Cycling and your 'cycle'

[doctorfrau]

If you are having so much trouble remembering to take the pill that it messes up your periods, then it is messing up your "protection" too.

You might want to consider the Patch or Depo shots instead - something that isn't quite so timing-sensitive.

See your Gyn - they don't know it's a problem if you don't tell them.

[KSH]

True, I'm not fantastic about remembering to take them on time... I'd forget one and then take two the next night. A few days later I'd forget again and take 'em both the next day.

If you are using this as your only form of BC, and you don't want to get pregnant... be careful! This is probably why women get pregnant on the pill. Maybe you can set an alarm on your phone to remind you take it every morning/night.

I get the Depo shot... and it has been great! Unfortunately, I am only allowed to get it for 2 years, and then I have to get another form of BC. The doctor said that due to the bone loss, you are not allowed to take the Depo shot for more than 2 years.

I asked about the patch, but it's not meant to stay on through 1 hour of lap swimming... sweating on a bike ride for 4 hours... running... etc. It's for the "average" person who doesn't do hardcore workouts!

Otherwise, I hope I can find something that doesn't require me taking a pill once a day... because I am horrible at remembering to take a pill each day!

I wish they still had the Norplant... that thing that would go in your arm for 5 years. Now that would be NICE... because kids are NOT in my future!

[Blueberry]

Otherwise, I hope I can find something that doesn't require me taking a pill once a day... because I am horrible at remembering to take a pill each day

I wonder if this might be an option for you: http://www.nuvaring.com

I've never tried it or discussed with my doc, but do have a friend who swears by it. Might be worth adding to the list of things to ask your doc about...

Good luck!

[Irulan]

I wish they still had the Norplant... that thing that would go in your arm for 5 years. Now that would be NICE... because kids are NOT in my future!

if kids are not in your future, why not just get your tubes tied?

[singletrackmind]

Norplant sucked! Nice, the 5 year without thinking about it thing but the constant breakthrough bleeding was NOT appreciated!

Don't forget to stay away from certain medications and St. John's Wort while you're on the pill, if , er, activities, come your way-they can make the pill less effective.

My sister never got along with the pill and does the shots too. Sometimes it's only a matter of changing pills, as CA said.

Hee Hee! We've gone permanent! I have my dear little boy and 2 step girls and am dangerously close to 40 so we are calling it a day. YAY!!

[anaphase]

I'm on OrthoTricyclen Lo, too, and have never had that problem when I'm good about taking my pills on time, which means taking them in the morning right after brushing my teeth. It's way easier to remember than at night.

But look into the ring or an IUD. IUDs are supposedly way better (safer) now than they used to be, and they last 5 - 10 years. And it's less invasive than going permanent (and depending on how old you are, it might be hard to find a doctor who will actually tie your tubes. Mine wouldn't do it before I was 35 in case I changed my mind. ).

[RoadRaven]

if kids are not in your future, why not just get your tubes tied?

Now that I have done my dash with kids, I have my tubes tied...

Had them done when my youngest was 6 months old.

Brilliant decision - no chemicals, drugs, hormones or invasions like IUDs or latex in my body or with its rythyms

I would thouroughly recommend it to anyone who has finished having kids...

[roughingit]

I use the Nuva ring myself. It's been the least problematic out of everything I've tried.

[trickytiger]

I use the Nuva ring myself. It's been the least problematic out of everything I've tried.

Ditto on that. Seriously, it's the ONLY method I've tried that didn't give me side effects (Nuvaring has a very low hormone level because you don't have to process the hormones through your digestive system) and was really really easy. I like not thinking about it every day.

[doc]

Or even better - have your husband's tubes tied. Mine had his vasectomy last week. A significantly less invasive procedure for a man than a tubal ligation for a woman. Cheaper and quicker recovery too.

[Irulan]

Or even better - have your husband's tubes tied. Mine had his vasectomy last week. A significantly less invasive procedure for a man than a tubal ligation for a woman. Cheaper and quicker recovery too.

heh, you give them any icy six pack to stick between their legs, the TV remote, and say " see ya on monday"...

[SadieKate]

What about duct tape?

[Irulan]

hubby is good, if you are in that situation, I am

ok, YOUR TURN.

I think singles who know that they do not want to be parents should be able to make that choice without getting so much "are you sure" from the medical community. Everyone one I know who has finally gotten what they wanted in terms of a permanent fix, has had no regrets.

Irulan

[MomOnBike]

Another one of the tied-tubes crowd here. Did it after my second child was born. I got a lot of "Are you absolutely positive that you're sure" from every one, but I expected that, given the area I was in.

I've never regretted it.

Anyway, when I was discussing it with my doc, I said that DH & I had decided to be fair and each have one of our tubes tied. The doc gave me The Look and said "It doesn't work that way, you know." Sheesh, I thought docs were supposed to be smart enough to know a joke when they heard one....

[snpdragn]

I had trouble with the Ortho period, and if you change your routine even slightly you pay for it for a few months with spotting and double periods and the like... at least I did.
The best I've ever been on was Alesse and it was perfect. I had no side effects at all, including weight gain, and my period was to the day predictable.