Hi all, I know that this is a continuous discussion on this board, but I've searched through the old posts and I haven't exactly found an answer that I'm looking for. Basically, I've been doing some research the past couple of months because my boyfriend and I were considering changing the form of contraception we currently use. I am not sure if this matters in any advice that you can give, but I'll give you a quick background. We have been exclusive for 4 years. We would like to get married in the future, but we are not in a hurry as I'm still in school and we still feel that we might not be quite ready for that huge step, on a maturity/responsibility level. However, we do live together and have an incredible sex life. The only problem we seem to have is that I'm on the pill. I've tried different pills and honestly I'm not happy with the side effects of any of them. I believe they are causing me to have crazy mood swings and are making me miserable. I have also been thinking that it can't possibly be healthy for a woman to stay on birth control for such a long period of time, could it? The articles I have read say it is fine, but it just doesn't seem right to me. I had tried depo before and I hated it and I would never use it again, so we know that is out. I am not fond of condoms, as they are messy and in general a pain in the ass, considering we aren't trying to prevent std's. I was thinking about trying an IUD, I have read that the copper ones are better because they don't cause the mood swings that I've been experiencing. I just can't find much in depth info about them. And I'd actually like to hear from a real person who has experience with this form of contraception. If anyone can help me out it would be greatly appreciated. I'm willing to consider anything you suggest with an open mind, also. So if you know of something I haven't thought of please feel free to bring it up. Thanks a bunch! oh yeah, and I do plan on speaking with my doctor about this, but ironically enough she is out on maternity leave for the next 3 months and I would rather wait until she returns since I feel comfortable with her. I figure that will give me enough time to think about things before I go to her as well.
Have you ever tried a diaphram? They aren't that bad, and easy to use (as long as you have no problem touching yourself.) The only drawback would be womyn who have repeated UTIs, as they can cause some problems with the urethra in womyn who have had problems there. But if you haven't had repeated UTIs, ask your doctor to fit you for a diaphram. I had one for years, and it wasn't bad.
Thanks for the reply Maggie. I figured you'd be some help. The only problem is that I do have problems with UTI's all of the time, and kidney problems. I have this issue since I was about 6 or 7. It sucks I can't have tea or coffee or much alcohol. Have to drink tons of water. I did read that about diaphrams, because that is something I considered as well. Do you know much about IUD's? Or perhaps where I could find more in depth info that is trustworthy on the net? Thanks
I don't know a huge amount about IUD's, except you HAVE to make sure that your gyno is really good (if they screw up during insertion and maintenance, it can have serious repurcussions)... basically so long as they really have a medical degree and a modicum of caring about their patients. I also know that they're a lot safer than they were a few years ago. http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/youth/health/contraceptives/iud.htm talks about three different types of IUD. I would suggest just googling and trying to find both good and bad testimonials through other sites as well. I know when I was researching my contraceptive choice, there was an entire site dedicated to the bad sideaffects people experienced, and why they though the drug was evil. I reacted fine to it, but that's just me. If it sounds like something you're genuinely interested in, set up an appointment with your doctor for a consultation on it. Have -them- tell you about the latest facts, the pros and cons, and whether or not it sounds like something suitable based on your medical past (reacting badly to pills, etc)
A diaphram probabaly isn't best for you. How about a cervical cap? It doesn't effect your urethra, but blocks the opening to the womb, so sperm can't get it. You fill it with spermicide, and place it ON the cervix. Not all doctors know how to fit them, but a lot of midwives do. IUDs are a complicated issue. They DO increase your chance of pelvic inflamitory disease, which can cause infertility and lots of other problems. They cause more bleeding and pain during periiods, womyn who have painful or heavy periods shouldn't get them. Also they seem to stay in better in womyn who have carried a pregnancy to term. They also disrupt an already fertilized, and sometimes implanted ovum, so some womyn have personal reasons not to use them. Talking to a good OBGYN about it, or Planned Parenthood would be a good idea. Natural family planning works well for some people, but you have to either use an alternative form of BC or totally abstain during your fertility periods. NOT the best method if a pregnancy would be really a problem. Good luck. I HATE worrying about birth control.
Thanks for the help gals. I've done some more research and I have decided that perhaps the IUD is not the best for me. I did check out the negatives and they outweigh the positives for me. I am going to ask my doctor about switching pills to Yasmin though, because I've read up some more on that and found that it might help out my problem. If that doesn't work, then Jer and I are going to have to seriously consider other approaches. Jeremy is just as concerned with my emotional well being as I am (of course he is I always yell at him!) he doesn't want me on the pill if it is really messing with my hormones this badly.
I'm on Yasmin. I just started like a week and a half ago. Since i've been on it i've had -very- bad headaches. They pop up outta no where. I'm hoping they go away, so i don't have to change again.... I'm still waiting for my first period. Hopefully it wont be that bad. I'll keep you updated on any other side effects i have, if you want.
