Which birth control would you recommend?

[kamills]

I have been taking microgynon for nearly a year now. I know that it had a large part to do with my weight gain and I wanted to know if any of you had tried anything else?

I had the IUT before, but since I haven't had children, it became dislodged and fell out! I'm not going down that route again. I love being on the pill as I have extremely light periods, better skin, less PMS and I only get headaches on my 7 pill free days (which I limit to every 3 months with recommendation to do that from my doctor). I would prefer to be on a BCP which doesn't cause so much weight gain.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated. Thanks.

[kamills]

23 views and no one can even suggest anything?

[Peacesoul]

Seriously, I would suggest condoms.
I don't think BC is healthy, but that's just me

[kamills]

Thanks, but the BCP is not just about preventing pregnancies for me. I have extremely bad headaches if I'm not taking the pill. In the last 6 years of suffering from headaches, being on the pill is the only thing which has helped them. Also, I'm in a monogamous relationship, and both of us despise condoms!

Anyone else have any other suggestions?

[Peacesoul]

Well you're pretty limited. There are not too many forms of BC

Pill
Condoms
abstinence
or getting your tubes tied

Maybe talk to a hormone specialist about your headaches and bad pms.
But it sounds like you've already decided on the BCP?!

[CaitSith]

Umm..HI I tend not to post outside of my journal due the high flame rate on this site..but since you asked..

I have been on the depo shot for several years, as my doctor directed. I dont have periods, I am hormonally stable and I did not gain weight when I started taking it. Of course, every method of BC has different side effects on different people. I have heard women say they have had weight gain, bloat, acne probs etc..Its very individual. I only know what has worked for me. I would recommend doing your research on it first or ask your physician what he/she thinks of the depo shot.

Please no flames people...she asked for suggestions.

[Peacesoul]

who was flaming?!

[Wifey]

DO NOT GET A MIRENA!!! OMG I'm so paying for that thing!!

[CaitSith]

Originally Posted by Peacesoul

who was flaming?!

Actually I wasnt referring to you. I mean the flame rate, in general.

[Wifey]

I heard Yaz is good. I can't take BC pills because I have high bp and get horrible migraines from them.

[northernstar]

There are SO many forms of birth control, both hormonal and non-hormonal. Talk to your doctor.

It is OK to feel better on hormonal birth control. I know a lot of ladies on this site have had bad experiences with it, but everyone is different. I personally feel much better using hormonal BC. My periods are lighter, cramps are gone, irritability gone, general crappy feeling gone. I feel great.

I use NuvaRing, works exactly the same as BC pill, but it is a ring you insert. You cannot feel it all. Just pop it in, then pop it out 3 weeks later and have your period, then use a new one. It costs the same as well. I LOVE it, and everyone I have talked to that has used it has also loved it.

Just gotta find what works for you. It is totally normal to have to try a few different things before you find something.

[northernstar]

Originally Posted by Peacesoul

Well you're pretty limited. There are not too many forms of BC

Pill
Condoms
abstinence
or getting your tubes tied

Maybe talk to a hormone specialist about your headaches and bad pms.
But it sounds like you've already decided on the BCP?!

Just had to point out - it's not the 1960s anymore. There are DOZENS of different forms of BC.
You left out:
- the ring
- the patch
- Depo (shot)
- cervical cap/diaphragm
- female condoms
- implanon/norplant
- IUD
- "natural" methods (i.e. rhythm method - can be quite effective if properly followed)

.... and that's all I can think of right now.

[kamills]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Come August when I return to England (currently living in South America), I'll go visit my gyno to get some advice. I've been reading up about the other methods too and out of all of them, I think the shot or BCP works for me best. Have tried the IUD, but didn't work out. I am weary of the patch because I've heard it can fall off. The ring... I hadn't heard of that but not sure I like the idea of something up there! Yaz - hmm, I think I've heard of that being the best pill... can anyone tell me more about it? Again, thanks for all the suggestions.

[chantyl03]

sounds like you're pretty set on the pill.


I use depo and love it. No cycle. If you plan on getting pregnant soon that may not be a good method, as it USUALLY takes quite a while for the fertility to bounce back. (i don't want kids, so i love that)

The ring is a great option as well, as long as u feel comfortable touching yourself. You insert it and leave it for 3 weeks. Then take it out to have your cycle. Dr. will often allow u to use it for continuous birth control as well and only have your cycle a couple of times a year.

I would also suggest implanon. It gets inserted underneath the skin of your inner arm. Stays there for 3 years and you're covered. Also known to make your cycle lighten (for some go away) with prolonged use.

If you're not having a lot of sex and don't want a hormonal method, the diaphragm or cervical cap or a lea's shield may be a good option. (in conjunction with a spermicide jelly of course).

The patch is actually pretty reliable. Just don't use oils around the patch and it'll stay stuck on the body. Best if your under 198 lbs.

[kamills]

Thanks Chantyl - that's all really helpful. I'm not thinking about having kids within the next 10 years, if ever... so it's really helpful to hear about the other forms of contraception. I'm not completely set on the BCP, I guess it's just all that I know (apart from the IUD which I'm not doing again). I like the idea of the injection or the implanon - especially if it gets rid of my periods! At the moment, I take pill packs consecutively (for about 4 months) to avoid periods and the headaches which come with them. I'll definitely keep the other options in mind and grill my gyno about them before making a concrete decision. Thanks again.

[chantyl03]

Originally Posted by kamills

Thanks Chantyl - that's all really helpful. I'm not thinking about having kids within the next 10 years, if ever... so it's really helpful to hear about the other forms of contraception. I'm not completely set on the BCP, I guess it's just all that I know (apart from the IUD which I'm not doing again). I like the idea of the injection or the implanon - especially if it gets rid of my periods! At the moment, I take pill packs consecutively (for about 4 months) to avoid periods and the headaches which come with them. I'll definitely keep the other options in mind and grill my gyno about them before making a concrete decision. Thanks again.

no problem hun! best of luck to you!

[Houston Heather]

Get him fixed. His children would all be blind, so he elected to get fixed.

DH was fixed when we got married (and he was #1) so I've never had a problem.

[CherryCola]

Do you have any PMS symptoms? Are the headaches all the time or a specific time?

If you get any kind of bloating or acne - I think Yaz or Yasmin might be a good fit. Its progestin, drospirenone, has anti androgenic properties (some progestins actually can cause androgenic symtpoms - hair growth, acne, etc,) and has diuretic properties so if you suffer any kind of bloating that may be helpful.

[kamills]

Hi Cherry, I have a feeling I went on Yasmin some years ago before getting the IUD. I went on it for acne, and I remember not ballooning in weight like I did on microgynon. I'm still on microgynon, and I don't get any symptoms really, apart from being more emotional, but that has definitely subsided the longer I've been on it. Before the pill (while I had the non-hormonal IUD) I would be on the brink of an emotional breakdown when my period came round. I notice that I eat more around my period. And the headaches are contained to the 7 pill free days. I don't get headaches during the 21 days (unless it's related to induction flu, but that's over now). Yasmin, the injection or the implant seem to be the three options which suit me best. Just need to hold out a few more months on microgynon!

[kamills]

Heather, I can't ask him to get fixed... he definitely wants children in several years. Thanks for the suggestion all the same.

[jbird3]

Just a note about Yaz though, if you are prone to any type of anxiety I would NOT take it. It gave me anxiety attacks within a week. And my dr. didn't tell me that could be one of the side affects, but when it happened I looked it up and sure enough....many people have had anxiety issues with it. But as we know all react differently...just wanted to give you a heads up if you have ever had any type of anxiety, may not be the best choice for you.

I personally lose my sex drive completely on any hormonal b/c however my periods are so bad there have been times when I bit the bullet and took it anyway. I always end up going off of it though. My husband and I use Natural Family Planning now...but you pretty much have to be perfect with it or you'll end up pregnant, like I am now.

Of everything I've tried though the NuvaRing or the Patch were probably my favorite with the least side affects.

Good luck. BTW I have three friends with the Mirena who absoluely LOVE it, so even though there have been others with issues, I've never heard one story personally of it being as terrible as it sounds. I know you said you won't go the IUD route again, but I was thinking of putting that out there for some others that may be reading this.

[Armystolehim04]

I've been on a lot of birth control
Depo,Yaz,Yasmin,Alesse,Nordette & Seasonique

My favorite was Yasmin!I was on it for a few years and decided i wanted to try Yaz.Big mistake as said above i was a nervous wreck,angry and crampy.Nordette no problem with it.I've been on Depo on two seperate times,First time it was just fine no problems at all.2 Years later i got it thinking it would be same.It was horrible i had spotting for 3 months,no sex drive and i had a migraine something i never had in my life before.The positive side to it was that i have Endometriosis but I don't know if its worth it to go back on.Im on seasonique now which is basically a seasonale generic where you have your period once a every 3 months.Im on the beginning of my 3rd month and started spotting last week now it seems its switching to a full fledged period.I usually don't get periods at all w/o BC so its strange.But I've seen many complants of breakthrough bleeding with it.

In short,My favorite was Yasmin

[misz_nk]

My gyno wanted to put me on FemCon... gave me the samples and everything and I just ended up giving them to a friend. I'm afraid of taking anything that would make such a drastic change in my body. She originally prescribed it so I would stop getting ovarian cysts.... but she never mentioned anything about PCOS...

Is it possible just to suffer from 'ovarian cysts' without having PCOS?

-confused =/

[Wifey]

Originally Posted by jbird3

Just a note about Yaz though, if you are prone to any type of anxiety I would NOT take it. It gave me anxiety attacks within a week. And my dr. didn't tell me that could be one of the side affects, but when it happened I looked it up and sure enough....many people have had anxiety issues with it. But as we know all react differently...just wanted to give you a heads up if you have ever had any type of anxiety, may not be the best choice for you.

I personally lose my sex drive completely on any hormonal b/c however my periods are so bad there have been times when I bit the bullet and took it anyway. I always end up going off of it though. My husband and I use Natural Family Planning now...but you pretty much have to be perfect with it or you'll end up pregnant, like I am now.

Of everything I've tried though the NuvaRing or the Patch were probably my favorite with the least side affects.

Good luck. BTW I have three friends with the Mirena who absoluely LOVE it, so even though there have been others with issues, I've never heard one story personally of it being as terrible as it sounds. I know you said you won't go the IUD route again, but I was thinking of putting that out there for some others that may be reading this.

Its so weird how different our bodies are when it comes to birth control. I got my Mirena taken out last month and I'm down a size in my bra and pants and have no more zits and haven't had a panic attack since.

Mirena side effects : Medications.com

[Snoot]

Birth control pills can be healthy for some women. I know several ladies whose lives have been improved by having their hormones regulated by the birth control pill (yasmin), or the IUD. Personally, birth control screws me up and causes terrible side effects for me. I guess my hormones are as normal as they should be (although I might disagree with that every once in a while - but that's just it - its only during my period, and not all the time).

I don't think anyone can really suggest anything to you - it depends on YOUR chemistry. Hopefully you have a good doctor who can work with you on finding out what works best for you.

Incidentally, I just read an article that the male birth control injection is being tested and supposedly on its way out to the market. One of the best side effects - it makes men more amorous. Lucky us!!

[italianscorpio89]

i would recommend depo shot, only becuase i have NO periods. i dont care what people think about "how good it is to have a period" i do not care i save money on pads, dont have to worry about spotting on my bed or my clothes, dont have to going to the beach and shoving a tampon in my you-know-what, or going to a pool party and saying "oh i cant im on my period", yes you will gain weigh, but then again EVERYONE is different. i have been on the shot for 2 years and i love it. i know like 6 people who got pregnant off the pill, i also love the shot because i have no acne, yea i get a pimp here and there but that's going to happen.

[searlin]

I am currently on Loestrin 24 fe. I switched to this from Seasonique. Seasonique was making very moody and emotional, my poor boyfriend! The doctor said this was because of the high estrogen levels in it. I haven't had any problems with Loestrin at all, though it doesn't completely take care of my cramps as Seasonique did. I hope this helps a little at least!

[searlin]

Originally Posted by italianscorpio89

i would recommend depo shot, only becuase i have NO periods. i dont care what people think about "how good it is to have a period" i do not care i save money on pads, dont have to worry about spotting on my bed or my clothes, dont have to going to the beach and shoving a tampon in my you-know-what, or going to a pool party and saying "oh i cant im on my period", yes you will gain weigh, but then again EVERYONE is different. i have been on the shot for 2 years and i love it. i know like 6 people who got pregnant off the pill, i also love the shot because i have no acne, yea i get a pimp here and there but that's going to happen.

Each person is different, my doctor and I talked about the shot as well. I don't know about now, but at that time my doctor wasn't comfortable with the idea of the shot, saying that she didn't feel enough research had been completed.