Switching BC, Norplant, Depo, and IUD
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| Fri, 08-20-2004 - 9:39pm |
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

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
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
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.
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
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.
Crystal