Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with birthcontrol

Reluctantly giving up my HBC pills -- have questions about the Mirena

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:08:43 -0800

I'm a 29-year-old female who's been on birth control pills for 13 years, with one six-month break in the middle. Due to a recent medical diagnosis, my PCP is concerned about my continued use of this medication and has suggested I consider a Mirena IUD. I have questions. The recommendation is based on the heavy, *heavy* periods that preceded my HBC prescription and reoccurred during the break. I have an appointment scheduled for early July to discuss options with an OB-GYN but in the meantime, I'm in a bit of a panic.

The other threads about IUDs and the Mirena have been very helpful. I understand that different people have had very different experiences, and that some have been very unpleasant. My questions are:

If something is going to go wrong after insertion -- whether it's bleeding, mood irregularity, or change in skin condition -- what is the expected timeline for identifying the problem? I'm going back to school in the fall and am concerned about encountering side effects during this stressful time, during which my medical insurance and PCP will also change.

What specific questions should I ask at my initial appointment?

For those who tried/considered and rejected the Mirena, what alternate method (that isn't birth control pills) did you choose and why? I'm particularly interested in methods that limit monthly bleeding.

I don't feel comfortable being on "The Pill" and I'm ready to get off.

Shaitan — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:46:52 -0800

Prior to going on birth control I experienced two very severe episodes of pre-menstrual cramping, and I'd like to go off of the pill, but I'm scared! I'm looking for natural remedies to prevent severe menstrual cramping as I ease off of birth control. My Background: I went on the pill 19 months ago. My main reason for going on the pill was because of two consecutive, violent cramping incidents, both of which, occurred the day before I started my period. In both incidents, I woke up in the middle of the night with a strong pain in my lower abdomen. I felt dizzy and nauseous, broke out into a sweat, and had loose stools all within a 30-45 minute period. I could not walk and felt as though I was going to pass out. About 45 minutes into each episode, my body went into a cold sweat. The second time, my boyfriend was with me and he decided to call 911. When the paramedics came, I was wrapped in blankets with the shivers in my bed. I decided not to go to the hospital because the trauma had passed. I called my gynecologist that week and per her suggestion, went on the pill. I've been on the pill ever since, and I haven't had an another episode.

My Decision: Recently, I've been doing a lot of research on the long-term side effects of being on the pill, and I'm starting to worry. Just today, I was listening to Ben Greenfield (a fitness podcast) and he remarked, "I would run the opposite direction before taking the Pill". I also just bought the book, The Pill by Jane Bennett, which talks about all the long-term risks such as increased chance of breast cancer (I am already very high-risk), fertility challenges, etc. Furthermore, I've been bleeding through each menstrual cycle so I'm basically having two periods every month now. I know that's likely an indicator that I need a higher dosage and I'm just not comfortable taking higher amounts of hormonal dosage everyday. With all this new information, I do not feel comfortable being on the Pill.

My Question:

1) Are there any natural remedies to prevent extremely violent cramping? I'm nervous!
2) Are there any natural alternatives to birth control to regulate hormones?
3) Any other advice on going off the pill would be helpful.

For what it's worth, I am not ready to get pregnant! We are comfortable using condoms and other methods to prevent pregnancy. I'm very active, enjoy eating whole / organic foods, and I'm in my late 20's.

How many simple rules for dating my teenage daughter?

SomeTrickPony — Sun, 05 May 2013 06:14:48 -0800

My 15-yo daughter has been dating a guy for about a year, has recently become sexually active with him, and we're moving toward getting her on hormonal birth control. The fact that she even came to me to talk about this is a minor miracle. How can I encourage a sex-positive attitude? What boundaries and limits, if any, should I establish? My daughter is a HS sophomore. Parenting her has been challenging and a little non-standard because of her mental health issues--mood dysregulation and social anxiety primarily. She has always been super squicky about sex and so having a proper "sex talk" until now has been difficult--she would typically shut down the conversation with shouting or literal fingers-in-the-ears "lalala I can't hear you" behavior. She's even uncomfortable hearing the words bra or panty hose, for cripes sake.

