Birth Control

aeroluv327 · April 2012

For those of you not TTC, what kind of birth control do you use?

My physical is tomorrow and I want to ask my doctor about going off the pill. I'm really bad about remembering to take it on time. Also, since I have a family history of high blood pressure and stroke, I worry about my risk while taking hormonal bc.

jerseygirl81 · April 2012

I have the paraguard IUD. I chose it because it's the only non-permanent non-hormonal option out there. I spent 10+ years of my life on hormonal birth control, and went I went off of it (originally to TTC) I felt so different - I like feeling like myself.

I haven't had any negative side-effects. Maybe a slightly heavier period on days 1-2, but nothing unmanageable.

GRKaters · April 2012

I went off BCP years ago when it was making my blood pressure rise steadily. Once I was off, it went back down to my normal range, even a little better, and my moods equalized a ton. DH noticed a huge difference. Now, well, we're just glad neither of us is allergic to latex.

firsttimersluck · April 2012

I have my cell programmed to have an alarm go off at the same time every day so I never forget to take the pill...

My BCP is Loestrin24 and it's amazing. I haven't had a period in 2ish years, no cramps, no PMS, no anything. It started out as just a two day period once a month.. and then fizzled down to nothing. I was totally freaked out and went to my doc to ask what the deal was and she said it was totally normal with this kind because of how low the estrogen is, your bod just basically realizes what you're doing and it decides it doesn't want to waste the eggs on nothing.. so it just .. stops. (obviously there is more science to it, but that's the easiest way to put it).

Susie Derkins · April 2012

I take a low dose pill.

Brie2010 · April 2012

I successfully TTA using charting for over a year. We also used condoms for the first few months until I knew what I was doing.

MissChelsea · April 2012

Second vote for ParaGard here. I had mine placed almost 6 years ago. The first few months, I had more cramping than usual with my periods and much heavier periods than I was used to. By the end of the first year, I was back to normal. I haven't had any problems with it since, and I love that it's non-hormonal.

KatiesCats · April 2012

MissChelsea:
Second vote for ParaGard here. I had mine placed almost 6 years ago. The first few months, I had more cramping than usual with my periods and much heavier periods than I was used to. By the end of the first year, I was back to normal. I haven't had any problems with it since, and I love that it's non-hormonal.

Me three! I had a b!tch of a time with it at first (like, insertion was NBD, but the first several months of periods were like there was a machete in my uterus...it was awful), but 14 months out, I'm loving it. H can feel the strings sometimes, but now that the period is back to normal, it's a small price to pay for nearly foolproof, non-hormonal, non-permanent BC.

Before the IUD, we used condoms successfully for 5 years.

Arterr0 · April 2012

Another vote for Paragard. I've had it for two years and have been very happy with it. I initially had issues with getting my doctor to agree to insert it since I haven't had children, so I found a new doctor that would insert. No complaints on my side.

Meinschatz11 · April 2012

Brie2010:
I successfully TTA using charting for over a year. We also used condoms for the first few months until I knew what I was doing.

We also did this.

starletcarly · April 2012

I got a mirena about 3 weeks ago. Most painful thing ever (I've never been pregnant), but I'm already happy with my decision.

taratru · April 2012

We avoided with charting and condoms for about 4 years. Now I'm fixed. Smile

kimsy · April 2012

Minipill, since I'm BFing. But I plan to either get a Paraguard or a Norplant after I finish. I actually had an appointment to get the PG, but I chickened out because the chances of perforation are apparently higher if you get it while BFing.

Jenni232323 · April 2012

firsttimersluck:

I have my cell programmed to have an alarm go off at the same time every day so I never forget to take the pill...

My BCP is Loestrin24 and it's amazing. I haven't had a period in 2ish years, no cramps, no PMS, no anything. It started out as just a two day period once a month.. and then fizzled down to nothing. I was totally freaked out and went to my doc to ask what the deal was and she said it was totally normal with this kind because of how low the estrogen is, your bod just basically realizes what you're doing and it decides it doesn't want to waste the eggs on nothing.. so it just .. stops. (obviously there is more science to it, but that's the easiest way to put it).

Same for me, except I'm on Micronor. The cell reminder is great since it's pretty important to take it within about 10 minutes of the same time each day with this type.

rxbeth · April 2012

I TTA through charting and using condoms for a year and half before we TTC. Right now we can't have sex until I'm cleared at my PP appointment and, believe me, I do NOT want any more kids at this point. We will likely just be using condoms again. I hated how I felt on hormonal BCP.

aeroluv327 · April 2012

Thank you so much! Like I said, I will talk to my doctor about different options but was curious about what my health-minded cohorts had to say.

StingShark425 · April 2012

I just picked up a script for prevefim - which after reading reviews on it, i'm a little anxious to start taking it.

We've used condoms for the last year, but those are getting expensive & annoying.

I'm WAY to paranoid to try charting.

daves_sweetpea · April 2012

Mirena. First few days sucked, first few months had their bad moments, but it got so much better. The little bit of hormones don't bother me and I haven't used anything more than a pantyliner in a very long time. I was leary of Paraguard b/c I heavy, awful, 10 day periods when I was a teen and I didn't want to risk going back to that. I will never ever go back on the pill. I didn't realize how crummy i felt until I was off of them. In the end it's sometimes trial & error to find what works for you & makes you happy. I know some people hate Mirena but love Paraguard or vice versa, or hate both. I would try one of them for at least a few months if your OOP $ isn't a big concern. Not gonna lie-getting mine was a miserable experience compared to what other women report and I'm not looking forward to removal but in the end I'm glad I did it.

Flamingo86 · April 2012

I hated the pill. We use condoms.

saraboston · April 2012

I love my NuvaRing! No pills to remember, lowest dose hormones.

saraboston · April 2012

Eta: I tried to have an IUD placed back in grad school (before I had ever been PG) it was so awful. It hurt like nothing I've ever felt... They couldn't even get it in, that's when I started on the NuvaRing.

kirkette · April 2012

After a short unsuccessful stint with the mini pill, we used condoms for about 1 year and 1/2 after Kirklette was born. I recently went back to the patch, and will probably stick with that until next summer.

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