Birth Control Options (Essure, Mirena, NuvaRing, etc)

[disneychrista]

I am looking for Birth Control that is effective but not something I have to worry about every day. In my 20's, the last time I worried about it, I could not use hormone based options due to the side effects. At 45 I am done having kids but not prepared to have surgical sterilization (tubes tied).




I edited this post & the title due to the way the discussion has gone and because I no longer need/want information specifically about Essure.

 

[DaisyJ]

Has anyone had this procedure done? How was it? Are you happy with it? Any side effects that you wish you had known going in?

I am looking for Birth Control that is effective but not something I have to worry about every day. In my 20's, the last time I worried about it, I could not use hormone based options due to the side effects. At 45 I am done having kids but not prepared to have surgical sterilization (tubes tied).

Do you have a partner? Why not look into him (assuming it's a man) having a vasectomy done?

 

[disneychrista]

Do you have a partner? Why not look into him (assuming it's a man) having a vasectomy done?

Honestly, it is a new and not that serious of a relationship.

 

[DaisyJ]

Honestly, it is a new and not that serious of a relationship.

In that case, disregard my advice. I wrongly assumed you were married.

 

[disneychrista]

In that case, disregard my advice. I wrongly assumed you were married.

Far from it. If I was married this would be a non-topic because he would have gotten snipped a long time ago.

 

[okeydokey]

My insurance wouldn't cover it, so I had the tubal. Super easy and recovery was a snap.

 

[disneychrista]

My insurance wouldn't cover it.

Did they give a reason as to why they wouldn't cover it?

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Have you looked into an IUD?
I had to go off the pill when I got a blood clot - and am on my second Mirena (they last for 5 years).
It has been the best contraception I have ever used. Huge fan.

 

[disneychrista]

Have you looked into an IUD?.

I have looked at the Copper IUD. I am hesitant to go on another hormone option, like the Mirena, because of the issues I had before with them. Of course a lot has changed in the past 20 years.

I have an appointment on Friday for my annual and to discuss options. Just doing a little research before hand so I can go in prepared.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

SSssooooo much has changed in the last 5-10-15-20 years in medicine that it's really worth talking to your doctor about all the current options.
Such as even if you're on the pill, you no longer even have to have a monthly, if you don't want it ! You can plan it when it fits your schedule, some pills you can switch weeks, etc. Some strengths you take continuous for 3 packs then a week off, etc.

Plus the vast improvement overall to the makeup of the medications, the dosages have changed, many things are much improved.

I could not tolerate estrogen based pills, so I went with a progesterone based option. I am on my 2nd Mirena and will def be getting another one and another and another, etc. It has worked very very well for me. My greatest problem with taking the pill was, taking it ! I really like the Mirena, it's worked great for me and my lifestyle and I essentially have gotten to the point where I have no cycles.

The best thing about all these non-permanent options, is if you are having side effect (not the same things as adjustments or adaptations) they can be stopped or removed.

 

[RN2003AZ]

Mirena is localized to just your uterus so the hormones don't go into the blood stream. I'm on my third one (btwn babies and 5 year replacement) and won't ever use anything else!

 

[disneychrista]

Mirena is localized to just your uterus so the hormones don't go into the blood stream. I'm on my third one (btwn babies and 5 year replacement) and won't ever use anything else!

I will have to look into this more. I just assumed that since it was hormone based that I wouldn't want it. This could be why my daughter was able to use this where she was not able to take the pill due to interactions with other medications she is on.

SSssooooo much has changed in the last 5-10-15-20 years in medicine that it's really worth talking to your doctor about all the current options.

Oh I plan to. Just want to be prepared. I know the pill won't work for me, as you mentioned the biggest issue is remembering to take it. I want something I don't have to think about daily.





This is not something I thought I would even have to think about at 45. I haven't thought much about BC since I was in my early 20's.

 

[tzolkin]

I have looked at the Copper IUD. I am hesitant to go on another hormone option, like the Mirena, because of the issues I had before with them. Of course a lot has changed in the past 20 years.

I have an appointment on Friday for my annual and to discuss options. Just doing a little research before hand so I can go in prepared.

Not sure what your issues were with hormonal BC, but I was never able to find any pills that did not make me extremely nauseous (I'm also one of those lucky women who vomit 24/7 throughout their entire pregnancies). I also have some endocrine/hormone issues that I began taking medication for after I was done having children (so those issues may have contributed to my sensitivity). That said, I had a Mirena and did not have any averse effects. (I did not have a period while using it, but I wasn't bothered by that. Although I know that may be a negative for some people who will be stressed every month that they may be pregnant.)

I considered having Essure when the 5 years of the IUD was up, but my husband offered to get a vasectomy instead since he felt there were less potential side effects.

 

[disneychrista]

Not sure what your issues were with hormonal BC, but I was never able to find any pills that did not make me extremely nauseous (I'm also one of those lucky women who vomit 24/7 throughout their entire pregnancies). . . . (I did not have a period while using it, but I wasn't bothered by that. Although I know that may be a negative for some people who will be stressed every month that they may be pregnant.)

I considered having Essure when the 5 years of the IUD was up, but my husband offered to get a vasectomy instead since he felt there were less potential side effects.

My issues had to do with constant bleeding the entire time. Not spotting but a full blown period bleeding. It happened each time I went on the pill and for the 18 months I had an implant.

I would look forward to a lighter / no period. 30+ years of periods is long enough if you ask me.

 

[gillep]

My issues had to do with constant bleeding the entire time. Not spotting but a full blown period bleeding. It happened each time I went on the pill and for the 18 months I had an implant.

I would look forward to a lighter / no period. 30+ years of periods is long enough if you ask me.

I agree to look into Mirena to see if it may be right for you. I have had mine almost 5 years and I have not had a single period that entire time, it has been wonderful.

I recently heard an NPR segment on Essure (I am not sure how old the segment was I turned it on a few minutes into the story), and the many issues that women have had, and the lawsuits that are currently pending, and that the FDA has requested more safety data be compiled. I would highly suggest that you look into this procedure and some of these issues before having it done. I seem to remember them saying that their is an active facebook group that may be helpful, I am sorry I didn't pay more attention to be of more help.

 

[disneychrista]

Thanks for all the input & information. I don't really have anyone to talk to about this (other than the doctor of course).

I must say, I really like that the Mirena is good to help with heavy periods, since this is something I deal with.

 

[dosekies]

I also agree with the Mirena (or another type of IUD). While I unfortunately had to take mine out due to complications, it would have been the best decision I ever made otherwise. I have been on too many BC pills to count that all gave me horrible migraines, but the IUD fixed that and also stopped my period while I had it. They do take a while to get used to, but other than that they are amazing.

 

[okeydokey]

Did they give a reason as to why they wouldn't cover it?

The cost of the device was high. Tubal is cheaper.

 

[Skippy918]

There are several kinds of IUD's on the market and some have a lower hormone level. Doing a google search will get you a list. I have a Mirena and love it. I did it for the birth control plus heavy periods which lasted a week. I spot now for 3 days and that's it.

 

[disneychrista]

I did it for the birth control plus heavy periods which lasted a week. I spot now for 3 days and that's it.

I am very interested in reducing / eliminating heavy periods. Mine have decreased in the number of days over the past 5 years but are really bad for a 24 - 36 hour stretch, including the over night time frame. I wish a doctor would have mentioned this to me before when discussing heavy periods as the reason for having severe iron deficiency.