On Depo--want to switch

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-31-2004
On Depo--want to switch
6
Sun, 08-01-2004 - 4:41pm
Hi! I am new here. Been lurking around, trying to get my bearings, but while lurking, came up with more questions. Anyway, I will introduce myself, I am a 25 year old sahm to a 14 month old little boy.

Okay, the questions, I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 7 years before I got pregnant with my son. I loved it. After I had my son, I was breast feeding, so I went on Depo at my gyn's recommendation. I have been on that for just over a year, and am supposed to go for my next shot around the middle of this month. I have noticed that I have gained quite a bit of weight in the last year. I got pregnant at 109 lbs, and stayed at that weight for the 1st 4 months of my pregnancy. I think at the end of the pregnancy I weighed (guessing) somewhere around 135. I lost all but about 10 lbs. immediately after ds was born. Now, a little over a year later, I weigh 130, almost as much as I did 9 months pregnant. Now THAT makes me sick!!!! I hadn't really thought that it could be the depo until I started lurking and reading what others have posted. Husband and I don't want to have another baby for another year or 3, haven't really decided, just know it isn't time yet, but I am thinking I should switch to another kind of bc, b/c of the weight gain. Also, when we decide we do want another baby, we don't want to have to wait a year or more to get pregnant (only took a week after being off Ortho to get pregnant with ds). Anyway, I do like not having so many periods, though the breakthrough bleeding does get annoying. So, I guess what I am asking is what kind of bc would you recommend to switch to in order to:

1. help lose the weight I have put on, and not gain more

2. maybe not have a period every month and

3. make it fairly easy to get back on a regular schedule once I have discontinued the use of it.

I guess what I am asking for is the perfect birth control. Is it out there? Please help. My main concern is losing this extra weight that I have put on that is making me sooooo self-concious.

I hope I have made sense and that someone out there can help me. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 08-01-2004 - 7:01pm
Hi jordan42300, welcome!

I'm not sure there is the 'perfect birth control' method but you might be able to get close with a Marina IUD. http://www.mirena-us.com/ Marina, which continuously releases a tiny bit of progestin, would give you a very effective, low maintenance, long lasting method of contraception and probably reduce the volume and duration of you flow, and in some women it stops their periods too, but it lasts for 5 years. It isn’t as cost effective if you have it removed after 2-3 years, when you are ready to TTC again, but its other advantages may make it a worthwhile choice. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-31-2004
Sun, 08-01-2004 - 9:17pm
Jill,

Thanks for your help. I don't know a whole lot about IUDs, just that I am very apprehensive about having a foreign object put into me for a long period of time. Can you or anybody tell me more about it? Would I be able to feel in once it is in? Would my husband during intercourse? I read the information about it from the page you included in your response, but are there any negative side effects I should know about (that they don't mention) that someone who has it or has had it could tell me? Is the same weight-gain side effect in this one also?

You also mentioned the cost-effectiveness of it(we're thinking maybe 3-4 years before the next one)....about how much does it cost? Do insurances usually cover it (I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield, but not a great policy)? Any additional information that you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

I really appreciate all of your help. TIA!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 08-01-2004 - 10:57pm
Once inserted you shouldn’t be able to feel it and neither should DH. There have been instances where the strings were cut too short and would be uncomfortable to a partner but that is very rare. A very good article on IUDs is in the FAQs at the top of the board.

The Planned Parenthood site has some info on pros, cons and the cost of IUDs too: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/cchoices3.html#IUD As far cost and insurance, it will depend on what your policy covers so you are going to have to ask your ins. Co. We have a lot of IUD users who I hope will stop by and share their experiences.

Hugs,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2004
Sat, 08-07-2004 - 11:25am
Jill,

I've read a few articles and heard on interviews from health care officials that they were going to stop using IUDs. So is this just some states/providers and not a national standard? This may be a silly question, but I was a little confused after seeing those news articles about it then having it recommended on the message board.

Thanks!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 08-07-2004 - 12:28pm
Hi Arhodg,

I’ve seen nothing about recent problems with IUDs. Opponents tend to bring up the Dalkon Shield from the 1970s or moral concerns. Statistically modern IUDs are very safe and effective! Can you give us a link to the article/interview? It would be interesting to know the context in which the discussion is taking place… Was it a discussion within local or state public health departments, and was it because of the cost or what? If you have a link that would be helpful.

Thanks,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2004
Sun, 08-08-2004 - 8:15pm
I have the copper IUD. It is very effective and easy. I can't feel it, just the string when I check for it. My IUD cost around 400 and the doctor charged 50 to put it in. My blue cross policy covered everything but 10% so $40. Check with your insurance company but it was considered durable medical equipment which my policy covered 90%. So for me it was cheaper than 6 months of pills.

If you don't mind pills you could try a monophasic pill and see if you can skip a couple of periods.

I love my IUD it is by far the best BC for me.

Good Luck in finding something that is right for you.