Birth control question.

[piegirl]

What type of birth control have you had the least side afects from?

What would be considered the safest form of birth control?

What is the easiest form of birth control?

I am only asking for your opinions and personal experiences. I am wishing to find another form other than the pill. I have had several problems with the pill and for the most part am very unhappy with it. I do not know if I should a different pill or a completely new type of BC.

Thanks.

[kellbell]

Hi there,

I was on Depo Provera and HATED it. Weight gain, unpredicatable spotting that can last for days, mood swings, decreased sex drive. UGH! The only plus about Depo Provera is that it is an injection taken once every three months. With all side effects aside, I believe that Depo is the easiest form of birth control.

Now I am on the Orthro Evra Patch and I love it. No side effects except I went up a 1/2 cup size. It is changed once a week for three weeks and the forth week you have your period. But in the recent months, there has been class action law suits filed against the pharmacutical company that produces the Patch because some women have had some serious side effects because of the extra shot of estrogen.

No birth control is completely safe. Any synthetic hormone is going to have risks and side effects. It all depends on the person.

[RayKay]

Hey piegirl,

I went off the pill about 3 months ago now, after having been on it ten years. Best damn decision I could of made. I made it mainly for cancer risk reasons, however, I also realized how else it was affecting me. After going off it, my moods elevated (I HAD more moods!), my anxiety all but disappeared, I felt way more energetic and my sex drive was even stronger.

I would suggest you are reacting to the hormones, and that maybe you need to try NON hormonal kinds of birth control.

I got a copper IUD after I went off the pill, and I ABSOLUTELY love it. It does not interfere with my natural cycles, ovulation (HELLO libido!), no additional hormones to mess up my endocrine system, no weight gain, no worrying about it other than checking it now and then. While some have heavier periods/cramping mine have been very bearable and WELL worth the trade off of being off hormonal birth control.

I would talk to your doctor about it as an option, it really has been fantastic for me. I believe you also have children, so insertion is even easier, and you may have less cramping, etc too because of that (I have not had children but it is still fine).

The only requirements are you are practice safe sex/be monogamous, have a LOW history of infection (as the IUD makes it easier for infections to travel into reproductive system which can cause scarring/infertility) and not have heavy periods (risk of anemia) or a copper allergy (maybe get an allergy test beforehand!). Those whom have higher history of infection or certain STI's or expose themselves to them can as a result get PID, scarring or other complications. There is also a low risk of perforation on insertion, but this happens VERY rarely.

It is the easiest thing I have done! It is also good for 5-10 years depending on brand.

As for effectiveness, it is MORE effective than the pill (and less risk of error too!) and gets more effective the longer you have it. If you DO fall into that unlucky few though, the risk of ectopic pregnancy is higher though so you have to be careful and aware of that.

[piegirl]

I have looked up the copper IUD online and it does seem to be easier (after having it put in) as well as not having the side the effects that I have been experiencing. I am looking into all options of course but this is definately one that I will look at closer.

Thanks

[snowgirl]

Yes, I would go for the IUD if I were still single.

[Sputnik]

Great question! I've had the same thing on my mind for a while...

All the adults who I've talked to say that IUDs are definitely the way to go, too. They're quite inexpensive in the long run, easy to use, and safe as hell. But is it true that IUDs are not recommended for people who haven't had sex before? It mentioned that on a website detailing how the hormonal IUD Mirena works. Just wondering if anyone had any more info on that.

[RayKay]

Originally Posted by Sputnik

Great question! I've had the same thing on my mind for a while...

All the adults who I've talked to say that IUDs are definitely the way to go, too. They're quite inexpensive in the long run, easy to use, and safe as hell. But is it true that IUDs are not recommended for people who haven't had sex before? It mentioned that on a website detailing how the hormonal IUD Mirena works. Just wondering if anyone had any more info on that.

I think they would not be recommended for very young women, or people not in a monogamous relationship. Reasons are you are still growing (your reproductive organs are still growing too), and you are more likely to have more sexual partners (and higher exposure to infection/STI).

They used to also not recommend them for women whom have not had children, but with the advance in technology, and awareness, they now do put them in women whom have not had children. In the past, the Dalkon Shield is what gave the bad rap, as it causes many women to get Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and go sterile. This was due to the string design which carried bacteria up, as well as the size of the IUD which caused severe pain in many. Smaller IUDs, better construction and education have changed this though some doctors are still hesitant in North America. However, in other parts of the world IUD use is VERY high in even younger women.

I have a copper IUD (Flexi-T) after several years on hormones, and could not be happier with it. It is even EASIER than the pill, even less to worry about and I have had no problems. Some women do get increased cramping/heavier periods, but while they are longer than when I was on pill which was totally expected, they are still vey tolerable and quite short! I was able to go to gym within 2 hours of getting it in, and was back to running and cycling the next day.