Birth Control - New Iberia, LA

Updated on June 24, 2008
J.R. asks from New Iberia, LA
35 answers

I have been taking birth control pills for about a year and a half now. For some reason no mater what I try I somehow forget to take a pill every now and then. About 3 or 4 months ago I skipped my first pill. (drug store was closed) Ever since then I am having 2 periods a month. It's starting to get back on track now but I forgot it again a couple weeks ago. For the past few months I feel different. I'm always tired. I'm dizzy. a little sick to my stomach. I'm not pregnant. Well I'm still having periods so I'm assuming I'm not. I was thinking about switching to another type of birth control, Mirena. I'm researching on the web and from what I can tell its about 50/50. Half like it and half don't. Has anyone heard anything about it or does anyone have one?

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A.M.

answers from Dothan on

If you have had a child, then Mirena is most likely a good option. If you have not, then you are really not a good candidate for it.

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A.J.

answers from Little Rock on

I have been on Mirena since end of Feb. I have only had 1 problem with it, I bled for about 6 weeks after getting it. It wasn't heavy, it was like 6- week long periods in a row. It would start out heavier and go to spotting then start all over again. Also every now and then I can feel the string poke me. It doesn't hurt, but I can feel it. I can always go and have the doctor trim it but it doesn't bother me that much. I do enjoy not having to worry about taking something daily. So to me the bleeding was worth the next 5 years not worrying. Also, I haven't had any periods since the bleeding stopped. Hope this helped.

J.G.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I have had Mirena for a few months and love it. I have had only 2 periods and both have been very light. I have only heard of a few people who didn't like it or had complications. If you are looking for something that you don't have to worry about I would go with it. Good luck!

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D.H.

answers from Fayetteville on

Hi J.. I have a Minera IUD and I love it. I am a first time mom, 34 at the time I got it and have had it for 2 years with no problems. Also no periods except for the occasional spotting...bonus! I have had no ill effects, symptoms or problems, the insurance paid for it in full (unlike BC pills). My husband hasn't noticed anything different. I am a fan.

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J.G.

answers from Fayetteville on

I have tried a low dose pill in 2 different brands and like them both. I really feel low dose is the way to go. To help you remember to take your pill everyday try setting a reminder in your cell phone for the same time everyday. I did that when I was taking the minipill while breastfeeding when it was essential I take it at the same time everyday....worked wonderfully. Good luck!

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R.M.

answers from Birmingham on

I've had the Mirena for about two months now, put in right after my daughter's birth in March. I bled for about six weeks as well and that's it. My OB did have to trim the string at the follow up appointment (I could feel it when I sat certain ways and my hubby could feel it during sex). It's wonderful, and more effective that a vasectomy!

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D.Q.

answers from Lawton on

I used to be the same way about forgetting my pills.. I started getting the irregular periods but you do need to be careful. I ended up getting pregnant and still having the irregular periods and I didn't know i was pregnant until i finally went to the doctor and they had me do an ultrasound and come to find out i was 3 months pregnant. so just cause u still have a period doesnt mean u might not b pregnant.. But if i were you i would try to go to the doc and see what is going on with the long periods.

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J.H.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Make sure you talk to your doctor about the side effects you're feeling, as they could be related to a host of other problems or conditions.

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P.W.

answers from Jonesboro on

I work for an ob-gyn office and you have many choices. The best thing would be for you to make an appointment and discuss with your gynecologist. There's nuvaring, inserted monthly. Birth conrol shots lasting for 3 months. We do a lot of IUD's. Good luck.

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R.R.

answers from Tulsa on

With our bodies it is better not to assume and look for a doctor's check up and recommendation.
One of my co-workers 4 years ago, discovered she was pregnant when she was already 8 months!!!Her periods were so irregular she didn't know.
Mean while, while you look for information, and switch to another contraceptive, protect yourself using at least condoms together with a foam, sponges or contraceptive strips.

Take good care of yourself, God bless you,
R.

