Birth Control--what a budget buster!!

[surfergirl602]

I've used the mirena three times. We just had our fourth, and we're 30 but still not sure if we're "done", so I'm getting the paraguard this time, since it doesn't have the hormones and lasts for 10 years.

 

[SGMCO]

My Gyn suggested Mirena but our insurance didn't cover it and it cost
$500.00 and has to be put in by your DR. But have you heard the commercial for it--some of the side affects are scary.

 

[gregokdisney]

I also have a Mirena- have had it three years. I love it now, but I am one of the ones who experienced unusual bleeding. For the first entire year, I had two periods per month - every two weeks, and it lasted several days. So, it felt like I had a nonstop period for the first year. It slowed down the second year. My doctor kept encouraging me to stick it out. During the third year my period went away almost entirely. In the past three months I have had just a little spotting. Just be prepared for it to go the opposite way - it can happen like that.

 

[jrnunzio3]

I have been on Mirena since March. I have had breakthrough bleeding almost every week since it was inserted. I also get breakthrough bleeding everytime we (well you know where this is going). I have an appt with my GYN in 2 weeks and hopefully everything is fine. I also started to break out like I was a teenager again (since I went off the pill for the Mirena). That is a pain also. I don't want to discourage the use of Mirena, I am going to keep it and put up with my side effects and hopefully they will start to lessen. I agree with a PP that it is nice not having to worry about taking something every day/night. Good luck with your decision.

 

[parith1114]

I also have a Mirena- have had it three years. I love it now, but I am one of the ones who experienced unusual bleeding. For the first entire year, I had two periods per month - every two weeks, and it lasted several days. So, it felt like I had a nonstop period for the first year. It slowed down the second year. My doctor kept encouraging me to stick it out. During the third year my period went away almost entirely. In the past three months I have had just a little spotting. Just be prepared for it to go the opposite way - it can happen like that.

I also haven't had good luck with Mirena...it's been one thing after the other. I have had the double period thing as well as painful ovarian cysts. Next week it will be a year and I'm considering having it removed. It hasn't been worth the headache...good luck whatever you decide.

 

[marius97]

DW is like a different person with the Mirena. She's had it about two years now. After putting it in, she has not had one single time of spotting. Most months she has a headache and cramping for about one or two days and that is it. From the guys perspective, I'll take two irritable days a month over a week any time. Our insurance covered the $500 cost. The only thing that ticked me off is that her Dr required an std test before putting it in. Okay, we've been married iver ten years, not necessary. After doing the std test...suprise suprise they were negative...we found out our insurance wouldn't pay for the std test since it was a "screening" test. Basically, if the test would have come back positive, they would have paid because it diagnosed a problem. Anyway, DW highly recommends the mirena to people now.

 

[scrappingizlife]

I have considered Mirena in the past and then completely ex'd it out after hearing a few horror stories. All from people I actually know. One of my friends got pregnant while on it, had to have an abortion, because the IUD had embedded itself in her uterus. I'll spare you the other stories. I'm considering Essure, but that's perm.

 

[bethy]

Natural Family Planning is almost free (minus a book and thermometer.) My DH and I are very fertile and have used Fertility Awareness to successfully avoid pregnancy for a cumulative total of 9 years. No hormones, side effects. You simply cannot get PG if the sperm and egg don't meet.

Two of my best friends, OTOH, got PG while on the Pill.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

I pay 33.80/month for BC. I take mini-pill b/c I got a blood clot when I was on regular BC so I have to take estrogen free. My gyn suggested mirena and DH and I are really tempted b/c I'm not the best about taking my bc, and it would be cheaper over time, but we are hoping to become a family of 3 within the next couple of years and I hate to get it and only keep it for a year or 2 since they say it can take up to a year to get your body adjusted to it, and it would definetly not be worth the cost. If babies were not an option right now, I would not hesitate to go with mirena.

 

[SandrA9810]

When i went to the doctor, she didn't want to give me the mirena because i've never had a child. And told me about implanon (the match stick size thing that goes in your arm).
Insurance covered all the tests and appointment. But because there's a 1000$ deductible, it wouldn't cover any of the BC. I know there's a small copay for Rx, which might cover the pills, but i won't take those.

The implanon was nearly 700 for the thing and to put it in, and mirena was nearly 900$. I kinda decided to not to do anything because that's a drastic price to pay at once. It's very cheap monthly wise over the years, but such a high cost up front.
And in the last BC topic many people were saying they were paying 50-60$ for the nuvaring that i knew i didn't want to go that route.

