Comments | birthcontrolled: Suggestions for Hormonal Birth Control

maegk in birthcontrolled

Suggestions for Hormonal Birth Control

Mar 03, 2010 13:27

Hi - I'm 27, NP, current method of BC is the copper IUD, which I have been using for over 5 years. I had my first inserted when I was 22, and it was great for 4 years. Then I had an ultrasound, and I was told it was sitting "a little low," so I got it replaced. 5 months later, that one came out. I decided to try for a third at Planned Parenthood ( Read more... )

Comments 6

taldragon March 3 2010, 18:35:26 UTC

dont rule out Implanon - i've had my period every month on it.
also, how long are you waiting, before switching methods/brands? do you give it at least 3 months? because it takes time for your body to 'settle down' after you've switched. (also, are you taking your pill consistently? changing pill times/forgetting pills etc might contribute to your breakthrough bleeding)

thirdly, you're always going to read about the negative side effects (people dont complain about good stuff, right?) but dont assume that your body will react the exact same way as [random commenter]'s - you *might* get weight gain, you *might* lose weight, you might not get any change at all.

the issue with the mini-pill is that you have to be much stricter when taking it - you need to use back-up protection if you're more than 3 hours late taking your daily pill.

(edited for clarity)

taldragon March 3 2010, 21:53:05 UTC

Thanks for the info. Because of my anxiety issues, I always took the pill at the same time every day. I was on each brand for at least 6 months. I had breakthrough bleeding with Nuvaring, too . . . and I used that for over a year. From what I remember, I did ortho cyclen, Yasmin, levlite, and nuvaring . . .all caused breakthrough bleeding.

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taldragon March 3 2010, 20:55:16 UTC

"Often times you just need a higher dose pill to help "

actually, breakthrough bleeding can be a sign that a pill is not right for you, but the correct reaction isn't always "stronger pill/higher dose". it can be that you need a *different* pill/method

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taldragon March 4 2010, 09:56:24 UTC

you said if the OP was getting btb, she needs a higher dose pill. i'm saying that doesnt automatically follow - she might not need a higher dose pill but a _different_ one.

doggy_biscuit March 3 2010, 21:44:36 UTC

I am totally in the same boat as you, also 27, practically married, looking for non-hormonal BC. ;)
After reading your entry, I can't stress enough...

Take it out. It is NOT right for you or anyone who suffers from this type of anxiety. It is impairing your QUALITY of life. You may never learn to tone down the IUD fears and really, doing so may be a little impossible since it something you should check often. If it is causing you self-doubt, fear, & inability to enjoy daily activities, then...IT HAS TO GO.

I no longer think I want the copper IUD after reading this.

I gotta ask, did you have to get new ones each time it was removed and re-inserted? Is your period 50-75% heavier?

Paraguard maegk March 3 2010, 21:50:07 UTC

Each time you get an iud re-inserted, it has to be a new one, yes, because it has to be sterile. Lucky for me my insurance has no limit . . . so I had two different ones put in one year and it paid for both.

Heavier bleeding was a problem for the first few months after the first one and after the third one. It does go away, and it's not that bad. In fact, I would recommend this method to anyone, but it's making me anxious right now . . .but the pill did the same thing, and the anxiety I get when I think I might be pregnant (irrationally) is much worse than the birth control related anxiety.