So, there's this boy. She's been friends/special friends/boyfriend-girlfriend with him for a little over a year now. Parent's intuition told me that they were more than just friends, but she hasn't been comfortable talking with me about him as more than just a friend until recently. She finally opened up a couple nights ago about the true nature of their relationship, in a conversation that opened with "what would you think if I told you I had a boyfriend?" while she was balled up on the couch in the fetal position, clearly terrified that I would disapprove of her even dating, even though she should know that I am Not That Kind of Mom. We talked about dating and relationships, what I thought about her boyfriend, etc. etc.

After a long while we hit the nitty gritty, about sex and pregnancy and diseases and birth control. Although she was still super uncomfortable, she fought her natural urges to shut down the convo and we were able to talk through different options, pros and cons, and how any sort of hormonal birth control is going to require a doctor's visit and a prescription and the doctor will want to do a pelvic exam and what that involves, and how if she considers herself mature enough to have sex she needs to be mature enough to get through that. I was really proud of how she handled her end of the conversation, and it felt like a huge breakthrough in being able to discuss the topic.

Ok, so, I think we're making good progress on that front. I'm happy she's in a relationship (I've always said I was more worried about protecting the boys from her than protecting her from the boys), and I'm happy that she seems more relaxed on the subject of sex around her peers than she is when confronting it in the context of adults.

What I'm not so sure about is the "then what?" What rules, limitations, guidelines, or admonitions are within the realm of appropriate in this day and age and that align with my values? (Those values, in a nutshell, are that "saving yourself for marriage" is not advisable, that sex should be fun, that sex shouldn't be something that men "want/take" and women "accept/give", anti-slut-shaming, pro non-heteronormative, protect yourself from disease, and you gotta be prepared to deal with the consequences). How do these things work out on the ground after "the talk" and after the decision is made to allow your teen daughter to be on BC? (I'm thinking about things like rules about boys in the bedroom, that kind of stuff...) What do I do about this tiny voice that is screaming "but she's TOO YOUNG!!" Is that the just the same voice that will be screaming "but she's TOO YOUNG!!" in the extremely near future when she starts learning to drive?

Do you have any resources for parent you recommend? I've been searching The Green and haven't found much on this particular topic; please point me toward any previouslies you think might be helpful.

(If it's relevant in terms of what will other parents might expect, we live in a liberal-leaning major metro area)

What was your experience getting off the pill after many years on it?

Feel the beat of the rhythm of the night — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:19:54 -0800

A lot of people experience intense moods and emotions while their body transitions off the hormones. After that, some people notice that their personality has changed one way or the other for good. I've real some studies that show hormonal birth control also has an effect on the kind of person you are attracted to when you are on it. Does this mean you might not be as attracted to the person you're already with? What was your experience?

Progestin pill side effects (especially dizziness/spotting ) duration?

Fire — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:28:42 -0800

I've been on a progestin-only pill to prevent pregnancy for three weeks, and I am unhappy. Wondering if anyone experienced similar symptoms, especially dizziness/hypotensive episodes and irregular bleeding) and how long they took to go away for you. (details within)
I am currently in the middle of treatment for a DVT in my lower calf (from an ankle fracture). That will hopefully be over in a month or so. However, due to this, when I went to get a new birth control prescription last month (I remained on my old pill for about 7 weeks post-DVT), they refused to give me my old combined pill and gave me a choice between this progestin pill and implant/IUDs. I don't want foreign objects inside my body, so I agreed to try the progestin pills.

From day one, I felt bloated and pre-menstrual. On day two, and daily ever since, I began to experience episodes of postural hypotension.

I am in my early 30s and dealing with postural hypotension since my teens (and been on hormonal birth control since age 24), but it had been mostly under control and episodes had become rare. The only recent change I've made has been this pill and now I get these episodes daily, sometimes multiple times. The insert says this pill can cause dizziness, so I've been hoping it will go away or lessen.

Today, I started spotting. I was always been extremely regular before birth control, and my experience on combined pills was the same, just slightly lighter. I find it makes me reassured to know I'm not pregnant and feel normal to have a period each month, even if it is a withdrawal bleed. So, one of the things I feared on progestin pills was spotting/irregular and/or absent bleeding. Probably my main concern.

More than anything, after this DVT stuff, I just want to feel normal. Like myself. Like my life and my choices are my own.

