Birth Control...Other than the pill?

So, for the women who are using a form on contraceptive other than the pill, what are you on, what are your thoughts on it? I'm going to the Obgyn soon and thinking of asking for a new type of birth control. Since taking the pill, my sex drive has gone way down, I've gained wait, and well, I'm just terrible at remembering to take it. Almost every week there is a day I miss and have to take two the next day. I just don't think the pill is right for me, so I want to look at alternative methods. I have never even considered anything else though, so I've done very little research.

So, if you don't use the pill, but not trying to make a baby, what do you do? Patch, shot, sponge, some ring thing I've heard advertised on TV? What do you use, and why do you like it? Any experiences (good or bad) with other birth control methods would be much appreciated. Even if you tried something once, decided it wasn't for you and went to the pill, I would like to hear about it.

vasectomy worked great for us.
of course, we had our two kids before we even knew what hit us...

I may get slammed for this...but, the shots sound scary to me. Not having your period for MONTHS at a time just does not seem natural!! just my $0.02 opinion though...research may prove me wrong :o

I hear the patches are BAD!!! ...and this is from more than one doctor

Many moons ago someone recommended

http://www.paragard.com/new_installs/paragard/index.php

I have done a little research but it looked like a good alternative for me when I am ready to take the time to arrange for the appointments to the OB.

Good luck...I will be following this thread to see what kind of responses you get :)

I've actually been on the pill since I was 12, for ovarian cysts. I'm 25 now & at my last OBGYN appt., my doc recommended I switch to something else, because being on the pill for longer than 10 years raises cancer risks. She said her best advice for me was the Nuvaring, and that she has delivered more children as a result of the shot.:rolleyes:

Longtime copper IUD user, checking in! :)

I use a copper Paragard T380A. It does cause heavier periods and cramping, but for me these are minor inconveniences to deal with in exchange for NO HORMONES as well as the second-highest rate of reliability. The only contraceptive method that is more reliable is surgical sterilization. It is also quite economical as the device is FDA certified for 10 years of use. I got mine at Planned Parenthood for about $250 eight years ago.

Did I mention no hormones? Also, should I ever decide to procreate one day, as soon as the device is removed I'll be ready to conceive. There is no hormonal roller coaster to start or stop using a copper IUD.

Not to get argumentative with you or with an OB/GYN I don't know but did your doctor qualify her statement that BCPs increase a woman's risk for cancer? The research on that issue--at least with respect to breast cancer--is conflicting at best. Some studies suggest that there is no known risk with the lower-dose pills that are available today. Age may play a factor, too. And the research further suggests that BCP use may reduce the risk of other types of cancer. I would gather more information about this issue before going off the Pill if that's your biggest concern.

As for skipping periods, I read recently that the whole 21-day pill pack (so that women would get their regular period) was not created because it was medically necessary or beneficial. Instead, it was a marketing ploy because they thought the pill would be more appealing to women if it didn't disrupt their period. The research I've read shows that it is actually better that women have a break from their periods. Pregnancy naturally provides such a break, and there's never been a suggestion that pregnancy is "dangerous" in this regard. The biggest problem with 28-day pills is that a lot women have breakthrough bleeding problems. In any case, here are a couple of articles from WebMD about period suppression. http://www.webmd.com/content/article/97/104171.htm; http://www.webmd.com/content/article/71/81215.htm.

I, for one, use a 24-day low-dose pill that I love. My sex drive is back (now I just need to find a man), my migraines are gone, and my period is minimal.

As for other types of birth control, remember that any of the patches/shots, rings on the market work the essentially the same as the pill, e.g., by using hormones to prevent ovulation. I would assume, then, that if Pill increases the risk of cancer, then those methods may as well. That leaves you essentially with "barrier" methods, e.g., the IUD, the diaphram, and condoms. I think the IUD, from what I've read, has gotten much better recently so maybe that's an option.

There's a wealth of information on WebMD about the Pill and other forms of birth control. You might want to look there for more information.

Kate

Honestly, I'm not sure what info she was using. She sort of sprung it on me as I was heading out the door, after already writing a prescription for my pill (Orthocept). I told her I would think about it, just haven't done further research (job relocation has gotten in the way of that).

