Advice on birth control

[lnt1103]

I just read the poking strings post. Interesting thing about the adjustment of them in such a case.....

My gyno told me when he first inserted mine that he was leaving the strings a tad longer than normal, but that they can be trimmed up if necessary. Well, when I went in for my one month check, he couldn't find the strings and I had to have an internal ultrasound (in laymen's terms...I don't remember the medical name for the procedure) done to be sure it was still there. It was determined that he'd left the strings SO long, that they'd folded back up on themselves and hidden.

[2little]

Brandye.

i was talking about my experience. You are right though, many women have alot of problems with depo. I don't regret using it, but i do regret not reading the package and double checking with the doc to make sure it was ok

[Blondie21]

Thats weird that most people have issues with depo. I was on it for close to 5 years my doc saw no prob and I took calcium supplements. I never had a period while I was on it but thats how I wanted it.I wasn't sexually active while I was on it I was on it for complications from my periods. I only have 1 ovary as I had a tumor on one and it had to be removed. I experienced severe cramps to the point I was being hospitalized monthly and missing school. I also have polycystic ovarian syndrome and the depo worked wonders for me. My sis was on it though for 3 months and bled non stop the entire time. I loved it except I gained a ton of weight so I switched to Yaz a few months ago. I've lost a little weight and still don't have to deal with difficult periods. But my doctor said the way my body reacted to depo isn't very common.

[Brandye]

Your last sentence is no doubt true. BUT, you were on depo for medical treatment of other conditions, not birth control, and your body is not quite normal. Hormone treatments affect women differently.

[puttykat]

Originally Posted by sandra2222

Hi!

I've been having protected sex with my boyfriend for the past year and a half. I love this man and he makes me feel comfortable in bed considering he is my first partner. However, sex has generally been uncomfortable for me (even with stimulation and lubricant). I'm never really wet like I used to be before going on bc. After reading some postings on this forum I realized that my bc has definitely been lowering my sex drive. I have been on 3 different types in the past couple of years and they all have had the same affects. I also have other side affects that I'm not too happy about (headaches, fatigue, nausea). It did however help me in the acne department (one positive!)

I've decided that I want to change to a different method of birth control but I'm not sure which one would be the best for me. (I will also have a nice long chat with my doc, but I would like some real feedback from others who have experienced different methods)

I've narrowed down my choices to an iud (without hormones), a contraceptive ring (because of the lowered amount of hormones) or a diaphragm.

I just want to be back to my old self without having to worry about pregnancy. If anyone has any feedback or other suggestions I would greatly appreciate the help.

Birth control pills didn't work for me either. I decided on an IUD and it's been working fine. I had the Mirena IUD inserted. It was uncomfortable when they inserted it, but after that I've had no problem. Mine has been in for 2 years now.

[quadrin]

A Mirena would be a good choice, especially if you've already had children. It's a small, soft IUD that slowly releases small doses of the hormones found in the Pill, but because they go right to the target, you get less systemic side effects. It lasts five years, and is even more effective at preventing pregnancy than the Pill.

[Brandye]

The amount of hormone released by the Mirena is insufficient to play any role in conception control. It is used because some women experience very heavy periods with the IUD and the small amount moderates flow and cramping. In China, where the IUD is the most common birth control, the majority of them are inert - no copper and no hormone. Most women adjust within a few months and the inert IUDs are good forever.

In Europe, with a dozen or so manufacturers, we have all three versions -hormone, copper and inert. I understand that in the States there are two manufacturers, one with hormone and one with copper coating.

[ladyk]

does starting the pill make u gain weight?

[raunchy gal]

I'm no expert and i don't remember if i gained weight when i was on bc.I was only on the mini pill,i can't remember the name of it though.I was still breastfeeding at the time,and stayed on it for quite a while.Hopefully someone with more knowledge will be able to answer your question ladyk.

[RedRoses]

Dear LadyK,
I'm no expert either, but my advice would be:
If you're taking the pill now, read the leaflet that comes with it. And if you're concerned, see the doctor who prescribed it.
If you're considering taking the pill, see your doctor. Best to write down all your questions and take it with you to the consult. You could also look for the leaflets (at least in Holland most are provided for by the local pharmacy and also on their sites). This could give you a jumpstart in knowledge prior to the consult. Though at times these can also scare or confuse you too much unnecessarily. That depends on your personality.

I've used Stediril 30 for about 10 years. And as the leaflet describes it can cause weightgain (or weightloss), a change in appetite (either more or less) and it could also cause for the body to store more fluid, which makes you appear somewhat larger. I personally didn't feel it change much when I started using. But I was only 12 and not that conscious about change in my body, accept that menstruating had been killing me for a year and I desperately wanted it to become more bearable I specifically noticed the difference when I quit the pill; my body shaped up without me trying.

It's all about pro's and cons. Remember that pregnancy puts on a way larger belly than any pill could! Not to mention the result