I've also seemingly gained three or four pounds. Without eating enough to do that. I'm overweight and trying to lose, so it was not fun to see my recent progress obliterated.

I'm trying to hold out until I am off the anticoagulants and return to a low-dose combined pill to give me the consistency I'm looking for, but that will take time and persistence.

Should I try to stick it out, even though I'm really unhappy right now, or do you think I should call a doctor? If you've had dizziness or spotting on progestin methods, how long did it take for you to get back to a regular monthly cycle? Ever?

Essure, Paragard, or other?

waving — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:36:56 -0800

Considering long-term, permanent birth control options. I'm a woman in my mid-40s considering Essure or Paragard. Essure is permanent but requires nickel coils to be inserted in the Fallopian tubes permanently. I have read that some women experience crampy and heavier periods, but of course many don't. Paragard is a copper IUD, which induces an inflammation of the uterine lining, thus making it inhospitable to pregnancy. This can also lead to heavier periods.

I am nervous about the Essure due to reports of the coils coming out as well as possible nickel allergy issue. I do get very inflamed due to contact with "cheap" metal jewelry. I've seen quite a few web sites devoted to horror stories but question whether these are isolated events getting a lot of attention. I've had very, very bad experience with Cymbalta (memory loss, fatigue, weight gain). Also, I have tried the Mirena and had very bad restless leg syndrome and weight gain, likely due to the hormones. So, while I am wary of using the drug company's information as a reliable indicator of what to expect, I haven't had problems with other drugs I have taken and therefore am considering these options.

Does anyone have good or bad experience with either of these devices that they can share, or alternatives?

Is it possible to interrupt a period that has already started?

argonauta — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 10:04:32 -0800

Is it possible to interrupt a period that has already started? My period started today (Saturday).

If it's at all possible, I would really really like to not have it (either a pause or a full stop), on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. You are not my doctor, but unfortunately the soonest I can talk to him is Monday, so in the meantime I would be grateful to know:

1. If stopping an already-underway period is even possible
2. If it IS possible, what's the likelihood that I'll need a new prescription, or how likely it is that I'll be able to cull the needed elements can be culled from my current medicine cabinet, which includes a brand-new pack of NeoCon birth control pills (1 mg of norethindrone and 0.035 mg of ethinyl estradiol), Prometrium (progesterone-only) pills and Aygestin (norethindrone acetate-only) pills, and a Plan B one-step (1.5 mg of levonorgestrel).

If there's really nothing that can be done, I'd like to know now so I can cancel my plans sooner rather than later. It would also be a big relief to know how likely it is that I'll be able to tackle this with the medications already on-hand, which would be worth balancing from a time/expense perspective with the hassle of rescheduling.

Finally, if it would make sense for me to start whatever-the-approach-is before Monday, I can probably make it to urgent care or Planned Parenthood this weekend...but again, I'd hate to go through that if there's really no option anyway.

Thank you SO MUCH for any insight you can provide.

Identifying a female-sterilization-friendly gynecologist

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 07:55:08 -0800

Looking for a gynecologist who will not give me--28, no kids, not in a relationship--a hard time about getting a tubal ligation. How I can ascertain this from the website, a phone call, or (if necessary) the first visit? Maryland/DC area.
Email: tubal.throwaway@gmail.com

I am specifically not looking for any answers here attempting to talk me out of this decision.

I've recently moved and need to find a gynecologist for my annual checkup in the Maryland/DC area--Gaithersburg, but I'd consider driving a bit for the right doc. I want to have a tubal ligation in 6-12 months (when I hope to have built up more of a social network in case the recovery is rough).

This is something I decided to do three years ago, and I've never wavered. But I've been putting it off because I'm anticipating the kind of patronizing age- and marital-status-related reactions described in this thread. Several women in that thread were operated on by doctors who blatantly disrespected their choices, and I don't want to have to swallow a bunch of bile as I'm going under the knife.

Ideally I would like to figure out from the website or from calling the office whether the doctor's attitude is a good fit. I imagine that the receptionist can answer questions about what procedures the doc performs, but not so much about attitude--even if they have some idea, I'd expect them to be cautious about weighing in since the doc's attitude could somewhat understandably depend on my presentation and explanation of my situation**, which I think are reasonable.

