Birth Control

[Nizzy 1]

Ok ladies, I have heard many things about many types of birth control. So far, I have only tried the pill. There are many types of pills and I've heard they cause weight gain. About the shot, I've heard that it can cause infertility. And well, there is the patch, haven't heard much about it, other than it costs more. So, what type do you recommend, from personal experiences? Is there one I'm missing, besides the other contraceptives?

I take Ortho trycyclen-lo, which I got at Planned Parenthood ($20/pack). I know they say NEVER to do this, but I usually go off of them when I'm not with my fiance' and just start taking them again about two months before when I know I will see him (i.e. not consistently for the last 2 years). Now that he will be here, I will take them consistently. I can say that I *prefer* how I feel when I'm not on them. They make me feel kind of bloated, but I wouldn't say that they've made me actually gain weight. I'm in the midst of a weight-loss plateau right now anyway, and I've been feeling lazy and discouraged lately, so I haven't been exercising as much as I should be, but I still haven't gained weight from the pills. Also, they have a low level of hormones and the period is usually pretty reliable, so I'm over-all pretty happy with 'em.

BUT if you happen to have high blood pressure, the doctor won't put you on them. My friend went to the doctor to get them and the doctor refused because of her blood pressure (the pills raise it moreso, so if it's high to begin with, it can be dangerous).

Well I'm skeptical of all birth control now because I think my husband or I are extremely fertile. I got pregnant on the shot and had a miscarriage last summer and I'm pregnant now but got pregnant while using the Nuvaring. *sigh* No user error just in that 1% it doesn't work for I guess. Depending on how long you want to wait to have a child maybe an IUD is a good idea? They are good for 5 years but you can take them out before then. They are a bit expensive but I think covered on most insurance plans. If we wouldn't have gotten pregnant that's the route I would have taken.

I heard that the IUD is only really good if the woman's already had a baby. I could be wrong and thinking of something else though, but I THINK that's what I've read.

You're right that's what my gynecologist told me that I shouldn't take the IUD route because it's usually for women who have kids already. As for me, birth control totally messed me up emotionally. I was crying for no reason, yelling at stupid things and depressed. It was a disaster. I also tried the patch and well that thing did even more damage because there is more of the hormone going through your skin then with a pill. Then there was this huge thing about the patch and how it has an increased chance of causing blood clots that leads to death so I pulled it off and never looked back.

[rebeccajo 14]

Ryan and I will see a gyno about this later...

I don't have an opinion on b/c methods as I am 49 this coming Monday and have had all that taken care of.

What I do wonder is why you and Ryan will be seeing the ob/gyn. It's YOUR body and YOUR health and in my opinion it's NOT any of the man's business what method you use, other than to respect your choice.

Ryan wants to be there for me in all aspects, and I want him there.

Togetherness isn't about EVERYTHING hon.

[keltic 1]

ive tried several birth control pills... done the depo shot (had NO period for nearly a year on that)... all of them added pounds to me that exercise and diet hasnt budged... i get down to a certain point and thats it

ive heard the nuvaring is good (got a couple of testimonials in this thread already)... and then there is also a product called mirena that is a 5 yr option... and there is also something called norplant which is another long term option

i cant advocate for any of the last 3, since i havent used them... just thought i would mention them

good luck!

I don't want anything long term. We would like to try for kids in a couple years. Just narrowing down my options here. Ha. I just started this new pill, so I will see how it goes for a while, then I may take some advice from you guys with a different method.

the nuvaring can just be used when you want it... the mirena can be removed when you would like to try for kids... but if you havent had a child already, its probably not an option for you... and norplant is actually apparently not available anymore

[Alex+R 0]

Ryan and I will see a gyno about this later...

I don't have an opinion on b/c methods as I am 49 this coming Monday and have had all that taken care of.

What I do wonder is why you and Ryan will be seeing the ob/gyn. It's YOUR body and YOUR health and in my opinion it's NOT any of the man's business what method you use, other than to respect your choice.

Ryan wants to be there for me in all aspects, and I want him there.

Togetherness isn't about EVERYTHING hon.

Yeeahh.... Mandi, does this mean you and Ryan are going to be choosing what goes into your body together? As in, he will have an equal say in whether or not you use a pill or a patch, etc.? WHY?

[ace13 0]

Ryan and I will see a gyno about this later...

I don't have an opinion on b/c methods as I am 49 this coming Monday and have had all that taken care of.

What I do wonder is why you and Ryan will be seeing the ob/gyn. It's YOUR body and YOUR health and in my opinion it's NOT any of the man's business what method you use, other than to respect your choice.

Ryan wants to be there for me in all aspects, and I want him there.

Togetherness isn't about EVERYTHING hon.

Yeeahh.... Mandi, does this mean you and Ryan are going to be choosing what goes into your body together? As in, he will have an equal say in whether or not you use a pill or a patch, etc.? WHY?

OMGosh. You are picking on people in this thread too. Leave the poor girl alone! I think it is wonderful that she is including her spouse in decisions that effect their sexual relationship and her health and the future of their baby planning process. What is the issue? They are a couple!

