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Just curious as to what people use. Going to the doctor to get new BC next week and Im thinking about discussing an IUD but just want to hear about other options! What do you use and why do you like it?
I've tried a few different types, but for the last 5 years I have been on a low dose hormonal birth control pill. I use Tri-cyclen Low to be more exact. For me specifically, this pill has worked wonders. I tried for a long time to find something that didn't make me too crazy, helped my skin, and reduced PMS side effects. I have lunch pretty much every day at noon, so I've never had a problem with taking it on time.
I think it really has to do with your body specifically and your own hormone levels so it never hurts to try something new until you find the right fit. You also have to find something that fits your personality. Obviously, if you are forgetful the pill would be disasterous for you! lol.
ETA: I also wanted to mention that I really dislike the depo shot. My mother developed cystic ovaries after long term use of it, and although it cannot be fully linked to the depo shot I firmly believe it was the cause. My mother had 4 surgeries to remove aggressive (non-cancerous) tumors before needing a full hysterectomy because her hormones had become uncontrollable. My very good girlfriend had similar issues with it and actually did not get a period for a full 22 months after stopping use of it. These are just two experiences, but I like to share them as a warning. Obviously all birth control has it risks though.
From what I've heard about IUDs, most doctors will only give you one if you've already given birth. Just something to consider, and I know I've heard it's incredibly painful to have inserted.
I have been on the pill for years, trying several different ones and I've been happy with Aviane, which I've been on for 2 years now. I think it might be a generic of something else, but I'm not really sure.
@west.coast.blonde: I am forgetful but I can set an alarm. Maybe Ill try a low hormone one like that because the last time I was on the pill I gained weight and became a crazy biatch.
@Jaynee: I used to be on Aviane and that was when I gained weight! Its so weird how some pills work great for one person and not well for another. I didnt know that most doctors wont give you an IUD if youve never had a baby - is it because there is a chance of infertility afterwards?
I use the pill; I'm on Lutera 28, which I've never heard of anyone else taking, lol. I think it's the generic form of Aviane. It works fine, minimal side effects. I'm planning on going off at the end of the summer and I'm a bit nervous to see how my skin reacts!
I'm on the pill.
I was on Cryselle for years with no side effects (loved it!) but then they quit manufacturing it. I went through trying a variety of different ones as replacements that were giving me crazy side effects. I've now been on Aviane for a while and it's been great too. It's one of the lowest dosage pills available (according to my OBGYN) which really helps minimize side effects.
Currently using Pull and Pray. I stopped BC a while back for cycle regulation purposes.
I have tried the patch and nuva ring. Nuva Ring caused lots of clotting issues for me and honestly I just wasn't comfortable digging around in there looking for it. It became a bit of a chore, especially when FI had to start helping. It kinda took the fun out of that area. lol.
The patch was ok, I didn't like the sticky residue that it left behind, but it did work.
Last pill I used was Ortho Tri Cyclen - this just started tasting really bad to me and I couldn't force myself to take it anymore.
I am on the pill and have been almost non-stop for 10 years (brief use of the patch but i hated it). The one I was on the longest was the traditional Ortho Tri Cyclen. I liked it... no real complaints. I tried Yaz at one point and I hated it. It was terrible. I just switched a few months ago to Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo and so far so good. I did have some crazy mood swings the first 2 weeks maybe but that died down pretty fast.
As for remembering to take it, I just always take it before bed and I leave them right on my nightstand so I remember. This works for me because I am almost always in bed between 11-1 so its a pretty reliable method, but if your schedule is more varied an alarm might be a good idea. :)
ETA: I heard the same thing about UTI. I asked for it when I was in college because I was quite positive I had no plans to have a baby for many years but my doc said she won't do it on women who haven't had children. She said it is a combination reason because 1) it is harder/more painful to get in when you've not had kids and 2) there is a small chance of infertillity afterwards. That being said, one of my friends recently got Mirena and her doc apparently didn't have a prob with her being childless. So maybe it is recently more safe? Or maybe it is just a doctor by doctor thing?
I have a Mirena right now; my experience has been really positive, and I would definitely recommend it. Before that, I was charting (which I hope to get back to in the future, once we're done having kids). I've also tried a couple different versions of the pill, but I didn't really like any of them.
