Birth Control Options - Virginia Beach,VA

Have you considered "fertility awareness" as a birth control method? It is a proven effective way to prevent getting pregnant and to get pregnant when you want to because it helps you understand your body! The best part is there are no side effects! Even if you don't choose to use it for birth control, it is still a great way to understand how your body works by tracking your fertility signals, and to detect problems when/if they occur. I have used it with success - all it takes is one minute each morning - and I feel great knowing that I have confidence in knowing how my body REALLY works.

I learned about this method by reading a book called "Garden of Fertility" by Katie Singer - it is a very down to earth explanation of fertility awareness, how to do it and how to interpret. I only heard about it after hearing an interview with her on the radio about 5 years ago - I have been using it on and off since I was 25, and now I'm 30. "Couple to Couple League" also teaches classes, but I think the book is a better place to start to get a secular explanation without the cost or commitment of a class. Like I said, if nothing else, you can understand yourself better! And, it stands repeating, there are NO side effects! You don't mess with your hormones, you just better understand how they work! :)

...it may also help to say that this IS NOT the rhythm method, which has been shown to have a strong failure rate. Also, some doctors know about and respect fertility awareness, especially those who are glad to have patients that exhibit active involvement in their own care and health, but unfortunately, too many doctors still confuse it with the old-school rhythm method and/or are not comfortable with patients taking responsibility for their health and well-being in such an active way (I've had both since I started tracking my fertility signs). In any case, I can't recommend this method strongly enough for preventing pregnancy, and the extreme value gained from understanding your body better - I had no idea what I didn't know! I would be glad to loan my copy to you, too, if you are interested but don't want to order it from Amazon or somewhere.

Take care and good health to you,
D.

1 mom found this helpful

I currently am using the Mirena. I am going to have it taken out next week because of the weight gain associated with it. If you can deal with that, then it is a good option, I haven't had any other issues. But whatever you do decide to do I would research it.

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I hated the nuvaring.It caused me to have a lot of irritations and I stoped using it after a few months. It did come highly recommended from my OB so I guess it just depends on your sensitivity level. My sister us on merena and loves it! Whatever u decide good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

have u ever thought of an IUD i had one put in back in jan there are two kinds one has hormones which last 5 years and then the one i have which has no hormones and it last ten my sister has the same on i have it is very easy to insert your doc will do it for u take like 30 sec and u may bleed a little and have some cramping but it goes away pretty fast i love it and have had no problems here is a link so u can get more info if u would like to know more http://www.paragard.com/custom/touch-paragard

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Hi V.,

I opted for the Copper T IUD that has no hormones for the same reason as you. I've had it for over a year now and I like the fact that I don't have to worry about remembering to take a pill, or inserting anything prior to an intimate encounter with my husband. We are pretty sure we are done with having children, but at 32, we aren't completely positive. The IUD lasts for up to 10 yrs and I can have it taken out if we decide to have more. I know some of the other women have suggested your husband get a vasectomy, but we opted against that after some research that showed that it could lead to prostate cancer. I wish the options were so much more clear cut, I wish you the best in exploring all your options.

1 mom found this helpful

I never liked the diaphragm because of the hassle. I didn't want to have to "plan" intimate encounters with the hubs and putting it in place always seemed like a major pain to me. I opted for a copper IUD. No hormones, very effective, good for 10 years, no maintenance required other than a monthly check for the string (which my husband can't feel during sex, I know some people worry about that).

I've used a diaphragm on & off for about 20 years now. It's pretty straight forward & easy to use. You do need to be refitted if you gain or lose more than 15lbs (or maybe it's 20lbs you're doctor will tell you when you're fitted). It doesn't have to stay in for 8hrs after, I believe it's that 8hrs is the max it should be in place for & you can remove it after a few hours- again your doc will have the exact information.

The diaphram worked well for me. But you have to use it correctly. It can be somewhat disruptive but if you use it with the gel and keep it close by the bed, it is very effective. You can insert it before you go to bed or right after foreplay. I would start cramping after I had it in for more than 8 hours so you may have to watch for that. Even if there was sex at night and in the morning, I would use the gel with a syringe so as not to dislodge it. I think it has to stay in up to 8 hours after sex. Keep panty liners with you in your purse. You may not be home when the 8 hours is up.

If you and your husband are happy with your familys current size and want no more children, then a vasectomy for your husband would do that and you would not have to worry about hormonal complications at all. Also you wouldn't have to worry about an ongoing cost of birth control or remembering to take a pill everyday.

IUD's are rarely mentioned among birth control methods, but theye are very safe and effective. I used an IUD for over 13th years, they are the easiest solution, once it's in its normaly good for 10 years. Absolutely the way to go, if you want to avoid hormones.

I used a diaphragm and never had any problems. I had a lot of problems with the pill before (headaches, terrible bloating), so I wanted something with no hormones. With spermicide, it's almost as effective as the pill. The downside is that you have to take time out to put it in, it can be uncomfortable for a few minutes when you first put it in, then you have to wait a while to take it out and that can be a little uncomfortable too. For me, it was worth it. I'd rather be uncomfortable for a few minutes than all the time, and it never interfered with intercourse. My ob/gyn made sure I had a good fit and helped show me how to insert it correctly.

I personally did not like the nuvaring, i felt is constantantly and if you push to hard or try different sexual posions it can come out. vaginal dryness too. the shot caused me irregular bleeding (3 onths straight, causing anemia) and weight gain, Did you know they have a new plastic IUD?

I am using nuvaring, I have for about 5 years, I like it since I dont have to remember to take a pill every day.

I have a few friends who had luck with Mirena. I believe. I had my husband go to the doctor for a vasectomy because we knew we were done. But his was an in and out procedure - took the doctor less than 10 minutes! And he was able to walk the same day, whereas for us, it is a much harder procedure :).

I used the NUVAring when I first got married and really liked it. The only problem is that you can't use it if you're breastfeeding. It's a great way to go if you don't have that obstacle.

The NUVARing IS a hormonal option of birth control. The only hormone free birth control options are the sponge and the copper IUD. Good luck finding the method that works best for you!