Birth Control Options - Rush City,MN

I used to say I couldn't remember to take my pill but I can't use condoms either because I hate them, IUD is non-hormonal and I need my hormones regulated, and the shot is progesterone-only so it makes my PMDD worse. In the end, I had no choice but to force myself to remember to take my pill every day. It can be done. I've gone three months now without ever missing a pill. What I finally did was pair taking my pill with something I do EVERY day. I take it when I go to bed! I go to bed every day, so now I never go to bed without taking my pill first.

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I'm like you, we can't use condoms (I'm allergic), I had an IUD but hated having it inside of me (all psychological), and I always heard scary things about the patch and the Depo Shot. Also, for me, taking the Pill is also the most cost-effective.

I always take my pill right before I go to sleep, and since I mostly go to sleep at the same time every day, I always take it at around the same time (they are on the dresser right by my bed so I will see them and remember). I've been taking Ortho-Tri-Cyclen for the past few years and it has worked well for me; I also think that setting an alarm on your cell phone would also be a good idea.

You could also try natural family planning; I know it works well for many women if you are able to learn how to get the timing right. It didn't work for us (and that's how I got my son), but I know it works for other women, especially if your cycle is a regular one. It could be something for you to look into. Good luck!

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what about a diaphram? or the nuvaring although its something that you put in you but its easy to take out and replace once a month. I think besides getting permanantly fixed those are the only two i can think of.

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I always set my pills on the bathroom counter right next to my toothbrush... I get up at the same time every morning to get to work and I always brush my teeth before I go.

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I agree with Nikki regarding the pill. Take it at the same time you do something else that you do every day: putting your baby to bed, brushing your teeth at night, going to bed, etc. Avoiding getting pregnant was always enough motivation to take my pill on time every day.

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I tried the Nuva Ring for a few months before going off of it to get pregnant with my daughter (now 1 yr old). Like you, I was kind of freaked out by the idea of having something inside me. I had NO problem with the nuva ring. It is a flexible ring that you put in. It is easy to get it back out, too. I worried about it getting stuck or not being able to find it, etc. SO, I tried it for one month just to see if it was something I could handle. It really was much better than I thought it would be.

I would suggest that you talk to your doctor and see if they have a free sample that you could try, just to see if you like it. You might be surprised...

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Nuva ring isn't so bad its a small vaginal ring that you insert and keep for 3 weeks--i think? not sure how long, but that works well for alot of people. Then there is implanon--a tiny matchstick like hormone that is inserted under your arm---you are pregnancy-free for I think 3+ years. Talk to your obgyn or health care provider about this. Or go to www.plannedparenthood.com for more information about various birth control methods. GL!

M

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To help me remember my pill I set an alarm on my cell phone to go off every day at the same time as my reminder. This is the only way I remember. I like the before bed option too.

Good suggestion Nikki G.! :)

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Are women condoms still on the market? That would be one that I'd explore, if you can still buy them. In fact, if not getting pregnant was still an issue for me (it's not), that's the one that I would use. They don't go inside/get inserted inside the body so much as they surround the vagina opening and then it expands inside once, um, sex is underway.

The Pill is very, very hard on a woman's body. In fact, it was so hard on mine that I couldn't even take it. Any brand, it didn't matter. I know it's, like, 99.9% effective or whatever, but if there's a different way, I'd take it. Birth control pills leach the calcium out of the bones.

Like one poster stated, if you're done with having kids, tubal ligation and/or NovaSure Ablation are wonderful options (I've had both).

For some the IUD works; for me, the copper and/or the pharma drug messed with my body and I couldn't use it (do you see a trend here? Apparently, my body doesn't like anything! Which is why after one child I have been fixed. LOL :P)

I've seen a lot of women recommending the NuvaRing. Just a heads up on that one: if you have any issues with high blood pressure, depression, or certain other health issues that contraception method might not be the right one for you, because the NuvaRing still releases a pharma drug, and that drug is not right for every woman's body.

What about the diaphram/cervical cup method of birth control? You only have to insert it a short time before you use it, then you leave it in for so many hours. It's sort of like wearing a tampon; you just have to remember to take it out.

You'd think in this day and age of all of our medical conquests and research abilities there'd be more options for safe, protected, no-baby sex without having to go the total no-baby route, just to have sex, but sadly, that's not the case.

