thinking of switching to non-hormonal bc

keziah23 · April 2010

I've been on about 7 different bc pills in the past 7 years since coming off depo provera. They took me off depo because I'd been on it 8 years and were worried about the whole bone loss thing. Since then I had a disc replacement surgery in my neck and don't want to go back on depo because I need my bones healthy!!

The problem: it seems like every pill does 1 of 2 things. Makes me spot a lot and randomly OR makes me insane (bitchy, depressed, weepy) or both.
I've been on (that I can remember off the top of my head)
Yasmin
Loestrin 24 FE
Ocella
Seasonale
Micronor
Lutera

I've been on Lutera for about 5 months now and am bitchy as hell! always in a bad mood, ready to cry at the drop of a hat, all that jazz.

My conclusion is that I need a non-hormonal birth control.

Has anyone ever had an IUD? I guess the two types are paragard (no hormones) and Mirena (some hormones).

If on Mirena did you have any of the problems you had on regular pills if you had any of the same problems I did?

I like the thought of the Mirena because there are reports of periods going away, but I don't want to risk the same depression/craziness issues that I am having now.

I'm 35 and have never had kids.

Thanks for the feedback ladies.

taylormillgirl · April 2010

I hear you! I was able to take hormonal BC for years, but for some reason it started making me feel full-on neurotic after my second child was born. So DH and I started using condoms until we had our last baby, and then he had a vasectomy.

Do you and your H want children? If not, he should look into a vasectomy. I know the thought makes most men cringe, but they really have come a long way. DH didn't even need to take a Tylenol after his procedure! It's wonderful not to worry about BC anymore.

melmerritt20 · April 2010

I am the same way, a total maniac on BC. Try Aleese, its a very low dose pill. Its the only one I can take. Good Luck Sis.

keziah23 · April 2010

My Fiancee and I have been together almost 13 years and are getting married this July . We have not 100% decided against kids. He says absolutely NO to vasectomy.

I really like not having a period, or at least not one every month.

Don't know what to do.

blue_elle · April 2010

What about a diaphragm, femcap, or Lea's shield? There are tons of non-hormonal options - doctor's are just so quick to push BCP's and ignore all the rest. The last two times I've seen my gyno he's tried to give me a script for BCP's even though I tell him flat out that I'm not interested. I even told him last time that we are not avoiding anymore (which isn't true), and he still tried to give them to me!

Personally, I am a big advocate of fertility awareness (no, not rhythm method - you can NOT base future fertility on past cycles). I track my cycles using temperature and cervical fluid and I can actually see on my chart when I ovulate, leaving no doubt that there is no longer a chance of getting pregnant. During times of potential fertility we use back-up methods. After I ovulate it's natural, unadulterated sex. There's rules, of course, but as long as you follow them this method is as effective as the pill (statistics on Planned Parenthood's website).

Having the knowledge and control is truly empowering. Even if you aren't comfortable realying on it for BC, it's still worthwhile to do a little reading on so you know what the heck is going on with your body (and shouldn't women know these things!). The most well-known book on the subject is Taking Charge of Your Fertility, which I was able to get it at the library. There's also a website under the same name where you can chart and check out the forums where women share info, give advice, and so on (both for avoidance and pregnancy achievement).

Sorry so long, it's just a subject I get really excited about!

FutureMrsDenman · April 2010

I am currently on a 4 month count down to get Mirena OUT and I can not wait! I wish I could do it tomorrow. DH had a vasectomy and it take 4 months for the Dr. to pronounce him "clear".

While on Mirena I have had terrible mood swings, depression, anxiety/nervousness, ander/short temper, lack of patience, completely randomly timed spotting to full periods, weight gain and bloating, etc. It took me a long time to realize that it was the Mirena, but now that I am almost 100% sure it is I am so ready to be done with it!

sashajm · May 2010

I have the European equivalent of the Paraguard (never had children) and I love it! Other than the first few months when my periods were heavier (I was also on blood thinners), I haven't had any side effects and now my periods are even lighter than they were before.

monkeygirl18 · May 2010

I have the Paraguard IUD and love it.

