Hello Moms wondering if you could offer advice on other forms of birth control other than the pill. What are you opinions on other methods? Thanks for you help.
I have two friends on Mirena and they love it. If you are done having kids, my husband had a V and it was easier than the thought of it. :o) I heard the IUD is good too. I would NOT try the one w/ the rubber circle they stick 'up there'...I can't remember the name. I tried it after my daughter and it made me dizzy, my milk dried up, I was moody, etc. Hope this helps!
I just tried the nuvaring for a cycle. I had a baby 7 weeks ago and normally the weight steadily comes off as I nurse the baby. But it stopped cold when I used the nuvaring. And, after doing a little looking online and seeing that it made a lot of people emotional (pissed off and angry), I realized that I had been that way as well. And, many many people gain weight with it. I wasn't gaining, but I wasn't losing either at that point like I should have been. I'm not using it any more because I don't want to be so pissed off and angry, and can't have the weight issues. It's basically like the pill, though, being three weeks on and one week off, only it's inserted inside you instead of taking a pill every day.
Are you looking for permanent or temporary measures? If permanent, I received the Essure plugs over 2 years ago and love it. It's a same-day surgical procedure. I had no pain and was back at work the next day.
The IUD is awesome! The first few months was a bit rough with nonstop spotting, but after that, it was GREAT! Highly recommended...
I've been using a diaphragm for almost 4 yr now and have been really happy with it. Its not a "popular" option now adays and I actually had to request it from my doc since hormones are just not an option for me. I had tried low dose, the patch etc but always had horrible side effects. The diaphragm takes a few trys to get use to but really is easy and at least in my case has been effective!
Hi M.,
I'm using an IUD (intrauterine contraception) called Mirena. It's a contraception that has to be placed in your uterus by your doctor and releases a hormone into your system to prevent pregnancy. It works for up to 5 years. You don't have to worry about remembering to do anything, which is really nice. It's not for everyone so go online and read more about it: http://www.mirena-us.com/index.jsp.
Personally I like this IUD because it is effective (I've been using it for over 2 yrs now) and once we're ready to have another child, it takes a quick doctor's visit to remove it. Also, I haven't had my menstrual cycle (no bleeding, a little spotting)for over a year and half because of the Mirena, and my symptoms (cramps, backache) have lessened.
There's also another IUD called Paragard (http://www.paragard.com/)so you can check their website and do some research to see if either of these IUDs work for you.
Good luck.
-H.
I loved my IUD. I get my second one in on Thursday.
I had it after my first and after a few months of occasional minor cramping I never had any issue, and best thing was I never had to think about birth control. No wait, the best thing was never having period cramps for the four years afterward and having 1/2 day to 1 day light periods.
When my husband and I decided to try for our second, I was pregnant again within a week of removal. :)
We used the cycle beads until I stopped having periods due to other health issues. Now I have an IUD. It was painful to be put in, but after the first month everything was fine. I even have lighter periods. Good luck.
I use the depo-provera shot. It has the same drug as the mini-pill but it is a shot administered by a doctor every 12 weeks. I hate needles but it is so tiny I barely even feel it. I like not having to think about my BC except for 4 times a year. I also know of another mother who loves her IUD. It is a small plastic device that is inserted in your uterus and can be left for 5 years. If you need information planned parenthood has an excellent resource on their website that breaks down all the different methods.
Good luck
Love, love, LOVE my Mirena! I took a few ibuprofen about a half hour before coming to the Dr's office, and it did not hurt at all having it put in (I had had my daughter vaginally about 3 months prior to having it inserted). I did have some cramping and spotty bleeding for the first few weeks, but then it was gone. I have VERY rarely had some spotting since then and that was over a year ago. So, zero periods, no having to remember the pill, there's a hormone involved but it's delivered directly through the uterus not by swallowing a pill so I had zero hormonal side effects (and I had a lot with the pill no matter what kind I took). And, it's easily reversable if you want to have more kids. It is definitely my recommnedation!
We have been using "natural" methods(just type in google) since we got married almost 6 years ago. Had 2 kids when we wanted. It works great and no hormones:)
I would avoid hormones if possible. Hormone free methods include IUD, diaphragm, condoms, natural rhythm method, and tubal ligation. My vote is for the tubal if you don't want more children. Laproscopic procedures are simple with a fast recovery and you'll never have to worry again. Condoms plus the natural rhythm method are the second best hormone free way to avoid pregnancy. The trick is sticking to it. There are only a few days a month you can actually conceive and it takes some work to figures those out. The book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" is a wonderful resource.
I had a terrible experience on NuvaRing with weight gain and depression. It seemed fine at first but the symptoms snuck up on me.
I went with the Paraguard IUD - lasts 10 years and has no hormones and no side effects. It is perfect - low risk and like it isn't even there!!
the Nuva ring is good too
I LOVE my Mirena IUD. The only down side is as I am appproaching 31 I am still having acne issues since I am not using the pill, no hormones to control it. So, if that's not a problem for you I would highly recommend it.
