Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with birthcontrol

How can I safely change the start day of my birth control pack?

bristolcat — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:19:54 -0800

How can I safely change the start day of my birth control pack? I'm looking to change the start date of my birth control pill. Because of circumstances when it was first prescribed for me, I became a Tuesday starter and have been for a few years. I really like this birth control, but the timing works out so that I always end up getting my period on Friday night or Saturday morning, during the last weekend of every month. This sucks. Quite often we are at the lake, visiting family somewhere or finding ourselves with rare free time at home when my period is the most heavy and uncomfortable.

I want to change my start date so that my period starts when it is most convenient for me. Ideally, I would get it on Sunday night or Monday morning - two days later than I would normally get it. So if I usually take my first pill on Tuesday night, then I should start taking my first pill on Thursday night for this to happen, right? My prescription is for Ogestrel, which is a generic of one of the Ortho Tri Cyclens (not sure which).

I know I have read discussions here about moving your start date up or skipping periods by not taking the sugar pills, but I can't find any specific info that has been able to help me. I asked my pharmacist and found myself going around and round with her in a discussion that only proved to me that I knew more about birth control than she did. I called my doctor's office, who more or less replied saying, "We're not sure, but go ahead and try it!"

I'm not comfortable with either of those answers, so I'm turning to the hive mind. AskMetafilter knows more about birth control than anyone I know!

What I want to know is:

- Is my plan sound? If I take all of the normal pills, take Tuesday and Wednesday's sugar pills and then start the new pack on Thursday night, will it effectively move my period back the required two days at the end of this new pack? Here is an illustration I made of my pill pack to help those who need a visualization.
- With this specific brand of birth control and using this method, can I safely skip all those extra sugar pills and start the new pack on Thursday without having to use alternative protection for the following month of sexual activity?
- What can I expect? Will I skip my period by moving to the new pack so fast? Can I expect the following month to be normal, save for the new schedule?

Thanks in advance, and I'll watch this to clarify things if needed - I know I seem to confuse whomever I ask about this!

Borrowing birth control

greta simone — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:08:44 -0800

'Borrowing' my friend's birth control pills for a few months. Will it be ok? So, I'm unemployed and uninsured. It's Sunday, I need to start a pack tonight, I can't get to a clinic or Planned Parenthood, and I also want to save some money and the hassle. So here's my solution:

My roommate/friend discontinued her pill this summer and has two left over packs that I'm thinking about switching to for the upcoming two months (with the hope that I'll be employed within those two months, and will then switch back to my old prescription). They are not expired.

Both kinds are monophasic.
What I'm taking now: Microgestin (Loestrin) 1/20 (20 µg ethinyl estradiol and 1000 µg norethindrone acetate)
Switching to, for two months: Ortho-cept (30 µg ethinyl estradiol and 150 µg desogestrel).

You are not my doctor, but with these specs that I picked up off wikipedia, could you tell me whether I will end up with bad side effects or, worse, ineffective birth control.

I have been taking BC pills for the past 11 years, I have taken many kinds, and have successfully switched without side effects or loss of effectiveness at least four or five times. I've just always switched under a professional's supervision.

So, bad idea? Or ok solution in the meantime?

Thanks for your help.

How much does NuvaRing cost?

amandarose — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:16:20 -0800

How much does the NuvaRing cost without insurance? I'm considering whether or not to pay for COBRA. The only real medical expense I have regularly is for my NuvaRing. Does anyone know how much it costs without insurance, so I can decide if it's worth paying for COBRA until I find a new job? With my prescription coverage, it's only been $20.

Experiences with the Mirena IUD?

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:59 -0800

Firsthand experience with the Mirena IUD, especially after being on the pill? I've been on Yaz for about a year and a half. I'm a pretty sensitive person, but I think that Yaz has made me really emotional. I also have a slightly decreased libido and don't usually produce lubrication (even if I am up for sex). I used to be ready and raring to go all. the. time.

