Thinking of stopping birth control pills...

[jiggles]

but am totally scared of other birth control methods! I am completely freaked out by the thought of ending up pregnant. I am 36 (and still don't know if I ever want kids) and have been on the pill since I was 17 (started it to regulate my periods) so obviously I know it works for me since I've never even had a pregnancy scare.

I'm thinking of getting off them because over the last 2 or 3 years I've started to really worry about what the hormones are doing to me. I think I have developed a slight case of melasma (and am worried about it getting worse) because I have some skin discoloration on my forehead & my upper lip. I can still cover it pretty well with makeup but sometimes I think my upper lip looks dirty since I know it's there. A doctor switched me to Ortho Tri-Cylen Lo last May but it didn't help. My new doctor this year just started me on a different low estrogen pill (because I needed to switch to a generic brand due to an insurance change) which I just started yesterday. I'm doubting that will help though.

Also, over the last year or so I may have become hypothyroid and even though I haven't found a true correlation between the pill and hypothyroidism I'm still thinking that the pill can't help. 2 doctors that have tested me do not seem real concerned about my test results although after the reading I've done online I'm thinking they should be more concerned.

Anyway, my SO even thinks I should get off it but I've read about all the different methods but I'm so scared of ending up pregnant with something else. I know the Paragard IUD is non-hormonal but that thing scares the crap outta me after reading some of the stories.

I just really don't know what to do. Everything else feels so scary but staying on the pill feels kind of scary too.

Anyone have any thoughts or experience with other methods and did NOT end up pregnant until you were ready?

[jillybean720]

Have you tried a "mini pill?" They are progestin only, no estrogen. I was on that for I think about two years and didn't have any pregnancy scares. It's just as effective as regular birth control pills IF you actually take them at the SAME TIME every day - it is pickier that way. The more "off" you are about when you take them, the less effective they are.

I prefer the NuvaRing. It does still have hormones, but they are locally released directly into your vagina, so not so many of the hormones are coarsing through your entire body. Might be worth a try.

I haven't had any IUDs because I just had my first baby, and I didn't want an IUD without having had children yet.

BTW, I'm almost 30 and have been on hormonal birth control since 2 weeks after my 16th birthday (for ovarian cyst prevention).

[jiggles]

Thanks for the reply. I've never tried the mini pill. I wonder why the doctor didn't suggest it since she's the one who said that it's the estrogen that causes skin pigmentation. I will have to ask her about that one.

[Khewes]

What about the non-hormone IUD? I don't know the name of it, I'm past childbearing phase, since I had my hysterectomy, but I think it's still around. The Mirena is the one with the hormone, that I do know.

[tulipsandroses]

Are you and your s/o open to using condoms?

I haven't used pills in many many years. Hated the way they made me feel and always gained weight. No matter how long I was on them, the nausea never subsided so I quit taking them. I have been using condoms ever since.

[DisneyPrincess]

I had the copper IUD called para guard. Non hormonal and stays in 10 years

[JaxonsMomma2012]

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

I had the copper IUD called para guard. Non hormonal and stays in 10 years

DP... did u still have a period with Paraguard? Did it have any weight gain issues? I was gonna do Mirena after the baby but am curious the benefits of Paraguard vs Mirena

[JaxonsMomma2012]

Originally Posted by jillybean720

Have you tried a "mini pill?" They are progestin only, no estrogen. I was on that for I think about two years and didn't have any pregnancy scares. It's just as effective as regular birth control pills IF you actually take them at the SAME TIME every day - it is pickier that way. The more "off" you are about when you take them, the less effective they are.

I prefer the NuvaRing. It does still have hormones, but they are locally released directly into your vagina, so not so many of the hormones are coarsing through your entire body. Might be worth a try.

I haven't had any IUDs because I just had my first baby, and I didn't want an IUD without having had children yet.

BTW, I'm almost 30 and have been on hormonal birth control since 2 weeks after my 16th birthday (for ovarian cyst prevention).

Ive heard mini-pill is good since alot of women use it right after pregnancy due to it being able to be used while breastfeeding.

Oh and theres also Implanon... thats the arm implant. I havent heard much about that tho and it doesnt seem super popular

[DisneyPrincess]

Originally Posted by JaxonsMomma2012

DP... did u still have a period with Paraguard? Did it have any weight gain issues? I was gonna do Mirena after the baby but am curious the benefits of Paraguard vs Mirena

Yes to period no to weight gain. There are NO hormones so it affects you in no way at all except to prevent pregnancy.

Mirena I heard can stop your period but you get similar issues as with the pill because of the hormones. Plus para guard lasts 10 years and Mirena only 5

[JaxonsMomma2012]

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

Yes to period no to weight gain. There are NO hormones so it affects you in no way at all except to prevent pregnancy.

Mirena I heard can stop your period but you get similar issues as with the pill because of the hormones. Plus para guard lasts 10 years and Mirena only 5

Hmmmm... I liked not having a period when I was on Depo...cuz my periods were painful and I just hate them. Lol so I guess we'll see. Might stick with Mirena but Imma keep researching.