I am a 25 year old straight female and have never had children. I am in a long-term relationship and have been using hormonal birth control for a year and a half. I took the Pill for about a year and gained weight, was moody, and have experienced quite a bit of anxiety as well. I talked to my doctor about using something non-hormonal and was sure I wanted to try the IUD. She was supportive and had me try the Ring for a few months to see if I liked that and if not, we would try the IUD. Well, I just scheduled a time to insert the IUD and now I am having second thoughts.
I am sure I really don't want any more hormonal birth control. It really screws me up and I don't think it's something I would be comfortable using long term since I am really into natural living. But I am nervous about the IUD. With a previous partner we just used condoms and I never got pregnant or had any scares. Ideally, I would go to just using condoms again but I do worry about getting pregnant.
I am really tired of obsessing about these decisions and feeling like I have no choice but to pump my bodies full of hormones or risk some of the negative side effects of IUDs. Any thoughts or experiences you all would be willing to share would be greatly appreciated!
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People are going to start thinking I'm a shill for Mirena because I take every opportunity here in the comments to recommend it and other IUDs. I am seriously in love with mine.
You didn't mention which IUD you were interested in. Here in the US (I don't know where you're from) there are two options, the Paraguard copper IUD and the Mirena IUS. The Paraguard works by creating a hostile environment to any fertilized eggs that make their way into the uterus, preventing implantation, and/or by killing any sperm that enter the uterus before they get to the egg. It's non-hormonal, but has some side-effects of heavier bleeding and more cramps. However, as a member of IUD_divas LiveJournal community, there are many posters there who say that their periods aren't much worse than they were before Paraguard and that the more negative side effects of cramping and bleeding go away after 6 months or so.
The Mirena, which I have, does have low levels of progestogens that are released directly into the uterus. They are still hormones, but are not estrogen. People who are sensitive to estrogen might not have issues with the Mirena. This is called an intra uterine system (IUS) because of the hormones. It works by thickening the cervical plug, preventing sperm from entering the uterus, and by thinning the lining of the uterus so that any fertilized eggs cannot implant. Most women on Mirena ovulate naturally, however, because of the thin lining of the uterus, there is nothing to shed, so no periods! I haven't had a period since March (the month I got my Mirena) and feel great about my decision.
The nice think about IUDs is that you put them in and really don't have to think about contraception again because they are fool-proof once successfully inserted and are 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Condoms are fine. They were for me until I had just that one scare. I hated remembering to take the pill. There are costs and benefits to all of your contraception options. But, personally, getting an IUD has been the best option for me and I really recommend it to others.
Since you seem to know a lot about the IUDs from personal experience you mind if I ask a couple of questions? I, like the OP, am also really tired of taking the pill and am not comfortable with using just condoms (and I don't even wanna bother with the NuevaRing), and I have thought about IUDs but never ask my doctor about it. The commercials always go on about it being for women who have already had a baby etc so I haven't really felt like asking. Does it make a difference if you haven't had any children? And are there any negative side effects of the Mirena IUS? And how easy is it to get an OB/GYN to give you an IUD? I've heard that alot of OB/GYNs get difficult when it comes to giving IUDs to women without children. Any advice on any of that? You just seem like you know your stuff and it's kind of hard to find really truthful information about this kind of stuff on the internet. :)
The commercials say that they're recommended for women with children because that's who they've been clinically tested on. However, a great deal of women on the community I frequent are nullparous (NP, never been pregnant) and doing just great with IUDs. Some doctors won't put them in women who haven't had children because they're not up-to-date on the information that NP women do just as well with IUDs as women with children. From the stories I've read, it seems like having been pregnant makes insertion a lot easier.
The side effects include spotting, irregular periods, no periods (which is a GOOD side effect for me), some cramping, and any issues if women don't do well with progesterone.
