Wondering about birth control

Jean9ds

I am on Sprintec birth control pills and have been for about 2 years. I don't have crazy side effects like a lot of other people I have read about on these boards. I'm okay with it. I don't particularly like pumping hormones into my body and would prefer to be off of it, but we're not ready to be pregnant yet. (Here's my intro and baby on the brain post explaining more http://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/67396739.aspx)

Hubby also wants me off of the pill. We always use both the pill and condom (If I get pregnant this way, I can at least say I did everything in my power to not get pregnant haha). But I'm not sure what to do. I would love to be off the pill, because I know I would feel better, but not sure if I feel comfortable using just condoms. 

 

So I figured I'd come here and maybe others have been in the same situation and have some guidance/insight that I haven't considered. Thanks for your time!  

MoonlightSilver

How soon are you planning on having kids, if at all? There's a great (IMO) birth control method that has no hormones. It's the Copper IUD Paraguard. There are side effects, obviously, and each person is affected differently. I've commonly heard that it can make your period heavier, but it might not effect you that way. Paraguard is awesome because it works for 10 years, but you can take it out whenever you'd like and start trying to have kids almost immediately. The only problem might be the upfront cost; the IUD is cheaper in the long run, because it works for 10 years, but you have to pay for the device and to have a doctor insert it. Of course, you should see a doctor and talk to them about your options- they'll know a lot more than us, plus they can know your medical history.

KayJ88

MoonlightSilver:

How soon are you planning on having kids, if at all? There's a great (IMO) birth control method that has no hormones. It's the Copper IUD Paraguard. There are side effects, obviously, and each person is affected differently.

I use this. I wouldn't consider it great, but I do experience some side effects. Heavy periods, more cramping. But I do like the non-hormonal birth control, as I had many issues with this hormonal kind. I think this is a good long-term method, but if you are thinking about having a baby in a year or 2 I wouldn't recommend it. It's an expenisve purchase (I had to pay almost 300 dollars as my insurance doesn't cover birth control). There is also the mirena IUD which is a hormonal form of birth control, my doctor explained that the hormones do not go in your blood stream and are focused only in the uterus, and generally you don't get the same side effects of heavy period or cramping (at least once your body adjusts). I chose not to go this route as I said I had lots of problems with hormonal birth control and didn't want to take the chance on paying for something that could potentially cause me problems.

I would suggest booking an appointment with your gyno and explaining your situation, they might have alternative suggestions that are a little less invasive then the IUD (although it's really not so bad having put in)