Birth Control Options - Santa Rosa,CA

Do NOT do depo...whatever you do--DON'T do depo!!!! I have a friend who just had a heart transplant because the depo shot literally killed her heart. Also, my SIL has had a TON of trouble on it--even conceived 4x w/ it, all resulting in horrible m/c's with a lot of blood loss.

I am taking Azurette BC tablets. I like these because my doctor prescribed it so that I can get a new pack every 3 weeks and miss the period week. I get to chose WHEN I get my period. They recommend every couple of months...I typically go about 3-4 months. I like this, because I have issues with feminine hygiene products, which makes having a period a difficult time of the month. I did gain about 10 pounds, which increased my bust size :-) Otherwise, I have not had any other symptoms to comment about. I have been on it now for a year.

I used to be on the DEPO years ago, but had to stop because after 3 years of no period, it caused SOOO much pain that I HAD to get off of it. It took 2-3 more months for the pains to stop. All my friends who have been on it, have complaints as well. I would stay away from the DEPO!

Good Luck!!!

I echo the advice not to use the depo shot. My friend was using it longer than you're suppose to (she didn't know you're not suppose to be on it longer than 4 years or something like that...). She was on it for 8 years and developed severe osteoporosis; at 30, she had the bones of an 80 year old. Apparently, progesterone-based birth control can eat away your bone density over time. That being said, I really don't know the longterm risk of other forms of progesterone based birth-control (merina, pills) on your skeletal health, but it's something for you to research. If I were to use BCP again, I'd opt for the old fashioned estrogen-based ones. I used ortho-novum (it's been a while but may have spelled it wrong). Everyone responds to BCP differently, however I was on those for 10 years and never had any issues or adverse side effects. I took my pill every night (after I brushed teeth); never had an unexpected pregnancy--but you have to take your pill the same time everyday! (carry a spare pack in your purse if you're ever away from home without your pills!) I didn't gain weight, no acne, good sex drive. But I always exercised regularly, rarely drank, didn't smoke, and rarely ate fast food... I think lifestyle may also contribute to those aspects as much as BCP. And again, everyone responds to a particular type differently.

I was on regular pills before having kids and had no problems. I'm not sure I would try anything you can't easily remove or stop taking if there is a problem.

I was on YAZ for 3 years and loved it, no issues at all. But switched to Loestrin24 (because yaz got too expensive) for a year. I hated Loestrin24, my periods went from being not too bad to horrible. I stopped taking it a couple months ago and had a terrible time while I detoxed from it.

I would recommend that you look at how each one works. Many birth control methods are not ethical in that they work at least partially by not allowing a fertilized egg implant in the uterus. That is an abortion. Most people do not know this (even the doctors), so check their sites carefully for this information (it will tell you this on the manufacturers site, or you can just google the info). I wish I had known before we used BCPs long ago. I was so grieved when I found out. My doctor didn't believe me! I had to bring the info to him before he finally considered that it might be true. He was dismayed that he had never learned this in medical school.

Copper IUD (Paraguard)

Please tell me what you like/dislike?
- More effective than a tubal ligation, good for 10 years, no hormones, works even while on antibiotics, effective day of insertion.

any side effects you experienced?
- first 3 periods were super crampy

did you have weight gain?
- nope. no hormones in it

did you have acne/skin problems?
- nope. no hormones in it

Did you get pregnant on it?
- NOPE!! -knock wood, it's stastically possible, like getting pregnant after getting your tubes tied, so I don't want to tempt Murphy ((I DID get preggers on the pill + condoms + spermacide)), but in the past 8 years with almost daily sex... not so far.

Did it lower your sex drive or make you on the dryer side?
- nope. no hormones in it

I always used bc pills and was fine. After my 2nd baby I tried to get an iud, mirena, and it was horrible. It dislodged and eventually ripped thru my uterus and had to have surgery to remove it. That being said, I recommend using low hormone bc pills. I used other ones before the low and I had heavy periods, cramps, etc.With the low, it went from an average flow to barely there. It was great. I didn't experience weight gain, acne or low sex drive. I didn't get pregnant on it either. Most women who get pregnant on the pill is because they don't take it properly. You have to take it everyday and around the same time of day. If you can't remember to take it everyday then the pill isn't for you. I do suggest taking it at night before you go to bed because all bc pills made me feel a lil nausous. So when it first hit my system I was aleep and woke up feeling fine. With the pill just remember it'll take a couple of months before your body gets on track. good luck