As far as finding a doctor, you're right, some are not fully aware of the newest research and won't do it. However, a lot of Planned Parenthoods have people who are very experienced in placing IUDs if ObGyns in your area won't do it. I lucked out. The Gyn I was referred to had placed hundreds and didn't even blink when I asked for one. It seems that the doctors with the most experience have the least issues with patients expelling their IUDs from what I've read. If you call Gyns and ask upfront if they place IUDs for NP women, they should tell you so that you don't waste your time with a trip over there. The best advice I can give is to be up-to-date on the newest research about IUDs and its benefits, even for NP women and if you come to some roadblocks, find more knowledgeable and women-friendly sources for the IUD.
The community I talked about is here: http://community.livejournal.com/iud_divas/
i was going to mention the copper IUD - however, women with known metal sensitivity - like you have to wear "sensitive" earrings, or even react to those (i fall in this category) - are advised against the metal IUD or the essure tubal procedure.
Just one woman's opinion -- but I didn't care for the ring very much. Not to be too graphic (hopefully), but my husband kept removing it with his *ahem* when he'd get in deep ... which is an unfortunate interruption at that particular moment. I preferred the pill. Never tried an IUD, though.
kbz
I'm on the pill myself and I'm looking around at alternatives as well for the same reasons you state. Also, I'm getting up there in age and they aren't recommended for women over 35. I can't afford much right now and I don't look forward to changing my hormone levels by experimenting too much but I'm looking at IUDs or possibly a diaphram.
There's always condoms, true, and I can't help but wonder what all these varieties feel like. But, my husband and I had so many problems with them when we first became intimate. Mostly sizing issues, which a couple of virgins aren't going to know about off the bat. So, understandably, he hates them. *shrug*
The pill is not necessarily "not recommended" for women over 35 - there's just a slightly increased risk for blood clots, which is really negligible as long as you don't smoke and don't have a history of blood clots or stroke in your family or your personal medical history. So don't think that just because you're 35, that you can't be on it. Personally, I plan on being on it forever - I don't like the fact that IUDs and the Shot make you not have periods, I like my monthly reminder that I'm not pregnant :)
Also, with condoms, most guys will fit into the normal size - these things can stretch over a person's head without breaking, so they're pretty accommodating. They're only 85% effective with typical use though, and 95% effective with perfect use (i.e. following the directions) so it's good to use a second method with them such as the pill/IUD/others!
Thanks for the input ladies! Like I said, I am set to get the IUD (copper) inserted in about a month and I am curious if anyone uses condoms only and is also in a long-term relationship.
I am! I'm debating getting an IUD myself, but for right now, my partner and I are extremely happy with just condoms. We like Lifestyles SKYN because they have a more lifelike feel.
What about condoms backed up by some sort of spermicide option: diaphragm, sponge, foam, or contraceptive film.
Here is to an interactive tool that helps you choose birth control methods based on your needs and lifestyle:
http://www.arhp.org/Publications-and-Resources/Patient-Resources/Interactive-Tools/Choosing-a-Birth-Control-Method
It helped me when I wanted to stop taking the pill. I hated the side effects (like the reduced interest in sex). As I'm married with only one partner (and I'm his only partner) it helped me coose the fertility awareness method. I track my body temperature, cervix position and mucus levels to know when I'm actually fertile. I avoid sex or use condoms on those days that I'm most like to be fertile. If used properly, it's actually as effective as condoms. Anyways, it's a great way to learn more about your body even if you are using a different birthcontrol method (where you still ovulate).
Hope that helps.
Hormonal birth control sucks for me and has turned me off of any bc methods that actually change the way my body functions. My partner and I use condoms and fertility awareness.
Since you said you'd ideally use condoms, maybe consider that as your primary method of birth control and "double up" with another one? I used a diaphragm before I had children and it was great. Or learn fertility awareness method the previous commenter described, use condoms when you're not fertile, and avoid penis-in-vagina intercourse entirely when you are fertile?
Please, never "double up" on condoms! The friction between the two can cause them to break much more easily. One condom is much safer than 2.
Oops, rereading, I can see that isn't what you meant. Sorry!
I use condoms only. I had no idea that was risky! Why is it seen as less safe? Is it that condoms are more likely to split/come off than the pill is to fail? That's all I can think of, but that's not a very likely thing to happen anyway, and at least if something happens to the condom you'll know about it in time to get the morning-after pill. I honestly had absolutely no idea anyone thought using only condoms in a long-term relationship was running a high risk of pregnancy - or even any risk at all.
