Birth Control Options - IUD Vs. Depo?

I strongly recommend Natural Family Planning. There are no pills or devices, but rather complete union between you and your husband. You just have to become aware of your fertility signs. These signs let you know when you are ovulating (i.e., increase in cervical mucus) and by recognizing these signs you know when to/avoid having intercourse depending on whether you want to achieve/postpone/avoid becoming pregnant. My husband and I have been using NFP and it has been 100% effective for us. Another added bonus - couples who use NFP have a divorce rate of less than 1% -- for obvious reasons -- you are in constant communication and when engaged in the marital act, it is just the two of you with nothing in between! This is a beautiful method!! Check out www.ccli.org or www.woomb.org for more info and instructions.

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After I had my son ( I was on the pill!!) my doctor recommended the nuva ring. I had some hesitation about it, but I tried it and LOVED it. It was very easy to use, and easy for me get pregnant after. Then I had my daughter, and we felt our family was complete. My husband was very against a vasectomy, so I thought about tubal ligation. These days they don't like to burn or tie them. Now they laproscopically place clamps on your tubes. It was done outpatient and I have no regrets. Best of all, I can remove them if I change my mind, and don't have to do anything if I don't!!

Hi Eliane- I used the Mirena IUD between my 3rd and 4th babies. I was not sure if our family was complete after 3 and once removed we were preg within 2 monthes. I was happy with the mirena and had it inserted while nursing my 3rd daughter. Hope this is helpful. PS After #4 my husband did get a vas (of course the procedure wasn't great but we were definitely done with babies!) and we are thrilled with that as well!!
gOOD lUCK
bETH

Personally hated the Depo shot. I spotted every day while I was on that and it did not make for a very good love life with my now husband. Every three months I went back in for the next shot and complained to the doctor about the spotting and discharge and she said to try it again because sometimes it takes a few shots to get it completely in your system. Sorry, but after 9 months of not wanting any type of fooling around because I felt dirty and unclean no matter what I would do - I couldn't take it any longer. Just my experience; I know not everyone has this side effect but no don't know until you try it.
My sister, however, has been on the Nuva Ring and loves it. But, you have to be okay with inserting it and taking it out in three weeks.
Good luck!

After I had our daughter I got the depo shot every 3 months. It really screwed up my cycles & I had difficulty getting pregnant a second time. Then I had our son & got the iud. It works a whole lot better than the shot. On top of all that you don't risk going sterile. I also heard that with an iud it can cause miscarriages while your using it. I don't know if that is true, but look up all the info before you decide. then choose what you & your husband think is best for both of you.

I would steer clear of depo, myself... but what about that new product essure? It's like an IUD that works until you take it out, but you can leave it in forever and have no more babies unless you change your mind.

I use a diaphragm myself, but am not so good about remembering it all the time...

good luck.

I don't know about the IUD, but I've heard bad stories of side effects from Depo. Once that is in your system, it takes a while to get out. My cousin had really bad side effects from Depo and said she'd never get it again and I've heard this from other ladies,too.
I think that the pill is just as effective as long as you're taking it on time.

I recommend the Fertility Awareness Method. It's not the same as the Rhythm Method. You just have to track your waking temperature and cervical fluid to know when you're ovulating. There is a very good book about this, Taking Charge of Your Fertility. They also have a website so you can see if it's something you're even interested in http://tcoyf.com/ .

I work at a Crisis Pregnancy Center. Many of our clients are or have been on the Depo shot, and I have heard LOTS of bad things that have happened. I don't recommend it.

Have you thought of the Nuvaring? It is the lowest dose of estrogen and you only put it in once a month, very convenient and cost friendly. I wouldn't go with the shot, I've heard too many drawbacks to it. IUD is another good option.

Good Morning E.. I'm turing 45 in October an have 2 childern 17 an 22yrs old and have 2 grandchildren 3 an 2 weeks. I was on the depo for 7 yrs with no problems. I got the depo shot every 11 weeks without missing a appointment an never had no problems. The best thing about it was I had no cycle and only had to remember to go to doc 4 to 5 times a year an the depo works within one week from injection of it. I did have lower back pain ( not severe ) for about 2 weeks.I did not loose hair at all it actually grew. I did gain weight some not much but it was ok.

I would say go with mirena. It has fewer side effects and can be removed at any time . The shot is not reversible. Mirena can be used for up to 5 years and with easy removale overs great flexability. I use it love it and think it is perfect for me. Mother of 3 who needed a break before we have more.

I LOVE the NuvaRing!!

Depo is really really really bad for you. Doctors are required by law to have you sign a waiver stating that you are aware of the risks in using this method, and many doctors will no longer prescribe it anymore, or allow their patients request it. I have a girlfriend currently involved with a malpractice lawsuit against her old OB because he never warned her or had her sign the waiver. She's getting a huge settlement, and apparently there was a class action lawsuit which made this possible. Unfortunately, my girlfriend now at 27 is in the beginning stages of Osteoperosis. NOT GOOD! Very hard on her, and now there will also be complications when she decides to have children. She only recently married.

Personally I am getting the Mirena placed as soon as I can after I deliver this baby. I have taken Depo, the pill (almost all of them), Nuva Ring, and have found none that Im pleased with. The best so far was the Nuva Ring, however after working great for 6 years, I became pregnant with my first baby while it was in and not a user error. They sent it in for testing and it apparently was a faulty one. OH Well, it worked out for the best in the end. Then once my son was 9 months old, i forgot that with the pill antibiotics cancel the effects, and whoops...here we are again. Nuva Ring doesn't have that problem. As much as I love it, my husband and I are now too leary to go back, and no pills for me. Too complicated to take the pill same time every day. Im not wired to be that organized...LOL. So Mirena seems like the best option because it still gives us the freedom to decide when and if we should add to the brood. With many other IUD's it can take a while for your body to readadjust and for fertility to kick back in, while the Mirena seems to have the fastest turn around time.