birth control

[alphaiota]

well i guess i didn't understand it properly then munchkin03. i'm not a doctor nor do i claim to know a hell of a lot about it. i'm just speculating from the information i received.

shelley j
sigma k

[Munchkin03]

No worries. I wouldn't have known the difference or the specifics either if I wasn't in the process of switching from Alesse to Ortho-Lo. The reason they put me on that specific one is that the dose was a little higher and will hopefully begin the end of the uterine jihad I've experienced since 12.

[alphaiota]

yeah that sounds like fun. that's why i was put on in the first place. has made a world of difference.
i realized when you talked about mercette that it was the first bc pill i was put on and didn't have great sucess.

shelley j
sigma k

I was on the "Patch" aka Ortha Evra and got pregnant! I have been on the depo shot and gain all kind of weight and now I am on Ortho Tri-Cyclin Lo and its much better!

[alphaiota]

so i've been on seasonale for a month now and i'm not really happy with it. i've had a lot of spotting and it's quite annoying. i never had this problem with my other bc pill. i'm going to give it another two months (the rest of the pack) and see where we stand.

shelley j
sigma k

[txdiva]

Originally posted by DZTUBAGIRL
I use Depo Provera. It is the shot that you get every 3 months. So far it has worked just great...knock on wood The only problem that I have had with it is that I gained a little weight when I went on it. But that doesn't happen to everyone, it just depends on the person. Also not to be too graphic, but when I first started on it I had "my friend" for like a month straight. But after that I don't get it at all. Some people don't like this but it doesn't bother me. Just like you I use condoms too, you can't be too safe.

I use Depo too, and the only problems I've had was the visit from "my friend" for 3 straight weeks(!) and the weight gain. It took 4 months for it to wear off before I could have another child. Other than that, it's pretty good!

[KappaKittyCat]

I'm just wrapping up the first month of the NuvaRing, and for the most part it was okay (though I was psycho like I always am the first month of a new method). This week is my period and it's quite a bit longer and heavier than usual. I had a really bad headache the first day, and I also had some unusual cramping one day, which kind of freaked me out. I'm going to see if next month is better. If it's not, then I'll probably go back on OTC-Lo.

[breathesgelatin]

OK, so I'm officially going off the pill starting this week. Is there anything weird I can expect except for the obvious heavier periods, potential more PMS/cramps, etc? I've been on for 2+ years so it's been a while.

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by breathesgelatin
OK, so I'm officially going off the pill starting this week. Is there anything weird I can expect except for the obvious heavier periods, potential more PMS/cramps, etc? I've been on for 2+ years so it's been a while.

I just got off for a month, and I felt a lot of weirdness in my lower back right about 2 weeks after my pill period ended. When I talked to my doctor about it, she said I had probably felt the effects associated w/ ovulation. After 3 years or so, I guess I forgot how it felt.

Oh, and your sex drive might increase, but that might take a month or so to really kick in.

[Queencece]

I am not on any birth control right now, but I have taken Allese which didn't agree with my body at all. I have tried the patch and that didn't agree with my body. I have tried Lunelle (shot) and that made me gain weight so obviously that didn't agree with my body. My Dr and I have come to the conclusion that any hormones added to what I have already will be a DANGEROUS combination. When I say don't agree, I mean I would be sick for days like I have the stomach virus or food poisoning REALLY bad. It would last for DAYS!!

Now, I am in a new relationship and we were wondering with the use of condoms (of course) would spermicide be a good idea? I have never used it myself. I don't even know what brands are out there and how effective it is? Can anyone shed some light on the use of spermicides? Has anyone every used it before and how does it work? Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Q

[alphaiota]

spermicide would be a good idea i think. you can use the condoms that have spermicide in them along with a spermicide foam. try it and see how your body (bodies, both you and your partner) take it and go from there. you may discover you or your partner are allergic to it, but try.

shelley j
sigma k

[nikki1920]

Most BC inserts say that if you are over a certain weight, the contraceptive effectiveness will decrease. I actually READ the itty bitty print on my last pill pack. I took the pill to control cramping while in HS. I did condoms for a few years while in college. Had a kid, did the pills for about 6 months after I stopped nursing. Tried the patch, and other than some dryness when I had it on my arm, I loved it. What is the adhesive they use on that thing? DAMN, it hurt to take it off. My sorority sister recommended Instead, but Im kinda leery about insertion (I hate tampons, too). Don't wanna do the shot (friend gained 35 pounds with it), so that leaves the pill, Seasonale or the patch.

[valkyrie]

What about an IUD? I'd almost try one, but I'm afraid of the procedure.

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by valkyrie
What about an IUD? I'd almost try one, but I'm afraid of the procedure.

I really want to get one. I've asked doctors, but they think that I'm going to be all irresponsible with it.

[alphaiota]

seaonale isn't all it's cracked up to be. i've been having breakthrough bleeding consistantly for the last month and i'm really tired of it. i've also been having cramping. i called my doctor to make sure this was normal and evidently it is. she said it takes the first three months (aka first pack) to get into your system and that in the next pack or next three months it shoudl subside.
all i know is i'm getting tired of this crap.

shelley j
sigma k