Birth Control Suggestions

I am 28 yrs old, and have never used birth control. I am what you call a birth control virgin. I agree with Stephaine B. I am practicing family planning. It is working wonders. I have been married almost 5 yrs, and did not get pregnant until I was trying. I got pregnant the 2nd month of trying. I had my daughter sept of 2005, and we are trying again. I will tell you that knowing your body the way a woman does when she practices family planning is amazing. I learned so much, and my hubby did too. I would also like to add that I was planning on getting the IUD, but have changed my mind.

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Hello :) I have been on Ortho Evra for the past few years and it really keeps your body on schedule.

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I have 2 kids now a 4yr old and an 8 month old and I have tried every birth control(shot, pill, patch. They all messed up my period cycle so much that now I don't even know what a regular period is. my husban and I are just using condoms for now.
D. S.

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Hi J.,

I take Yasmin. It is a pill and I found that I really like it. I have tried the patch and the shot and didn't like either one. Yasmin has been good for me. I have not gained weight on not moody on it. Just wanted to suggest this to you. If you go on a pill, you might have to try a few to see what you like. Also it takes a good 3 months for your body to adapt to the new medication.

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NUVA RING NUVA RING NUVA RING!!!!! THe ring is a small ring that is inserted into your vagina and left there for three weeks then removed to have a normal period. With having a newborn and going back to work who wants to think about taking a pill everyday at the same time. NOT ME! I love itit can be worn during sex and because its flexible you can't even feel it while its inside. The horomones are released by body temperature thru the plastic ring. Seriously, ask your OB_GYN this thing is wonderful and its ok for even heavier women to use unlike the patch where you can only weigh up to 190 lbs. or whatever the weight limit is.

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If you want a method without any side effects whatsoever or unnatural barrier methods, you may want to try to learn the Natural Family Planning method. It is very accurate and easy if you are dedicated to it. It doesn't take long to become second nature once you get used to it. It is 99% effective, go to this site for more info:

http://www.ccli.org

Good luck!

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i take yasmin birth control. i have tried others and this is the only 1 that has worked 4 me. nearly no side affects and my period lasts for 5 days faithfully every month.

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Hello J.,

I think you should look into the ortho patch as well as all of the forms of bith control although I can say I know many people that still had gotten pregent even on birth control so nothing is so effective! Good luck with everything

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I had been taking the pill for about 6 yrs prior to getting pregnant. I stopped taking the pill a few months before we actually started "tryng", we just used condoms in the mean time. When we decided to actually try, I got pregnant on the first try :) I was worried that being on the pill for so long would affect me getting pregnant, but it did not.
I tried several different pills because of the estrogen levels. I also tried the patch, but had a reaction to it, so I am not a good candidate for the patch. The pill worked great at regulating my cycle, getting rid of cramps and lightening my period. You just have to remember to take it every night.
The pill worked great for me, but you may find you don't like it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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I am a new Mom myself. After asking friends and my ob have decided to go with an IUD.
Before I got pregnant I was using the Fertility Awareness Method, in fact we used it to get pregnant. Now I feel that we might use something that allows us to have sex more spontaneously though because as you know you have to take it when you get the opportunity, and we, like most hate condoms.
Though if you are into something completely uninvasive and reliable, I liked the FAM.
"Taking Charge of Your Fertility" is a good source. This book takes you through all the steps and gives you a chart in the back to copy from.
You should ask your ob about the IUD, but the newer versions are reliable and safe, according to several women I have talked with.
Good Luck.

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I used the pill and got pregnant with my last 2 children while on it. SO lets just say I am not too impressed with it. I did however use the Nuvaring while it was on trial study. It worked great. The hormone levels are low. It's a ring you insert and leave in for a week. YOu can take it out for up to 3 hours a day if it interferes with sex. YOu have 3 weeks with the ring then one without. If it kept me from getting pregnant it will work on anyone. You don't even know its there.
I have since had the tubiligation done. That was a little painful the first few days but now i am so glad. 4 kids is a lot to handle.

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J.,

The form of birth control you use is a very personal decision. I respect you for asking advice, especially from strangers. I used a form of the pill for one year to regulate my cycle, since it had been irregular. When I stopped taking it, I experienced depression like I never had before. After doing some reading, I realized it was directly related to the change in hormone levels. The pill works by regulating the amount of hormones in your body. If this is the method that you choose, please do your research and ask lots of questions of your doctor. My husband and I chose to use a spermicide, which when used properly has the same effectiveness as the pill, but does not affect your hormone levels. I used the kind with an applicator, which is inserted like a tampon. The advantage is we didn't have to use it if I knew it was not my fertile time. And when you decide to have another child there is no waiting period. Good luck with your decision.

J.

Hi J..
If I were you I would stick to ortho-tricyclen. You will still have your cycle for the normal 5-7 days. You are young enough that this shouldn't affect you at all. Check with your ob/gyn that have the best info but this pill worked the best for me.

Good luck.

