birth control

[SydneyK]

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.

[nikki1920]

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.

[naraht]

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.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by naraht

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.

[ZTA72]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

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.

[sjsoffer]

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.

[amanda6035]

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.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

Was it painful or just uncomfortable going in?

[amanda6035]

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

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.

[Educatingblue]

Originally Posted by amanda6035

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.

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

[amanda6035]

Originally Posted by amanda6035

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.

*Bump*

How many of you who had an IUD prior to having a baby, have now had it removed?

I'm scheduled to have mine removed next Monday.....as you can see from my insertion experience, I'm terrified of how it's going to be.

My husband is driving me to work that day, picking me up to take me to the doc, and then taking me home. If it's only half as bad as getting it put in, It's still going to suck. What should I do to be prepared for this?

[APiPhiHottie]

I'm no longer on oral contraceptive birth control, but I tried it out in my first year of university.

I took about 17 pills of Alesse - it gave me ridiculous mood swings, so I stopped.

I then went on Yasmin and, oh boy, did the problems start. I gained 10-15 pounds overnight and felt constantly bloated. I'm a pretty small person, so gaining the weight so quickly gave me stretch marks on my bust (which, luckily, faded once I went off the medication - but it did take a good year). I brought up the issue with the doctor at the campus clinic, but he said it was likely the freshmen fifteen. It wasn't, because I hadn't changed my diet/exercise, but I figured gaining a few pounds was better than getting pregnant. Whatever, right?

Then, a good 4-5 months I started getting these nasty migraines, to the point where I was so nauseous I couldn't go to class. These migraines had no rhyme or reason to them, they just happened out of the blue. The campus clinic doctor told me to keep taking the pill, that it was stress, my period, etc. causing the migraines.

I finally went home at the end of first year and brought up the issues with my family doctor. She immediately told me to stop taking Yasmin and any combined oral contraceptive - she said the migraines could be a reaction/allergy/intolerance to the synthesized estrogen in the pill. She said, if I continued I could possibly have stroke - even though I don't smoke, am relatively healthy and don't have a family history of strokes.

The second I went off Yasmine, I lost fifteen pounds. All gone in ten days. My family doctor said I could trying the "mini-pill" as a future contraceptive. It doesn't have estrogen in it, however, it's not as effective as the combined-pill. I would still have to use another method of birth control if I wanted to be 99.9 percent sure.

Instead of playing russian roulette with birth control pills, my current main method of contraception are "barrier methods" (i.e. condoms, form, sponges, etc.) It might not be as sexy as the "spur of the moments" which the pill allows, but my hormones are not all over the place, I don't gain weight and I don't have to worry about taking medication/hormones which may affect my health.

Silver lining: When I was on yasmin, my skin got really clear. As in I could sleep in my makeup and wake up with beautiful, crystal clear and smooth skin.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

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

[amanda6035]

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

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.

[DSTRen13]

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!