I thought that advertising abortion as a service might be a good indicator, but the gynecologists I'd tend to go to for regular checkups as a person with reasonable insurance don't seem to do this. And if they advertise sterilization it's kind of a "we'll tie your tubes while we're in there doing your second Caesarian!" thing, so it's unclear what they'd think of my case. Providers who advertise abortion services online seem emergency-oriented and don't also advertise sterilization. Is there some other indicator I should look for? Do docs do email or phone conversations with prospective patients?

If pre-visit screening attempts are unsuccessful, I'm afraid that what'll happen is this: I go to someone for one of those long new-patient appointments. Either before or after the doc sticks his or her hand in my vagina, we talk about birth control and I bring up my intention to be sterilized and the doc refuses. Then I have to overcome increased anticipation of anger and pay out of pocket for appointments with different docs until I find one who's amenable.

**Personal details:

I was on hormonal BC for 8 years and at the end was spending several hours per day crying, which stopped within two weeks of removing the last Nuvaring. Off HBC, my periods are not super regular--the reason for starting it at 16--and it's common for several months to pass with only a few episodes of light spotting. I feel good now and value my mental health too much to try any hormonal treatment again, either for contraception or for the irregularity. But basically, if I'm having intercourse I'm a wreck either because of HBC or because there's rarely the assurance of menstruation that I'm not pregnant. I don't trust condoms alone. Yeah, there are non-hormonal IUDs, but if I'm going to have a Procedure, I'd like to just get it over with and be free!

Since I was 19, I've had four relationships lasting 1-2 years each. All four guys wanted children and it was a major source of incompatibility--when I was younger because I didn't really want them but thought I might have to have them to keep the guy, later because I'd done more thinking while single and was sure I didn't and had said so...and the last two were just kind of waffling around hoping I'd change my mind. Two offered to be stay-at-home dads and that arrangement held no appeal. So I don't even want to date anyone until I've been sterilized: I won't have to worry about pregnancy and it will be clear that I'm serious about being childfree. The whole "what if you meet someone" thing--I already had that conversation with my mom, thanks, and I didn't mind her asking--but hearing a potential mate talk about wanting children is a massive turnoff. And all of the people I want to sleep with have sperm-injectors, so...

Three days of the month, I'm not all that fun to be around either.

chaiminda — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 08:03:22 -0800

I never ever ever want to have another period/breakthrough bleed. Which birth control should I be on? That's a slight exaggeration - I would like to have kids someday. But for now, I would like to avoid the mess, mood swings, and breakouts that come with every bleed.

A couple years ago I was living in a country with over-the-counter birth control (yes, it was just as great as it sounds). I was prescribed a generic pill and I decided to just start taking it continuously, with no breakthrough bleeding. My skin cleared up and my moods improved.

Back in the USA now and it's much harder to get access to continuous birth control, since the pharmacy will not let me pick it up until after my placebo week has already started. I'm happy enough with the pill I'm on now (I tried Seasonique and hated it) but I need to figure out a way to take it continuously, or find another way not to have that bleed week. Recommendations for getting around this or other forms of birth control would be great!

The Paragard is good for you, right?

Be cool, sodapop — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:50:32 -0800

I'm getting a copper IUD next week, yay! I did a little too much background reading about it and am now totally psyching myself out, boo! Can you talk me back into being excited, or at least calm, about this decision? I'm in my mid-20s, nulliparious, and in a long-term monogamous relationship. I've never been on the pill because I can barely remember to take my antidepressants every day, and the only hormonal birth control I've ever tried is Depo Provera. Depo was a total mess. Not only did I have mood swings and breakthrough bleeding the entire 3 months I was on it, but I continued to spot almost every day for about 10 months after the shot supposedly wore off. Sucked.

I did a bunch of research about my options, asked my gyno about the Mirena, and was told that it would probably have a similar effect on me as the Depo. He recommended the Paragard instead, saying only that it might result in heavier periods and cramps. Since my periods aren't particularly bad to begin with and I get annoying-but-not-debilitating cramps for the first day or two, I figured that wouldn't be a big deal. I have no abnormal piping that I know of (apart from a sensitive cervix, whatever that means) and am not prone to UTIs or other similar problems.