C.
27 yr old mother of a 7 yr old daughter and 1 on the way

hi J.,
if you are breastfeeding you can get on the minipill. otherwise there are many non hormonal bc's you can try - condoms (not fun but do the job), iud's (the copper one is good for 5yrs, the novaring one for 2 although it does have hormones in it). if you want a more natural approach, you can always chart your ovulation and practice nfp. good luck :)

Well, I am due to deliver my 4th baby on Monday 29th and I am considering a tubal ligation because My husband and I are content with 4 boys. However I am being encouraged against the tubal by family because its so permanent and my Dr is also recommending MIRENA. Its an intrauterine Device which last 5 years. I wish I would have tried this five years ago because I would be on baby 2 not 4. I love my children which are 2 years apart BUT I am drained so much and It wouldve been smarter to wait a little longer in between them for mental sake. Good luck. and look Mirena up on Mirena.com or go to WEBMED.com and type in Mirena

Well, there are a lot of choices out there, and part of it depends on your partner. My husband and I decided to just use condoms. All forms of the pill that I tried made me very moody and cranky all the time, so we chose to stick with this method. Everyone has different opinions about it, but sheck with your partner and see if condoms are an option.

J.,
I suggest you read up on all of your options because the shot can be a wonderful type of birth control. As with any medication, there are side effects that react differently with each individual. The shot prevents your uterus from developing a lining therefore you don't shed a lining each month (your period), the lining is there for pregnancy sake. The pill, there are many types and some have more estrogen than others which can cause migranes and other side effects. I was on Alesse and it was wonderful, no side effects, but again, each person is different. If you are worried about 'tampering' with your body there is always the good old fashioned condom and/or withdrawl. Talk with your OB, they have the best knowledge! Good luck...
Christina

My husband and I were very happy with the "mini" pill. The pill itself only has one hormone, progesterone, instead of the normal 2 hormone pills of estrogen and progesterone. I felt the same way that you do about your cycles. With the mini pill you stay exactly the same,except that you can figure out when you are going to start by the pill packet days. You also are not stuck having to wait when you do decide to have another baby, when you are ready all you do is stop taking it as soon as the next day you are fertile again, instead of the normal months you have to wait with the regular pill.

I hope this has helps a little with your deciding choice.

Congratulations on the new baby

Hi, this is the first time I have ever really looked at peoples questions and I thought Id tell you that I started birth control probably in high school about 8 or 9 years ago, its called Cryselle which are generic for Lo-Ovral, I like them because I usually only have my period for 4-5 days,it always comes on a Wednesday, I have never had any problem with them. After I had my son, the doctor asked me if I wanted on birth control and I said I wanted the same thing again and that was a little over a year ago.

hmmm, ive been on the pill for as long as i can remember. i think its good because it regulates your period and sure my period lasts for 5 days but i think thats long enough. its also one of the safer options and least invasive among the others, such as cervical cap and plug, diaphragm, depo, iud, etc. maybe you should try spermicidal foam. You apply it like 10 minutes before intercourse or something and it basically works as spermicide in condoms. i dont know what the success rate is, but check it out.

I am using the Mirena IUD, I have ahd it since March of 04 after my son was born. I tried to mini-pill and got pregnant while breastfeeding when my daughter was 9 months old. Hence my son came along. With him I decided to get the Mirena. I have had it since March of 04. It was easliy inserted at a docs visit. I had a little cramping afterwards and a little bleeding. They give you prescription for IBprofen. I spotted alittle that day but it was very little. Since then I havent had a period. LOL SO nice! The mirena is a small t-shaped plastic IUD. It is the size of a quater. There is a sting that will hang down so you can make sure its still in place. At first your husband will know its there but it wont hurt him. As time goes on he wont even know its there. It lasts for 5 years. You can have it removed at anytime and your chance of getting pregnant on your next cycle is the same as if you didnt use anything. It is 99.9 percent effective. Its the best birth control out there other than not having sex. Its also the least expensive. It was about 150 dollars. But it lasts 5 years. Most insurrances cover it. If you think about buying condoms or the pill for the next five years thats pretty cheap compared to the price of the others. I know I figured out teh cost when I was still thinking about it. Good luck!

I've been contemplating my BC options as I sit a week past my due date with my second child. I am thinking of going the IUD route, although thinking copper versus the Mirena. It is supposed to last for longer (10 years), and does not have any hormones released. (My understanding is you still have periods, too) I also am against hormonal altering, because, even though I don't like having a period, I'm supposed to have one for a reason. Ya know?

Do your homework on this, there are a lot of options out there, each come with risks, or side effects, or just plain inconveniences.

I don't know if it has been said but I just thought I would mention that a period on birth control is 100% artificial. Normally, you have a period because the lining of your uterus has built up to prepare for a fertilized egg to implant. Well if you are birth control, the lining of your uterus does not build up. The bleeding you experience is a result of taking away the hormones for that off week. MALE scientists decided that women would want a period so they implemented a period week. It is no worse for you to not have a "period" All hormonal BC is pretty much equally bad for you (except for an extra risk of osteoporosis with Depo, and blood clots with the patch). Look into non-hormonal bc if you are too uncomfortable with hormones. I wouldn't blame you. I hate hormones but will deal with them a bit longer because my BF is not ready for another child yet.