advice on birth control when ill

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
advice on birth control when ill
6
Tue, 04-25-2006 - 8:00am


Hi there,

I was wondering if anybody could offer me some advice on birth control options. For the last 2 yrs i have been on the dianette pill. However, i have being diagnosed with IBS and therefore become ill a lot. I am aware that when you are ill, such as being sick or having a bad stomach the pill's effectiveness can be changed to non existant. Therefore i have found in the last few months that i have had to take the morning after pill numerous times as i have being ill after taking my pill. Therefore i am looking into other methods of contraception but am not really sure what would be suitable. I am 21 and in a relationship with someone that i am hoping will be around for a fairly long time, we have both being tested and in an exclusive relationship so have not often used condoms. Pill options dont seem a great idea for me with getting ill but i was previously on depovera and had very bad side effects - weight gain, acne and mood swings so came off that. I went onto dianette to help the acne as well. Therefore i am looking for something that is unlikely to cause side effects such as weight gain and acne again and be completely effective even if become unwell a lot.

I was wondering if anyone has any advice, it would be much appreciated?

Thanks

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2003
Tue, 04-25-2006 - 8:12am

Hi,

Have you looked into the Nuvaring?
I believe because it sits in the vagina slowly releasing hormones directly into the blood stream that it isn't affected by diarrhea or vomiting. Someone PLEASE correct me if that is not true!!

Or, since you have said you are in a monogamous relationship, you could look into a paraguard IUD also. Those are now recommended for women even if they haven't had a child yet.

Good luck and let us know what you decide or ask again if you have more questions.



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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 04-26-2006 - 7:09am

I agree with Heather, you could look into Nuvaring, that might be a much better option for you than the pill.

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Thu, 04-27-2006 - 7:40am


Hi there. Thank you, both of you, very much for your help. Is the nuva ring fitted by a doctor? The only problem i can see with that is that i work an hour and a half from home so leave the house at 7am and get back at 7pm. if it is doctors that fit it that would mean i have to take a few hours off work every 4 weeks. If nurses at the Brookside advisory clinic could fit it that may be suitable although waiting times in my area tend to be around 2 hours for your appointment as you can not pre book. You said about the IUD, Is that the coil? this is something i have considered but am unsure of any side effects it can produce. For example whether it would make my skin bad again or cause a lot of weight gain? There is also some sort of implant i have heard about that lasts about 3yrs but i am not sure if this available on the NHS in the UK or whether it is something that costs a lot to have done. - I'd never realised how clueless i was about contraception until i decided i needed to change it!!

Many thanks,

D

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2003
Thu, 04-27-2006 - 8:08am
"I can't remember how available it is outside the US though."


I know Finland has it (*grin* because I'm using it), but I'm not sure about other countries..I would think it really depends on how up to date the country is on birth control.



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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2003
Thu, 04-27-2006 - 8:18am
Nuva ring doesn't have different sizes. It is a "one size" fits most.

The reason I say that is that is because some ladies are built in such a way that the ring just won't seem to stay in. But for most people, you slip the ring in and it stays there the entire time. All you need is a prescription and then pick it up from the pharmacy.


The IUD is also known as the coil.
If you get the non-hormonal IUD, there shouldn't be any changes in weight and acne that you wouldn't normally have if you were off birth control anyways. Some people have mentioned some weight gain or acne with the Mirena IUD.
I think the biggest issue with IUDs is the bleeding. Some people never bleed afterwards, some spot and others have normal periods. (I had a bit heavier bleeding for 2-3 days and the rest was very light, but still normal length for me.)


I know implants (in the arm) are still available in Finland, but have been discontinued in the US. You'd have to ask if they are available in the UK.


Hope that helps.



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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 04-27-2006 - 1:48pm

Hi dexec welcome back!


      Jill