Well, the actual procedure is next week, and I've done far too much reading in the intervening time on AskMe and Livejournal about all the things that can go wrong with a Paragard. The stories about cramping so much you had to lie down for 4 days after the procedure, of heavier and heavier periods for months until it was just removed altogether, of the possibility of copper poisoning and pain during sex and weight gain and anemia and AHHHHHHHH.

Back in the good old days when I was rational, I (and my doctor) clearly thought this was the best decision for me, but now I'm so anxious that I'm tempted to call and cancel my appointment altogether. I know people who are happy with their experience don't tend to speak up as much as people who really hated their experience, so there must be more happy stories about the Paragard out there. Please, tell me about how awesome my life is going to be.

Alternatively, if YANMD but are convinced that I'm making the biggest mistake of my reproductive life, feel free to tell me that, too.

All those women are also x

atomicstone — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:41:45 -0800

Are there things we can say about women who do not do well with hormonal birth control as a group? I attempted some pubmed research on this, but while I'm a crack legal researcher.....nada.
There's a group of women for whom any kind of hormonal birth control makes them "crazy", sad, or otherwise baaad. Is there anything we can say about these women in other health-ways? Do they die of X more? Menopause is some specific experience for these women? I'm interested if there is any research in this vein and, if so, what it says. Help?

BC Makes me crazy, and I'm going to have to take it anyway (PCOS). If you're crazy on some, can you be OK on others?

jrobin276 — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:49:16 -0800

Just Diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)... BC makes me crazy, but am going to have to take it... eep! Anyone else crazy on some BC but not others? Tell me there's hope! I've just (like, yesterday) been diagnosed with PCOS. I'm having another blood test before Doc puts me on some sort of birth control. I was on OrthoTyiCyclen in college (say, 10 yrs ago) and it made me *crazy* and depressed... am terrified that I will spend months and months crazy while I test them all out. The last year or so has been super stressful already. Doc knows about my history with BC, but he was not my doctor at the time. You're not my doctor, but are there any BC pills that tend to *not* make people crazy? Are you crazy on some, but not others (is there hope??)?

I am married so craziness (largely, lots of crying) will directly affect other very nice person. Also, I am not overweight at all, and did not gain weight on Ortho. I cannot take low-dose or mini pills for PCOS. I don't have excess hair/acne that I'm concerned about, and am not pre-diabetic or anything. Doc mentioned IUD (localize the hormones?), but the idea creeps me out. I was also diagnosed with overactive bladder on the same day - so I've had a lot of pain/poking/proding "down there" and am really sick of it; IUD would be last resort at this point. Anything I can insert (and thus remove) myself is ok. Will probably want to (try to) get prengant in a year or so, so nothing permanent.

Any other words of encouragement or advice regarding PCOS or Overactive Bladder are more than welcome and much appreciated!!

Mirena and acne... is it forever?

two lights above the sea — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:58:16 -0800

IUDs and acne. How long should I wait before seeking serious acne treatment? Will the hormone acne subside? My Mirena was inserted on July 1st. Since then, my acne has gotten progressively worse and is now on par to what it was in high school, which is about the severity of considering antibiotics or accutane. Normally my acne is mild and maybe I'll get one or two blemishes along with blackheads in the usual areas.

Obviously, as a 28 year old woman, I am not pleased.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Did it subside after while? I think I could wait a bit longer, but unfortunately it's taking a toll on my self esteem big time. I'm definitely not going to remove the device, but just get the acne treated. Can you even use accutane on this type of hormonal acne?

Can anyone offer advice or anecdotes here? Thanks in advance!

Is there a connection between the Pill and food allergies?

Ms. Toad — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 18:12:00 -0800

Could there be a connection between a food (yeast) allergy and birth control pills? YANAD. I plan on talking to my doctor about this, but I'd like advice/background that would help me know how to approach him.

I've had an allergy to yeast in food - especially beer/wine, and foods with yeast extract - that came on several years ago. I chalked it up to aging and natural changes to the body, and have altered my diet to accommodate it.

But, recently, a relative went on the pill and within a couple weeks developed a severe reaction to alcohol, especially beer. She went off the pill again after a couple months and the reaction disappeared.