[Alex+R 0]

Ryan and I will see a gyno about this later...

I don't have an opinion on b/c methods as I am 49 this coming Monday and have had all that taken care of.

What I do wonder is why you and Ryan will be seeing the ob/gyn. It's YOUR body and YOUR health and in my opinion it's NOT any of the man's business what method you use, other than to respect your choice.

Ryan wants to be there for me in all aspects, and I want him there.

Togetherness isn't about EVERYTHING hon.

Yeeahh.... Mandi, does this mean you and Ryan are going to be choosing what goes into your body together? As in, he will have an equal say in whether or not you use a pill or a patch, etc.? WHY?

OMGosh. You are picking on people in this thread too. Leave the poor girl alone! I think it is wonderful that she is including her spouse in decisions that effect their sexual relationship and her health and the future of their baby planning process. What is the issue? They are a couple!

Sorry. I swear it's all these hormones from my birth control pills.

I'm not attacking her, I am expressing a little concern. On the other hand, it's probably none of my business.

The other thread is the other thread. And I wasn't attacking anyone. I was sincerely responding to the previous post.

[Neja 0]

I used to be on the patch for about a year and a half but it made my skin itch and turn red, plus that study came out about the increased risks of blood clots etc so I went off of it and the Dr. put my on ortho tricyclen lo. I think less about my birth control now than I did when I was on the patch. On the patch I was constantly checking to make sure that it was still there and it hadn't lifted off of my skin and I was always rubbing around it trying not to scratch cause it was itchy. I hated the thought of taking a pill every day but it's actually not as bad as I thought it would be. I haven't had any weight gain but I'm thin so it wouldn't make much difference if I did gain some weight.

[ace13 0]

Ryan and I will see a gyno about this later...

I don't have an opinion on b/c methods as I am 49 this coming Monday and have had all that taken care of.

What I do wonder is why you and Ryan will be seeing the ob/gyn. It's YOUR body and YOUR health and in my opinion it's NOT any of the man's business what method you use, other than to respect your choice.

Ryan wants to be there for me in all aspects, and I want him there.

Togetherness isn't about EVERYTHING hon.

Yeeahh.... Mandi, does this mean you and Ryan are going to be choosing what goes into your body together? As in, he will have an equal say in whether or not you use a pill or a patch, etc.? WHY?

OMGosh. You are picking on people in this thread too. Leave the poor girl alone! I think it is wonderful that she is including her spouse in decisions that effect their sexual relationship and her health and the future of their baby planning process. What is the issue? They are a couple!

Sorry. I swear it's all these hormones from my birth control pills.

I'm not attacking her, I am expressing a little concern. On the other hand, it's probably none of my business.

The other thread is the other thread. And I wasn't attacking anyone. I was sincerely responding to the previous post.

Fair enough

I used to be on the patch for about a year and a half but it made my skin itch and turn red, plus that study came out about the increased risks of blood clots etc so I went off of it and the Dr. put my on ortho tricyclen lo. I think less about my birth control now than I did when I was on the patch. On the patch I was constantly checking to make sure that it was still there and it hadn't lifted off of my skin and I was always rubbing around it trying not to scratch cause it was itchy. I hated the thought of taking a pill every day but it's actually not as bad as I thought it would be. I haven't had any weight gain but I'm thin so it wouldn't make much difference if I did gain some weight.

Patch=bad

My sister in law was on it-used it religiously and got pregnant.

My husband and I use NFP.

More info is here http://ccli.org/nfp/basics/advantages.php

I love it. No chemicals, no creams, no condoms. I have it down to a science. No babies for 1 year so it works, and my husband is involved. He takes my temp every morning.

[rebeccajo 14]

I think it is wonderful that she is including her spouse in decisions that effect their sexual relationship and her health and the future of their baby planning process. What is the issue? They are a couple!

*shrugs*

I don't know - most guys I know wouldn't be heading to the doctor's office with their woman for tips on keeping the storck away. You might be able to drag them in for a peek at the ultrasound once their lady was pregnant but that's about it.

I'm actually sitting here trying to remember the last time I saw a man in my OB/GYN's office and I REALLY can't remember.....

But I'm of that hippie era where we women celebrated our independence, so maybe that's why I see my man's stamp of approval on decisions about my body as unnecessary.

[ace13 0]

I think it is wonderful that she is including her spouse in decisions that effect their sexual relationship and her health and the future of their baby planning process. What is the issue? They are a couple!

*shrugs*

I don't know - most guys I know wouldn't be heading to the doctor's office with their woman for tips on keeping the storck away. You might be able to drag them in for a peek at the ultrasound once their lady was pregnant but that's about it.

I'm actually sitting here trying to remember the last time I saw a man in my OB/GYN's office and I REALLY can't remember.....

But I'm of that hippie era where we women celebrated our independence, so maybe that's why I see my man's stamp of approval on decisions about my body as unnecessary.