It's not that condoms are bad, Rina, but even with perfect use, they are less effective than other methods (more likely to break, slip off, etc, plus just general effectiveness). The Pill, when used perfectly is very effective, and IUDs are pretty much always used perfectly because once they're inserted there's nothing else you have to do.
However, if you combine condoms with other methods of birth control, or combine any two methods, really, then your chances of accidental pregnancy become less than 1%.
The morning-after pill is a great addition to the contraceptive arsenal, but I'm uncomfortable relying on it- you never know when you're going to get a pharmacist that won't give it to you. Or even just not have time to get there (if you are going to depend on the morning after pill, buy it in advance, so you have it on hand).
Thanks for the response. I've never had any problems with condoms, and I'm lucky to live in a country and a location that would make obtaining emergency contraception easy. I was worried that perhaps there was something really bad I was overlooking.
I also only use condoms at the moment.
Honestly, it's not that big a risk and most people wouldn't consider it risky. If you use them frequently you know exactly what you're doing and mistakes don't happen nearly as often.
When I first started having sex, I had condom incidents all the time. Me and my boyfriend broke condoms, had them slide off, put them on wrong, etc. Now that I've been at it for a while, that almost never happens.
I've been on the pill for 5 years now and I am almost too scared to try anything else. But based on what some people are saying, I also have a question. Could hormonal birth control be contributing to my depression (which I am being treated for) and sexual issues?
It very well could be. I recommend reading the book "No More Periods?" by Susan Rako.
I had a friend whose IUD perforated her uterus - in the past 5 years, not in the olden days of IUD panic. It's not just the older styles that did this, although according to my OBGYN it's a pretty rare and freakish complication these days. I was thinking of trying one until I heard my friend's story. I might talk to the OBGYN about it again in the future when my friends experience isn't so fresh in my mind.
I have used NuvaRing for years and I love it. I'm in a hetero relationship and we've never had the penis ring toss thing happen, but one of my cousins told me it happened to her & her husband. I find it much easier to deal with than the pill b/c I just pop the IN/OUT stickers in my datebook and set my google calendar to remind me IN/OUT days for the ring. My fiance said that he doesn't notice the ring unless he's "really working like a lot down there" with his fingers (I just asked him, that's a quote). Otherwise he doesn't notice for most of our sexual activities.
This is timely for me as well. I was on the pill for about 10 years. I'm 40 now and have never had kids. I never had any huge complaints about the pill, but always felt better off of it. After a recent break-up, I stopped taking it. I have more energy, am less hungry, and have lost weight. Meanwhile, my younger brother just had a DVT (blood clot) in his leg. Since the pill makes it more likely to get blood clots, that sealed my decision to stop using hormonal methods of birth control.
I had my OB/GYN appointment today and asked my doctor about the copper IUD. Much to my surprise, she said she thought i was a good candidate, and to just go ahead and schedule an appointment when I wanted it put in.
She did say it makes it easier to get STD's, so I should be extra caeful about using condoms with new partners and have them get tested before we have unprotected sex.
Copper IUDs do NOT make it easier to get STDs. Women who have them may be a little more lax about using condoms since they're protected against pregnancy, which could account for increases in STDs in women with IUDs, but they do not increase the likelihood on their own.
Male pill. Now.
What about trying natural family planning backed up by withdrawal and stocking up on Plan B in case of a scare? Apparently using natural family planning is at least 90% effective. If used in conjunction with withdrawal it'll probably be just as effective as the pill (as a matter of fact some sources,like the link below, say it is as effective as the pill in and of itself.But some charts I've seen comparing it to other forms have it at only 90%). If you and your partner aren't sensitive to spermicides and they don't cause irritation they could also act as a back-up. The only down side is that from what I've read NFP may take a few minutes every morning. I believe someone wrote a community post no more than a few weeks back about their switch from pills to NFP.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070221065200.htm