After hearing about this, I recalled that I might have switched the type of pill I was on around the same time that this allergy developed. I know birth control can alter yeasts in the body, but could there be any connection between the pill and a yeast allergy in food? Anybody have any similar experiences or suggestions of research I can do about this before I approach my doctor?

My Pussy Is Not Rioting, Thanks.

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:56:18 -0800

So I've got some questions about my (aging) vagina. So I'm 45 and I've been on the pill forever, basically, save for a three-year break to have and nurse a child. When I was younger I used it mostly for birth control. As I got older I had weird, heavy periods, and my gyno had me on the pill to help regulate things.

On my own I decided that I'd stop taking 'em and see what happens. So I did, last month. I took my last pack, and at the end had a regular period...and then...well...

It's been about six weeks and I haven't had a period yet. I do think that this is normal, but anybody have any thoughts on how long it might take for my cycle to restart again? Or not start? I know age 45 is a bit young for menopause, but not out of the question. (I do not have older sisters, and I have no access to my mother's menopause history.)

I'm also experiencing a lot of...juiciness down there. Why is that? Basically, I'm just sorta damp a lot nowadays. It's clear, it doesn't smell bad, nothing itches, etc. Nothing is shouting out, "Problem!" except that there's just so much...moisture. It's the kind of feeling that in the past would have me thinking, "Oh, I just got my period." And yet it's not my period. So what's going on?

(I wear all-cotton undies, if it matters.)

Basically, I realize that my vagina and I are entering a new period -- see what I did there -- and I want to understand it more. Point me to some resources?

Lastly, I will discuss this with a gyno, but am in the midst of changing docs and it will take me several weeks to get an appointment.

Hormonal Birth Control Question #3493, you are our next contestant! Come on DOWWWWN!

Sayuri. — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 11:49:26 -0800

I've been on Ocella (Yasmin) for about 4 years now. Like a great relationship, things started out wonderfully, but I think my baby-making hormone changes are coming between us. I briefly took Ortho-TriCyclin for 2 years in college and it made me kind of a psycho bitch. So I went off birth control for a long time and then went on Ocella about 4 years ago. It was wonderful (after that 2-3 month adjustment time). My skin hasn't been clearer, ever, and I didn't gain any weight, PMS was not any worse, = no emotional rollercoasters, no decreased sex drive, cramps got 200% easier, and suddenly my periods were 3 days long instead of the drawn-out 7-9 day, fucking Fellowship of the Ring extended edition with director's commentary bullshit. Things were wonderful. Then I hit 30 this year, and I swear it's not solely psychosomatic, but nowadays very grumpy PMS now starts about halfway through my cycle when I still have a week and a half left until the placebo week. PMS started getting worse about a year ago, and now it's just kind of expanding backward and getting longer. My period doesn't start until 3 days into the placebo week, and the PMS lasts until then, so that makes for 2 weeks of PMS. On the day I get my period I feel like a weight has been lifted off me. I still can be irritated, but there isn't that irritated "rut" you get into with PMS. Like, bitch goggles. Life seems a lot easier. I swear my coworkers must be keeping a calendar and taking bets, it's so obvious.

The points of the question are... has anyone had a similar experience with moving into/through their 30's on a pill that previously worked for them and then didn't? What the fuck is happening to my hormones, scientifically, as I am hitting peak (or geez, post-peak?) baby-making time? (My basically consistent, low level craving for a child is starting to alarm me.) This is way too young for perimenopause issues, and that seems unlikely also because my menarche was very late in life. Has this happened to you, and what did you end up doing, what pill did you move to? I don't want to go off the pill. It's very difficult sorting through BC reviews because they are all so subjective, and reviewers haven't necessarily waited past the break-in period, and everybody's chemistry is different. I've got a annual physical/pap scheduled in two months so I'll bring this up then (and this will give me time to perhaps log these mood swings). I'd hate to have to spend the next year or two of my youth in the misery of trying a bunch of new pills; I want to go into the appointment with some ideas on a plan of action. I'm pretty sad my miracle Pill doesn't love me anymore.