Yes, that is where you and I disagree. I feel that reproduction or avoiding pregancy is a decision that couples make together and you think it is a decision you make on your own.

*shrugs*

[rebeccajo 14]

I think it is wonderful that she is including her spouse in decisions that effect their sexual relationship and her health and the future of their baby planning process. What is the issue? They are a couple!

*shrugs*

I don't know - most guys I know wouldn't be heading to the doctor's office with their woman for tips on keeping the storck away. You might be able to drag them in for a peek at the ultrasound once their lady was pregnant but that's about it.

I'm actually sitting here trying to remember the last time I saw a man in my OB/GYN's office and I REALLY can't remember.....

But I'm of that hippie era where we women celebrated our independence, so maybe that's why I see my man's stamp of approval on decisions about my body as unnecessary.

Yes, that is where you and I disagree. I feel that reproduction or avoiding pregancy is a decision that couples make together and you think it is a decision you make on your own.

*shrugs*

Maybe it's a perspective issue. I think it's more about the person who's body is being affected being in the driver's seat. Unless the man can 'feel' what's being used, I really don't think he should care.

I also believe that when it's time for sterilization, the partner who believes more strongly about 'no more babies' should be the one having the medical procedure. I've seen many a divorce or death where the prior reproductive decisions came back to haunt the one was sterilized. Personally I knew I never wanted any more children no matter who my partner might be. So I had my tubes done rather than ask my partner (at that time) to have a 'snip' simply because it's less invasive.

But that's me.

[Neja 0]

I think it is wonderful that she is including her spouse in decisions that effect their sexual relationship and her health and the future of their baby planning process. What is the issue? They are a couple!

*shrugs*

I don't know - most guys I know wouldn't be heading to the doctor's office with their woman for tips on keeping the storck away. You might be able to drag them in for a peek at the ultrasound once their lady was pregnant but that's about it.

I'm actually sitting here trying to remember the last time I saw a man in my OB/GYN's office and I REALLY can't remember.....

But I'm of that hippie era where we women celebrated our independence, so maybe that's why I see my man's stamp of approval on decisions about my body as unnecessary.

This makes me remember when my husband took an afternoon off work last year when I had first moved here and he accompanied to my gyn visit as I was nervous about going to a new doctor. It was so sweet of him. He only waited in the waiting room and of course diidn't come in with me. He thought the waiting room was quite fancy with comfy couches and a tv to watch. hehe. I almost got him to go with me a second time. We opened the door to the Dr's office and the waiting room was full of pregnant ladies and he was like "uh uh, no way, I'll see you at home." and he left. It was quite funny.

[JenT 0]

I think it is wonderful that she is including her spouse in decisions that effect their sexual relationship and her health and the future of their baby planning process. What is the issue? They are a couple!

*shrugs*

I don't know - most guys I know wouldn't be heading to the doctor's office with their woman for tips on keeping the storck away. You might be able to drag them in for a peek at the ultrasound once their lady was pregnant but that's about it.

I'm actually sitting here trying to remember the last time I saw a man in my OB/GYN's office and I REALLY can't remember.....

But I'm of that hippie era where we women celebrated our independence, so maybe that's why I see my man's stamp of approval on decisions about my body as unnecessary.

Yes, that is where you and I disagree. I feel that reproduction or avoiding pregancy is a decision that couples make together and you think it is a decision you make on your own.

*shrugs*

Maybe it's a perspective issue. I think it's more about the person who's body is being affected being in the driver's seat. Unless the man can 'feel' what's being used, I really don't think he should care.

I also believe that when it's time for sterilization, the partner who believes more strongly about 'no more babies' should be the one having the medical procedure. I've seen many a divorce or death where the prior reproductive decisions came back to haunt the one was sterilized. Personally I knew I never wanted any more children no matter who my partner might be. So I had my tubes done rather than ask my partner (at that time) to have a 'snip' simply because it's less invasive.

But that's me.

Having your tubes tied is less invasive than a vasectomy??? What procedure did the doc use? Or did you have it done during a c-section?

Jen

[rebeccajo 14]

Nooooooo. I had my tubes done rather than ask my partner to have a snip simply because it's less invasive.

This makes me remember when my husband took an afternoon off work last year when I had first moved here and he accompanied to my gyn visit as I was nervous about going to a new doctor. It was so sweet of him. He only waited in the waiting room and of course diidn't come in with me. He thought the waiting room was quite fancy with comfy couches and a tv to watch. hehe. I almost got him to go with me a second time. We opened the door to the Dr's office and the waiting room was full of pregnant ladies and he was like "uh uh, no way, I'll see you at home." and he left. It was quite funny.

Yeah that's what I mean. Most guys regard it as highly 'female territory'.

Edited July 22, 2006 by rebeccajo

[JenT 0]

Nooooooo. I had my tubes done rather than ask my partner to have a snip simply because it's less invasive.

Having your tubes tied requires general anesthesia and surgery. A vasectomy is done in a doctor's office under local anesthetic... takes 20 minutes. No scalpel required.

I still don't understand how tube tying is considered less invasive....

Jen