Help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2004
Help!
7
Wed, 06-16-2004 - 12:12pm
I have been on 4 different pills in the past 2 1/2 years. I am a wreck. I am a basketcase. Especially when I ovulate. I cry over EVERY little thing. With every pill I have experienced low sex drive and I used to have a very healthy and compatible (to my b/f) sex drive. I enjoy sex and can get into it, but I just don't initiate it anymore. I started out on microgestin and then to Alesse where I developed an ovarian cyst that I didn't know I had and it burst and I thought I was going to die so my doctor switched my pill to Lo/Ovral which is what I am on now. I just want to be me again. I have been looking into other form of birth control. I feel wary of the patch and the depo shot cause weight gain from what I have been hearing and I don't want that. I need some advice. My boyfriend and I talk about it all the time and I am driving him crazy, but hopefully not driving him away...*sighs* This will be our 3 year "anniversary" on the 29th and we have been dealing with this for that long. I'd really appreciate any advice.

Thanks,

Rachel

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: jerenysgirl
Wed, 06-16-2004 - 2:11pm
Hi Rachel, welcome!

Hold on a minute! Just step back and take a deep breath. If you are on Lo/Ovral and have been taking your pills correctly then you shouldn’t be ovulating. Combined (estrogen/progestin) pills prevent ovulation as their primary method of contraception so there is very little likelihood that you have been ovulating.

Reduced libido is a common side effect of hormonal contraceptives. After I was on OTC for 2 years mine disappeared and for a year, until I read an article about the side effects of the pill, I wondered what happened. When I stopped taking OCs my libido quickly returned, with a vengeance! :) I now use a cervical cap as my primary method and a diaphragm for flow control and contraception during menses and am very pleased with how well they work for me! A D or C can be as effective as condoms with none of the interruption that condoms cause. If you think you might be interested in a diaphragm or cap look at the information in the FAQs on the Board homepage at: http://pages.ivillage.com/cl-judie_rae/id1.html

Have you considered an IUD? They are very effective and, depending on the one used, can last from 5 to 10 years. See: Mirena http://www.mirena-us.com/ which releases a tiny bit of progestin for 5 years Or ParaGard: http://www.paragardiud.com/ The copper-T with no hormones, just copper, that lasts for about 10 years. I hope you find an effective method that works well for you.

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2004
In reply to: jerenysgirl
Wed, 06-16-2004 - 4:05pm
I will definitely look into all of those other options. I have had it with the pill! I just want to be me again. Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2004
In reply to: jerenysgirl
Wed, 06-16-2004 - 6:42pm
I felt the same as you, I was sick of BCP that caused me problems. I elected the copper IUD Paragard. So far I love it, I have had it for a little over a month, my first period was heaverier and more crampy. I love that I never have to think about it, except to check the string once a month. So much better than condoms we were using when I decided to stop BCP.

I felt SO much better off the BCP emotionally and physically that I would hate to go back.

I hope you find something that is right for you.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2004
In reply to: jerenysgirl
Wed, 06-16-2004 - 7:18pm
Thanks a lot! I am feeling better. It's so great to hear other's experiencing the same thing. Thanks for all your advice!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2003
In reply to: jerenysgirl
Thu, 06-17-2004 - 11:08am
I went to the doctor last month asking about different type of birth control and the doctor told me that she/they don't usually recommend an IUD to ladies that haven't had a child yet.


Any idea as to the reasoning for that? From what I understood I thought it had something to do with the cervix size? Or did I misunderstand?






iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2004
In reply to: jerenysgirl
Thu, 06-17-2004 - 7:14pm
There are several reasons the manufactures don't recommend IUD for those of us that don't have children. That doesn't mean it isn't right for you, and most doctors will still put them in for you.

1. If you haven't had children your uterus is smaller and more likely to expell the IUD.

2. It is a little more painful to insert since your cervix has never been opened.

3. I have read that it is also something that is unique to the US, IUDs marketed outside the US don't usually have the same limits on use.

I had no trouble getting an IUD without having a child.

Good Luck.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2003
In reply to: jerenysgirl
Fri, 06-18-2004 - 5:23am
"3. I have read that it is also something that is unique to the US, IUDs marketed outside the US don't usually have the same limits on use."


I am living in Finland and I was told here in Finland that they don't like to give women who haven't had a pregnancy. Although, because I have had an abortion, the lady said that it might work for me to have an IUD..


I am happy with trying the Nuvaring for now.. if I don't like this at some point, then I will go back and try the IUD.


BTW, thanx for your reply!