Treating endometriosis with birth control

perryfugue — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 13:03:14 -0800

Had an endometrioma surgically removed. Deciding whether to start the pill. Female, 24. I had a 10cm endometrioma removed via laparoscopy earlier this month. The doctor was able to save my ovary and tube (where the cyst was growing), said the cyst "peeled away" easily, and didn't find endometriosis anywhere else. I haven't had any complications from the surgery and feel loads better. My doctor recommended I start Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo to minimize future symptoms and said the lifetime risk of recurrence is about 20%. I have a few questions:

1. I have never taken HBC. Are there side effects to starting the pill mid-cycle, other than needing to use backup contraception for the first seven days? My period ended about a week ago and I don't really want to wait another month to start taking the pill, but I also have read that the "Quick Start" method increases the likelihood of breakthrough bleeding and other side effects and don't know how true that is.

2. Endometriosis is incurable, right? Like, even though they didn't find it anywhere else, don't I still have it and won't it get worse over time? Also, if you have endo, how have your experiences been with birth control?

Other background info: I have always had extremely painful menstrual cramps and moderate, seemingly hormonal acne. I do want children eventually and am worried about losing my fertility to endo.

I realize everyone is different, but generally, I'd like to hear others' experiences with endometriosis and birth control. This is all very new to me and health forums on these topics (outside MeFi, I mean) all seem to deterioriate into hysterical worst-case anecdotes that just freak me out. I've avoided HBC in the past because I didn't want to deal with the side effects, but after this ordeal, the possible side effects of BC seem preferable to growing another painful cyst. Thoughts?

Low to no medicine birth control options

saraindc — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 14:06:09 -0800

please advise on birth control options particularly if you have experience with low-medicine or no-medicine methods. I really HATE the idea of taking medicines on a routine basis.

What is your experience with the fertility awareness method? Please tell me about this if you have personal experiences or close friends with personal experiences- I'm less interested in rants against it that lack personal experience. If you give me an anecdote about someone you know, including yourself, got pregnant doing this please let me know if you aware of whether this was due to having sex on one of the no-go days, or if it happened when they had sex and it was a day it was supposed to be ok.

What are my other options that are low to no medicine? no vasectomies or tube-tying.

There are two stages I see: Stage 1 is not wanting to get pregnant at all since the next year will be exceptionally bad timing so a low-medicine solution is probably better than fertility awareness method. Stage 2, after next year, still not wanting to get pregnant but if it happens it will be less of a problem so maybe condoms/fertility awareness method will be more ok. also eventually after a couple of kids one of us will get a surgery so it's not like we plan to pop out a dozen babies.

No I have no experience with any methods of birth control so far.

My issue isn't a moral one- I'm pro-choice and family planning methods generally. I am however, a strong proponent of avoiding regular use of medicines where possible. Maybe you can suggest some very low-dose low-side effect stuff?

Please help! The sooner I figure it out the sooner the fun begins.

Convoluted Birth Control Pill Question

Lady Gotohell — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:18:16 -0800

I take Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo birth control pills and accidentally started a new pack the day I was supposed to start the sugar pills. I've only taken one so far. While I can keep going and just skip my period if necessary, I'd rather not for timing reasons. What would the effects be of: A) Taking one pill and then stopping B) Not taking the first pill of the new pack next week?

I don't even remember what my periods were like in 2004, man.

town of cats — Tue, 22 May 2012 19:58:11 -0800

What was it like for you to quit hormonal birth control after using it for a long time - let's say 5 or more years? I know it's different for everyone, but I'm about to quit using HBC after 8+ years without a month's break and I'm a little nervous about what it'll be like. I want to get some sense of the range of experiences people have had so it's at least a bit less likely my body will manage to really surprise me. Did you feel like your personality was different? Did you have spotting? How long did it take for your periods to get regular again, or to start ovulating?

FAM or IUD or baby but please god, no pill

mibo — Wed, 02 May 2012 06:56:48 -0800

Hate the Pill -- IUD or FAM? If so, how so? Snow flurry inside. Late 20s female in a committed relationship. I've been on a Pill of one kind or another for 10 or more years. My doctor switched me to Camila (progestin-only) in November of last year because of a history of (rare) migraines. I've gained twenty pounds and have only had one period -- I hate this pill.

