Contraceptives. Anyone?

[MrsCat 6]

Immigration and getting married seem to have been very effective contraceptives in my life.

[Teacher Mark 53]

Having a baby is not yet included in our plans as of the moment.

I have never taken any pills (contraceptive) in my entire life. My OB gave me a certain prescription but she told me about the possible side effects as well.

Knowing that the side effects are different in every patients.. Just want to ask who among you are using contraceptives and what type? How about the side effects? Is injectables good enough? Better than pills?

I would really appreciate your suggestions and shared experiences about the effects..

My Wife had never taken anything either so she got a prescription for Seasonal (a.k.a. Seasonique). She didn't like it at all and had several side effects including hot flashes. I'd stay away from that stuff.

http://www.seasonale.com/

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

In 2005 I was on Birthcontrol for my PCOS (polycystic ovaries) and it was helping that a bit, but 6 months later the side affects for me was a serious fast travelling blood clot in my leg ... I was only 23! After I had surgery on my leg, I went to a blood specialist and found out I have a blood disorder and that is what triggered the blood clot from the pill. . . side affects can be a killer! be careful ! -Tam

[Not Available 0]

Also, if you have a family history of migraines, its best not to start b/c. They sometimes start migraines, and make them occur regularly. My own obgyn said she personally had to get off b/c due to this.

That's why I had to stop.

I was on Nuvaring, it worked better than any other hormonal contraceptives I had taken but still too many side effects including not being able to lose weight (diet and exercise for 6 months and didn't move on the scale) and migraines. I was also completely constipated. I took it out and after two weeks I started feeling amazing and lost 15 pounds (not right away lol still dieted and exercised) .... and I could poop!

Edited August 16, 2008 by Smile!

[amylovespaul 0]

I used Ortho Tri cyclen with no side effects that I noticed. I tried Seasonale and hated it. Too much spotting, almost to the point where I was having a continuous light period. Even stuck it out for 1 year thinking it would get better. It didn't. Was on Yaz and I liked it. I eventually got tired of taking the pills and paying $30 every month. So I got an IUD. I have the Mirena (hormone type). I had a few reasons for going with the IUD. 1. Got sick of the pills 2. I don't want kids 3. I work at a clinic and I don't have to pay anything out of pocket, so it was free for me to get the IUD.

I have never had kids and my doctor didn't seem to think it would be a problem. It hurt like a ###### going in but nothing that I couldn't handle. But I have this issue where occasionally I will get nauseos and vomit for about 10-12 hours straight that seems to be triggered when I have bad menstral cramps, or I vomit from being hungover or from some other abdominal issue. Anyways I totally forgot about that when I had the IUD put in and I really thought that taking a few Advil beforehand would work. Wrong! I ended up at the Urgent Care at my clinic with an IV and getting about 3 shot of various drugs to make me stop vomiting. It just felt like really bad mentral cramps. I could handle the pain, it was the nausea and vomiting that I couldn't handle. By the end of the day I had no more cramping and I haven't had any since. And no it wasn't cause they gave me heavy painkillers. They just gave me medication for the nausea.

Anyways, I've had it in for 1 1/2 years and I have no trouble at all. Just had it checked again the other day and all is good. I had some occasionally spotting that has gone away and it wasn't near as bad as what I had on Seasonale. I love it. And after 5 years, I'll suffer through having another put in unless they come up with something better by then.

[CaNdiD wiTcH 0]

In 2005 I was on Birthcontrol for my PCOS (polycystic ovaries) and it was helping that a bit, but 6 months later the side affects for me was a serious fast travelling blood clot in my leg ... I was only 23! After I had surgery on my leg, I went to a blood specialist and found out I have a blood disorder and that is what triggered the blood clot from the pill. . . side affects can be a killer! be careful ! -Tam

Thanks Tam.. I will definitely be careful.. A lot of inputs here were helpful not just to me but for all contraceptive newbies..

