Going off BCP's-What to use/expect now?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-28-2004
Going off BCP's-What to use/expect now?
11
Fri, 03-24-2006 - 3:12pm

Hi there...I was hoping just to "talk out" a few things...I appologize if this is confusing!

I am married, and after about 3 years trying different BCP's and having too many unwanted side effects, (yeast infections, libido loss, breasts increasing two sizes, moodiness, weight gain, fatigue, etc) I think I'm going to go off the pill. I'm just trying to decide what method to use and what I might encounter after going of BCP's.

My husband thinks we should just use withdrawl, as he used that successfully in a previous 4 year relationship. I was thinking if we combined that with the sponge or something else it would be more effective. My DH doesn't like condoms, and I'm afraid I would mess up the technique on a cap or dia. I'm not sure NFP would work since before I went on the pill, I had an extremely irregular period. Sometimes only one a year! So I really don't know what it will be like when I go off BCP's.

Also...since I took my pills continuously...I'm a little scared to have a period again. How inconvenient! :) Jill mentioned taking progestin pills to delay a period that fell at a bad time (vacation, etc) Since I never know when my period is coming...would it still delay the flow if taken at the first sign of cramping?

Any encouragement would be appreciated. I get nervous when it comes to this stuff...and I tend to over analyze everything ... to the point of fear.

So...to sum it all up! The two things I am wondering about are...

1. What type of BC would be best for me? Does withdrawl combined with something else work okay?
2. What are my options for delaying my period, since it (used to be) so irregular. And do you think my period will go back to the way it was 3 years ago?

Thanks!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 03-24-2006 - 3:42pm

Hi keylime_pie, welcome back!

Personally, I would avoid using withdrawal unless an unplanned pregnancy wouldn't be a bad thing. Theoretically withdrawal is very effective but I think it depends too much on the skill of the male partner to be very effective over the long term. But, that's just my opinion. Withdrawal used with the sponge might work well for you.

Have you considered an IUD? They are very effective, low maintenance and the nonhormonal, ParaGard www.paragard.com , is effective for 10 years and the progestin one, Mirena www.mirena-us.com , is effective for 5 years. There is a post about IUDs in our FAQs if you are interested in more information. Since the Mirena IUD usually reduces period length and flow and sometimes stops a users periods completely a Mirena might be just what you are looking for.

Progestin tablets can be used for about 10-12 days to delay your period. I'm not sure they would work well for you if you don't know when to start them. You might want to ask your doctor what s/he thinks about using them.

Thanks for stopping by. Ask if you have more questions, ok? Let us know what you decide.

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-28-2004
Fri, 03-24-2006 - 4:30pm

Thanks Jill!

A few more questions.

I think my husband would be pretty good at withdrawl, as he did it successfully for 4 years. I think I'd still use it with something else though. Does the sponge work after you've had children?

I was hoping to eliminate the side effects of using hormonal BC...so do you think the Mirena would even be worth trying, since it has hormones?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 03-24-2006 - 4:59pm

Keep in mind that DH's skill may not have been the only factor that contributed to his 4 years of successful use of withdrawal unless you have some way of knowing his Ex was very fertile. Consider all the possibilities before you bet the farm, ok? The sponge, like the cervical cap, is not as effective for women who have had children as for those who haven't. See: http://www.contraceptivetechnology.org/table.html

The level of progestin that is released by Mirena is so small that I think it is unlikely that you would have significant side effects but that is a question that you should ask your doctor. With his or her other Mirena patients s/he should have some good feedback on that.

If you want to stay away from hormones completely you could try the ParaGard (copper-T) IUD which is nearly as effective as Mirena. With ParaGard there is the possibility of heavier periods.

Take care,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2004
Sat, 03-25-2006 - 8:03pm

i feel your frustration. i too went off the pill in december because of frustration. i was only going to take a break for a month or two at the most, but i love not having those hormones in me.
I actually found that my periods were more predictable after being on hormonal contraceptive then they were before i ever went on the pill. and i have been on everything from the pill, to depo, to back to the pill, to nuvaring and again back to the pill.
i just did a lot of research and really kept track of my body. from the point of ovulating till i got my period we used condoms. before that just withdrawl.
i had a bit of a pregnancy scare last month, although i knew i wasnt pregnant, that it was stress and many changes in my lifestyle that delayed my period, i did a home pregnancy test and went to the dr and i am not.
since then we have used condoms everytime. and my bf doesnt really like them, but he likes the idea of using them more then the idea of having a child at this point.

we started using the new condoms, elexa by trojan and LOVE them. i recommended them to a friend and she loves them too. i cant really feel them, and it makes him last a little longer which i enjoy since i have my drive back.

good luck! and just keep doing your research and really talk to your dr.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-28-2004
Sun, 03-26-2006 - 2:12am

Wow, thank you for the personal story. :) *How long did it take you to have the "hormone symtoms" start to lessen? I'm just trying to figure out what it's going to be like! I've been on the pill for so long.

