Newbie here

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-01-2001
Newbie here
6
Mon, 07-12-2004 - 8:32am
I need to find another birth control method, but I'm feeling lost. I have been taking the pill since my youngest was born, in May 2003 (first the mini-pill, now, the regular one). Bottom line, I hate it. Every time I have taken it in the past I gain weight and varicose veins. I tend to forget that next time I'm about to start it, but it always happens. I also don't like the idea of taking a chemical pill everyday that does nothing good to my body, only protects me from a pregnancy. I don't like medications, to begin with.

When I switched from the mini-pill to the regular one back in January, I also considered the patch, but since it is relatively new where I live (in Europe), my doctor wasn't able to prescribe it then. Now that I think of it, I think I don't like the idea either. I am assuming it would do the same to my body as the pill, due the hormones, so it wouldn't be better. I don't like hormones.

Dh hates condoms. I'm not a big fan either, and I know that I can't fight him to use condoms everytime for the next 20 years.

I also considered the IUD and it sounds interesting. 5 years and not worry about it, but I am just too scared that it will hurt while inserting or afterwards or hurt dh. Just so you have an idea, I once fainted when I was trying contact lenses on (ok, laugh at my expense!!). I wanted to give it a try, but I always thought it would be weird to have something there and the whole idea made me shiver. And I feel exactly the same about the IUD. I want to give it a try, but I am afraid I won't be able. I hate to go to the ob/gyn and doing an internal exam. It hurts A LOT, I don't know if I could handle.

So... is there another alternative? We are not into radical methods yet, we are not sure if we want more children or not.

TIA!

Marta

Marta
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: mae2001
Mon, 07-12-2004 - 9:34am
Hi Marta, welcome!

Every method of contraception has its plusses and minuses. There are a lot of different pills so there may be one for you. The patch (Ortho Evra) is just as effective (for women below 190 lbs.) as combined pills and the ring (NuvaRing) is very effective and easy to use as well. NuvaRing is a small ring worn in the vagina for three weeks and removed for one to allow your period. It is very low maintenance and usually not felt be either party. If DH feels it during IC it can be removed for up to three hours at a time. However, NuvaRing may not be available where you are either. If you asked about the patch some time ago you might want to ask again.

If you want to try an IUD the thing to do is find a doctor who has had a lot of experience inserting them. Insertion can be uncomfortable but it is over quickly and your doc. can give you something to lessen any discomfort and since you have already given birth you should do fine.

There are vaginal spermicides in gel, cream or suppository form and also the sponge. Or, have you considered barriers such as diaphragms and cervical caps? They require being comfortable touching yourself and having the discipline to use them correctly and for every act of IC but if used correctly can be very effective. I wear a Cervical cap as my primary means of contraception and I love how well it works for me! Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
In reply to: mae2001
Mon, 07-12-2004 - 11:21am
I, like you, was tired of hormones and I feel soooo much better without them! We knew our family was complete so my husband recently had a vasectomy. If your are at that point in your lives, a vasectomy or tubal ligation is something to consider. If we werent sure, I think I would have gone with and IUD. You can do a search above to see what everyone is saying. And the FAQ section above has an excellent write-up about them. As far as pain of insertion, I would think if you went through childbirth this should be a breeze! Maybe your doctor could give you something to relax you(you obviously would need someone to drive you to and from the appt.). Many say to take ibuprofen before the insertion. Hope this helps and let us know what you decide.

Josie

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-25-2003
In reply to: mae2001
Mon, 07-12-2004 - 1:34pm
Hi,

I use Mirena. Other hormonal methods haven't agreed with me at all, and it was a last resort for us, as I've not had children yet but DH and I would like to start a family in a few years once I have graduated and become established in my career (he is already established in his career) and I also needed a treatment for heavy painful periods as the only thing left was hysterectomy (not good for someone aged 20 who wants to start a family!).

Yes, insertion was very uncomfortable, but it *wasn't* painful. I have very very painful periods, and have had so many internal examinations, internal ultrasounds, and a laparoscopy for a ruptured ovarian cyst and adhesions, and in relation to all those insertion of mirena was like a prolonged smear test. This was without an anaesthetic.

I was worried that DH would feel the strings, but he can't feel a thing (and he's not exactly small!!!) yet I can feel them easily enough myself when I need to. You can't feel the device yourself either (if either of you can feel it then it isn't in right!).

I had bad period cramps the day it was put in and then a couple of days later, though nothing worse than my usual cramps.

Some women have said its as bad as contractions, but I really wouldn't know (I understand though that very very bad period pain on its own can be as bad as that anyway). I had some codeine painkillers at home anyway which helped a little (take them for my period pain), but I also used Lil'lets heat pads which helped quite a bit.

To be honest, the pain and discomfort I suffered was well worth it, even just after under 3 weeks my periods are already lighter and less painful, and I look at my mirena as more of a life saver! The fact that it is also a contraceptive is an added bonus.

Hope that makes sense,

~Lys~
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2004
In reply to: mae2001
Sat, 07-24-2004 - 12:13pm
Hi there! I see you have posted a lot of responses re. the Patch, so I'd like to pick your brain as well. I am 33 years old and have never used oral contraceptives. My current OB/GYN recommends I do (in addition to a condom, which is my normal form of contraception). I'm very fearful of the potential side effects of weight gain and moodiness (depression). As it is, I am overly sensitive and irritable during PMS week, and I barely maintain my weight and calmness by going to the gym regularly. I don't think I could bear it if I were more moody or gained weight. Do you recommend that I try it for a few cycles? How often does one get depressed or gain weight on the patch? I'll take any suggestions you have.

Thanks!

Kathi

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: mae2001
Sat, 07-24-2004 - 10:40pm
Hi Kathi, welcome!

We have members who are very pleased with the patch. But, we have had a good many members post about severe side effects (nausea, bloating, depression) during the first few cycles on the patch. For most users the side effects generally go away after the third or fourth cycle. And, for larger women, the patch may be less effective for those users weighing 190 lbs or more. Some negative experiences shouldn’t necessarily be a turn-off as we are far more apt to hear from users of a method who are dissatisfied than from those who love a particular pill or method. Unfortunately there is no way to know how you will react to a particular method or pill until you try it.

Since you asked for my opinion, if I were to go back to hormonal contraceptives (I wear a cervical cap for contraception) I would try NuvaRing: http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/index.asp? It is a small plastic ring that is worn in the vagina for three weeks and removed for one for your period and it has the lowest amount of estrogen (15 mcg) of any combined method available in the U.S. If the ring is a problem during IC, which rarely happens, it can be removed for up to three hours at a time and there are enough hormones in one ring that it can be worn continuously for four weeks and still be effective which gives the wearer some flexibility in shifting her periods if necessary. Ring wearers report more discharge during their cycles, not necessarily a bad thing if one tends to be a bit dry, and on balance I think we have had more positive comments about NuvaRing than negative ones. Cl-judie_rae has used the ring for more than a year and is very pleased with how well it works for her. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2004
In reply to: mae2001
Sun, 07-25-2004 - 12:59am
you said you were thinking about trying the patch. i am on the patch and i love it. i never could take the pill so when the patch came out i jumped at. 6 months later and i have no side affects like i had with the pill. so go for it