Birth Control

[rubybullet]

Hi,
So I am thinking this post belongs here as it is related to being pregnant or trying not to get pregnant. So, I have had an IUD for the past couple of years and am due to get it replaced in October with perhaps a new one. Not sure yet though if I will stick with an IUD. I have the Mirena, and it has made me gain weight since I got it put in 30lbs to be exact. However I have a few other problems with some of the birth controls out there and not sure if there is anything new that any of you have heard of, or really like yourselves. I am allergic to latex, so no latex condoms or the ring. I also cannot take the pill or patch,l because my sister got blood clots from using the pill due to the high amounts of hormones. They won't give me the shots or the copper IUD as they said with all my sensitivities the copper could make me infertile if I am allergic to it and do not know. So what were my choices 5 years ago, the implants or the mirena iud (low hormone). I am on Mirena. But am hoping that due to the advances in healthcare there is probably something that wasn't thought about. Anyone has suggestions? Thanks!

[SoonerTexan]

Yikes--you really don't have a lot of options do you!

I'm going to throw this out there--charting might be an option. There is a learning curve, but it is nice to know what is going on with your body. My first clue I was pregnant was that my basal body temperature stayed up longer than normal. And yes, it works, despite my ticker. (I cannot tell you how many people have already asked if this kiddo was a surprise )

We learned from a Catholic program, but this is a secular one a lot of people use: http://www.tcoyf.com/

[PrincessFiona]

Word of warning: we have 5 children.

They do make non-latex condoms which I imagine are effective if used. Lol.


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[diggitydot]

I have a latex allergy, too. There are non-latex condoms on the market, but their failure rate is significantly higher than the latex brands.

[scarlett09]

If your sister got blood clots from birth control pills, I do not think that necessarily means that the same will happen to you. Plus, her clots could be related to a number of other health factors that being on BC simply put her over the top. They do make lower dose pills now. And don't use the patch - it sucks. For me, I had terrible skin reactions to it, since my skin is so sensitive.

My sister's friend wound up with blood clots from birth control pills. They told her that she will no longer be able to use hormonal birth control pills. While I think that the BC was a contributing factor, I really think that her diet and exercise regimne were the main causes. She was overexercising and under eating - she was literally eating only leafy greens, which help your blood to clot (you're not supposed to eat them when you are on blood thinners).

Anyway, just my .02 cents on the issue. I wish you the best of luck in finding something that works for you!

[MrsK]

Word of warning: we have 5 children.

They do make non-latex condoms which I imagine are effective if used. Lol.


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What she said. I also have limited options due to hormone sensitivities. I haven't found anything that isn't cumbersome and awkward. While pregnancy is also cumbersome and awkward (says the lady who is having her babies 17-18 months apart), at least I get a baby out of it. The alternative is just cumbersome and awkward relations.

[ides]

Honestly, I won't touch birth control drugs. I learned from the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" to get pregnant & also use what I learned to not get pregnant. There is a learning curve however I love being able to know how my body works reproductively. I get its not for lots but it is a drug free option.

[Pollyanna]

Yikes--you really don't have a lot of options do you!

I'm going to throw this out there--charting might be an option. There is a learning curve, but it is nice to know what is going on with your body. My first clue I was pregnant was that my basal body temperature stayed up longer than normal. And yes, it works, despite my ticker. (I cannot tell you how many people have already asked if this kiddo was a surprise )

We learned from a Catholic program, but this is a secular one a lot of people use: http://www.tcoyf.com/

This. We have 5 PLANNED children and have only used NFP and have plenty of sex . The secular version, also known as FAM, is the same with the added suggestion of using condoms during your fertile phase (in your case you can use the non-latex versions but I don't know their failure rate). TCOYF is a great book and I believe a must read for everyone no matter what type of birth control you use.

[HouseofWool]

If you want the TCOYF book, pm your address and I will send it your way. Being that abstinence is my method now (not by choice) and I don't have the patience for it.

[hedixo01]

I'm not a huge fan of hormonal BC; I just don't like the things it does to you. I too have done the temperature method. It takes some getting used to, but there is a great device available called Lady Comp. It's a computer that takes your temperature everyday and gives you red, green or yellow lights depending on whether or not it's safe to have sex. You also enter in your stats and it keeps track of your periods as well. Once it gets to know your cycle it will even predict when you'll be starting. It is on the expensive side, but it's a one time purchase. It's very effective when used properly. That being said, my husband and I have two unplanned babies. But we both know the days that happened, and we are totally to blame. lol

[bokelley]

I have done the implant , it was horrible. At my ob gyn office we always remove them. I was on yaz for about 2 yrs until just a few months ago. I liked it! Alot o women like nuvaring I am not sure about the pharmacology behind it. I think we will go charting after a baby with my breast issues I just don't want extra hormones in me

[samssugarmomma]

I'd also recommend NFP (Natural family planning) or FAM (fertility awareness method). I read the Taking Charge of Your Fertility book in about an afternoon and felt like I had mastered temping and charting after a few cycles. The author of TCOYF also has software that you can purchase and the software tells you when you are fertile and unfertile.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

I was on various forms of OCP for roughly a decade. My final 6 years or so, I was on Seasonale. I loved it - only 4 periods per year, my previously debilitating pain was under control. I tolerated hormonal BC well, though. Went off of it in October, didn't start ovulating until January, got pregnant in February. We used the Clear Blue Easy ovulation kit, because seeing/not seeing a smily face was easier than me temping. I get up several times throughout the night, sometimes for an hour or so, and testing my temp just wasn't cutting it. After this babe is born, we are going to not use any type of formal BC and let the chips fall where they may. Once we are done having kids, I'll probably do an IUD.

[Vanquisher]

Different things work or don't work well for different women. Unfortunately, with birth control, you have to know what you want, try, and try some more. My body never responded well to things a lot of women love (Mirena, pills, e. g.). Implanon, however, was great for me, and Norplant before that. I also had success with Nuvaring.

NFP was never right for me. I had too much pain from endometriosis as well as heavy bleeding, and I needed hormonal control. Now I have the best birth control ever, which is sterility in the form of a hysterectomy. No more pain or periods that last 2+ weeks. Just worry-free sex with my husband. I highly recommend if you are done.

[weeniegeniewife]

I highly recommend if you are done.

Mine is scheduled for September. I. Can't. Wait!!