Because of these issues (and the price), I switched to Ortho-Triciclen Lo for three months this past winter. I felt much calmer, but my libido was completely demolished. I switched back to Yaz, figuring that was as good as I could do.

I like being on the pill because it is easy and I am in a committed relationship. It's also the only thing that cured my acne. However, I've been looking into the Mirena IUD.

I know that YANMD, but are the localized hormones in the Mirena noticeably less pervasive than Yaz, which is considered a low-dosage pill? I am willing to trade in acne for more emotional stability and my old libido, but I don't really want acne AND emotional instability AND no sex drive.

Please share your experiences with the Mirena IUD!

(I've also looked into the paraguard, but I really don't want to deal with the heavy periods. I'm ok with the small amount of hormones in the Mirena.)

Loss of libido with Levlen/Levora?

roxie110 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:32:13 -0800

Has anyone taking the birth control pill Levora/Levlen had a loss of libido? I've been taking this pill for a year now, and (along with some weight gain that kicked in about 6 months later, yuck) I've noticed a pretty steep drop in my libido.

This is the first time I've ever been on the pill, and I'm trying to figure out whether this may be related to the pill itself, or whether I'm just not that attracted to my boyfriend anymore (it's been 6 years)!

Any info or advice would be welcome.

How do I know whether I'm depressed, or if it's birth control?

Xere — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:16:43 -0800

I've started hormonal birth control (Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo) for the first time, and am currently on my third day. I've heard/read of the accompanying depression and mood swings. When can I expect side effects, so that I can assess myself and decide whether or not to continue with the pill? What sort of red flags should I look out for, in case I don't realize I'm being depressive, mood-swingy, or sans sex drive? A year's supply of birth control was free, and I consider this much more economical than a $400 abortion. I'm trying to be careful and responsible, by using both condoms and birth control.

The women in my family are either bipolar or depressed (and I'm fairly sure that none of them are on the pill, or ever have been) So far, I'm the only one who hasn't shown any signs of it. I am determined not to become like them.

I intend to quit the pill the moment I find out it's turning me into a depressive. How can I keep an eye out for this, and know whether it's just me having a bad day, or if it's birth control-related? I don't have the option of asking someone else to monitor and assess my moods, because I don't see any one person on a daily basis.

Also: there are three different kinds of active pills in each pack. Could I test out one kind per day, and see how each different kind affects my moods? Seems risky - is it? Or do I have to wait out a month or three, or just wait and see if my moods start to turn?

Doggy Birth Control

pick_the_flowers — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:06:09 -0800

How can I stop my dog from getting pregnant? I live in Africa, in a big compound. I have 3 dogs, let's just say they are mutts and border line strays. I have given them anti-tetanus injections and anti-rabies injections. They climb the fence to get out of the compound around the full moon almost every month. 2 are girls. They are all brothers and sisters.

One of them is obviously in heat. She was bleeding and howling. We locked her up - she has had puppies before, none lived (possibly because they were inbred from her brother or dad?). She howled all night and no-one slept. This went on for a week. Then she/one of her suitors totally destroyed her dog house and so she can't be locked up anymore.

Spaying the girls is going to be REALLY expensive as people here tend only to neuter boy dogs. My dog may be pregnant already, can I spay her anyway?

Is there any other form of birth control I can use?

Spitefulness is very effective as birth control

specialagentwebb — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:26:35 -0800

How do I keep Yaz from wrecking my relationship? Hoo boy, this is going to be a multi-part question.

I started taking my first HBCP (Yaz) almost a month ago. My doc recommended it because it's low-estrogen (unless I'm mistaken, one of the lowest doses out there), clears up acne, and is generally good for first-timers. I understand that it's supposed to take about 3 months for your body to adjust to these things.

Week 1 was an absolute mess (mostly gastrointestinal) as I got used to the pill. Week 2 was better, physically. The issue that I'm having is that since Week 1, I have been a nasty, spiteful, irritable, hateful, miserable bitch. This is not PMSing mood swings. This is 100% of the time being in a bad mood. Someone passes me on the road, I get angry. Somebody stops in the supermarket to look at the types of soup, I see red.

