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Birth Control
Hey everyone, I know there's been quite a few posts on here about this, but I thought I'd do my own. I'm trying to decide what type of birth control to use. My options are very limited.
I can't use any type of hormonal birth control because I'm on another medication that makes them not work. I also can't use a diaphragm because I'm allergic to spermicide which you have to use with it.
I have 3 options: Condoms, Natural Family Planning, or a Copper IUD.
An IUD would be the most convenient, but I've read about possible side effects and that scares me. Condoms would be the least desirable option, but we'll use them if we have to. Then there is Natural Family Planning, which I've read about but I would like to hear personal experiences.
Any advice or help you guys could give me would be great 
Re: Birth Control
What meds are you on? *Usually*, with the VERY FEW meds that make hormonal BC not work...it just makes the estrogen component least effective. But doesn't hurt how the progesterone works. So you might be able to use Mirena IUD or a Mini pill (progesterone only pill).
That's why they try to say antibiotics make BC not work (but really, only certain atypical ones-like anti-tuberculin ones-do that. They keep the estrogen part from working. All the other antibiotics it's really just a theory that they *might* make the estrogen less effective. Studies show no more pregnancies while on antibiotics than while not. The progesterone function stays the same.
So it's possible your options may be a tad bit wider
I have done the copper IUD. It made my periods monstrous. I got it out after 4 months.
I have been using Lady-comp (www.raxmedical.com) for 2 years now... and I LOVE IT!!!!....It basically gives you "green or red lights" every day... My DH and I use condoms during the 5 days we get "red lights"... we don't mind using condoms once or twice a month.
It is a little expensive, but totally worth it, and you can find it cheaper on ebay.
I'm on Trileptal. The medication increases the speed that the hormones are broken down making them less effective. I'm also about to be on anti-biotics for 6-18 months.
Thanks for your input about the copper IUD.
From everything I've read it seems like there are more cons than pros.
I'm on anti-seizure medication as well. H and I use condoms and FAM. Read Taking Charge of Your Fertility.You can use fertilityfriend.com to track on your info. and it's free.
I'm interested in what cofeee said so I think I'll research that.
I've been using Fertility Awareness for 4 years to avoid pregnancy and DH and I never want kids EVER. It absolutely works and it is the only forms of BC I trust. We use condoms before the fertile time, abstain completely during the fertile time, and go unprotected afterwards. It has worked well for us for many reasons. However, if you do want to abstain you can use a barrier method, but keep in mind that then you are basically just relying on the effectiveness of the barrier. Which for the most part is totally fine - I am just VIOLENTLY opposed to having children ever which is why we follow the rules as strictly as we do. I love it and trust it completely. 4 years and not so much as a scare!
Definitely check out the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility and the forums on tcoyf.com - it will change your life!
Best of luck!
I am currently on Yaz. I have been on it for a year, and I was concerned about it because it made my periods stop all together, which worried me sometimes. I just went to my gyno a few weels ago and I asked her about going on Mirena, which is a popular IUD. I didn't know this, but it is used mostly by women who have had at least one child. She said that the reason that they say this is that if you haven't had kids, your cervix isn't going to be as open as it would be if you had given birth, so that would make it harder and more painful to put in the IUD. Also, she said that in many women that have not had children, the uterus is alot smaller, which would make it more difficult for the IUD to stay in the uterus. That being said, it is still an option even if you haave not had kids. I choose to stay on Yaz, but you may want to discuss IUDs with the doc, there are difinitely some benefits, like not having to remember to take a pill everyday, plus your DH would probably prefer it if he didn't have to wear condoms ;-) Like you said, though, there are some scary sounding risks, like the IUD could come out of your uterus and possibly cause an infection, and if you do get pregnant while an IUD is in you, it could be very dangerous and could cause infertility.
So I understand your dilema. I don't know much about BC pills and how they interact with meds, but I think that you should ask your gyno. Maybe the first poster was right, maybe you could try a mini pill or a pill with a lower dosage of hormones. Hope this helps! Good luck!