What option is best for me?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-30-2007
What option is best for me?
10
Mon, 06-18-2007 - 11:41am

I need help - major help!

Ever since I had my baby (she's 16 months old), I feel like my body hates me. I went back on the pill after I had her - was nauseous, dizzy and felt like I was in my first trimester all over again. So, I switched to the ring. It was fine accept I gained a ton of weight, can't take the weight off and was tired of dealing with the discharge. Oh - and the ring gave me horrible cramps with very heavy periods. Now, I just switched back to the pill, a different kind but back to the pill (was on Nordette, now on Femcon). I am now experiencing the nausea again and break through bleeding with bad cramps (I had my "ring" AF 2 weeks ago and now feel like I have a "pill" period already).
I do want another child but probably not for at least 1-3 more years. Oh, and (maybe TMI) my dh and I aren't overly active but when we are it hurts and I burn afterwards. Like I said, my post-natal body hates me.
Can anyone suggest a birth control that may be better for me than another? Pill? IUD? The good ole condom?
Any suggestions/advice would be MUCH appreciated. I'm tired of not feeling good.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 06-18-2007 - 4:06pm

Hi kisone, welcome!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 06-18-2007 - 10:39pm

Does it hurt and burn after you changed from the ring?

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 8:43am

I had the Mirena IUD put in after my son was born and I love it. I don't have to worry about taking something every day. I've continued to lose post baby weight, I have my libido back.

It was only mildly uncomfortable to have put in, like a pap, and I had cramping for a day or two. I then had spotting off and on for about 6 weeks.

The only down side for me is that if I'm going to get a period I can't plan to skip it like I did with the pill. I've only had one period since having it and it was only 3 days and super light with no cramps.

DH can not feel the strings, I asked a lot at first (lol). It's super effective and I needed something I couldn't goof because my DH is on medication that could cause a birth defect. I'm about 90% sure we're not having another child and this gave us 5 years to decide if we want to do something permanent.

If you have questions about it let me know and I'll answer them if I can.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-13-2006
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 5:19pm

Hey,

I definitely know where you're coming from because it took me a while to find a birth control that worked both for me and my body. Both of the pills that you tried have the same kind of progestin - norethindrone - but in different amounts. First off, I would recommend trying a pill with a different progestin - your ob/gyn can give you 3 month supply to try first. Many people like Ortho Tricyclen or Ortho Tricyclen Lo or Levlen. Also, high amounts of estrogen may make you nautious, so try a pill with a low amount of estrogen like Alesse (20 mcg of estrogen). I'm currently on Yasmin, which many people seem to like as well, and it's been great for me, my mood and my complexion, which doesn't mean that it will work for you but it may be worth a try. There is also Yaz now with 20mcg of estrogen. The bottom line is that you should work with your doctor at trying a different kind of pill. If you think you want another child in 2-3 years, then the IUD might not be for you - although you should of course discuss it with you doctor. Hope this helps.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2006
Wed, 06-20-2007 - 4:34am

After I had my son, I definitely was not interested in sex either. It didn't help that I breastfed him and hormones made my sex drive plummet. I was on the mini pill, and then the depo shot (which I would not recommend to anyone) and both killed my sex drive. It was only after the depo went out of my system and my cycles regulated that I was finally interested in sex again. Now I'm afraid to go back on BCPs because they might ruin my sex drive again.

So, I stick to the good ole' condom and be sure that you use a water-based lubricant so that you feel more comfortable! That was one of the biggest complains I had in post-baby intercourse - no lubrication. Try that out, it helps a lot.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Thu, 06-21-2007 - 12:27pm

Toroia,

Just an FYI, and not trying to imply that you should try what I’ve tried or anything. I had the same no sex drive while bf and using depo. It sucked. Now I’m using Mirena IUD and hello sex drive! It is so much better. I agree that the 'hypoestrogenic state' as my ob/gyn called it, really makes you dry.

I’m glad that you found an option that works for you.

Holly

Holly
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 06-22-2007 - 12:05am

A note on progestins in pills....


Nordette contains levonorgestrel, Femcon

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-30-2007
Sat, 06-23-2007 - 7:30am

Thank so much for your advice!

I decided that I am going to stick the Femcon out through the rest of this month and next month. I have 3 months of free pills so why not try it?!

I have switched to taking the pill before I go to bed. This has helped A LOT with the nausea. I still get a little nauseous in the morning but it's not as bad or all day. I did end up having a "full fledged" AF my second week on the pills but the cramps weren't as bad as they were on the ring and it was tolerable. My discharge from the ring has all but disappeared and I'm feeling better.

If after the 2 or 3 months I still don't feel good, I think I am going to ask my dh about switching to condoms and giving myself a hormone break. We'll see!

So, we'll see what happens. Thank you SO much for all of your advice! I really appreciate it!!

Melissa

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-30-2007
Sat, 06-23-2007 - 7:36am

Oh - and PS....

As for the "pain" during sex - the pain upon insertion is due to scar tissue. At least that's what my GYN said. She gave me some estrogen cream to try to help. The burning has not been as bad since switching from the ring but we've only tested it out once. I hope it stays this way! And, I hope that my drive is better on what ever method (stick with the pill or move to condoms) I decide on!

Again, thanks SO much for your help!!

Melissa

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 06-23-2007 - 7:46pm

If the estrogen cream helps, by all means go for it!

Judie Cl for Birth Control