new here need advice

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-02-2003
new here need advice
3
Mon, 02-16-2004 - 11:55am
HI I was hopeing that someone could offer me some advice on my birh controll. I currrently use the patch and really love it, but since July I have been on a med called Topimax (anti-conculsive)which can interfere with the effectevness of my birth controll. The insert with the prescription and my pharmacist said this is MOST likely to happen when I am when I am increasing the dose which I have been on the same since Dec,but can happen any time.

Last week my doc has added a med called Provigil, this med also "may interfere with the effectiveness of your birth controll." If this were a short term thing it wouldn't be so bad but I will be on these meds for years. I have been with my husband for 6 years and we both HATE the idea of using condoms. They will not put an IUD in a woman who has never had children.

Right now I am having major medical problems and can not get preg!I'm only 24, I don't know if we ever even want childen, but deffinitly not right now.

Almost forgot we have also been using a lube that has Nonoyxnol-9.

Any advice you could give me would be great!

Thank you!

Sarah

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 02-16-2004 - 1:58pm

Hi pisces,


Well

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-02-2003
Mon, 02-16-2004 - 3:10pm
Hi,

Thank you, I am interested in any alternatives you can give me so I don't get pg! I worked at an OB/GYN 4 years ago and I wanted to do the IUD then, but the docs said they wouldn't do it, so I thought this was the common practice! My bad!

I don't know anything about cervical caps? or I did and I have and forgotten. My brain is not quite working as it should these days. :)

I have an appt to see my OB/GYN in May, but may move it to sooner and I like to be educated and know what all my alternatives are before I go in to talk with the doc.

Thanks!

Sarah

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 02-16-2004 - 11:42pm
Hi Pisces girl, welcome!

I agree with marrymeflyfree that if you want an IUD you can look around for a doc who will work with you. A diaphragm or cervical cap with spermicide could be an effective back-up option for HCs but if you are going to be on your other meds for years then I think an IUD, while expensive, could be better as a low maintenance long term solution.

A properly fitted diaphragm or cervical cap used correctly and with spermicide for every act of IC is as effective as condoms. A diaphragm can be worn for 24 hours continuously and a cap for 48 hours so they don’t affect spontaneity like condoms do. If you are interested in knowing more about diaphragms and caps see

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/cchoices3.html#DIAPHRAGM and http://www.ivillage.com/topics/health/0,,166934,00.html and http://pages.ivillage.com/cl-judie_rae/id1.html

I hope you can find a method that will be effective for you.

      Jill