Or you'll have to get creative and have "sex" without having intercourse.

Well, it's an option. ;)

If you really want to explore all your options, start looking into natural herbal contraceptive methods. The American Indian women used to drink a specific tea bark tea that made it so that they could have sex and not conceive. Some Chinese medical practictioners also know of certain herbs and teas and such that you can take that will prevent conception. I'd check that avenue out as well.

I didn't look at most of your answers, but I did see the one suggesting setting an alarm reminder, which I had to do while I was nursing and had to take the mini version of the pill at the same time every day. I still have a alarm set in case I forget, but I try to take it every morning with my vitamin. Good luck!

Sounds like you've gotten some good responses! After reading your question, my first thought was abstinance. :) If you're completely done having kids, consider a permanent option. Otherwise, I'd look at going on the pill. I could never remember to take my pill (thus my 3 kids), but now if I had to, I'd set an alarm on my cellphone.

I often forgot my pill too - I have now been on NuvaRing for 5 years and I love it. I do have to have a calendar that tells me when to put it in and take it out but other than that - it is great. I can't feel it when it is in - it is easy to insert and remove.

I had a hard time remembering to take my pill, so I started setting an alarm on my cell phone. When it went off it would remind me to take my pill. You could also enlist bf's help

You've eliminated every choice I know about with the last "putting something inside me freaks me out."

Planned Parenthood has a web site on birth control that summarizes varies ways. Perhaps reading that could help you be more comfortable with the "something inside you."

heres a novel idea, and you might think its wierd, stupid or out of the question, but i ask you to have an open mind, and try it. its worth the try.

does your bf masturbate? ask him to stop. for at least two weeks or just forever.
the problem with masturbation is he can control exactly the pressure and touch he needs to quickly come to an end. the downside is that NO woman's vagina is EVER going to come close to being as good as that.
however, if he stops, hes going to become more sensitive to the work that the vagina is supposed to do, and hes also going to need it more when you do get together, which is more along the lines of how its supposed to work, and it will work condom or not. i think its a cop out to say that he cant while wearing a condom; yes he can he just has to get over the fact that he has to wear one. is it as good? no. but it wont matter if he stops taking matters into his own hands.
ps: this works best if you are able to do it with him more often to reduce the stress and stuff that comes with not doing it often. know what i mean? you gotta be there for him too.

otherwise, all of these options are ok, but they are not great options. the condom is something like 85% reliable, the pill 92%? or something. an IUD is a wierd freaky thing to think about, but you should think about it some more. i can give you info on it if you want, i got one and ive had it 3 1/2 years or so. its been pretty awesome. its also 99% effective, much more than any other method. i didnt have any problems upon placement, there was a little discomfort, but they were already doing my pap, so whats the difference? none. my husband could feel the string at first, but it stopped bothering after a while. there was some random spotting for the first couple months but the end result is that we never have to worry about it, my periods are more like a few days of spotting, ive never bled through even bad enough to NEED a pad or tampon (but i still will use the light ones)... and we can have sex anytime, anyplace. and no problems. so you should think about it. im pretty sure our insurance covered it, but talk to your doctor/clinic about options to help with the cost. after a year, you make up your money compared to other options like the pill. you could even try to talk to a planned parenthood to see if they have any IUD options for low income or something.

other than that you COULD research the natural family planning method. i have heard that it works 100% for many families. a doctor of mine told me about it, and she has never had any patients who have had trouble with it. you have to do some work, paying attention to your cycle and whatnot,but it works if you follow through. might not be something you want to do if you dont want to have to think about it.... but its also worth the research, and its FREE. ;)

I personally agree with the pills - they are the most cost effective and least invasive, you just have to discipline yourself to remember them at the same time each day - do you have one thing you ALWAYS do at the same time each day? Brush teeth, make coffee, etc? Put them right by the toothbrush or coffee pot, and you will remember....or even put them in your underwear drawer, on top, and you will have to touch them to get a new pair of undies each day, so you will take one.

Other option is REALLY learning about Basal Body Temperature, and using absitnance during your fertile times of the month, based on your internal temperature....there is a whole book on it, "Taking Charge of your Fertility", if you want something without hormones.