Advice on birth control

[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.

[Brandye]

It is worth trying the ring. I have several patients who did not tolerate the pill well who are fine with the lower hormone level from the ring. A prescription is required but fitting, for most, is a non-issue. Some very few women do expel them. Coming from the pill, adaptation is almost immediate.

I believe the IUD to be underused in modern society. It is the most common birth control in China and that represents a lot of women! It got a bad rap from one brand twenty years or so ago and the mothers are passing on the negatives to their daughters. It is as effective without hormones as the hormonal methods and is well tolerated by most women. It does require professional insertion and most women have some breakthrough bleeding, cramps and other minor side-effects for a few months.

The diaphragm is an old, well established system and I have some patients who still use diaphragms or cervical caps. Their effectiveness is not much better than using spermicide alone and there are many jokes about diaphragms springing around the room whilst being inserted. The modern flat spring models are much better than the older coil spring rims. These do require professional fitting and a prescription.

I would recommend these choices in the order I have responded.

[troll]

Sorry. Wrong place.

[lnt1103]

I have an IUD and love it. Some breakthrough bleeding, but periods are usually lighter now than they were before I was on anything. I can't take BCPs because of my diabetes, so this and condoms are the only BC I've used. Had a little cramping the afternoon I had it inserted, but no worse than any other period. They timed the insertion right at the very end of a period.

My Gyno told me that typically he would prescribe an IUD to married women who were already done having children, which isn't me, but I'm monogamous and diabetic, so he was cool with it. Sounded like the biggest reasoning for doing it the way he said he typically would, is that the cervix would already have dilated at least once, making insertion a touch easier, but I didn't notice it as being a big deal anyway.

[Brandye]

The IUD is an underappreciated contraceptive. They got a bad rap twenty years ago when one particular model caused some serious problems. They are the most common contraceptive in China, and that involves tens of millions.

Some doctors will not insert in younger women but many are now doing so. It is as effective as hormonal systems and is tolerated well by most women. I often recommend IUD and appreciate Int's support.

Most women who use the bcp exclusively are in stable, monogamous relationships and the very slight chance of pregnancy is not a big issue. For single women not in a monogamous relationship, condoms are recommended in addition. Withdrawal is not effective method on its own but if the two of you can be satisfied with it, go ahead, it will help a little. There is no protection against STDs with the pill and withdrawal. If there is a possibility that either may stray, use a condom regularly.

[baby_cat_82]

I have a question and can not seem to find the answer anywhere. I have an IUD and my bf complains that it is stabbing him on the head of his penis. Other than removing it what can I do to change this? Also in some positions I will feel a stabbing pain on my lower right side abdomen. What could be causing this? What would make it go away?

[mattc]

Someone on here had recommended this book as a way to understand how not to get pregnant, my wife is reading it to help understand how to get pregnant......in other words it is a must for women from what I'm told. It's called "Taking charge of your fertility". She has learned a ton, including what the options are after we do have a baby since she doesn't plan on going back on the pill. If I remember what she told me, we just need to use condoms during the 5 days when she is fertile. I'm probably over simplifying things but since we are trying to have a baby and not avoid one I didn't pay much attention.

I realize that doesn't even remotely answer your question but she has raved about this book so I thought I'd pass it along.

[Brandye]

The strings on an IUD sometimes seem a bit sharp. This softens with use. Tell your doctor about it and it may be trimmed or otherwise adjusted.

Matt, if you use condoms five days each month and nothing the rest of the time, you may as well start planning for a baby. Ina perfect world, the woman will be fertile for about five days. The sperm live in the reproductive system up to four days and then there is a day for the egg to travel down the fallopian tube. In actual practice, women vary a bit in when the egg is released - one day off and pregnancy can occur. There are a variety of system to determine when the egg is released. The simplest is to simply go by the calendar. Not very reliable. The use of basal temperature improves this a bit. The most advanced approach requires training for both the woman and her partner to determine the status of the mucuous plug in the cervical os.

My recommendation is that there are better systems for birth control.

[2little]

i was on the depo needles for 3 yrs. it was great, i only had my period maybe 5 times a year, my pimples disappeared. the only thing i recommend is only being on it a short time, because eventually the period will come more often. the doctors normally recommend the depo needle for 2 yrs but my doctor didn't see any issues, untill i had my period for a month straight.

[Brandye]

.... and therein lies the problem. Of all the hormonal systems more of my patients have problems with depo than any other.