Birth Control Options

I see there are a lot of people loving the intrauterine contraceptives. A few considerations before I suggest another method...
Are you going for long-term BC or wanting to be able to be PG at a month's notice? Are you over 35 or a smoker?

Those questions aside I have LOVED the Nuvaring for over 5 years! It is easy, no need to think about it daily (just once a month to take it out and put it back in again) and it has all the benefits of the pill... you can skip a month, gave me light periods, etc. However, like the pill and the patch it is hormonal and has risks if you are trying to avoid them.

Stop taking it!!! I took it for a prolonged period of time and it screwed up my system badly. I gained a massive amount of weight being on it for 8 years and became borderline diabetic. That and I had major problems conceiving my 1st child because my system was producing too much progestrone and I wasn't ovulating. That and I also had mood swings. My cousin works in the pharmaceutical industry and told me it is used in some countries as a sterilization technique and they are trying to take it off the market. I went to see a new OB last mo as we are trying to conceive again and told her about my past on the Depo and she strongly agreed w/ my concerns and problems that I had because of it. I can't stress to you enough. STOP TAKING IT!!! Good luck if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Hi, D. -

The pill was too hormonal for me. I've been using NuvaRing for over five years (except for the break when we were working on baby #2...!).

Typical usage is 3 weeks in, 1 week out, when you'd get your period (lighter than normal, for me). I've also had friends whose doctor prescribed for them to keep in and not have the 1-week out for those with cyst problems or really bad periods.

The Website says you can keep them in 3-4 weeks, then have the 7-day break, so I use 4 weeks in, then 7 days out. As long as you keep careful track on your calendar, this can be just as effective, and you only use 12 per year, not 13!

Just make sure to discuss all options with your doctor. I know smoking is an absolute no-no with the NuvaRing.

Good luck!

I have the mirena and love it. It is inserted once and lasts for five years (although you can remove sooner if you wanted). The only catch is that 1) it hurt like hell inserting it. But it was only for about 30 seconds). 2) For about six months, I spotted and had some discharge. However, after that initial time, I am fine and don't have a period anymore!

I got a Mirena IUD over a year ago and it's great. It lasts for 5 years and you can take it out any time. I have had a good experience with it.

I found the BC pill caused to much weight gain/nausea for me-so I tried the nuva ring. Much happier with that.

Hi D.,
I just got the Mirena IUD last month. I have been on the pill and the depo in the past and both caused me to be very hormonal and have harsh periods. I have been spotting here and there but nothing too bad. I really like it so far and it doesn't seem to be having any hormonal side effects. I know that some people say it hurts real bad and it took me changing my mind 3 times to actually get it done and when I did do if finally...it only hurt like a period cramp for a second. The doctor said that it hurts less the more kids you have had and I have two. You can always give it a try and if you don't like it you can have it taken out. Good luck!

Hi D.:
I totally understand what you are going through. I took the Pill for a few years and found that it altered my moods a lot. The Today Contraceptive Sponges were new on the market but I loved the idea of no horomones and safe effective birth control. They worked 100% of the time for me. The sponges went off the market for a few years simply because the manfacturer was going to have to re-tool their facility not because of any safety issues. They are again on the market and still just as effective as before. There are no horomones, no side effects and very effective in preventing pregnancy.

I'm another Mirena IUD user and loving it. You can take it out whenever you are ready again and fertility is supposed to come right back (versus say the pill which can take a few months).

I haven't tried it yet, but I have heard IUD's are the way to go. I plan on getting one after I have our third baby in February.
Check out this article for more info:
http://www.slate.com/id/2223840/

I had the same problem. I have the Mirena IUD and love it. It takes 2 min for your doc to insert and it gives you protection for 5 years.

Nuva ring all the way! LOVE IT!!!!! Very low dose of hormones and light periods.

I've heard that about the shot, go back on the pill is my advice.

Hi, D.! I to had trouble with birth control altering my moods for the worst. If you are done having kids or would still have more in the future an IUD is great either way you chose to go. I have a paraguard one that releases no hormones. There is also the popular one called a Mirena that releases very little hormones that I am considering after our second baby. This form of birth control has been the most helpful and the least harmful for myself and my family. Good luck!

Hi D.,
If you don't want the chemical route. Condoms and diaphram used consistantly work. Condom or diaphram alone has worked for us. We have one 15 year old and have been married 33 years.
good luck,
S.
mamasource business owner

Hello D.,
I would suggest you get an iud (mirana sp?). I got one after my son was born and we (my husband and I) love it. You don't have to remember anything, most women don't have periods (I don't!) and, if you decide to have more kids...it's completely removable and doesn't interfere with "baby making". Hope this helps!

i tried the pill, and i hated it. not only did it screw with me, but if you dont take it at exactly the same time every day, or if you are the slightest bit overweight, its effectiveness is reduced.

after i had my son, i decided to get the mirena. its awesome. i dont have to remember to do anything, and though the first couple months i had crazy spotting almost non stop... it was comfortable, it reduced my periods and cramping, and i never have to worry about it.
my husband loves it because he doesnt have to use condoms, and i love that too :P

there is another IUD that lasts 10 years (the mirena only 5) but my doctor told me that the other one can have the opposite effect; longer, thicker periods, more cramping, etc.
i figured theres no harm in the 5 year version. :D its been pretty awesome. there was some craziness about the string, you are supposed to make sure its still there every so often, but my string got "sucked" up into my uterus, which is fine, my doctor just told me that he would probably have to check it with an ultrasound machine every appointment... but its not like i have to have extra appointments or anything.

anyway,
thats what i would recommend!

I have a Paragard IUD and love it - absolutely no hormones, but heavier periods (as opposed to Mirena which has hormones and you might lose your period).

I've also used the Nuva Ring, and LOVED that. You put it in and can leave it in for 3 weeks at a time.