Also, if you have a family history of migraines, its best not to start b/c. They sometimes start migraines, and make them occur regularly. My own obgyn said she personally had to get off b/c due to this.

That's why I had to stop.

I was on Nuvaring, it worked better than any other hormonal contraceptives I had taken but still too many side effects including not being able to lose weight (diet and exercise for 6 months and didn't move on the scale) and migraines. I was also completely constipated. I took it out and after two weeks I started feeling amazing and lost 15 pounds (not right away lol still dieted and exercised) .... and I could poop!

I have migraines as well...

I used Ortho Tri cyclen with no side effects that I noticed. I tried Seasonale and hated it. Too much spotting, almost to the point where I was having a continuous light period. Even stuck it out for 1 year thinking it would get better. It didn't. Was on Yaz and I liked it. I eventually got tired of taking the pills and paying $30 every month. So I got an IUD. I have the Mirena (hormone type). I had a few reasons for going with the IUD. 1. Got sick of the pills 2. I don't want kids 3. I work at a clinic and I don't have to pay anything out of pocket, so it was free for me to get the IUD.

I have never had kids and my doctor didn't seem to think it would be a problem. It hurt like a ###### going in but nothing that I couldn't handle. But I have this issue where occasionally I will get nauseos and vomit for about 10-12 hours straight that seems to be triggered when I have bad menstral cramps, or I vomit from being hungover or from some other abdominal issue. Anyways I totally forgot about that when I had the IUD put in and I really thought that taking a few Advil beforehand would work. Wrong! I ended up at the Urgent Care at my clinic with an IV and getting about 3 shot of various drugs to make me stop vomiting. It just felt like really bad mentral cramps. I could handle the pain, it was the nausea and vomiting that I couldn't handle. By the end of the day I had no more cramping and I haven't had any since. And no it wasn't cause they gave me heavy painkillers. They just gave me medication for the nausea.

Anyways, I've had it in for 1 1/2 years and I have no trouble at all. Just had it checked again the other day and all is good. I had some occasionally spotting that has gone away and it wasn't near as bad as what I had on Seasonale. I love it. And after 5 years, I'll suffer through having another put in unless they come up with something better by then.

I do not like to experience blood spotting..

Immigration and getting married seem to have been very effective contraceptives in my life.

I do agree.. As of the moment it is..

[CaNdiD wiTcH 0]

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned that you shouldn't smoke if you're on the pill, esp. if you're 35 or older.

I read that too.. No smoking..

[CaNdiD wiTcH 0]

I've had no problems with the pill, been on it since I was 16. I actually lost weight when I went on it and could survive my periods, which I couldn't do before the pill. That being said, I worked at Planned Parenthood this summer, so contraception was a daily topic of discussion. Lots of women talked about both emotional and physical side effects. Primarily the weight gain. I don't have a problem taking them the same time of day as I go to bed at the same time each night, but you do need to make sure you can remember to take them each day at the same time. The pp I worked at didn't prescribe the patch anymore I believe because of an increased risk of blood clots, so I wouldn't recommend that.

Regarding the shot, lots of the girls that came into the clinic loved it. However, you must go in to your doctors at regular 3 month intervals, no skipping. For some people, that's a problem. My niece got on the shot and had a period the entire time. SHe HATED it, so again just the difference in people.

Most of the women I worked with used a non-hormonal IUD. It makes financial sense if you keep it in for 1 year or more. Cheaper than the pill at least. I think I will get a hormonal form of IUD once we have kids.

Pretty much its all just trial and error. The only thing mainly that will interfere with the pill are antibiotics, FYI

Thanks for the info. As I mentioned earlier, this would be a trial and error thing for me..

[Gemmie 142]

Just to add, my mum had the implant put it because she had really painful/heavy periods and didn't want any more children.

I'm pretty sure she was under a general anathestic while they put it in, but she said when she came round, it hurt and felt very uncomfortable. She got used to it very quickly though, and never really got periods after that.