Questions about birth control

[ZephyrHawk]

All I can say is, the little weight I gained with the pill (OTC) all went to the girls.

Oh, and my periods got shorter and less painful and my acne cleared up. Why, why on God's green earth was I not on this miracle prescription earlier?!?

 

[ksumn1]

Nuvaring or an IUD would be my suggestions because of the migraines/BC pills possible side effects.

The nuvaring didn't cause me to gain weight, less mood swings, lighter and more regular periods. Not uncomforable and easier to remember to change than pills. Used it for 2 years.

Now I have a Mirena IUD and I love it!! No mood swings, no weight gain (due to bctrl) and without giving TMI, my libido went back to normal after many years of issues. DH loves my IUD too!


Our insurance doesn't cover birth control, so I always had to pay OOP. The Nuvaring was about $65 a month, if I remember correctly. My IUD cost me $800 for 5 years protection, so about $13 a month.

Whatever you do, DON'T try Depo. I went from a size 10 to a size 24/26 in a little under 2 years. And I was more physically active.

 

[can84]

I switched to Paragard last year, which is a hormone-free IUD. It was not covered by insurance, but it can stay in place up to 10 years.

 

[klacey1]

I'm on Loestrin 24 FE and haven't noticed any weight gain. I think it's just trial and error until your body finds something it agrees with. Good luck!

I agree with this. I switched from Yaz to Loestrin 24 because the former was giving me crazy food cravings (which, if I didn't ignore, WOULD lead to weight gain). I think everyone's different and you may have to try a few different types, that is, if your Dr. okay's it.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

I LOVED my IUD. Had it for seven years until DH got "fixed".

 

[SandrA9810]

is birth control really a trial and error kinda thing???

I've never had a kid and don't ever plan on it. So i want something long term, but the gyn that i saw really doesn't want to give me an IUD. She suggested the little stick thing that they put into the arm, and works up to three years instead of five. I don't want to have this put in if there's going to be unforseen issues like weight gain or mood swings.

I know it's as common as anything these days, but i've never taken any kind of birth control before. And kinda scared of the thought. I'm happy about the prospects of lighter periods... But i really don't understand the rest of it.

And is there a long term low dose version??? For some reason my body acts like i've taken a full dose of medicine on just half a dose.

Taking a pill or doing anything else on my own like the nuvaring, are going be hard to do all the time. And more concern for failure.

Are there any other leave it and forget it type BC that last for years?

 

[phragmipedium]

is birth control really a trial and error kinda thing???

I've never had a kid and don't ever plan on it. So i want something long term, but the gyn that i saw really doesn't want to give me an IUD. She suggested the little stick thing that they put into the arm, and works up to three years instead of five. I don't want to have this put in if there's going to be unforseen issues like weight gain or mood swings.

I know it's as common as anything these days, but i've never taken any kind of birth control before. And kinda scared of the thought. I'm happy about the prospects of lighter periods... But i really don't understand the rest of it.

And is there a long term low dose version??? For some reason my body acts like i've taken a full dose of medicine on just half a dose.

Taking a pill or doing anything else on my own like the nuvaring, are going be hard to do all the time. And more concern for failure.

Are there any other leave it and forget it type BC that last for years?

You might try a different doctor. More are willing to give IUDs to women who haven't given birth these days. If it didn't work out, I think removal of an IUD is quick and near-painless. I don't know too much about the insertion/removal of Norplant or other under-the-skin type birth controls but it seems like that would hurt worse to me.

I'm planning on trying Mirena after this baby. I was on single-cycle birth control for years, skipping placebos to skip periods and regulate cysts on the guidance of my doctor. My libido really suffered from it and lower hormone pills that I tried caused nonstop "breakthrough" bleeding. I have heard a lot of good things about Mirena and only a few negatives, so I'm willing to give it a try. I know there are hormones in the IUD, but it's not a systemic thing like taking BCP. My insurance does cover it so I think that's what I'm going to go with.

 

[Sparx]

is birth control really a trial and error kinda thing???

I've never had a kid and don't ever plan on it. So i want something long term, but the gyn that i saw really doesn't want to give me an IUD. She suggested the little stick thing that they put into the arm, and works up to three years instead of five. I don't want to have this put in if there's going to be unforseen issues like weight gain or mood swings.

I know it's as common as anything these days, but i've never taken any kind of birth control before. And kinda scared of the thought. I'm happy about the prospects of lighter periods... But i really don't understand the rest of it.

And is there a long term low dose version??? For some reason my body acts like i've taken a full dose of medicine on just half a dose.

Taking a pill or doing anything else on my own like the nuvaring, are going be hard to do all the time. And more concern for failure.

Are there any other leave it and forget it type BC that last for years?

I take the Depo Provera shot. Its one shot every 3 months. Its not a leave it and forget it, but its definitely much lower maintenance than the pill (and my period has completely stopped since I've started the shot, so that's a plus too)

I experienced a lot of bad side effects on even the lowest dosage pills, but on the shot I really don't experience any side effects.

 

[amyjo920]

Thank you all so much! Didn't expect this many replies while I was off work.

I'm leaning toward the Nuva Ring. Last time I was on the pill, I was horrible at remembering it, but that was 9 years ago. I'm much more responsible now, so I don't think that will be so much of a problem. I do like the idea of not having to worry about it daily though.

I know about the whole stroke risk, and as a paramedic have actually seen a VERY young person suffer a stroke from birth control/smoking. I do smoke. Know I shouldn't, especially if I go back on birth control, but I do. That's another thing I need to work on.

Just found out my insurance may not cover birth control unless it's a medical necessity, but it should qualify with my irregular cycles as long as my Dr. doesn't have a problem signing for it.

Thanks everyone!

 

[ksumn1]

Good luck with your search. BTW, both my DD's were BC babies, so I'm not a big believer in it's effectiveness. LOL The Nuvaring was really easy for me to keep up with. I always changed out my ring on Sunday. Get the kids bookbags ready, work clothes out, shaved and changed out my ring. Picked a day where I already had a routine. I never really found it it to be uncomfortable at all but you could tell when it had slipped. And maybe I'm wrong but I don't think he combo of smoking and the ring is as bad as smoking and BC pills.

But I don't understand why your Dr feels as though the implant is a better option than an IUD. I guess because of you not having children yet and the risk from uterine tears or punctures.

 

[J3nn78]

I have been on Loestrin 24FE and Ortho tricyclen. I gained weight with both of those. A few friends gained 50+ pounds with Mirena IUD. Some have not gained at all. It really is trial and error with any of them.

 

[paintnolish]

I have BC problems. Everyonething I've been eventually causes break through bleeding, except for Yasmine. None of them have caused any weight gain. My dr. said most don't, except for Depo. She didn't recommend it for a variety of reasons (weight gain, mood swings, crazy cycle). I did, however, use the Nuva. While I did have a 3 month long period (just my crazy cycle, though), it was comfortable. You can't feel it at all.

 

[minkydog]

I know about the whole stroke risk, and as a paramedic have actually seen a VERY young person suffer a stroke from birth control/smoking. I do smoke. Know I shouldn't, especially if I go back on birth control, but I do. That's another thing I need to work on.

!

I have a dear friend who did have a stroke at 17, due to BCPs. She was a non-smoker, too. She spent 9 months in rehab and has no memory of it. She's 56 now and her only issue is balance, especially on uneven ground.

If you're a smoker you really need to think about it. Stop smoking and reduce your risks, not only for the BCPs, but for heart disease, cancer, and premature aging.

 

[AshleyW]

Nuvaring or an IUD would be my suggestions because of the migraines/BC pills possible side effects.

The nuvaring didn't cause me to gain weight, less mood swings, lighter and more regular periods. Not uncomforable and easier to remember to change than pills. Used it for 2 years.

Now I have a Mirena IUD and I love it!! No mood swings, no weight gain (due to bctrl) and without giving TMI, my libido went back to normal after many years of issues. DH loves my IUD too!


Our insurance doesn't cover birth control, so I always had to pay OOP. The Nuvaring was about $65 a month, if I remember correctly. My IUD cost me $800 for 5 years protection, so about $13 a month.

Whatever you do, DON'T try Depo. I went from a size 10 to a size 24/26 in a little under 2 years. And I was more physically active.

Agreed! I only went from a 10/12 to a 16/18 (yeah, only ) but pounds wise, I gained 65-70 in about 2 years. And yeah, that was while playing soccer year-round - I was pretty active. Plus, DF said it made me pretty crazy. The other side effects are pretty nasty, too - loss of bone density, acne, nervousness, headaches.. and you're only supposed to be on it for two years, max. No thanks.

I'm on TriNessa (pill) now, and much saner. Now I just have to work on the weight loss.. eeek.

 

[starrzone]

Is the ring uncomfortable? I think its a better option for myself because I know I'd forget to take a pill once and I'd end up pregnant....

Thanks for your thoughts ladies!

I was on the Ring for 8 months and thought it was great! You really can't feel it if it's in properly, just like a tampon. I did switch to Depo (just wanted to try it, but see my thoughts below!), but I'm going back on the ring once the 3months for my latest Depo shot are up. PM me if you'd like; I have some more advice and experience about the Ring that is more appropriate to give that way .

Nuvaring or an IUD would be my suggestions because of the migraines/BC pills possible side effects.

The nuvaring didn't cause me to gain weight, less mood swings, lighter and more regular periods. Not uncomforable and easier to remember to change than pills. Used it for 2 years.

...
Whatever you do, DON'T try Depo. I went from a size 10 to a size 24/26 in a little under 2 years. And I was more physically active.

This has been my experience almost exactly, down to the sizes! Of course, everyone is different, so you might not go through this at all.

I too am awful at remembering to take pills, so the Ring has been perfect for me. The Dr said that once my cycle has gone back to normal after having been on the Depo, I can use the Ring back-to-back to avoid having periods. I'm going to try this, but if my body doesn't agree with it, I'll just go with the normal 3 weeks on, 1 week off usage.

 

[Kronk's girl]

I get migraines and I went on BCPs a few months before getting married. They did not have any change on my occasional migraines and I did not gain any weight. I haven't taken them in three years though since we have been trying to conceive for the last two years.

 

[Shannon G]

Love, love, LOVE my Mirena! I had my first one implanted shortly after DD#2 was born, and had to have it replaced last year because the 5 years was up. About the same time I first got it I started weight watchers, and as far as I could tell Mirena never had any impact on my weight - I was able to lose successfully and keep (most of) it off. And I swear, it is worth it for the side effects alone! Other than some light spotting for a day or two when I had it replaced last year, I haven't had a visit from "aunt Flo" in over 5 years! Those visits stopped within a couple of months of getting my first Mirena. It's fabulous not to have to deal with that!

 

[SandrA9810]

ok, i just got sticker shocked. I called the office back to make sure all was well to start on it.
I do have insurance, but with a 1000$ deductible i'm pretty much responsible for all of it.
750$ for the implanon 3yrs (the arm thing) or 900$ for Mirena 5yrs. I get that it's still cheap based on per month. But there's no way to come up with that kind of money at once.

Well at least the insurance covered the visit... And all is well. I guess i won't worry about any BC for now. I guess i'll be one of those crazy women that deal with periods every month...

 

[vettechick99]

I've used Ortho Tri Cyclen for years and never gained any weight.

As for migraines, a friend of mine has them and cut out aspartame. Hardly has them at all now. Have you tried that?

GL!

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I'm interested in this as well. I am starting Yaz this week to regulate my cycles and the IBS/diabetes issues I have with my cycles. I've been trying hard to lose weight and I'm hoping this won't set me back.

Obviously everyone reacts to things differently, but for what it's worth, I gained a fair amount of weight when I was on Yaz. I switched back to Yasmin and dropped 10-15 lbs in only a couple of months.