Switching BC, Norplant, Depo, and IUD

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2003
Switching BC, Norplant, Depo, and IUD
10
Fri, 08-20-2004 - 9:39pm
I need some help. I have discussed with my doctor about switching birth control. We both agreed that I cannot have a pill with estrogen, or anything else containing estrogen. For now, I just told him to write me a prescription for a pregestrin only pill since I am not in a relationship and not having sex with anyone. I don't want to stay on a POP because it is not as effective as I would like. I know, it is supposed to be as effective as a combination, but my doctor still doesn't recommend it.

He suggested the Depo shot, but I wasn't ready to commit to 3 months of side effects without a little research. This was the option he said he highly recommended, but Norplant would also be something he recommends, just that it is expensive and I should only get if I am willing to commit to long term since it isn't worth it to do for short term.

He also told me to think about Norplant and an IUD since I do not plan on having children for at least 3-5 years. I am worried about scaring from removing the Norplant, and I heard that the sticks could be seen in some peoples arms. I am a lot worried about an IUD. He wasn't really pushing the IUD, just letting me know that was an option.

A little background... I just turned 21, or will the 28th, and am not in a relationship or even really tlaking to anyone, so I cannot say how many partners I will have. From what I read, and IUD is good for people in a monogamous relationship, but not those with multiple partners because it would be bad to get an STD (yeah, bad even without an IUD).

I love this board and have been coming for a couple years. I am not always very active, but I find that this board offers some of the best advice and it is great hearing opinions for people who have actually experienced these different types of birth control.

Any advice would be great! Thanks!

Crystal

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Fri, 08-20-2004 - 11:02pm
i'm on depo for the second time the first time i was on it for six months had no side effects and no period loved it but i wasn't having sex so i stop it. now i'm back on it about two years later first shot about six weeks in i had spotting for two weeks. a few headaches second shot no more period but i've had a headache since i got it over a week ago and felt sick to my stomach since then. i'm going off it when my three months are up. but i have a sister who has been on it for like four years and never had a side effect. i would try the depo first it's only three months verses five years with the other two.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 08-20-2004 - 11:20pm
Hi crystal, welcome back!

Norplant is no longer available in the U.S. nor is Lunelle, the 30 day progestin shot. If you live outside the U.S. perhaps those two methods are still available. Depo is very effective but can have some harsh side effects, weight gain, and irregular bleeding and if it doesn't work for you there is no stopping, it just has to wear off in 12-13 weeks. There are a lot of women who love Depo, but there are a lot who have problems with it. There is also the issue of delayed return of fertility sometimes longer than 18 months but that might not be of immediate concern.

I agree that if you aren't certain that you will be in a monogamous relationship an IUD isn't a good choice. Have you considered a vaginal barrier, a diaphragm or cervical cap? They can be very effective (as effective as condoms) if used correctly and consistently but they are high maintenance when compared to some other methods and they take discipline to use. If you are interested in a D or C read the post "Diaphragms and Caps" in the FAQs at the top of the board. I hope you can find an effective method that works well for you.

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2004
Sat, 08-21-2004 - 12:36am
Hey crys...

I know where you're comming from so far as not tolerating the birth control pill. Hormones dont agree with my body at all. I have a copper IUD and love it; I'll never go back. But, I'm in a monogamous relationship, so its great for me, but may not be so great for you.

I've also had experience with Depo, in the years before I found the IUD. Personally, I hated it and wouldn't reccommend it to anyone. Of course, every one reacts to it differently and you may very well take to it just great. In my experience though, it was total hell. I spotted for the *entire* three months I was on it, I was constantly moody and depressed and I gained 10lbs. Not fun.

My advice? If the progestin-only pill (POP) is working well for you right now, why not just stick with it? If you think about it, if this works for you that's awesome, *plus* if you did have a few partners you would be using a condom every time for STD protection anyway right? So long as you take your POP on time, *every* time, you've actually got pretty good protection. Then, you add in the protection you would get from using a condom, and your chances of staying STD and baby free are pretty darn good.

Anyway, that's more than my two cents! Good luck!

Jenn

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 08-21-2004 - 9:15am
I've used the IUD for about a year now...I am almost 100% satisfied with it.It cut down my periods from where I was using a double pack of kotex overnights pads to where now i use a few pantiliners each month.The first few months they were heavier and lasted about 16 days and sometimes came every 2 weeks ---VERY ANNOYING but after that they got lighter and lighter...good luck in your search.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2003
Sat, 08-21-2004 - 1:18pm
Wow. Thanks for all the repsonses. My doctor said Norplant was still available.. maybe i need to switch docs lol. I think I might just go with the Depo. I was worried about spotting and break-through-bleeding, especially since one of my friends went on Depo and was bleeding for 5 weeks. My doctor said if that happened, we could stop the spotting and btb by taking a combination pill for like 5 days.

I cannot use a cervical cap because I am very sensitive to spermicide. The few times I have accidently been exposed to it, I have had very bad reactioons, and pain lasting for several weeks. I also don't like the idea of a diaphram.

For the suggestion of just staying on the POP, you are right, I would be using condoms everytime anyway. Even when I was in a relationship with someone for over a year, we both insisted on condoms everytime even though we were only being with each other and both tested. I don't know, I don't like to risk things. I got lucky with a boyfriend who had never gone without a condom, so he didn't know how it felt without. I personally hate condoms. I can't stand the texture, smell, or feeling, but I still use them everytime because I don't really know what any guy I am seeing is doing 100% of the time, and college guys are shady. Thanks for the suggestion. I am starting the POP on Sunday, and I will probably stay on it for awhile.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Sat, 08-21-2004 - 2:15pm
Norplant has had all sorts of lawsuits against it. Even if you're in a place where it is still available, or the doctor still had them, you might want to think twice about it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2003
Sat, 08-21-2004 - 9:09pm
What is going on with the Norplant? That was an option I was seriously thinking about. My only concerns were the scaring from when they take it out.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 08-21-2004 - 9:40pm
I think Wyeth, the Norplant manufacturer, discontinued the product because it couldn’t get parts. This is the most recent FDA Norplant advisory: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2002/ANS01161.html

You might want to call the toll-free Norplant® System Information Line at

1-800-364-9809 to speak with an information specialist and ask if there are plans to reintroduce Norplant to the U.S. market. Let us know what they say, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Sat, 08-21-2004 - 11:05pm
Apparently the problem with Norplant was the side effects, I found an article about some of the class action suits that were going on a few years ago:

http://texnews.com/1998/texas/norp0111.html

If you are in a place where Norplant is still available and want to try it anyway, then it might be better to try Depo Provera first and see how you handle it. It's the same type of hormones in both, so if you had problems with Depo, you'd probably have trouble with Norplant as well. If you have severe side effects with Depo, then it will wear off in three months, but Norplant was meant to last for 5 years. You can also end up with scars from the insertion or removal process.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2003
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 7:35pm
Just talked to Wyeth lab, and they said they will never be making the Norplant again. She said it was a marketing issue. I still don't know what I want to do about BC. I hate all my options, but I think I will stick with the POP for awhile, but I want something else for long term. I do not like 95% effective IF i take it correctly at the same time everyday. There is just not enough room for error with the POP. I am going to talk to my doctor again.

Crystal