The Birth Control Thread... full of TMI

[Nessa 23]

Anyone tried Mirena? How about Paragard?

[Amby 490]

I've heard both good and bad things about Mirena. One friend loves it. Another friend had hers removed a few days ago. I think a side effect is weight gain.

[Staashi 371]

I have mirena - love it.

[Ban Hammer 13,619]

best birth control - oral.

[Nica_In_Love 98]

I've been thinking about the whole birth control issue since I'll be moving to the States pretty soon (that is if everything goes right at the interview).

I'm a bit scared because I have only used one type of birth control, it's a monthly shot called Mesigyna. It's only prescribed and sold in Latin American countries, therefore I'll be obligated to change it once I'm in the States. I've been using it for almost a year now, never had side effects, and so far it has done the job.

I have read about the Depo Provera shot but I have read too many negative comments about it; other than IUD (I can't use those because I have never given birth) what other birth control methods have you used? It sounds to be too much of a hassle to be popping pills every day, no?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I've been thinking about the whole birth control issue since I'll be moving to the States pretty soon (that is if everything goes right at the interview).

I'm a bit scared because I have only used one type of birth control, it's a monthly shot called Mesigyna. It's only prescribed and sold in Latin American countries, therefore I'll be obligated to change it once I'm in the States. I've been using it for almost a year now, never had side effects, and so far it has done the job.

I have read about the Depo Provera shot but I have read too many negative comments about it; other than IUD (I can't use those because I have never given birth) what other birth control methods have you used? It sounds to be too much of a hassle to be popping pills every day, no?

Actually, check with your doctor/gynecologist about the IUD all the same. I have never had a child but was able to use an IUD for many years (changing it every few years). I loved it! They do make them small enough so that even women who have never had a child may be able to use one. It really depends on your personal circumstances and the type of device.

[Amyyduck 20]

I have read about the Depo Provera shot but I have read too many negative comments about it; other than IUD (I can't use those because I have never given birth)

My friend has an IUD and shes never given birth. I think thats actually a myth, the commercials on tv make it seem like you shouldn't/can't use an IUD unless you've already had children but thats not actually true. I don't know why that is though. Anyway I don't know the particular brand of IUD she has but she seems to like it. I've heard so many bad things about them though that it made me too nervous to get one. Apparently if they don't cut the bottom part short enough it can jab your partner right in the tip when you're having sex. Ouch!

I use the generic version of Yasmin and so far I've had no problems with it, I take it every day when my cell phone alarm goes off. It's really not as much hassle as you would think.

Good luck!

[trillium13 84]

I have read about the Depo Provera shot but I have read too many negative comments about it; other than IUD (I can't use those because I have never given birth) what other birth control methods have you used? It sounds to be too much of a hassle to be popping pills every day, no?

If you don't want to take daily pills you may consider the nuva ring. It's a plastic ring you put in vaginally one a month. Leave it in for 3 weeks, take it out for a week (then you get your period). I used it for a while and liked it, but I no longer have health insurance so I am back on the pill cause it's cheaper.

[Nica_In_Love 98]

Thank you girls for your replies!!

Yes I know I'm going to have to see a doctor when I get there. My husband has health insurance but it's still a bit scary how expensive health care is in the States. We'll see how it goes!

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I had an IUD and I've never given birth. After a month or two I had a bad reaction and started losing a lot of blood. They had to rush me to the hospital where they removed it. They said it had irritated my uterus so it became inflamed and the cervix being open was never able to close so the new blood created wasn't staying in for the full 28 day cycle and I was losing fresh blood daily. The irritation increased the blood loss and I was gushing blood. It was really gross and scary. Ever since then I've had horrible painful periods with severe cramping like it did some kind of damage that can't be reversed.

I had looked at taking Mirena but from reports I read it should not be for long term use. Because the hormones released after long term use causes blood clots (PE) in the lungs. There are several lawsuits over this.

I also looked at taking the nuva ring because it keeps the hormones localized to the region. However, I spoke to my cousin who used it and she told me that after a couple of months she stopped using it because during sex the ring would always become dislodged and sometimes come out and land in unhygienic places. She's either have to fish it out and replace it or pick it up from where it landed and wash it off to put it back in. And this is the cousin who had to have surgery while she was still a virgin because she was too tight to put a tampon in.

Now I just take a set of 21 pills a month orally.

Edited September 5, 2010 by Cleocatra

[mawilson 2,133]

Abstinence - the only form of birth control that is 100% effective.

[Nica_In_Love 98]

Wow... what a story. No IUD for me

[SuperDuper! 230]

Wow... what a story. No IUD for me

Yea, those IUD's perforate the womb, Not good for incubating the fetus.

[Jenn! 918]

I've had Mirena since December with no problems so far.

[slim 1,533]

best birth control - oral.

Obviously not working out so well for you, charles!

Abstinence - the only form of birth control that is 100% effective.

I prefer the pull and pray. Coupled with copious amounts of Mt. Dew, it seems to have worked pretty well for me so far. I keep waiting for the doorbell to ring and some little blue-eyed Korean kid to say something to the effect of "are you my daddy" but so far, no dice. So, I'm batting 1000!