My partner and I have discussed our options, which look to be a copper IUD or the fertility awareness method. Which way go we go?

My primary concern with an IUD is the expense -- we'd only need it for a year and a half or two years before trying for kids. (My insurance doesn't cover it.) I'm also a bit skwicky at the idea of foreign objects hanging out in my uterus and I'd hate to go from no periods at all to a monthly gully wash. TSS as a potential side effect doesn't sound fun, either.

I lean towards the fertility awareness method and I'm about halfway through TCOYF. My primary concern is, of course, my own ignorance and how to avoid pregnancy while figuring it out. Also, if you've gone from a Pill to FAM, how do you know when your cycles get back to normal or if you actually have anovulation or something?

We have an appointment on Monday to discuss an IUD with my doctor. I really don't want to take this pill anymore, even for the next six days. On the other hand -- what happens if you just stop?

I know YANM doctor or my doula, but please give me anecdotes or information to help me decide what to do. Bonus if you help me save my $30 copay by reassuring me that I'm smart enough for FAM starting now.

The ins and outs of sex with the Nuvaring

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:19:05 -0800

I've looked at every question here dealing with the Nuvaring, and read all the patient information, and yet still I don't know: What does it feel like during sex? If you're a man -- can you feel it, is it uncomfortable or neutral or pleasant? If you're a woman -- does it get in the way, do you find it comes out easily?

I've also read differing opinions on whether you can or should take it out during intercourse -- either that there's a 3-hour window, or that that window is only for occasional emergencies where the ring has come out without you noticing.

Thank you. Enquiring minds want to know!

IUD>NuvaRing?

DoubleLune — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:40:29 -0800

[BC filter] Will an IUD (Mirena) be a good option when I didn't like the Nuvaring? Particularly, it lowered my libido and gave me mood swings. As a follow up to this question I'm looking at getting an IUD. The things I didn't like about the Nuvaring were that I had an almost non-existant libido and mood swings. I'm currently on a low-dose BCP, which is the best I've found so far for those things, but I'm looking at getting an IUD for the higher protection rate.

1) Have you switched from the NuvaRing to an IUD (hormonal)? What side-effects changed?

2) Have you had an IUD without having had a pregnancy? Good? Bad?

BCP at any old time, or...

DoubleLune — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:24:33 -0800

[BCP filter] Taking the pill at different times each day: how risky am I being? I know I'm "supposed" to take the pill around the same time every day, and I have a time I shoot for -- 10am. Generally my strategy is to take it as soon as I remember after waking up, and this is around 10, so I set that as my target time. BUT sometimes I don't remember because I'm busy, or stressed, or on the road for work and don't have water, or whatever. I rarely miss a day altogether (like once every two months). My packaging says even if I miss one day (and take the missed pill the next day) I'm still protected. So I assume it doesn't *really* matter what time of day I'm taking the pill, that it's only for regularity and keeping a fairly consistent level of hormones in my body. But am I actually putting myself at high risk of getting pregnant? Getting pregnant right now would be categorized as a disaster, so if I am leaving myself open to risk, I'd rather know about it so I can figure out how to reduce the risk factor.

Troubled times

Small Pockets — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:39:53 -0800

Birth control/emergency contraceptive question. To panic or not? Deep breath. Here goes.

I am not sure if I should take Plan B or not. Here is the situation. I finished my period this past Thursday. My boyfriend and I had sex (without a condom) on Friday night but he did not come inside me. We had sex again (without a condom) on Saturday and he did not come inside me.

Last night we had sex without a condom and we are both about 90% sure he pulled out before coming. I understand the potential dangers of precum. I know we should have been using a condom. I have an appointment to see a doctor regarding birth control tonight which I booked 2 weeks ago because I know that relying on pulling out is not the best plan.

My question is whether or not I should bother to take Plan B. I have taken it once in the past (in that situation the condom broke). I am not overly worried that I am pregnant but my stomach has been flip-flopping all day probably due to overthinking things and nerves. We had sex 12 hours ago so I know it is most effective if I were to take it within the next 12 hours.

Keeping in mind I will start taking the pill tonight, should I take Plan B? I would rather make the call now before I go to the doctor because taking Plan B now would be more effective.