Only down sides are: heavier bleeding, bad cramps (could just be my body naturally I don't know as I was on bcp for 15yrs and don't remember what my periods were like before it) and can't control when you get your period like you can on bcp.

I'm 34 have never had kids (we aren't going to) and found out after 15yrs of crazieness that any hormonal bcp just does not work for me. Dh will be getting a vasectomy once the IUD has lived it's life expectancy (10yrs).

erin47 · May 2010

I've had my Paragard for about 5 years. My periods and cramps are significantly heavier than they were before - the first year was the most dramatic, it calmed down some after that, and I think they've gotten better again just in the last few months. That's the only thing I dislike about it. I love not having to think about bc, not worrying about effectiveness, and not putting extra hormones into my system.

I found this community really helpful when I was making the decision:

http://community.livejournal.com/iud_divas

Just remember that people are much more likely to post about troubles they're having than about everything going great.

KellieGaspard · May 2010

I'm on Mirena, and I hate it. It makes me crazy and weepy, just like BCP's did. If I could take it out, I would, but right now that's just not an option for DH and I. We don't want anymore kids and he doesn't want to get snipped just yet, so I'll be suffering for a while.

I would look into paragard. I've heard some pretty good things about it, so just talk to your OB/GYN and research, research, research! GL!

lulu8705 · May 2010

Same boat!

I've been researching different forms of bc because I'm really unhappy with the pill. In the past 3 or 4 years I've been on like 5 or 6 different pills and each one made me bitchy, weepy, depressed, bloat really bad, etc. The one I'm on now I was put on because my gyn thought my system was too flooded with estrogen and was scared I was at risk for a stroke even though I'm 22 and now I have a period whenever. I take the pill religiously and EXACTLY like I was told to because my fiance and don't want to have a baby yet and I still have a period whenever and the flood of hormones to my system not only makes me crazy, but is causing problems with my lebido (not cool). I was told I'm pretty much stuck on what I'm on! I'm pretty upset about it.
I have a bunch of friends who keep telling me to go with Mirena because they love it and have had zero problems with it. If you're not planning on kids then it would be worth the money for you and might be a good route. I was told no on Mirena because I do want to have a baby here in a couple years, so it wouldn't be worth the money for me to get according to my gyn. You pay for 5 yrs, it'd be a waste on money to only have it for like 2.

After reading some of the replies I might have to talk to my gyn about some of the forms of bc everyone listed on here because I am absolutly fed up with all the bcp effects!

Good luck!

sillay1 · May 2010

Paragard is amazing. I love mine, even though the periods are a little heavier. Just make sure you have a doctor that stays on top of their research, because this IUD was only approved for NP (women who haven't had children) a few years ago.

MartiniChick01 · May 2010

BCPs and Nuva Ring made me feel like I was going insane. I know that feeling and was in the same boat as you.

Mirena only has progesterone, no estrogen. My doctor told me it's the estrogen that causes the moodiness. She said that if you don't get moodiness with the mini pill (progesterone only) then you would be fine with the Mirena.

I've had Mirena almost 2 yrs and I love it. I rarely get my period and when I do it's very light and I don't even need to use anything.

For the first 2 mos, I did have some side effects that I think were caused by Mirena. Acne, some hair loss (I could tell it got thinner and it did stop), backaches, cramping when I got my period (never had cramping prior to Mirena).

All of those side effects, except for the cramping, have gone away. I can handle a day of cramping if it means that I have very reliable BC, rarely ever get my period (I get cramping and bloating, but do not bleed every month).

I mainly got Mirena because I had very heavy periods that knocked me out for a day each month.

MrsMandaK · May 2010

Have you considered FAM or NFP? Sounds like it could be a great option for you!

thinking of switching to non-hormonal bc

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