Unfortunately, since he's the person that I interact with the most, my boyfriend takes the brunt of it. I yell at him for anything and everything; he gets dressed too slow, he lets his alarm ring too long, his music is too loud, he's not attentive enough to me (and by now, who could blame him?). It's been a month of this already. I don't know if he can stand another two months, and it hasn't been easy on me either. YANMD, and I'll be talking to my gyno about this later in the week. I understand that every woman is a special snowflake, but I'm looking for personal experiences. So here are my questions:

1. How long does it really take for your emotions to level out after you start taking the pill? After a month, is it likely that I'll get through this phase?

2. Apart from being a bitch, I enjoy Yaz. I really do. No weight gain, shorter period, clear skin. But if I need to switch to another pill (or a hormonal or non-hormonal alternative), which are likely to have the tamest side-effects?

3. If I really do need to "tough it out" until my hormones regulate, is there anything I can do to put a lid on my temper? Meditation, counting to 10, whatever? I guess it's too much to ask, but is it possible that there is a nutrient that I'm lacking (like a B-vitamin for low libido)?

Thanks in advance. My boyfriend thanks you too.

Make it stop

amethysts — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:33:22 -0800

I'm on Ocella birth control (generic Yasmin) and I've been having a really painful, heavy period for almost 5 weeks now and I'm getting pret-teee sick of it. It's probably my fault, as when the pack was over I skipped one yellow pill then immediately went into a new pack, instead of doing the 7-day sugar pill thing. I used to do that on Yasmin and it was no problem. Oh well. That was 5 weeks ago. The last few days it's been stopping briefly then starting up again. ARG. I can't stand these cramps any more.

You are not my doctor, but even though I have insurance I can't afford to see her unless I know there's something she can do for me. Am I going to get something other than a shrug and a lecture? Cause I really don't have enough money to spend on that. Can she give me some kind of magic pill that will make it stop?

Firsthand information about endometrial ablation

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:19:23 -0800

Please tell me what you know about endometrial ablation as a means of lessening or hopefully stopping my bleeding. (This is a female-parts question.) I'm looking for firsthand information on this procedure, if possible. I have only seen it mentioned a few times in a couple of threads from several years ago. I have Googled and gotten a pretty good idea of the mechanics of the procedure and how it's performed; what I'm looking for is personal experiences, info on whether I'd even be considered a candidate for it, that sort of thing.

I'm a single woman in my mid-thirties, live in the southern United States, casually sexually active, with no children and no desire for them, ever. I have had two abortions in the past. I only reveal this to really drive the point home that I do not want kids and will not be changing my mind.

Ever since I got my first period, my menstrual cycles were unpredictable, prolonged, heavy, and incredibly painful. When I was about 21, my doctor told me about Depo-Provera and I started using it (this was several years before the bone-loss issues were widely known). I was on Depo off and on for about ten years or so (got pregnant and had my second abortion during one of the "off" years). I absolutely loved the complete lack of bleeding while I was on Depo.

Unfortunately, last year I had a bone scan and was diagnosed with severe osteopenia (just shy of having actual osteoporosis), so my GYN insisted that I get off the Depo immediately and she put me on Sprintec birth control pills, to be taken continuously. I was aware that I probably wouldn't be completely bleed-free anymore, but I only expected occasional "spotting." After six months on the Sprintec (presumably the Depo had finally worn off) I started bleeding and didn't stop for a month and a half. Then I took a week off the pills (the "placebo" week, the way BC pills are normally taken, and on the recommendation of the GYN), stopped bleeding briefly, and then started bleeding again. Not monsoon-strength bleeding, but just enough to inconvenience me and constantly make me highly uncomfortable. I was pretty freaked out and expressed my concerns to the GYN, wondering if something might be wrong with me.