Like you I would forget to take the pill and then have to double up. Hated That! I also broke out with terrible acne because of it, I'm 38 and much to old for all of that mess. :mad: A few months ago I switched to the ring and just love it. No having to remember to take anything, no acne, no weight gain. Just great! I do however, have to remember to take it out and replace it. Since I do not plan on having kids, ever, I am talking to my doctor about permanent method that is non-invasive. It is called "Eversure" they insert small titanium "springs" into the fallopian tubes and in about three months the body builds up scar tissue around the springs that blocks the tubes. It is an in office procedure and from what I have read a great alternative to traditional methods.

Good luck and talk to your doc!

I use an IUD after 17 years on the pill and after the first couple of months of adjustment...I LOVE IT.

I tried Depo Provera - bad idea for me. But, it did get me to try a new doc who discovered my uterine fibriods that my old doc failed to look for... :mad:

The IUD that I use is Mirena and it is hormonal (as opposed to Paragard which is not). It secreets a constant but small dose (a tiny fraction of what even the low-dose pills have) of hormone which actually helps regulate your period. For me, even with heavy and irregular periods my whole life, it all but eliminated it. I still ovulate, I still cycle (I can tell by my skin and occasional light cramps) but I don't actually bleed. It has NO effect on libido and so far, I haven't had a single issue (it's been just over a year). It lasts about 5 years, but it can be removed at any time and supposedly, your fertility returns immedaitely. (not that we've tested it ;) ).

I was on the pill for a while, then switched to the Nuva Ring. the Ring was very convenient, and reliable - but I lost all sex drive. So I stopped recently. I decided to get fitted for a diaphram, which the midwife had me practice before I left the office. Damn thing practically killed someone as it shot out of my fingers like in that lobster scene in Pretty Woman (with Lobster, not a diaphram).
Ok bad analogy - and I am exagerating a little. The sucker is pretty slippery when you put all that gunk on it though. I've had it for 3 weeks now, and I'm still afraid to try it.

Let us know what you learn. There are so many different methods. My midwife also said that using a calendar to keep track of your ovulation time - is effective - if you are religious about it.

DH had a vasectomy. Due to my medical history I could not use BC. We did use Natural Family Planning and had 3 children while we were grad students. :eek:

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Originally Posted by cherinyc

My midwife also said that using a calendar to keep track of your ovulation time - is effective - if you are religious about it.

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Funny, I just posted how this method "worked" for us. :) We were really careful, I have no idea what happened. Even the Perinatologist was shocked I conceived the twins.

Reminds me of the joke I heard about the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM):

Q: What do you call people who use FAM?

A: Parents. :rolleyes:


I can see how FAM might work if your menstrual cycle is extremely orderly. But for the other 95% of women...

At any rate, learning about FAM and tracking cervical mucus has helped me a ton. I have a very long and very variable cycle and I always used to freak out about "late" periods. Now I just wait and watch the mucus to see when ovulation happens, and I'm comfortable knowing that two weeks hence I'll get my period.

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Originally Posted by GLC1968

I use an IUD after 17 years on the pill and after the first couple of months of adjustment...I LOVE IT.

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I have a cousin who had an IUD inserted and she got pregnant. When she called the Dr. to inform her of the situation, she couldn't explain why this happened. We found out later that the Dr. inserted it in the wrong place. The Dr. was lucky she didn't sue.

As for the pill, I was on it once and HATED it. After having our second child, we decided to get DH fixed.

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Originally Posted by hsmpcycle

I have a cousin who had an IUD inserted and she got pregnant. When she called the Dr. to inform her of the situation, she couldn't explain why this happened. We found out later that the Dr. inserted it in the wrong place. The Dr. was lucky she didn't sue.

As for the pill, I was on it once and HATED it. After having our second child, we decided to get DH fixed.

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If the IUD was "in the wrong place" where would it be? That makes absolutely no sense to me. If it were in the vagina it would just fall out. And it sure isn't getting into or past the fallopian tubes without some serious pain and injury. I think some story details are missing.

NONE of the birth control methods in existence are perfect. Women have gotten pregnant using any and all of them, even correctly. It just happens sometimes.

I used IUD for 10 years. Very happily. Now we've changed to vasectomy.