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C.Y.

answers from Decatur on

Hello Every birth control is different for everyone what works for you might not work for someone else. Sounds like you need talk to your doctor look in to one that you don't have to remember as much. The real reason I responded is to let you know just because you are having a period does mean you are not pregnant. The first 3 months I was pregnant with my son I had normal periods every month like clock work. I was just tired,dizzy, sick to my stomach. GOOD LUCK my prayer are with you.

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T.O.

answers from Lake Charles on

I don't know much about Mirena, so I can't help you there. However, you need to take a home pregnancy test to make sure, if you haven't already. Some women have periods during their pregnancies, esp. if birth control has been a little off as yours has. So before you do anything else, I would strongly recommend that you go out and take a test just to make sure. Good luck! :)

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R.W.

answers from Birmingham on

good morning! I have the Mirena, and have had for 12 months now. I got it after my second child was born, who is now 13 months old. I got pregnant three times (one miscarriage) off of the pill and the patch, so we decided to try something a little more reliable! It was a little uncomfortable to have inserted, but not horrible. The only side effects I had to begin with was nausea, but I was given a perscription for that. I have had two instances of light spotting, but other than that I have not had a period since it was inserted. I love it! Not having to remember to take something and no periods are wonderful to me. If I were you I would check out mirena's website.

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L.S.

answers from Mobile on

Hi J.! If you are feeling like that you should get check by your doctor. My daughter was having her periods until her 5 month. If you are not pregnant, then see if you can use the patch, it was the only thing that worked for me. I was like you ...good luck...

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A.P.

answers from Tulsa on

Hi J., I had minera for 3 1/2 years. I just had it romoved two weeks ago due to some symptoms I figured out that were related to it. I loved it at first and recommend it to all my friends and family, three years later I begain to put two and two together. I was have horrible mood swings, (that I never had before) was diagonsed with premenstral dysphoric dysorder, depression (which had never been a problem with me before), I had been breaking out with acne all over my chest neck and face (and have never had bad acne), I had horrible pain in my lower abdomen, which in turn was ovarian cyst that had burts, (never had cysts before either). I googled minera and mood swings and found a hole bunch of forums that women were discussing the same sympoms that I was experiencing. And YES i still had a monthly period that lasted 4 days but was light, ao it is possible you will still have a period. So in turn I had it removed. I am now on yaz and we'll see how I do. (I HATE TAKING A PILL EVERYDAY!) I have my pill pack on my alarm clock so when I set it for the morning I will take my pill right before I go to bed.
Each person is different and reacts to hormones differently talk with your doc about it and see what thy recommend. Do your research and be well informed about your choices. Good Luck!!

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W.M.

answers from Decatur on

bc pills increase your estrogens you have 3 types of estrogen and only one progesterone to lower all three.
In order to keep your estrogens at a healthy stage, you will want to change diet. 1st-no eggs 2nd- no chicken 3rd-limit cheese and milk. If continue to take BC, high impact excercise and diet should change or you will age quickly, gain weight and be high risk for cancer. Doctors forget to tell us all that stuff, they make money on all RX drugs.
If you would like to learn more I can email you some facts.
feel free to email: ____@____.com
health & wellness specialist/Dental hygienist

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J.C.

answers from Jackson on

I just recently got Mirena and love it so far. I had a child about 4 mos ago and we want to wait a few years before the next one. I have heard it's less painful if you have had a vaginal delivery and I did and mine didn't hurt a bit. My Dr said you can experience irregular bleeding for about 6 mos but after that she said it should stop. It is also cheaper if your insurance covers it than paying for birth control pills for the next 5 yrs. Good Luck.

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A.D.

answers from Enid on

I use the Nuvaring. I have for over 3 years and LOVE IT!!! You insert it, wait 3 weeks, take it out one week and have a 2 day light period and then put a new one in!! It is awesome! My OB loves them and does highly recomend them.