I'm really hoping my breasts will go back to normal...I was a D, and on BCP's I'm a DDD. Since I'm a ballet dancer...it's very uncomfy! *Anyone have any ideas on how long that might take?

Also...I'm not going to wait until the end of my pack since I don't know of any reason to. *Will my period most likely start right away? *Then there's no telling how long my cylce will be after that until I get it again? How odd not to be able to predict everything!

But to be rid of the slew of side effects will be a blessing...

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 03-26-2006 - 11:18am

Hi again keylime_pie,

You're a ballet dancer too! :) When I came off hormones nearly 4 years ago my libido which had disappeared (my only obvious side effect) came roaring back in less than two weeks. But I found that I was also much happier and felt more vibrant and alive off BCPs... I had no idea I had been affected that way!

If the estrogen in your pills was the cause I think you should see a decrease in breast size in just a week or two. If you stop mid-pack you should get your pill-period about the same time you would if you finished the actives. Just remember, you won't be protected for the 7 days after you stop so be sure to start using another effective method of birth control right away. Most women begin cycling naturally within a few weeks of stopping BCPs. Remembering what your cycles were like before you started hormones will give you the best idea of what your cycles may be like now.

Let us know how you like being off hormones and what method of BC you decide to use, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 6:45am

Oh the timing of this post.... ;)

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-28-2004
Thu, 03-30-2006 - 1:29pm

Thanks Judie! I read through your update post...my best to you! Sounds like things are better already. :)That is encouraging.

Today was my last pill (I decided to finish off my pack) so after my withdrawl bleeding I will be artificial hormone free! Yay! BCP's really messed me up, so I am excited!

I guess we're just going to use condoms for a while, or a combo of spermicide and withdrawl.

I would really like to use FAM as well just so I know when to be more careful, but I don't understand how it will work if I go back to my "normal" cycle of 1-2 periods a year! **Are you sure it would be okay for someone like me? :)(Although I must say I rather enjoyed not having many periods)

**Has anyone ever heard of the LadyComp? I was looking into that, and it looks interesting. I also was looking into getting a little microscope and slide so I can be aware of when my period will start again. I hate being caught off guard!!!

**I also had a question about spermicide since I've never used it! I usually take a quick shower after intercourse...will I still be able to do that? Does the spermicide have to stay in me after intercourse for any length of time? I'm a little worried about using the N9 kind since I'm prone to yeast infections. **Does spermicide promote infections? I'd like to try the natural FemProtect if it's reliable. **Has anyone has any experiences with it?

Sorry to ramble!

Thanks...

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-28-2005
Thu, 03-30-2006 - 1:46pm

Hi there.

I just wanted to let you know, just in case you're not already aware, it may take a month or more for the hormones of the pill to fully leave your body and for everything to return to normal. It's different for every woman, but I just don't want you to expect to be hormone free next week and then be disappointed! :-)

Also - with NFP/FAM - it doesn't matter if your cycles are every 28 days or once a year. If you use the temperature-mucous-cervical position combination method (as described excellenly in Toni Weschler's book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility") - then you should be able to predict when you're ovulating. This method doesn't rely on the past (although after a few months, many women can start to see patterns and guess when they will ovulate or get their period). So - if you're charting your temp and checking your cervical mucous & position - you'll know the signs that indicate impending ovulation. I highly recommend checking the book out if you're at all interested. Maybe just get a copy at the library and then buy it if you decide you like it.

Hope that helps!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 03-30-2006 - 4:01pm

Welcome back keylime_pie,

I agree with the other poster. Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a wonderful book! With just a basal thermometer you can chart your basal body temperature, cervical position and cervical mucus so you should be able to tell when you are fertile and have ovulated.

**Has anyone ever heard of the LadyComp? I was looking into that, and it looks interesting.**

If you are using FAM to avoid becoming pregnant I would be careful about using a fertility monitor/computer. I think they should be used only as a crosscheck of the fertility signs you are charting. If you are TTC computers/monitors are wonderful.

**I also had a question about spermicide since I've never used it! I usually take a quick shower after intercourse...will I still be able to do that? Does the spermicide have to stay in me after intercourse for any length of time? I'm a little worried about using the N9 kind since I'm prone to yeast infections.**

Yes, you will be able to shower immediately after intercourse. Drainage of semen and spermicide should not decrease the effectiveness of the spermicide. Some women are allergic to some ingredient N9 spermicide. If you have a reaction you could try switching brands and all you need is one with 2% N9. The greater the concentration of N9 the greater the possibility there is of side effects.

**Does spermicide promote infections? I'd like to try the natural Femprotect if it's reliable. **Has anyone has any experiences with it?**

N9 can increase the likelihood of vaginal infections and UTIs for some women and (in clinical trials with Asian sex-workers) very frequent use of N9 spermicides resulted in lesions in the vaginal walls but I think that is very unlikely with 'typical' use. I have a lot of friends who use Femprotect and like it a lot.

Thanks for giving us an update. I hope you enjoy being hormone free as much as I do. Ask if you have more questions, ok? Let us know how you're doing.

Good luck,

      Jill

    

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