anyone else on here who is thinking of getting one to follow the instructions your doctor gives you before hand and definitely STOCK UP on Advil (I prefer the liquid gels).

I will warn you that your first few cycles with the Mirena will remind you of the insertion because your body is getting used to a foreign object and it is also not uncommon to have sporadic shooting pains...Make sure you carry your Advil in your purse;)

INDEED. Especially when said baby is sitting directly behind you on a 2-hour flight...

I was going to use Mirena right after i had my daughter but ended up using Paragard, the non-hormonal IUD. insertion was uncomfy but i made it thru, the worst part was those first three periods afterwards. WOW! i was wearing an ultra super tampon (yeah u read that right lol) AND a heavy pad and bled straight thru everything...its been almost a year and things are pretty normal except i swear i can feel it from time to time, no pain, but just the feeling that its there.

I'm planning on using Mirena after Annalisse is born.
I was on Seasonale once and loved it, and I was on NuvaRing and loved that, too.

Yes! My first 3 were TERRIBLE. I just had number 4, and it was...fine. Normal. Heavy normal, but not crazy crazy bad. And I get you with the "just know it is there"

Has anyone been on Femcon FE?

My GYN gave me some trial packs of it to try for a few months, and said there was a generic. Now, I have heard there isn't?

If there isn't a generic, I going to need to find something similar to it because even with health insurance, I can't afford 150 bucks every three months!