Hi! New here- need some advice

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2003
Hi! New here- need some advice
7
Fri, 09-10-2004 - 10:46pm
Hello- I have lurked here a couple of times in the past few days and thought that maybe I should join in. I have a new boyfriend (we've been going out for a couple of months)and condoms aren't really working for us. I've never used anything else before so I am kind of clueless when it comes to birth control. He was tested for STDs after his last partner (he's clean) and so before I go on anything, then I should be tested too. But anyway, I have endometriosis, and the last time I saw her, my gyno said if I became sexually active again, then she would like to put me on Depo- Provera, because it would also control the endometriosis (I am currently on progesterone for endo.)Well, I have been researching different birth controls and I've read several times that Depo-Provera causes weight gain. Now, I am not overweight, but I don't want to gain weight because I want to look good for my boyfriend. I also have clinical depression, and I've also read that a lot of the birth controls cause moodiness, and I definitely don't need to be more moody. The patch seems to be a good choice for me, as I have a problem remembering medications daily. Does anyone here have any advice for me? I would really appreciate it. -Janae
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 09-11-2004 - 12:27am
Hi Janae, welcome!

Depo is the one hormonal method that has definitely been shown to cause weight gain in a large percentage of users. If you want a hormonal method to help control your Endo. then along with the patch you might want to consider NuvaRing. http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/index.asp It only has to be changed once a month and has the lowest amount of estrogen (15mcg) of any combined method available in the U.S. You might be interested in reading: “Common pill side effects” in the FAQs at the top of the board for more about possible hormonal side effects. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2003
Sun, 09-12-2004 - 3:14am
Jill-

Thank you for the information. I see my gynecologist on Tues. the 14th so then I will ask her about the patch and the NuvaRing, and voice my concerns about Depo-Provera. I will post here again after I talk to her to let you know what happens. -Janae
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2004
Mon, 10-18-2004 - 3:28pm
I am also a new member and would like some feedback on bc. I have been on depo for almost 18 months since birth of 4th child. Am now 37 pounds more than when birthing son, have intense almost debilitating headaches often(almost weekly) and experience shortness of breath. I also have low, almost nonexsistant sex drive and am pregnancy-like emotional. Am wanting to explore other types of bc, looking into paraguard, mirena, or possibly a pill. hoping to get away from hormonal bc, leaning more towards paraguard. cost is a huge influence, as is effectiveness(4 is enough!)also dont want to rule out future children if situation/feelings change. any thoughts or advice would be very apreciated!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 7:39am

All of those things you describe may be related to the Depo that you've been using, so it may be in your best interests to ditch it and move on...

The Paragard is an effective method of nonhormonal contraception. We have a few ladies here that are using them, and there are other copper IUD's in other parts of the world that are similar (the Nova-T in Canada is one example). They can be expensive, but if you don't want any more children, an IUD is going to cost you about the same as an equivalent number of birth control pills or less. It's cheaper in the long run, but the cost up front can be prohibitive for some women. And then there are those lucky few whose insurance will pick up part of it... ;)

The Mirena is a very popular IUD right now. While it does secrete a progestin, it's not enough to stop you from ovulating. It has less of a tendency to provoke crampy periods because the progestin reduces the amount of menstrual bleeding and some women will see little to nothing for periods (about 20%).

If you can't go for an IUD yet because of the cost, the patch and Nuvaring may be easier for your schedule than a pill. Both are lower in estrogen than most of the pills, and they're much more convenient! The patch is changed weekly and Nuvaring is inserted for three weeks and removed, just like the three weeks of active pills and then the inactive week for a period.

There are a bunch of options open to you, with a little reading around here and a discussion with your doctor, the decision might be just around the corner! Good luck!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2004
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 12:01pm
what is paraguard? i just got off depo on sept 2nd and i am trying to decide what bc i want to use.

thanks

michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 1:55pm
Hi Machelle,

ParaGard http://www.paragard.com/ is a non-hormonal Copper-T IUD. It's very effective and lasts for 10 years. There is a good post in the FAQs about IUDs and it has more information about ParaGard. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2004
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 2:36pm
thanks for the info i am going to read into it.


thanks

michelle