Without having me come in to see her, the GYN then switched my prescription to the lower-dose Lessina birth control pills, which I've been on for four months now. For the first three months there was just a little spotting, but now once again I'm bleeding constantly, with all the attendant discomforts (cramping, irritability, etc.) of a real period. I tried taking a week off, again, and the bleeding briefly stopped, but as soon as I got back on the pills I again started bleeding just enough to need tampons. To be clear, the bleeding is not what I think most people would consider "heavy," i.e., needing to change my tampon every hour, but it is constant (not stopping). I am taking the pills as directed, faithfully at at the same time every morning.

The last time I spoke to my GYN about all this, she told me dismissively that "every woman has to deal with some bleeding" and pretty much told me I should get over myself. I won't be going back to her. I'm not a moron and I don't want a doctor who only tells me what I want to hear, but I expect my doctors to be a little kinder when I'm freaking out about my body acting up.

When I find a new GYN, I will of course tell them everything and agree to any tests they might want to run. But I'd like to bring up the subject of endometrial ablation, which I didn't know about until recently and which I've been Googling and reading about, but I don't know anyone in real life who has undergone the procedure. Can any of you provide firsthand information? Will any doctor just refuse me outright if I ask about it? I am still relatively young and have no kids, and I keep reading stories about how doctors won't agree to sterilization procedures on younger people with no kids unless there's a serious enough medical condition to warrant it, and are always assuming a woman will inevitably change her mind later about wanting babies (about which, see above; I really won't).

I also have never been diagnosed with endometriosis, fibroids, cysts, or anything serious like that. My last few PAP tests have been completely normal, though I have not yet had one since going off the Depo last year. There is a history of breast cancer in my immediate family so I'm probably at a higher risk there. Would my current condition be considered "not bad enough" to justify a procedure like this?

Other things I've considered: The Mirena IUD, which was mentioned by my last GYN as an option (but not at the top of her list, since she said I need the estrogen in BC pills to help build my bones back up), but I really don't want to use an IUD. I have read up a lot on those, including many comments here on AskMe, and I know they're now considered very safe and effective, but for personal reasons that's not an option for me. I've also, in desperation, thought about begging to go back on the Depo and take some sort of calcium-building supplement at the same time, but I'm almost certain no doctor would agree to that, knowing what terrible shape my bones are already in.

I will follow up via the mods if necessary, but just to be clear, what I'm really looking for here is firsthand information about endometrial ablation, like, "I/my sister/my friend had the procedure and it was [a big help/a disaster/whatever]," or "I work at a GYN office and you [would/wouldn't] be considered a candidate because [whatever]. You would have to [ask nicely/get off the pills/bleed harder/have a baby/wait a year/whatever] before they would perform this on you."

I know that there is no guarantee it would completely stop my bleeding.

P.S., Any idea how much it would cost, assuming no insurance?

No decision if birth control fails - what should I do?

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:25:06 -0800

So, every responsible sexually active adult has "the birth control" conversation. Awhile back, my long-term girlfriend and I had the "what happens if birth control fails" conversation - to my mind, equally important. We have not had sex since. I don't want kids.
She isn't sure, but leans toward "yes". It's not a dealbreaker for her, and she says her answer might at some point change to a definite "no", but were she to become pregnant, she isn't sure what she would do.
She is able at this point to support a child, she says, so she wouldn't automatically decide against.
She isn't anti-abortion. She just isn't sure what she would decide.

It was actually comments on MeFi that made me realize, as people have said:
"a man consents to fatherhood when he has sex". Realizing this was true, I've done the only thing I can do not getting any assurances on this question - not give that consent.

Naturally, this has left both of us pretty unhappy.

Obviously, a person can change her mind, so an "assurance" has limited value. But just as obviously, if she isn't sure now what she would do in that situation, I'm left with no indication as to whether I might remain childless or suddenly be a father for life. That's a pretty big life decision to leave to someone else's "I'll cross that bridge if I come to it".