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T.S.

answers from Little Rock on

I don't know about the Mirena. I got my tubes tied after my last child. I was having real long and heavy peroids and I started to take Iron because I know that I am iron deficent some and when you are bleeding a lot you lose your iron but anyway. I would try that for the tiredness. but I would talk to the dr about the extra bleeding. You may need a higher dose or you might be preg.

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C.T.

answers from Fayetteville on

Take a pregnancy test! Just because you are having periods does not mean you aren't pregnant and you don't want to take bc while pregnant. And consult with your dr about other methods or a pill that is not a big deal if you miss or take it late. (some are better than others on that depending on amt of hormones in them.) I forget to take mine often too, if I miss I take one in the morning one in the evening till I'm caught up (I usually only miss one day at a time.) If I take them both at once or one in the afternoon, then evening I wake up sick the next morning-lovely huh? Take the test then discuss bc options with your Dr.

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S.S.

answers from Little Rock on

I got pregnant twice from missing a pill or even taking it at a little later time than I normally took it.

Also, beware, I was a very healthy person and was taking the pill for years after the birth of our 3rd child I went on the patch and started having TIA's or mini-strokes. I am no longer taking the pill. A safer alternative is Natural Family Planning. You might want to check on this as an option. Best of luck with your search on what is best for you and your family.

S.

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L.F.

answers from Monroe on

I have a mirena and love it, i wouldn't have anything else from now on!

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J.T.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Don't know anything about Mirena, but I suggest you take a pg test or get in to your doc. The pill is not safe for pg, and it's not a good assumption to make...you sound like you might be pg and I believe that if you're on the pill it may cause you continue to have periods notwithstanding pregnancy (some women even have breakthrough bleeding regardless). In the future if you don't switch to a different method of b/c, follow the pill's instructions for missed pills... stop taking your pills, use a back up method of b/c and start a new pack the week after your next period.

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A.C.

answers from Lawton on

Here is what my freind Kary put up on our message boards of our loaal moms group and she said I could share it. It is long but well worth reading:

"After I got pregnant twice while on birth control pills, I decided to get the Mirena IUD after Eli was born. It sounded like the perfect form of birth control. No more periods, you didn?t have to remember to take anything, no shots, and it last for five years!!!!!!!! I got the IUD six weeks after Eli was born. It?s a tiny plastic device that is shaped like a T. It squirts out small amounts of hormone into your uterus daily. Anyways, for a year I had no noticeable side effects from the IUD. Now knowing what I do, I can think of some minor things that did change. On March 14, I had to be rushed to the ER with an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Once there my heart started to beat normally and they sent me home. I continued to have chest pain for one week and then eventually it went away. Then like clockwork, one month later the same symptoms came back! Back to the ER with heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness or breath, numbness in left arm and heart racing. This went on for several weeks. I think I was in and out of the ER six or seven times. They did a stress test and I even had to wear a heart monitor. The heart monitor picked up that I was having PVCs and PACs which are premature heartbeats coming from both chambers of the heart. However, everything else came back fine so they still had no answers. Plus, the constant numbness in my arm was asymptomatic, meaning it did not really relate to anything else. After no answers from the doctors, I decided to start researching online. One night I thought of my IUD and decided to Google IUD and heart palpitations. BOOM and there it was, thousands of girls who were going through the very same thing as me. Once some of them had their IUDs out their symptoms slowly started to go away. I further researched hormone imbalance and there is where I found all the same symptoms as well. I called my doctor and he agreed that it could be possible. I had the IUD taken out two days later and everyday since I have felt better!!!!!!!!! The thing about it is this, we trust that this little plastic device will only squirt out the small amount of hormone it?s suppose to and not anymore than that. At the same time this little plastic device has enough hormones in it to last for FIVE YEARS!

I wanted to post something sooner but wanted to make sure that everything else that needed to be checked was. Most doctors, I have heard, will deny that this is possible but numbers don?t lie.