 

[gregokdisney]

I pay 33.80/month for BC. I take mini-pill b/c I got a blood clot when I was on regular BC so I have to take estrogen free. My gyn suggested mirena and DH and I are really tempted b/c I'm not the best about taking my bc, and it would be cheaper over time, but we are hoping to become a family of 3 within the next couple of years and I hate to get it and only keep it for a year or 2 since they say it can take up to a year to get your body adjusted to it, and it would definetly not be worth the cost. If babies were not an option right now, I would not hesitate to go with mirena.

All the literature I had read states that your fertility returns almost immediately after having Mirena removed. I'd double check that part, if I were you, however, it still might not be worth the hassle to only have it for a year or two.

 

[DisFanatic]

What insurance do you have?? I have been on Nuvaring for over a year and only pay $20 with Cigna.

 

[lakelandcallsme]

another merina fan here. and i have hormonal issues. the amount of hormone is low enough that it dosen't effect that. love, love, love it!!

 

[thebeesknees]

I pay 33.80/month for BC. I take mini-pill b/c I got a blood clot when I was on regular BC so I have to take estrogen free. My gyn suggested mirena and DH and I are really tempted b/c I'm not the best about taking my bc, and it would be cheaper over time, but we are hoping to become a family of 3 within the next couple of years and I hate to get it and only keep it for a year or 2 since they say it can take up to a year to get your body adjusted to it, and it would definetly not be worth the cost. If babies were not an option right now, I would not hesitate to go with mirena.

So you can use Mirena if you have had a blood clot? I had one and my doctor told me I was stuck now with either the mini-pill (which I don't do well with) or a copper IUD (side effects of heavier period are unappealing). I'll have to ask about it next time I'm in because right now, I am leaning toward Essure, just to be done with it for good. I know Essure is covered by my insurance (just pay my copay), and Mirena is not, for some reason. Essure is permanent, though, and while I'm 99% sure we are done, there's this little bit of me that doesn't want to do something so drastic yet.

 

[Melissa]

Have you considered going to Family Planning or Planned Parenthood? Most people think it is just for teens but they see everyone and charge on a sliding fee scale and carry the BC methods right there. Even at the highest step level Nuva Ring is cheaper than that at the FP I work at. The care is great ( here in Maine anyway ) and you are helping women who can't pay by going there and paying on the sliding fee scale. Every state is a little different but it is worth looking into.

 

[LaDonna]

Natural Family Planning is almost free (minus a book and thermometer.) My DH and I are very fertile and have used Fertility Awareness to successfully avoid pregnancy for a cumulative total of 9 years. No hormones, side effects. You simply cannot get PG if the sperm and egg don't meet.

Two of my best friends, OTOH, got PG while on the Pill.

This is what I use also, going on almost 15 years of marriage now and has worked for us! I love that I haven't had to put anything unatural in my body. I know a lot of people that use it just because the BC makes them sick or just makes them feel nutty.

 

[r&kmommy]

Be sure you investigate every single method before you choose. Google till your fingers hurt. I had nothing but bleeding, spotting, cramps, pimples and moodiness with the Mirena (legit, I literally had some kind of spotting or full on period for the entire 7 months I had it). I got the Paraguard and had spotting between periods and the worst periods in the entire universe. My friend got the Depo shot once and she turned into a murderous raving lunatic (ok, she didn't murder anyone but she was pretty well near it LOL!) and she got the Paraguard IUD and loved it! It's SO hit or miss, and unfortunately when your insurance doesn't cover part or all of it it can get pricey.

I also tried Nuvaring, and didn't like it as I could always feel it... but my OB said it doesn't have to be refrigerated, so maybe look into mail order?

Good luck. It's a long journey for some women to find the perfect birth control!

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

So you can use Mirena if you have had a blood clot? I had one and my doctor told me I was stuck now with either the mini-pill (which I don't do well with) or a copper IUD (side effects of heavier period are unappealing). I'll have to ask about it next time I'm in because right now, I am leaning toward Essure, just to be done with it for good. I know Essure is covered by my insurance (just pay my copay), and Mirena is not, for some reason. Essure is permanent, though, and while I'm 99% sure we are done, there's this little bit of me that doesn't want to do something so drastic yet.

yes
I just had a blood clot last year and had to go off the pill. Got a mirena the next day and have not had any bleeding, spotting, cramps .... nothing.

Truly the best birth control for me.

 

[camlace]

does NuvaRing come in mail order? (I doubt it, since it has to be refrigerated... but doesn't hurt to ask) Any ideas are welcome.

It can definitely be mail ordered. The refrigeration is only required to extend the shelf life, you will notice there are two expiration dates on the package (one for refrigerated, one for not). I have mail ordered nuvaring for close to 6 yrs now. Never had a problem. My last pharmacy shipped it with an ice pack, my current pharmacy just ships it in a box.

 

[teedisney]

Mine ships via ice packs overnight from mail order.