So help me figure this out. Am I being ridiculous in acknowledging this decision point and looking for an answer to my question? She thinks I am - no boyfriend of hers has ever had the "what if birth control fails" discussion with her (which I think is crazy). We do use birth control, and clearly I can take increasingly severe actions to work toward eliminating any chance of pregnancy, up to and including a vasectomy (though I don't like some of the possible complications - testicular pain, in some cases relieved only by castration?!). I accept that differences on the question of children break many a couple up. I'm just not sure the possibility of children should do so. At the same time, a sexless relationship isn't what either of us wants, (though yes, there are "other" things we can do).

What do you think, MeFi? You convinced me that a man consents to fatherhood when he has sex.
I don't want to give that consent.
What do I do now?

You can tell which doctor I would prefer to believe.

sarahj — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:18:45 -0800

Which doctor should I believe? I take doxycycline for acne and Apri for birth control. When I went to Planned Parenthood a few months ago for information on methods other than the pill, I asked about interactions between the two and was completely reassured by the doctor there that I had nothing to worry about and the pill would work fine while i was taking the antibiotics (this was one of the main reasons I decided not to get an IUD). I went back about two weeks ago to get a new prescription, and the (different) doctor noted the medications I was taking and made no comment. But yesterday I went to the dermatologist to get a new antibiotics prescription and she warned me that I should be extra careful with my birth control and that the antibiotics could lessen the pill's effects. So now I'm mildly freaking out. We use condoms too, but after a little bit of initial entry. Who can I believe about this? Who could I ask to get a definitive answer? Is there any definitive answer?

How long is too long to be "spotting" on Seasonale?

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:27:22 -0800

How long is too long to be "spotting" on Seasonale? I've been on oral contraceptives for about a year now. I started primarily to stem the tide of the horrific cramps that I get during the first 2-3 days on my period. It only worked a little. So, two months ago, on recommendation from my primary care physician, I switched to Seasonale, in hopes of eliminating cramps by eliminating periods.

I was fine for the first five weeks, when I basically had a full-blown period, cramps and all. It's been over two weeks now (normal period length is about 5-6 days), and I'm still bleeding as much as I would be if having a normal, not-on-birth-control period, and cramping worse than when I hadn't been on birth control. I anticipated spotting, and even a little bit of cramping, but I'm starting to worry.

My question is this: it's been two weeks. When do I need to make an appointment and/or arrangements for alternative birth control? Is this normal for other Seasonale users?

Is there a gadget that's good enough for birth control?

Gucky — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:19:07 -0800

Can I use a Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor as birth control as well? Is there another device I can use? Back in the '90s, I had friends rave about getting little "fertility machines" in France that helped them keep track of their cycles in order to not get pregnant. To the point that they scheduled trips to France to get the little test strips. None of them got "in the family way" before they were ready to.

Googling around, it sounds almost exactly like the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor. But, the fertility monitor in all its marketing material rates its effectiveness on how fast you get pregnant and is covered in pictures of babies.

I'm assuming that's an FDA-approval or marketing choice, not a functionality thing, but I am not an expert on such matters.

Am I missing something? Is there a good reason that I couldn't use this fertility monitor for the rhythm method/fertility awareness method? Is there another device *even better* for such a use that I can get in The States? (Also, $200 and you can only use it for trying to get knocked up seems a bit pricey.)

Birth Control/NuvaRing filter: I've had the ring in for 4 weeks and 12 hours. Should I worry?

dahliachewswell — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:49:04 -0800

Birth Control/NuvaRing filter: I've had the ring in for 4 weeks and 12 hours. Should I worry? When I started the Ring my doctor actually advised me to just keep it in for four weeks if I wanted to miss a period, just trade old and new rings at the four week mark. But, I'm a day late putting the new Ring in this week.

All the NuvaRing documentation I can find says this:

"If NuvaRing® has been left in for more than 3 weeks (but less than 4 weeks), remove it immediately and insert a new ring after a 1-week ring-free break.

If NuvaRing® has been left in place for more than 4 weeks, you may not be adequately protected from pregnancy.... etc."