@PitBulLover: The low dose made all the difference for me. I had to be really careful with hormonal birth control because I too became a little too crazy for everyone to handle when I was on a stronger version. I tried a few different kinds of the pill even before this one worked for me, but now that I am on the right one for me it has made a huge difference.
@souliganprincess: weve been using Pull and Pray since our wedding but it takes some of the fun out of it when we are having to worry about it so Ive decided its time to go back on BC. I went off because of how crazy it made me! I dont think I could do the ring even though some people really like it.
@hilsy - never heard of Lutera28 but Im going to ask about it!
I am on Kariva, the generic brand of Mircette. It's a low-dose, 28-day cycle, with 3 7-day weeks of regular low-dose hormones, then the period week of 2 placaebos and 5 lowlow estrogen doses so that I have a regular period but no hormone headaches. I have been really happy with it. My first pill was Yas(min) and it made me feel like I was crazy, and I got headaches at the start and end of each period. This pill doesn't really alter my mood as far as I can tell, and no headaches - win win!
@PitBulLover: As far as I know, some doctors will not place an IUD in women who have not had children because of the pain of insertion. But it varies by doctor, so yours might be fine with placing an IUD for you. There's lots of women here who have IUDs and have never had children.
How funny! Right after I say that I've never heard of anyone being on Aviane, I see at least three people :)
thank you this post reminded me to take my pill! lol
i take jolesa you take it for 3 months then have a period and start your new pack. i like it i havent had any problems that iv noticed.. and iv tried alot of different bc.
I had the copper IUD for years and years and loved it.
I had it removed a month or so ago and we are using the 'pull and pray' method until we start TTC.
ETA: The regular IUD didn't hurt at all to insert but the Mirena sure hurt.. a LOT
Personally, I'm not a fan of putting anything in my body that I don't have to. The last time I used any kind of pill, it made me very tense and angry all the time. I also have a problem with cysts, which is another reason why I won't touch it. I use a sponge or contraceptive film.
I am on Nuvaring. I wanted an IUD but my doctor said no. There isn't really a huge chance of infertility from one but doctors are wary about having women who haven't had children have one because of the old recommendations to wait until after a woman has a child. The non-hormonal IUD has actually be approved for women who haven't had children.
I was on Estrostep for the past few years and just switched over to the NuvaRing. I like it for the most part, it doesn't give me those crazy mood swings or the weight gain that I had with the Pill. It's also great because instead of remembering to take a pill every day, I just have to remember to take it out every 3 weeks and put in a new one at the end of P-Week.
*TMI warning! - The only downside that I've had with the ring so far is that it dries me out from time to time down there. Not completely uncomfortable...but just uncomfortable enough for me to want to take it out from time to time especially for those intimate moments (which you can do safely for up to 3 hours).
So it seems like the pill is the favorite with a few others who prefer something else. Its too bad about an IUD because it just seems like you have nothing to worry about until you actually want to have kids - which makes the most sense to me! I think Ill write down some of these pill names to talk to my doctor about. @HermitCrab - never heard of this kind and that sounds interesting to me!
I'm on Junel (a generic of Loestrin). It's a low dose.
BUT
I have my period at the wrong time every month! I have it the second week instead of the week I'm off. Has anyone else had this experience?
I'm not sure what it means. I'm scared to try a different one because it was so hard for me to find one that didn't make me an emotional wreck, or gain weight like a maniac. If I'm still protected and just have my period at the wrong time, I am fine with that!
@rachelmarie220: haha you are welcome! I dont know how Id feel about only getting my period a few times a year!
i've been on yasmin for 8 years. and cvs tried to start giving me generic yasmin! it is horrible and not the same at all. gave me crazy mood swings and don't want to have sex ever with it. so i demanded the real yasmin
They have started doing Mirena for childless women. Some doctors won't, but many do now. I'm getting one inserted in the next month.
I was on the pill (Necon 1/35) for 3 years and hated it. It made my weight yo-yo, bad mood swings, dried out my lady bits.
@MissAsB: the same thing happened to me! i am happy on nuvaring though.
i have a coworker who had the mirena iud and was very unhappy with the hormones associated with it...
