IUD and The Ring

[XCAPGECX]

I've looked up information on these two birth controls and I'm not sure which one to get. I was on the pill but it caused too many problems for me (I was constantly having mood swings) and my doctor just shoved it off and said it was because I was a teenager. I stopped taking them and it's been several months and I pretty much decided on an IUD awhile ago but I decided to look up more information on it and now I'm not so sure. I'm afraid to go to the ring because of the hormones and my experiences with that on the pill. I'm afraid of the IUD because of how big it looks, the cramping (which I already have many problems with), the strings sticking out for several years, then I read teenager shouldn't get one (I'm 17) and then I read it can become ineffective within a few months and this is what mostly causes pregnancy for women who use an IUD. Also when I was on the pill I was taking a medium dosage (it was 35mg) I heard the ring was 15 but it still makes me nervous. So any suggestions?

[Brandye]

At your age, neither is ideal. The ring puts much less hormone in your system than does the pill. Both are very good systems but at 17 I would recommend that you try the ring.

[XCAPGECX]

Thanks for the reply and I think I'll try the ring. The IUD doesn't seem like a good choice to me anymore and I was wondering about something. Is there a big difference in hormones with the ring and the pill that I was taking? (which was 35mg) Also can I use spermicide while on the ring?

[bruins76]

First off an IUD isn't big, you don't feel it. The string...you can't feel it when you have sex. Bleeding heavily, yes...that happens...but at your age I wouldn't recommend it cause it can cause infertility for good and you are oftly young to be making those types of choices now. I'd recommend either the ring, pill or patch. Yes hormones can do stuff, but it's a matter of switching and finding the right one.

GL

[Brandye]

Yes, you can use spermicide. You would certainly be about as safe as can be with the ring and spermicide but woul have not protection against STD.

Most spermicides are also lubricants. Be carful that the ring does not slip out. I did wear a "practice" ring for a couple months just to see what I was prescribing to patients. I had no difficulty with slippage but it is a good idea to check for its presence before every episode - at least in the beginning.

[XCAPGECX]

Sorry for the late reply and I never even thought about it slipping out while using spermicide. I'll be sure to check for it and thanks for the information.