Where do I go from here?
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| Mon, 04-17-2006 - 10:35am |
Hello!
I have posted here a few times before about my experience with the Nuva Ring. Convenience wise, I love it. I have a hard time trusting my birth control method, and the ring has allowed me to not worry about it so much. Once I started taking it, I don't understand how anyone still deals with taking the pill every day!
Unfortunately, I've had some not-so-pleasant side effects from it. The first few months I dealt with body aches and leg pains, which went away, but was replaced with terrible breast pain and tenderness all month long. Since I am blessed (cursed?) in that area, it is an extremely inconvenient side effect. I've also been crying at the drop of the hat and feeling generally icky, and although I'm not positive it's connected, I have a feeling. On top of that, I've been having an issue with it falling out during/after sex. While I know it can be out for a little bit without problems, I'm worried it's going to fall out and I'm not going to notice it.
I'm going to make an appointment to speak to my gyno at some point this week to get her opinion on it. I really don't want to have to switch methods again, as I really really love the ring, but I don't know if I can deal with these side effects. This is my 5th month on the ring. If I do go off the ring, I'm not sure where to go from here. I am a horrible pill taker, and like I said, I have a huge problem with trusting my method. I end up being paranoid all month and that's not something I want to deal with. I'd love to explore the option of an IUD, but I am 19 and childless and not sure if this is something my gyno would recommend. My biggest concern is finding something that can help me relax and trust it. I am in a long term relationship and I'd prefer not having to rely on condoms.
Sorry for the length, but I'd like to get some opinions before I speak to my doctor. Oh and I do take a multivitamin to try to help with the breast pain, but no luck! Thank you so much.
Ashley

If you're in a monogamous relationship, I see no reason why your gyno would refuse to let you have an IUD. I am a lot like you, I am not good at taking the pills on time, so I was constantly worrying about it. So then I tried the depo shot, but I had way too many side effects with that. So finally, I came around to the IUD.
First I tried the minera IUD. I was 90% happy with it. I had no periods, but I had a lot of the same side effects I experienced with the depo shots, just less severe. I got the paragard IUD less than 2 weeks ago, but so far I love it. I haven't really had any cramping, which was my biggest concern, so it has been great.
I am 24 now (was 22 when I got Minera originally) and have never had a child. So I know there are gynos out there that will insert the IUD for you, but you might have to talk to a couple to find one. Anyway, I highly recommend the paragard, since it is hormone free and worry free. That's just my two cents, good luck with whatever you choose.
I agree with nikitakolata. I'm 22, have no children, in a monogamous relationship and just got a Mirena IUD less then a month ago. So far I love it, I have no side effects, and it's worry free and effective. My regular ob/gyn does not do IUD insertions at all, but highly recommended it, so she gave me a referal to another doctor in town. According to her at least, IUD usage amoung younger women is greatly increasing.
HTHs,
Allison