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IUD, Depo shots, abstain.. ?
I know, I know... another freaking birth control post.
I'm about to go back on Accutane in about a month, and can either have depo shots, an IUD, or abstain for 4 months. I talked to the doc today about Mirena, but I've read some horror stories about it. ( Heavier periods, tons of cramping, acne, etc.)
I do understand that these 2 contraceptives do different things for everyone, but I just want a general concensus about it all.
Abstaining is pretty much not going to happen. I talked to H and we both don't like that idea.
So, my question is what do you like/not like about IUD's/shots?
TIA!
Re: IUD, Depo shots, abstain.. ?
I just got off the Depo shot. It can take up to a year for your fertility to return after getting off depo. I liked it in that I didn't have to remember anything but for getting a shot every three months. I just switched to the Implanon- it is like the old Norplant except it is only one rod. It also has lower levels of progesterone than Depo. Your fertility can return within days of getting it removed. It goes in like a shot or an IV and can remain in your arm for 3 years. Some women will have periods while on Implanon. On Depo, most women will not.
Since you are talking about only 4 months, I would stay away from Depo. I don't have any experience with IUDs but IMO, try Implanon or as difficult as it would be abstain. If you have been charting- you could avoid your fertile days.
I agree that you shouldn't get an IUD for 4 months. Mirena is good for up to 5 years, and Paragard up to 10. If you're planning on using birth control after the 4 months is over, then they might be a good choice. I had a paragard, but it didn't agree with me and expelled. But while I had it, I really liked it.
I can't comment on depo - only that I've never tried it specifically because of the side effects that my friends have experienced.
I was under the impression that with Accutane you just had to be on two types of birth control? Is there a reason you can't do a combination pill/condom/diaphragm/female condom/patch/ring/etc?
I have Factor 5 so I'm limited to only progesterone only or non-hormonal birth control.
The accutane treatment is only 4 months, so I'm really using it for that. {We are only using condoms right now.} While on it, I have to have 2 effective forms on BC. The primary BC can be tubal sterilization( I want kids, so that's not an option), vasectomy, IUD, or BCP, patch, shot, the ring, or under the skin implant. The secondary form can be diaphragm, cap, condom or sponge. Accutane is regulated, so I have to go in iPlegde, answer a few questions, take 2 pregnancy tests (urine and blood) and then I can fill my prescription. It's effing rediculous.
Does Implanon have estrogen?
Thanks, I will be checking out the website!
Unfortunately, Accutane is the only thing that stops my cystic acne. I've tried antibiotics and different topicals, and nothing helps. I could of course lie about taking birth control, but then I run the risk of getting pregnant. I know it's very slim with using condoms, but I don't want to risk it. Especially since Accutane can cause severe abnormalities.
Thanks for all the advice! I have one more question...
Have you experienced any side effects with Implanon? Weight gain, acne, ovarian cysts, new lumps on breasts, etc? I'm not too concerned with heavier/lighter or even not having a period. I'm more concerned with new lumps on breasts because of the breast cancer risk in my family.
I'm confused--are you planning to TTC or go back to condoms after the 4 months, or you're only concerned about the 4 months of the Accutane treatment?
If you're considering remaining on BC for a while after the 4 months, I'll vouch for Mirena. I think you may have misheard your doctor... Mirena tends to lighten or eliminate periods altogether (I've had it for 4 years and average 2-3 light periods a year). The cramping situation will vary from woman to woman... I didn't cramp at all. If you are naturally very crampy, you may a little bit, for the days or possibly weeks after insertion... after that, for most women, it subsides. I'm acne prone as well and it hasn't affected my complexion one way or the other. I forget the hormone content of Mirena, but the dosage is very low. I haven't experienced the negatives on it as I have with other HBC.
Paragard is the non-hormonal one, which has a reputation for making one's period heavier.
If you're TTCing after the 4 months or otherwise don't want to keep whatever BC you go on now, I'd go for the patch or the ring. The IUD is intended as a long-term thing (as in, years), so it'd be kind of silly to put it in and take it out a few months later... unless your insurance covers it really well... then, who cares! You are fertile as soon as it's removed--no "coming down" time, or whatever the proper term is.
I wasn't a huge fan of the patch when I was on it (it itched, slid around, fell off, didn't hold up in the shower, clung to my clothes, and was generally annoying), but if I only had to be on it for 4 months, I would happily deal. I haven't tried the ring to give any anecdotal advice. The shot, though, made my life hell... and most of the women I know who've tried it, hated it. Crazy mood swings, irritable, and just plain not fun to be around.
What about something like sponges + condoms? Is that kosher?
I'm just concerned for the 4 months that I'm on Accutane. Also, I would love to only use condoms, but I was told that it is not enough protection. iPledge, the company that regulates Accutane gave me a list on birth control options. My problem is, that I have a blood clotting disorder, so I cannot have any estrogen. So, my only options are Mirena, Paragard, the shot, Implanon, or abstain for 4 months. I can't use mini pills because they aren't as effective. Those are the "primary" options. You have to use a secondary option as well. So, it would have to be sponges, condoms, caps, etc.
The reason why they make you have two forms of BC is because of the severe birth defects. Before I can fill my prescription, I have to answer what forms of BC I'm using and answer questions. It's pretty crazy what they make you do, but I guess it's better than getting KU.
I will probably do Mirena and keep it in for a year or so, depending on how my body reacts to it. Thanks for the advice Jengi!!
I have Mirena, but I agree with PPs that it's not worth it for 4 months. Mine was more expensive because I had a c-section before so I had to get an ultrasound to get it put in (those things are so expensive....), but even without that it's about $500 to get one of those things. So if you have any type of deductible on your insurance, definitely not worth it.
However, for later on in life when you're looking for long term, I love my IUD. I've had it for almost a year. I used to have a BAAAAAD monthly cycle (I'm talking 10 days, extremely heavy...it was ridiculous lol) and now I'm down to only having my cycle for one day, or maybe only spotting for 1 day and that's it. So I'm assuming if you had it any better then I did, you probably wont have a cycle at all after a while (it did take a few months for my cycle to die down to that much). The only downside I have had is that my acne has gotten AWFUL. I thought it was just me for a while, although I didn't understand it because I've ALWAYS had really clear skin, but then after I got my IUD I started getting pretty bad acne, and I did some research and the IUD can do that to ya. Boo!
But, other then that, love it. =]
I am on Depo right now...
Pros:
Sometimes no period
No cramping
Given every three months, so I don't have to try to remember taking it on a daily basis
Cons:
Slight weight gain
Very irregular period when I do get it
Long periods when I get them (about 2 weeks)
I got pregnant with my daughter while I had the Mirena IUD.
Depo was a nightmare for me. I was on it for about a year when we first got married and it almost caused a divorce. I was so moody, no sex drive, gained a ton of weight. I was so mean and cranky on it, it was ridiculous. As soon as I stopped it, I felt like a totally different person. I would not recommend it to anyone.