Different Forms of Birth Control?

Hi M., I've had depo. It works well but it is associated w/ weight gain or difficulty losing, and it takes a while to get out of your system when you want to have another baby. But it works well, for long periods of time (3months); it's only a shot (non-invasive like the IUD); and after a few doses, you begin to have fewer periods, some have none at all. I have no experience w/ IUD's so I can't help you there. Hope this helps :)

T.~

Hi M.~
I had a horrible time when I once got on birth control after my son. I have always had irregular cycles so that's the main reason why I wanted back on it. I was on Orthotrycyclin for yrs. and when I got off the pill I felt GREAT! After having my son in Sept. I started back on Orthotry. and I had a horrible time with it. With my hormones getting back to normal (still don't know that they are after 16 months) and then adding that BCP on top I was a mess in the middle of my pack of pills and the week of my cycle. I tried several other as well.... working a little better. I even tried doing the pill continuous and that made me spot for weeks on end. I tried the Nuva Ring for a month, liked it but was 40- with my ins. and I couldn't bring myself to spend that on birth control every month. I talked to several people that have had the IUD and heard nothing but good about it. I talked to my Dr. as well. There are 2 different types~ paraguard which has NO hormones , then the merina (which I chose) and it makes your cycles much lighter and not as long. The merina is good for 5 yrs, the paraguard is good for 10. Don't quote me on that though cause I am not 100% on that. The merina has a low dose of progesterone that goes no further than the uterus so it's not circulating into your system.... that was a plus for me! My Dr. seemed more interested in me doing the Merina.... esp. because I do want to try for a second child in the next few yrs. I had it inserted in Nov. and have had NO PROBLEMS!! The Dr. seemed very confident in this. Also, I just read in Parents magazine that they are 99.9% affective, the pill is 98% and so on. AS far as my hormones swinging and the anxiety that I had before, I no longer have that. I don't keep track of when I should be feeling that way whereas with the pill I automatically thought "it's 12 days in I should be feeling crummy" where now I don't know. Down side.. unless you were regular cycle before birth control you may not know exact like you do with the pill, but I can generally feel it coming. best of luck to you, I know this decision can be very stressful! Let me know how things go and I hope my info helps. If you have any other questions please feel free to e-mail me
____@____.com I have been through it and back with hormones, post partum ocd, I can offer any advice, info, or words of encouragement!

I have an IUD, called Mirena. It is, in my opinion, the best ever!

I have two daughters, and I don't want any more children, so I got this about 6 wks after my youngest daughter was born. Thats about 4 years ago. I have not had a period since I got it.

The particular IUD I have lasts for up to 5 years, (I think there is one that lasts for 10) but you can have it taken out early if you choose. I have no pain or discomfort from it. and I recommend it to anyone I can.

I am on the Depo injections. My first fear was that it didn't seem natural not have a period. My dr. explained that it thins out the uterus so you don't need to have one. I love it. I have very little bleeding when I'm do for my shot, but other than that nothing. I am even breastfeeding. I was on it before I got pregnant. I went off it in Nov. & was pregnant by March. I understand that is not typical for most women, though. It works best for me & is on my insurance. In my opinion, a shot every 3 months outweighed a patch or a pill.