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

[PrincesCJM]

You said you have an annual coming up, but is that with your primary care doc, or a GYN? The GYN will need to put in the Mirena. Heavy periods at your age can be hormonal, and may require a GYN work up first. (Like an ultrasound, and possibly an endometrial biopsy.) I had that issue and the Mirena didn't work for me, I was hoping it would. I wound up with a hysterectomy. But maybe it will work for you. (If I recall it secretes progesterone, which slows the bleeding.) Don't wait too long to get going.

My PCP inserted my mirena. I am done having kids so I have "cut ties" with my ob/gyn office. Plus, PCP was able to get me in sooner.

I love the fact I don't have a period anymore with the mirena. I have gained weight and suspect it is from the mirena. I recently saw my PCP to discuss the weight gain and what I think it is from. She mentioned that some woman have reported hair loss as well. I went through that too but figure it was the normal postpartum hair loss (I have a 7 month old at home)

 

[J'aime Paris]

Mini-update:
The doctor does not do the Essure procedure at all, so it is good thing that I had already decided against it.

The doctor suggested the NuvaRing to start with. It also should help lighten up my periods. If it ends up not working we will revisit the IUD. I do like that with the NuvaRing if I have side effects I can simply take it out and discontinue use.

I used the Nuva Ring for a few months time span years ago. Wasn't a fan at all!
I found insertion to be "tedious" to say the least.
I won't get into too much TMI, but fishing it out of the toilet was not fun
It also fell out during certain physical activites....

 

[disneychrista]

I used the Nuva Ring for a few months time span years ago. Wasn't a fan at all!
I found insertion to be "tedious" to say the least.

I am a bit concerned about insertion. I'm also not sure I am going to like having to go to the pharmacy every month to get a new one. Why can't they give you a 3 month supply at once (I thought the doctor said this is why they did but I only got one).

I am also concerned for side effects but there are going to be side effects of any of the options, you just have to weigh them and find the one that works best for you.

 

[amberpi]

I had heavy periods on traditional bc. The doc put me on the patch and it's been magical rainbows and unicorns since then.

 

[sonnyjane]

I am a bit concerned about insertion. I'm also not sure I am going to like having to go to the pharmacy every month to get a new one. Why can't they give you a 3 month supply at once (I thought the doctor said this is why they did but I only got one).

I am also concerned for side effects but there are going to be side effects of any of the options, you just have to weigh them and find the one that works best for you.

It's an insurance thing. With my old insurance I used to get 3 months at a time. Now they only give me one. Lame. But I've been on it for more than a decade. Love it. Have had no issues. Prior I had tried at least a dozen different pill varieties but found no success. I was very sensitive. If I forgot and took my pill an hour later than normal, I'd get my period within a few days. So lame. I spoke to my doc about getting an IUD but she said if I loved nuvaring, stay. Switching bc, and especially to an IUD, can be very hit or miss. Some love it, some have their lives ruined (several of my friends) and had it removed bc of side effects.

 

[earfulofmagic]

I would totally relive the last three years of my life just to tell myself *not* to get the Mirena, or I'd tell myself to get the copper instead. Would literally jump into that time portal in a heartbeat.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

The pill makes my sex drive plummet.

The Mirena made me look 6 months pregnant and made me depressed.

The paraguard gave me long heavy periods.

I'm not a fan of the patch or nuvaring.

And I refuse to do anything permanent to my body because of possible side effects that can never be reversed. My mom and aunts have all had tubals and their bodies changed so much. Some went into early menopause, some have horrible periods, etc. I don't want to take the chance.

For the past 6 or so years I gave up and we do family planning method with the pull and pray method. He pulls and I pray. Lol Knock on wood it has worked so far.

 

[Hikergirl]

The pill makes my sex drive plummet.
The Mirena made me look 6 months pregnant and made me depressed.

Yes, I am bloated all the darn time.
I have tried many things through the years for my heavy periods, the shot was by far the best solution for me but unfortunately it isn't recommended for long term use.
I've tried regular pills, lo dose pills, the pills where you get your period only 4 times a year and nothing helped the way the shot did (no period on that). I thought Mirena was going to be the answer but I am so not happy with it. I'm at the point where I think I have to do something permanent and I am apprehensive about it. There is no way I'm going to go without anything, not at my age. I think my prayers are all used up by now LOL

 

[disneychrista]

For the past 6 or so years I gave up and we do family planning method with the pull and pray method. He pulls and I pray. Lol Knock on wood it has worked so far.

LOL. Doing similar now and it scares me to death. A pregnancy at this stage in my life, in a new/not serious relationship, would NOT be a happy accident.

 

[RangerPooh]

I have a Mirena IUD and love it! I got my first one following our youngests birth, and am now on my second. I have had less than a half dozen periods in 6+ years, rarely cramp, and love not menstrating!!!!! I have had none of the side effects either.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I know lots of people love the no periods but to me it's just not natural and another reason I didn't like the Mirena.

 

[bellebud]

Mirena for me, on my 2nd one now (I'm 49). My dd17 is also getting it. My sil has it and loves it too.

 

[disneychrista]

Day 10 of the NuvaRing and after my normal period ended I continued to spot (today is day #6). I know this is considered a normal side effect but can anyone who has used the NuvaRing tell me how long I should expect this?

This is the one thing that always made me discontinue hormonal BC. This spotting is much less then the full-fledged bleeding I had before, thankfully. But to be honest not something I want to deal with every day.

 

[DLmama]

I'm currently on the NuvaRing and have been since my son was born 9 years ago. I originally wanted Mirena, but my insurance wouldn't cover it. I haven't noticed any major side effects, other than a headache if I forget to take it out on time. It is a challenge to insert some months, that's all I'll say about that. I've only ever had it come out once during certain activities. My periods are really light and like clockwork now, only lasting about 3-4 days. I don't remember spotting when I started, but it's been quite awhile. Usually, it goes in on Sunday, period comes on Wednesday, a new one goes in on Sunday and by then the period is gone. I am able to get a 3 month mail order supply now with a new insurance, but my old one was monthly and I had to go to the pharmacy.

 

[Marchand63]

I found menopause to be a very effective form of birth control sorry just had to.

 

[disneychrista]

I found menopause to be a very effective form of birth control sorry just had to.

That would be ideal right now.

 

[disneychrista]

I don't remember spotting when I started, but it's been quite awhile.

I have always had spotting - full on bleeding with hormone birth control. Not needing it for 20 years was not something I missed. Not sure what I'll do if this doesn't work for me.

 

[Alicefan]

Nuvaring made me crave the heck out of sugar and I gained 10lbs in 2 weeks! I threw that sucker like a frisbee into the trash! lol

 

[disneychrista]

Nuvaring made me crave the heck out of sugar and I gained 10lbs in 2 weeks! I threw that sucker like a frisbee into the trash! lol

So far no cravings. I have been watching what I am eating and tracking my calories for the past 6 months. For the week I am well below calorie intake but I still gained .2 pounds, which makes no sense to me. If this will make me gain weight even though I am careful and trying to loose that will be the nail in the coffin.

 

[trip]

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

Whatever you decide, since it's "not that serious of a relationship", I think you both should be using protection.