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wanting to switch birth controls! help!
Hey ladies,
I have been on yaz for about a year and a half now. I love that it keeps my skin clear and makes my periods so light and short. Those are effects I'd like to keep if possible when trading. However, there are other side effects that are bothering me, and it's gotten to the point that I can't take it anymore! I have gained some weight, which isn't the biggest issue, but it definitely isn't a good thing (probably talking like 5-7 pounds here, but I'm short, so that shows easily on me).
The bigger issues are: nausea, breast tenderness, and lower libido. I didn't really notice a dramatic change in my libido because until I got married about 5 weeks ago, I was a virgin. I did notice that when we would "fool around" (which was not going very far, but still...) I wouldn't feel turned on anymore. It's definitely effecting me and it's hard on my husband, who has been so sweet and patient through all of this. I just feel like I need to switch, because we should be in the bedroom a lot more as newlyweds who have waited to have sex all of our lives! Not only that, but the breast tenderness is bothering me quite a bit and the nausea is really annoying because I'll get super sick and dizzy and feel like puking at random times in the day, when I really need to stay on task/keep working...
What birth controls do you suggest? I'm making my first appointment with a gynecologist, so she will be able to help me, but I'd like to have a few suggestions going into the appointment to ask her about. My sister in law suggest a low-dosage-estrogen level birth control? My other sister in law suggested nuva-ring. I must admit I'm kind of afraid of the ring haha. I want something with way less side effects. I know it varies per person, but maybe you could tell me your experiences with ones you like?
Oh, and I'm one to get over-worked about health risks, so please don't tell me the really dramatic stories and conditions that yaz can give you, I know they exist, and I don't want to freak myself out!!
Thanks 
Re: wanting to switch birth controls! help!
He's 100% incorrect on this one. BC pills stop your ovaries from ovulating, i.e. sending the egg down the tubes. You can't implant what's not there to begin with. Basically, the hormones tell your body it already did that even though it didn't.
If you ask me don't try the Depo shot. I just switched birth controls from the pill to the shot bc my schedule is so busy I would foeget to take the stupid pill. So I figured, the shot is once every 2 months that's awesome. I didn't focus on the fact that the side effects were wieght gain, heavier periods, and bleeding in between periods! I got every single one! I gained 5 pounds, and I've been bleeding now for 3 freaking weeks! I gonna change my birth control, again. That's my warning to you. Good luck!
I was on Yaz and had negative symptoms (extreme fatigue, moodiness) but I've been on Junel 20fe (the generic version of Loestrin 24Fe) on and off for about 5 years now. The pill isn't my absolute dream BC but it works for my life right now.
The hormones in Birth control pills, the ring, IUD, the patch, etc work in three different ways:
1. They stop ovulation so that there is no egg to be fertilized
2, They thicken the cervical mucus so that it is harder for sperm to move through to get unto the uterus/fallopian tubes
3. They thin the lining of the uterus so that it is more difficult for a fertilized egg (which shouldn't be there in the first place if you've taken the pill on time and it prevented ovulation, and the thickening of the cervical mucus should have prevented a sperm from getting there anyway) to attach to the uterus.
If any of these are things you're not comfortable with, you should consider non-hormonal birth control - condoms (possibly with spermicide), FAM (make sure you REALLY know what you're doing and are on top of your body before you depend on this), etc. I don't really know anyone personally who uses diaphragms, female condoms, etc.
Do your research. plannedparenthood.org is a good website because it shows you how each method works, their pros and cons, the cost and the possible side effects.
I am on Mirena( an IUD). I have been on it for 11 months now and it has been great. It is fantastic if you don't plan on having kids for a while because it last for 5 years. It is a small contraption that looks like a wish bone that a Dr. inserts in you. It is uncomfortable but painless and the whole procedure takes less than 5 mins. The only negative part has been that I had light spotting for 2 months straight but now my periods are extremely light and last no longer than 3 days.
I will say that the Dr. did tell me that it is recommended for people who have already had kids and every one I know who has it has already had kids but it works for me and my lifestyle.
I'm just curious why you assume your BC is causing your symptoms? If you've been feeling this way the whole time you've been on it, I guess I get it, but I still don't get why you'd put up with that for a year and a half. Just make sure you discuss all your symptoms with your gyno.
That said, I use NuvaRing and I adore it. I was never good at taking my pill (which was Yasmin), and with NuvaRing I only have to remember twice a month (putting it in and taking it out). I also have shorter periods with NuvaRing than a did with Yasmin (which was still shorter than my natural periods).
Source: twoscottiesgal.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest