Women: I'm done with hormone birth control.

[ogreenlee]

I guess I'm too old b/c the body can't handle it!

I started on the Nuvaring two months ago. I hadn't really thought about it b/c usually I have mood swings, and I wasn't having any, so I thought I was in the clear with this BC. Then the last few weeks I had been feeling short of breath and easily fatigued. I've had headaches and insomnia. I was also experiencing tingling in my fingers and toes.

Well of course... this scared me into thinking I have a blood clot somewhere. I work at this computer all the time, and I could have easily formed one. I had a physical one month into using the Nuvaring, and it came back with the results that I was borderline diabetic, had high cholesterol and my blood pressure was a little high, too. I've never had issues before, and so I chalked it up to being older. However, I couldn't help but think of my cholesterol levels.

So I start doing a little research that came across Nuvaring. I went to Nuvaring's website, and it talks about how it can raise your blood pressure and cholesterol/triglycerides, chances of developing diabetes, blood clots, heart attacks.. so on and so forth.

I immediately removed the Nuvaring after reading this and took 2 aspirin.

Within hours I felt better. I was able to walk up the stairs without feeling like I was going to pass out. It had to be it, right?

Am I the only one who has has issues?

 

[Hillbeans]

I used Nuva for about 1.5 years and had a few side effects (dizziness, headaches) but none like you described. I decided on a tubal this year as I knew I was done with children and didn't want to be on hormones for the next 10 years (i'm 38).

 

[ogreenlee]

i'm 38 as well. my husband has no problem with the snip. i was trying to help my monthly issue, but i just found out yesterday about an endo ablation. i'm going to look into it!!

i was on the mirena iud, but had major issues with it, too.

 

[glitterkittyy]

i'm 38 as well. my husband has no problem with the snip. i was trying to help my monthly issue, but i just found out yesterday about an endo ablation. i'm going to look into it!!

i was on the mirena iud, but had major issues with it, too.

I had a laser endo ablation about 6 months ago. Best thing EVAH! But it doesn't help with the mood swings or other PMS symptoms (fatigue, bloating, back pain, etc). Still I highly recommend it for issues of (how can I say this??) volume.

 

[ogreenlee]

I had a laser endo ablation about 6 months ago. Best thing EVAH! But it doesn't help with the mood swings or other PMS symptoms (fatigue, bloating, back pain, etc). Still I highly recommend it for issues of (how can I say this??) volume.

You still get cramps?

 

[glitterkittyy]

You still get cramps?

Yes but they aren't as bad. In 90% of cases (from the reading material I was given pre- and post-op), you still have a monthly visitor. I fall in that 90%, but it was still worth it because it is much better than it used to be. It doesn't eliminate it (well it does for 10%--the lucky ones lol), but it does make it much much better.

ETA: I want to add a bit about the cramps. Pre-surgery, I had an awful time. Post-surgery, it is merely noticeable. Nowhere near the doubling you over, laid up in bed pain like before.

 

[ogreenlee]

thanks! good to know!

 

[sneadae]

Gosh, sounds terrible! I've been on Nuvaring for almost 2 years and I am very happy with it. It took several months to balance out in my system, but now I couldn't be happier. My menstrual cycles are light and little/no cramping. Mood swings are still there...but aren't they always??

All birth control types have side effects like the ones you described. When I was researching what BC was right for me, I looked at all of them and they all come with health risks such as high blood pressure, clotting, etc. I just think each person has to find the right fit. Sadly, it usually takes a while and obviously we get all out of whack while we are trying to find that right fit. Blech. Being a woman can be so difficult at times!

Hope you start feeling better and good luck finding the right BC...whatever that may be!

 

[Boo'sMom]

I had a laser endo ablation about 6 months ago. Best thing EVAH! But it doesn't help with the mood swings or other PMS symptoms (fatigue, bloating, back pain, etc). Still I highly recommend it for issues of (how can I say this??) volume.

I agree!!!

 

[okeydokey]

I'm done with the hormones as well. I have a consult tomorrow with a Dr. that does the Essure procedure for permanent birth control. They insert a coil into your tubes and in three months time (or so) they form scar tissue to block them up. Less invasive than a tubal because there is no abdominal incision.

 

[ogreenlee]

my ob has given me none of this info.

wth?

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I'm a little relieved to see that someone else had insomnia when they were using Nuvaring! I used it for a few months last year, and my OB thought I was crazy for saying that I was having problems with insomnia while it was in. I also had mood swings and decided to go back to the good ol pill for a few more years.

 

[ogreenlee]

I'm a little relieved to see that someone else had insomnia when they were using Nuvaring! I used it for a few months last year, and my OB thought I was crazy for saying that I was having problems with insomnia while it was in. I also had mood swings and decided to go back to the good ol pill for a few more years.

Girl, it got so bad that I started taking half an ativan, and still couldn't sleep through the night. Last night was my first night after 24 hours off of the Nuvaring, and I slept all night. When the clock went off this morning, I was shocked!

I hate when OBs think nothing could be the fault of their prescription. Mine thought I was crazy because I wanted off the IUD.

 

[james'mommy]

hormones make me wonky. that's why I got DH fixed.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

So sorry about your bad experience. I had a "suspected stroke" from my birth control pills back in the days (okay, I am not that old, but it was a while ago). My dr's. took me off the pills immediately and said that I should never take hormones again. I really find it disturbing that the drs. today don't listen when you are having side effects... You girls deserve more!

It upsets me more since DD wants to start them. She has acne (no boyfriend so I am not thinking a relationship is the reason) and I keep telling her NO, that the side effects are genetic. She keeps telling me that all the new IUD's and pills are soooo much safer. Yeah right, she's coming here to read this!

 

[paintnolish]

I wish I were able to be done with them. I don't want the longer term commitment with an IUD, though. The problem is that every pill I try (think I've been on 5 over the course of 3 years) gives me month long spotting and 2 week periods.

 

[jenrose66]

I hate hormonal birth control. I have two boys at home and the thought of another one is down right terrifying, but right now I have a Paraguard in, no hormones. I'd prefer not to even have that in but I need something reliable until DH gets the big snip in April (he'll turn 30 and he promised when he's 30 he'd have it done).

I figure I was on the Pill for years, I tried Mirena after my first son and hated it....I'm done with hormones too.

 

[emer95]

I'm having the opposite issue. I am on the pill and I don't want to go off of it. We're 99% sure we don't want more kids, but when I tried to go off of the pill last year (hubby was going to get snipped) I had the most severe acne of my entire life. I can't even explain how bad it was. I also had wicked periods and I promptly went back on the pill. My doctor told me I could safely stay on it until menopause (I'm 35 and I've been on it for 9 years since my youngest was born). I hope that's true! Maybe the pill has a different effect than Nuvaring? I don't mind taking a pill every day. I take it with breakfast and it's part of my routine.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I'm having the opposite issue. I am on the pill and I don't want to go off of it. We're 99% sure we don't want more kids, but when I tried to go off of the pill last year (hubby was going to get snipped) I had the most severe acne of my entire life. I can't even explain how bad it was. I also had wicked periods and I promptly went back on the pill. My doctor told me I could safely stay on it until menopause (I'm 35 and I've been on it for 9 years since my youngest was born). I hope that's true! Maybe the pill has a different effect than Nuvaring? I don't mind taking a pill every day. I take it with breakfast and it's part of my routine.

I have been told the exact same thing. I'm 38 and have been on it since 23 minus 3 pregnancies and nursing. I tried without for a couple of months, and my periods and mood swings were horrible!!! They were never like that in my younger years. My doctor told me in much nicer words that I was getting old! When I am on the pill, everything is good so on the pill I will stay!

I am editing this to add that my doctor said long term pill use is fine if you don't smoke. I just remembered that part and didn't want anyone who smoked to think it is safe!!