Doing the math, isn't putting a new ring in today with no break just the same as realizing I was "over 3 but under 4 weeks" a couple days ago therefore being on my recommended week-long break anyway?

Where is my period?

Anonymous — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:54:34 -0800

Where is my period? After more than 10 years on the pill (on and off over the last 15 years; I am 33) I recently stopped taking birth control (I was on Yasmin) in order to try and conceive later this year. Although previously I had never messed around with the pack to time my period, I stopped mid-pack (in order to avoid a period while traveling overseas). I took 11 active pills with the last pill taken on March 11. I had a light period from March 14 - 16 and since then no bleeding. By my calculation I am now on day 39 of my 'cycle' and have had unprotected sex 5 or 6 times. I have taken a couple of a pregnancy tests (one a week ago and one today) and they both came back negative. I know that the test may not be accurate in the early days of pregnancy but I don't know when my period is due.

I have a doctor's appointment later this week and will explain all of this then but would like to know your experience...

My question is: where is my period? could I be pregnant? how long did it take your cycle to return to 'normal' following a long time on the pill?

How long does it really take to start working?

Bakuun — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 07:31:27 -0800

I've heard everything from needing to wait one month, to going through 3 packs of BCP before it becomes effective (if you don't start the first during your period). I'm about to start my second pack of Yasmin on Sunday, and with all the conflicting answers being thrown at me I'm confused as to when condoms can finally be put aside. Sure, I can wait through several more months. But I don't want to, y'know? Must I really? (Will you confuse me too, mefi?) In a committed, long-term relationship, pregnancies have been discussed and agreements formed, so everything is covered on those bases. Not interested in using the pill and condoms at the same time indefinitely, even as I'm aware of the increased statistical protection :) I know you guys care!

How do I get my libido back?

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:40:04 -0800

How do I get my libido back? I'm an early-thirties woman and I've lost my mojo. I'm on one specific hormonal birth control pill, and I take it continuously. I take this pill due to a hormonal imbalance. This is currently the only hbc option I have for my condition. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that I've got to work around the birth control and that changing it is not an option.

That out of the way, the pill kills my libido. My partner, bless his heart, has tried many a trick to help me get back into the mood. When we have sex I do enjoy it. It's just that most of the time I'm... meh.

Possibly relevant factors: I am not depressed, nor am I under an undue amount of stress. In fact, my mental state is better than it has been in the past. I get a fair amount of exercise. I could stand to get more sleep but my problem extends to the weekend. I've talked to my doctor but she didn't have much to offer. This problem started when I started this pill.

So what can I do?

Anxiety or real physical health problem?

Alligator — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:08:10 -0800

Could these just be anxiety symptoms or are they symptoms resulting from my new birth control? Leg cramping, stinging pain primarily in legs but also arms, muscle twitching, pins and needles feeling... Okay, so I have had issues with general anxiety in the past, though not so much anymore, but I admittedly tend over worry about health problems, so I'm hoping for an outsider's perspective.

I'm on Wellbutrin and I drank the usual medium coffee yesterday evening, which usually doesn't cause anxiety but helps me focus (with my ADD)though school is stressful right now. I spent the past 35-ish hours driving my car the past week. I have been drinking the past few nights. Since 4 am, my worrying about potential health issues has been out of control.

Note: I started a new birth control pill yesterday at noon.
At some point around 4 am last night, the inside of my thigh was stinging and I was cramping up a lot, so I looked up on the pamphlet for my BC and of course can't help but notice the side effect of BLOOD CLOTS. Now, I'm in a panic that I could have one. All of the symptoms though seem like ones I could make up in my head, particularly since I don't really know what blood clots are like.

Anyway, on and off since 4 am (it is now noon), and not disablingly so, I feel like I have been having: Leg cramping, stinging pain primarily in legs but also arms, muscle twitching, pins and needles feeling...

From this, I've managed to (I'm pretty certain just imagine) some skin discoloration, chest tightness.

