Post # 1
Member
1360 posts
Bumble bee
Which is the best form of BC, in your opinion, and why?
I don’t necessarily mean the most effective (although, that’s a big factor), but rather the one with the least harmful side effects. I already have painful periods/cramps/etc due to medical issues, so I need to find out a BC plan that fits me.
I’ve talked to my OBGYN, but he won’t give me clear answers and I need to know some of the opinions of others. He’s the type that would prescribe me whatever I wanted if I said I was having pain, and he would let me choose whatever BC I wanted without really telling me it isn’t the best.
I was on the Pill for about 1 1/2 years, and I wasn’t a huge fan (Yaz made me incredibly sick…I couldn’t eat anything or hold anything down and lost 15 pounds in the first 3 months; Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo seemed to be okay…but my periods weren’t any lighter or less painful.) I was going to get the implanon but I’ve heard bad things about it. I’ve googled all three and I can’t figure out the pros vs. cons on each.
As of now, I’m BC-free and I can’t take it much longer. My periods are insane, and I’ve got to do something about it.
I’ll add a poll to this for what YOU use, if anything. As far as your opinion on what would be BEST, leave a comment. Thanks! 🙂
Post # 3
Hostess
3368 posts
Sugar bee
The best for me has been the pill. I was on the shot for a while and SWORE by it, but I wound up pregnant and losing the baby because of it. I actually have a few friends that have had the same thing happen to them. Last time I talked to my OB, she said people are having more and more people issues with the depo.
The pill that I am on now I LOVE! It’s called Levora, and it makes my periods lighter, next to no cramps, and no side effects. I recommend it to all of my friends! obviously it’s going to be different for everyone, but it’s worth a shot.
I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for a while and was miserable. Awful mood swings, debilitating cramps, etc.
Post # 4
Member
189 posts
Blushing bee
I voted that I love polls.
I have the implanon implant, which is great because I don’t have to remember it every day but does have its draw backs. I tend to spot here and there throughout the month and every so often (at what seems to be random times) have a full bleed. The spotting is annoying as hell and is (from what I have read) a common side effect.
I have also been on the pill which was great (kept everything regular, etc etc) but my work shifts meant that It was a pain to take it at the same time every day. I also had some serious mood swings when on the pill.
Also, as a side note, I gained alot of weight after starting hormonal birth control. I do not know if it is directly related but it is also something to consider if you worry about that sort of thing.
Post # 5
Member
424 posts
Helper bee
I have endometriosis so I also have very painful cramps. I was on Depo Provera for about 5-7 years and I absolutely loved it. But a lot of people don’t–it is associated with weight gain and a loss of your sex drive. The nice thing is that you don’t get periods on it. Well, to me it was nice. 😉
I’m on the generic form of Loestrin FE now because Depo Provera gave me vulvodynia and it’s probably the best BC I’ve ever been on. Not all oral BC is created equal–some will work better for you than others.
Post # 6
Member
2601 posts
Sugar bee
It really depends on YOU b/c everyone’s chemistry is different.
FWIW, Depo was the absolute worst for me. After a few months, my doc asked me how it was going and I literally burst into tears in her office, blubbering, “I’m not sure it’s working with my emotions…” She said, “Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s not working too!”
Also, to some extent, BC has to work with your lifestyle. I tried the mini-pill, but you have to take that at the same time every day and there’s no work-around if you forget. Well, I’m the sort of girl who DOES forget and also does dumb things like leave them in hotel rooms when I travel or something, so it became me spending $20/mo and STILL having to use backups because I’m apparently, not yet an adult when it comes to keeping my act together. So, just be aware of those elements as well.
Post # 7
Member
1360 posts
Bumble bee
I do know it’s different for everyone, and I may try the depo shot next (or try Levora as PP said), but I’m unsure of how it will affect me. I guess the only way to know for sure is to try…but I was afraid of trying the implanon and then hating it and having to get it removed (EEEEK, I could handle it after 3 years but if I had to get it done and then removed shortly after I’d probably freak out).
Both forms of BC in pill form that I’ve tried have had a negative affect on me; but there are so many, and I can’t blame all pills from a bad experience with 2 kinds.
I’m so lost because there’s so many options and my doctor hasn’t helped at all. ;P
Thanks for your opinions! I’m open to more suggestions!
Post # 8
Member
1992 posts
Buzzing bee
I’ve been using birth control for about a decade & my experience has been as follows:
The Pill-I never could use the pill. They all made me sick. Nausea, vommiting, extreme fatigue. . . the works.
Depo- Used it for a year & it was the worst experience of my life. It was like I always had my period! So you’re supposed to get the shot every 12 wks (but you have the option of getting it 2wks early if you want). I wouldn’t have a period for 5 like 6 weeks after each shot. But after that 5 or 6 weeks, I would literally have my period until I got my next shot. This means I had my period for 4-6 weeks at a time! I told my doctor about it several times, and she just acted like it was no big deal.