I just wanted to share because I am sure a lot of women out there have these symptoms and have never thought to relate it to their IUD.
"

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E.A.

answers from Little Rock on

I just had my third child and plan on using mirena when I quit breastfeeding. My OB has one and loves it. My old OB's wife has one and loves it as well. Also a friend of mine has one and after 4 months she quit having periods all together. I have heard a lot of positive things about it.

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M.O.

answers from Mobile on

J., I got the Mirena in 2004 and it took some getting use to. I don't have a problem with it at all. I do not have a period and that is something I enjoy. I am schedule March 2009, to replace and start over another 5 years. I am not sure if I am going to do that or something else because I don't want anymore kids. You will get some discomfort but I feel very safe. I did not like the pills or the shot at all. I lost some weight after getting the Mirena because I had fluid more than anything.

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T.W.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I get a shot every three months. I dont have to remember every day to take a pill and I make an appt w/my doctor for the shot so its on my calendar and I know when I have to go in. Even with my copay at the dr's office it costs less than taking the pill. I love not having to remember to take a pill every day. Ask your doctor about it so he can give you the pros and cons. Good Luck.

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G.B.

answers from Tulsa on

Consider the ring. It goes in and stays until you take it out. Even when "fun" is...intense it stays put. A couple of my friends use it and they all really like the ease and security of not taking pills or having any side effects.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_birth-control-ring_###-###-##...

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S.W.

answers from Tulsa on

I just had the mirena placed last week. My doctor highly recommends them and told me that it's what she uses. I don't think it's recommended if you haven't had any children, and there are a list of other situations that it's not recommended for.

My doctor likes to place them when your'e on your period. That helps ensure that you aren't pregnant and it's also easier to place. I was not on my period because I am 16 weeks postpartum and am exclusively breastfeeding. Having it placed wasn't a joy ride or anything, but after having had a 31 hour labor, it wasn't too bad... just practiced my deep breathing and relaxation techniques while she was placing it. And I've been kind of crampy this week (somewhere in the realm of mild period cramps). I've also been spotting all week, and I guess it's fairly normal to spot for the first couple of months. But the initial side effects really haven't been that bad.

The main reasons that I chose mirena were that I'm really bad about remembering to take pills everyday, I didn't want to go back on the patch because I've been hearing about some pretty serious side effects (heart problems), hubby and I don't really like barrier methods, and mirena just seemed so easy. I'd also read more positive experiences with it than with the copper IUDs.

I'd say talk to you doctor and go from there.

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M.H.

answers from Jackson on

With Mirena you have to have had a child. I just had it taken out to get pregnant. I had it for 3 years and absolutely LOVED it. My hormones balanced out and I didn't have a period for the entire 3 years. I would definitely recommend it if you are a candidate.

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C.C.

answers from Huntsville on

i have the same problem with birth control (how i had my son) i am now using yaz. i really like it and on the website you can register to have them text message you everyday as a reminder to take your pill. I love it!

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A.O.

answers from Pine Bluff on

I love my Mirena.....wouldn't trade it for anything.

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S.L.

answers from Tulsa on

Just talk to your doctor- that is where you will always get the best advice medically!

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M.S.

answers from Texarkana on

I got the mirena put in at my 8 week checkup after my second son was born. It was painful when they put it in, but afterwards fine. I was having really heavy periods and went in for a checkup after it had been in place 6 months. The doctor said my uterus was inflamed and that I had just had a miscarriage, not a 2 week long period like I thought. He thought I had more than one in the 6 months I had it. Had it removed and got on the new pill YAZ, love it! Barely have a period every month, one day of spotting is all. No side effects for me either, on fifth pack so far. Hope this helps

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D.C.

answers from Tulsa on

Hi J.,
I've had a Mirena for over 6 months now with no problems. I barely have any spotting and love not having to take a pill or use spermicide. I think it is the perfect option because we do not want any more children (3 boys is enough for me!) but I do not want to have surgery. Good luck. as women, we have so many options now. You will find the one that is right for you.
D.

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