I slept for 3 hours last night.

Anyway, is this just anxiety? Should I be concerned? Do you think these could be symptoms resulting from my birth control, like maybe I could have a blood clot?

allay my pregnancy paranoia!

sarahj — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:35:30 -0800

Can I use the birth control pill without a condom? I feel silly asking this question, but I want to make sure. I'm not new to taking the pill, but I'm new to sex and I'm nervous! (I'm 20.)

I'm currently taking the Yasmin birth control pill (used to take Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo, just switched to Yasmin a month and a half ago) but we've also been using condoms. I'm very good about remembering to take my pill daily, but the time of day I take it usually varies (usually not by more than 2 hours, but occasionally there are larger/lesser gaps).

Last night the condom broke, but I'm not really worried about it because I'm protected by the pill (which I am, right?!?!) and this brought up the question - do we really need the condom? I know and trust my partner, and even though he's okay with continuing to use one, personally I would much much much prefer to lose the condom (and so would he). I'm just hesitant because my pill use is very good but not absolutely *perfect.* So would we be okay without a condom? Reading other threads and internet statistics is making me nervous and I'm not sure if I'm overthinking this.

After that I'm finding myself looking into getting an IUD but since I've never been pregnant i'm not convinced I'll be able to get one easily plus I'm concerned about cost. But could I even forgo a condom with an IUD, assuming I know/trust my partner, got tested, etc? Are they that much more effective than the pill?
Help me allay my pregnancy paranoia!!

Just say No to kids

eas98 — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:04:19 -0800

Please share your experiences with the rhythm method... I would like to hear from fellow MeFites who are now using, or have used in the past, the rhythm method of birth control (pure calendar only). I am aware of the relatively low effectiveness, but for the sake of this discussion assume it's the only option...

What were your experiences and what should I be aware of?

Also assume that she is very regular in her cycle.

Thank you.

Anyone have firsthand experience with a copper IUD?

debbie_ann — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:52:05 -0800

Are copper IUD's more comfortable than the mini-pill? I just found out that I can get a copper IUD for free. I would love to stop taking pills every day but I've heard they may cause severe cramping and heavy periods. I've done the research. Has anybody out there ever had one?

Backstory: I was on ortho for many years. When I stopped taking it I started feeling better than I knew I could feel. I lost 20 lbs, and my PMS went from a week to a few days. Three years later, I am now breastfeeding my 8 month old and taking the mini-pill. I'm afraid that when I stop nursing the mini-pill will make me gain weight again, and I've noticed some mildly unpleasant hormonal issues. A ten year non-hormonal birth control device sounds perfect on paper. Is it too good to be true? Will I just be trading one list of side effects for another?

IUD fear and pain

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:19:13 -0800

It's time for the wife's new IUD. She's terrified of the pain, so what to do? Condoms are tricky, because of her latex allergy and neither of us are excited about them anyway.

She can't get on the pill, due to hormone reasons.

She's suggested me getting a vasectomy, but I'm uneasy about making permanent changes to my body.

Other suggestions for birth control? Is there something that will help her through the pain? She's really terrified of the pain and is worried about it being worst due to having to take the old one out and put a new one in.

Surgery is currently scheduled for Friday of next week, but we have no problem postponing or switching methods.

If it matters, we're in the States.

Summary: The key issue here is the pain of getting a new IUD, so please focus your answers on that subject. If it didn't hurt so much last time, my wife would be totally fine with getting one again.

Bitter little pill

t0astie — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:01:13 -0800

I want to take birth control pills again. But in the past I've had lots of problems with the three different pills I've tried. I know you are not a doctor, or my doctor, and I will see my doctor. But your experiences with birth control might help me make my choice when I do see the doc. So please, tell me, have you ever taken a birth control pill WITHOUT loss of libido, mood swings, madness, weight gain and skin issues? If so, what pill did you take? Background
I've tried Diane-35, Triphasil and Marvelon at various times, all with devastating and completely unacceptable side effects. I stopped about nine years ago, after a particularly terrible six months on Marvelon. On all of them, I had mood swings, depression, weight gain, nausea, tearfulness and zero libido.