The Nuva Ring- The best form of birth controll that I’ve ever been on. It doesn’t make me sick like the pill. My periods are much lighter & shorter. For instance, My period only last about 4days now, whereas they used to be 6. And instead of having to use the “Super” tampons, I only buy “Regular”. I hardly ever get cramps. I also like it because its so easy to skip a period if I ever need to. I just keep the ring in for 4 weeks instead of 3 (my doctor said that this was fine). The only drawback is the cost. When I first started on the Nuva Ring back in 2004 it cost like $35.00 a month w/o a prescription plan. I just took a new job and had to pay for it without insurance before my plan kicked in & I’ve found that the price has jumped to $81.00 a month!
Post # 9
Member
7291 posts
Busy Beekeeper
I’m getting ready to switch to a progersterone only and I’m willing to try the depo shot! I know it has horrible reviews- but every body is different. There are plenty of people who have found it wonderful!
I need to get rid of estrogen , so I only see it as a positive!
Post # 10
Member
1360 posts
Bumble bee
@SincerelyShe: The Nuva Ring has always scared me. As in, what if I couldn’t get it in/out? How does it work/affect sex life? (TMI ahead)
I have never put my finger inside my vagina, and I tighten up at the thought of it. I would probably have to force myself to relax for a LONG time to even get one in. The most I can handle is a tampon, and that’s not really ME going inside. I might be able to get it in easier, but getting it out could be problematic. (well, that was embarassing.)
Post # 11
Member
1849 posts
Buzzing bee
I’m here to defend the depo shot! I love it! My weight hasn’t changed, my emotions are normal, and never having my period is seriously the best. As far as unplanned pregnancy on it, it’s supposed to be as effective for short-term use as the pill (in theory, when the pill is used perfectly), but my practitioner always mentions that after a while, you must go off it at least a year before TTC because it’s so effective at interfering with fertility after prolonged use. That’s also a pretty big perk for me. I have never heard of anyone getting pregnant on it.
Post # 12
Member
2425 posts
Buzzing bee
I’m on the pill, though it took many different pills to find one that worked for me. As in I have been on like 7 of them. It just takes trying things out to see how your body reacts.
Doctors have tried to push me onto Depo or Mirena, but I refuse. I refuse Depo because not only the crazy side effects (commonly: weigh gain, hair loss, etc) but also there is a black box warning on it because it reduces the Calcium content of your bones, so my doctor had seen girls in their 20s develop osteoporosis. Because of this Depo is not recommended to be used for more than 2 years, and I needed a long term solution, not one I could only use for a couple years.
Post # 13
Member
1849 posts
Buzzing bee
@ChemistryBride: Did you doctor mention calcium supplements? I’ve been on depo for 6 years, and each time I go in, they just ask me if I’m making sure to consume enough calcium and vitamin D3 to help with absorption.
Post # 14
Member
3688 posts
Sugar bee
For some people, Depo is great, but it completely changed my life.
In 3 months, I went from 160 pounds to 210 pounds. It was so bad I got referred to endocrinology and they thought I had a brain tumor.
I definitely wouldn’t recommend it — it’s too risky in my opinion.
Post # 15
Member
3769 posts
Honey bee
- Wedding: August 2013 - Brookfield Zoo
I use Implanon — the one side effect I’ve had is constant spotting and irregular periods (although I very rarely have a “full on” heavy flow). Another side effect is not getting your period anymore, but that didn’t happen for me, obviously. If you do constantly spot, you run the risk of developing anemia (which I did after about 2 years), which can be countered by making sure you get enough iron in your diet or taking vitamin supplements.
BUT even though that one effect is inconvenient and needs to be watched for, I’ve had no other side effects (no weight gain, no change in libido, no change in acne or whatever, etc.) and I don’t have to remember to take a pill at the same time blah blah blah for 3 years! And in studies it’s been found to be more effective than sterilization, which is crazy. I love it and I’m on my second one right now!
Post # 16
Member
1992 posts
Buzzing bee
@StefLovesJamie: Well the ring can’t actually get stuck. It can move around inside of the vagina, but can’t get past your cervix. It doesn’t affect work in any way, and doesn’t really affect intercourse either. I’ve been using it for 8 yrs. & have had a few differnt sexual partners over the course of that time. Every partner besides my SO has always said that they couldn’t really feel it or wasn’t bothered by it. My SO prefers that I don’t wear it when we’re getting busy. You can have it out for up to 3hrs. So if it comes out on accident during intercourse, or if you remove it yourself, you just have to rinse it with warm water & replace it within 3 hours.
You definitely have to be comfortable with touching your body to use it though. That part has never been a problem for me though. It’s not like you have try a long time to get it in. Maybe your first time trying to get it in, you’ll take a bit longer (still probably less than 5min). After 8 yrs. of use though, I can pop that thing in there in like 2 seconds! Oh and getting it out is probably easier than getting it in. You can just hook it with your finger and pull it out. It really only takes a second, and you should feel it the minute you put your finger up there.
Another great thing about it, is that you only have to use a back up method, like condoms, for the first 7 days. I think with the pill you have to use back up for the 1st month.
