Yaz, Nuvaring, or Mirena?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-11-2007
Yaz, Nuvaring, or Mirena?
13
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 3:49pm
I'm considering going back on hormonal birth control but I'm nervous about it because I had horrible experiences with the pill in the past (really bad depression and mood swings). I've been off the pill for 8 years and using condoms for birth control all that time. My current boyfriend and I have been together for 3 years and he just moved in with me. We're at a point now where we'd really like to have more freedom in our sex life and not always have to use condoms. Also, I've heard there are some birth control options out now that are more tolerated than older pills. My doctor has suggested trying Yaz or the Nuvaring, as she said these are both relatively low in hormones. She also suggested the Mirena IUD but I'm a little freaked out about getting something implanted in my body. Does anyone have any thoughts about any of these options?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 5:08pm

Well I have the Mirena and LOVE it. If you haven't had kids yet I've heard it's painful to have inserted but then it goes away. There can be off and on spotting are normal for a month or more. Some women stop having their periods all together after a yearish on it. The hormone is localized so most women say they have less side effects.

If you have any specific questions about it, feel free to ask. I love having it because I don't have to remember to take something now that we have a baby I can't always remember something like that. It's very effective, the only thing more effective is permanent sterilization. When you decide to have kids, you can get pregnant right away as well.

-Mel


iVillage Member
Registered: 01-11-2007
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 5:23pm

Thanks for responding. I don't have kids and don't plan on having any. But I'm 34 and not ready to completely close the door on that option yet. My fears with the IUD is that I have heard it's painful and my doc said people complain about spotting and discharge for several months! However, she said right about the time that people are fed up with it and want it out, those side effects go away and people love it. She's only ever had one request to remove one and she's inserted dozens. So that sounds promising but discharge, cramps, and spotting for a few months? THAT doesn't sound good. And it's very expensive for me because my insurance won't cover it. I'd want to be sure before I made that investment.

Have you noticed any side effects from it?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 5:55pm

Actually my libido is so much better now that I'm not on the pill. I had it put in at my 6 week post partum check up after my son was born.

I only had cramping for 2 days. Then I had a light period, not even enough for a tampon. Since then I've had to wear a panty liner but that's it. 1 panty liner a day is SOOO worth it. It hasn't even been enough to interfere with my sex life.

If you're going to keep it for the full 5 years it's actually quick cost effective when you think about it as a 5 year plan. It's just paying for it all up front. It's cheaper then the pill if you keep it for at least 2 years.

I'm "pretty" sure we're only have the one child and that's why I chose it too. That way I have time to think about it and not do anything permanent quite yet. After the 5 years is up DH and I are going to decide for sure if we're done.

-Mel


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 10:37pm

Welcome to the board!


I've been using Nuvaring for a little over four years and I'm probably the poster child for a successful user.

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-11-2007
Sat, 03-17-2007 - 3:44am
What's the Nuvaring like for sex? Do you keep it in? Can your partner feel it? Can you take it out for an hour or two to have sex if you'd prefer?
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2000
Sat, 03-17-2007 - 3:37pm
Hi there!

I'm a 26 year old married woman that has never had children. I've had the Mirena IUD for a year and three months and absolutely love it!!


Here is what I like about the Mirena IUD:



  • Don't have to worry about taking a pill every day
  • Lighter, shorter
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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Sat, 03-17-2007 - 4:59pm

See now I have heard most women have LESS cramping with the Mirena. I've only had mine about 6 weeks and haven't had a period. I'm hoping that I'm one of those women that doesn't have one (lol)

-Mel


iVillage Member
Registered: 11-24-2003
Sat, 03-17-2007 - 7:44pm

I also have to agree with the others about the Mirena IUD. I haven't had any children either, and yes, it was really painful ( I won't lie) but I've had mine for about five weeks and absolutely love it. With me, I've had a light period (minor spotting) continous for about a month, but it'll probably go away after awhile. It isn't enough to bother me. I just love it for the fact I don't have to take any pills and I don't have to worry about anything! I've had a bit of back pain (side effect) and some acne but I can deal with that :)

Hope that helps!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-25-2007
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 12:00pm
I am on the ring and love it. It's so easy. Unfortunately, it's $50 a month, and my insurance doesn't help with bc. As far as sex, you can leave it in or take it out just before sex and put it back in after. I've done both. You can't feel it's there. I've had no breakthrough bleeding. My cramps are lighter. I love it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-11-2007
Fri, 03-23-2007 - 1:51am

Thanks for all your responses. I've decided agains the IUD for now. It's a big expense and I'd rather try one of the more reversible birth control methods first.

It seems like the Nuvaring is getting a lot of good reviews on this board. I like the idea of not having to remember a pill every day. I'm in grad school and busy as hell so I'm not sure how good I'll be about the pill. But one thing that concerns me is that I read on their website that the projestin in Nuvaring may put you at higher risk of blood clots than other projestins. But then they followed that by saying the risk of Nuvaring vs. different pills is not know. I wonder what that means exactly? It particularly concerns me because I had a blood clot a year ago. I'm 99% sure it was from an injury and therefore, just a fluke thing. However, my doctor has recommended I get a blood test to test for being "prone to clots" before she gives me any kind of hormonal birth control. I'm sure the results of the test will show that I have greater risk of clots than anyone else, but I will probably always worry about it a little on hormonal birth control. I was particularly concerned when I read that Nuvaring might be riskier in that respect.

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