On Marvelon I felt possibly the worst I have ever felt in my life, ever.

I am not prepared to kiss my sex drive goodbye, be transformed into a raving unstable psycho, have my face covered in zits or stack on a stone to take the pill.

But. My period is agony, I am miserable and PMS-y for a fortnight each month, then exhausted and crampy and faint and sick for three days out of the seven I bleed for.

Have tried everything else I can think of to fix the period issues: acupuncture, lifestyle changes (exercise, cut down caffeine, increased whole foods, fruit, veggies, minimal processed food, a range of supplements including evening primrose); acupuncture; massage; anti-inflammatories; various prescription and non prescription painkillers. All of these have helped, but have not fixed the problem. Also, yes, I have been checked out, I don't have endometriosis, cysts, fibroids, or any other problem like that. At this point, it's so terrible and debilitating, the pill is finally starting to look like something I'd consider again.

When I go and see the doctor, I'm thinking of asking about new low-dose pills and giving those ago, maybe having my period six monthly, or quarterly.

I've read through a stack of birth control questions, and anecdotally, it looks like Tri-cyclen in all its forms cause depression and anxiety symptoms, as do Microgynon, Alesse, Loestrin and Desogen.

Yasmin, Yaz and low estrogen pills seem to show up in the ''it worked for me'' responses, with less mood swing madness. But they also seem to cause loss of libido. This is a deal breaker.

I looked at this table, but it doesn't cover loss of libido (a real deal breaker) and also lists Triphasil as good for s moodiness and depression. Which. No.

So: Does anyone have any recommendations for side-effect minimal birth control pills that might let me keep the lovin' feeling, stay a normal weight, and not go stark raving mad?

Yep, I know, in the end, it will just come down to me and my unique reaction. But your annecdata will help me decide what to try first.

I am NOT interested in: and IUD, a diaphragm, patches, nuva ring or implants.

Trying to decide if I should stay on birth-control pills or not.

CrazyLemonade — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 08:58:40 -0800

Trying to decide if I should stay on birth-control pills or not. Please help. I'm taking pills called Gynovin, composed of 20 mg ethinylestradiol and 75 mg gestoden. Some googling tells me those are very small amounts of hormones, which apparently "provides great acceptance in women and a high tolerance".

I started taking the pills about 8 months ago, two months before I got married. I don't think I've had any physical adverse effects except maybe feeling tired a lot, but that could be caused by other stuff. What makes me ask this question is that recently I've began to think that a lot of my emotional problems could be caused by the pills, but I'm not sure, as there's also been a lot going on in my life.

Some "symptoms":
-complete loss of libido, (which is funny, since we waited for sex until we got married, and I DID have a pretty fine libido before)
-I feel angry all the time, plus, I get very explosive
-I've been feeling "randomly" depressed sometimes during the last few months, watching tv for hours or feeling ignored and unappreciated

Things going on in my life right now:
-I'm a high school teacher with a lot of work (4 groups with a total of 118 students)
-I'm studying my master's degree online (almost all the work is done in teams)
-my husband are in the last stages of building a house, with lots of details to oversee and lots of people and suppliers to supervise
-generally adapting to married life (has been mostly easier than I thought)

So, sorry for all the info, but I really don't want to spend my first year of marriage angry all the time and having no fun with sex. It's no fair for me, OR my husband, who I really love, and has been getting most of the second-hand effects of my emotional craziness. Yet, I don't know if I should blame the pills or if I should just blame life. I've always been prone to feeling emotionally stressed and anxious, but the thing that makes me most unsure is the complete loss of any sexual desire (or enjoyment). I'm considering going off the pills and maybe using some of the natural methods, which mean a lot of work, but no hormones.

I know this isn't really a concrete questions, but I know there's a lot of Mefites out there with a lot more experience with birth contro. Help me figure this out, please.