I've had the Mirena since Sept. I will say that the pain of insertion was comparable to a right before delivery contraction and the discomfort for me lasted well over 24hrs. I also spotted for 3 months and that made it hard to "enjoy" the effectiveness. However, once I was over those hurdles I am in love with it! I don't have a period anymore, I don't have to remember to take anything and it hasn't effected my mood or weight. So, I'm team IUD lol
@spoonoutmyheart: Which generic did they give you? I've tried both of them: Zarah & Ocella. Honestly, I don't notice the difference on either. Right now, I'm Zarah because my brand name Yasmin jumped $20 in price with the introduction of a generic...again. I had a horrible experience on Yaz when my doctor gave it to me for a brief time. I've been on Yasmin as long as you have!
I was on the pill for about 8 years, now I'm on nuvaring and I love it. I can get my period when I want or don't want. And I don't have to take a pill everyday. I would get the IUD but then I couldn't skip my period if I wanted
I've been on Seasonale for over 5 years and love it so much. I too have an alarm set to remind me to take it and all the other pills I have to take. Oy vey.
@carrieknitscake: it was ocella! i go crazy mad with it and always take it out on my FI and i hated that!! i tried used it for 2 months until i figured out it was that that was causing my crazy mood swings.
I'm on the mirena. Which is a brand of IUD. I think its great. I have heard as well, that many doctors will not recommend it prior to giving bitrht. It has nothing to do with infertility, but the fact that it is inserted in the uterus, and I believe it would be much harder to secure into place, and much more painful. The mirena, is a hormone IUD, where as you can get the cheaper IUD's without the low dose of hormones.
Pros: Never have to worry about taking a pill, or forgetting a pill, low dosage of hormones, because it is directly going into your uterus, verses, orally digested, so less effects of hormones, lasts up to 5 years, so you don't have to repurchase, or go and get more prescription, very light periods after a year, and may go away completely.
Cons: Expensive, but in the long run saves you money, lasts only 5 years, so if you are wanting children sooner, it may not be worth the money, and hassle, the pain can be more severe to insert, if you have not had children. ( My pain was eesntially non exsistent), I beleiev I have gotten some artificial facial hair because of the hormones ( maybe not), spotting for the first year that is very sporratic.
@Crisark: well since Ive never had a contraction I dont know how bad that is! Can you take anything before you go?? I dont know, a little bit of pain seems worth it to me. I guess my doctor will be the one to make that determination though!
Birth Control - Select 35
I was on Alieve, but it made me CRAZY. I cried at the drop of a hat, and it never helped with cramping.
Now, I only cry over stupid shit a couple days before my period. Otherwise, I'm my normal 85% sane. I also don't have NEARLY the cramping I used to, which was like, staying at home throwing up all day. Now I just keel over in pain every few minutes, which, let me tell you, is SO much better!
ETA: I've never heard of anyone else using Select. I even know certain pharmacies don't carry it and are like "wtf?" when I ask.
@PitBulLover: I've got an IUD have had it now for 5 years so it needs changing this October. I get on with it fine, don't know it's there. My periods are heavier though, but this has got less so as the months even years have gone by. Luckily the first period I had with it, I was off with food poisoning as I don't think I would have lasted at work.
edit: just realised my first sentence is TMI!
Just seen your question someone else - yes I took Ibuprofen an hour before as recommended by the clinic.
@PitBulLover: Yeah you can def take something before hand. And, the pain is different for everyone. Both my sisters have had it and neither had as much discomfort as I did. And a better example of pain may be the worst period cramp you've had. But, the initial pain wore off quickly it was the lasting general discomfort that lasted longer. I still say it's totally worth it.
Currently I'm not on anything. But I was on nuvaring for about 5 years. Before that I was on depo. Even with the side effects of losing calcium from your bones, I still liked depo the best. I wasn't good with taking my calcium supplements so my doctor took me off of it and put me on nuvaring. Nuvaring was good but there were little things I didn't like about it. When I'm ready to go back on BC, I would try nuvaring again.
@spoonoutmyheart: Interesting. I had no problem with Ocella, the two months I was on it. I switched to my husband's insurance and found out that regular Yasmin was cheaper thanks to the insurance company's pricing scale. This month, I went on Zarah, the new generic, now accepted by my insurance company. It's been smooth sailing so far. I really haven't noticed any difference whatsoever.
@yrret107: How often did you have to go for the shot? Ive heard of several people getting pregnant on the shot so Im wary about it. I didnt know about calcium loss.
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