Birth Control Methods

[Flybigirlsea]

This one is for the ladies out there...

Went to the doctor today to have my "girl parts" check-up and he told me he would like to see me quit using birth control pills and switch to something else. He suggested an IUD but I am not too sure about that. Have heard some negatives. Would love to hear what you use, side effects and how you like it. Does anyone use implants or the patch?

Thanks in advance.

 

[SweetErika]

Why did he say you'd have to quit using the pill?

If it's an issue with hormones, Nuvaring, the patch and Mirena (the IUD w/ hormones vs. one that only works mechanically) will all be off the table as well. That would leave you with an IUD, barrier methods or sterilization as options.

 

[Flybigirlsea]

Sometimes my breasts get very tender...th Dr thought it could be my BC pills. Told me I could change types but also suggested another method could help.

 

[SweetErika]

Honestly, I'd suggest exhausting your other options (something with lower hormones, etc.) before you jump into an IUD just because there's a much higher potential for problems and more severe side effects from an IUD and it's not like you can just quit taking it if you're having issues.

I took the pill for nearly a decade, and over that time I realized my body was so sensitive to the hormones that I needed like the lowest dose monophasic pill possible. When I stopped, I felt A LOT better in general. We used condoms from that point until we were TTC and they never failed us. Yes, bareback is preferable, BUT when it came down to how I felt all the time vs. using condoms for up to an hour a week total, going with that method was a no-brainer (I can't do other barrier methods because I'm allergic to spermicide).

 

[Flybigirlsea]

Thank you for your input Erica, I am really up in the air on what to do. The Dr also suggested condoms as an option but I hate to go that route because it seems to make sex so intentional. I also have had an issue with latex. I will not rule that out though and I do appreciate you.
Thanks

 

[bbw4youngercocks1]

There's the diaphragm, but that can get pretty messy, plus you'd need to leave it in about 12-24 hours after having sex.

 

[SweetErika]

Thank you for your input Erica, I am really up in the air on what to do. The Dr also suggested condoms as an option but I hate to go that route because it seems to make sex so intentional. I also have had an issue with latex. I will not rule that out though and I do appreciate you.
Thanks

Non-latex are more expensive, but I think the sensation is better and you could buy them in bulk online.

Is sterilization for either of you an option? If your partner doesn't want [more] kids, a vasectomy may be your best bet.

HERE is at least a partial list of pills and their dosages. I used a more comprehensive one years ago to figure my own plan out. Your pills should have hormone dosage info online (like via the drugs.com prescribing info for medical professionals) if it's not on the package. Compare it with the list, see where it falls, and maybe try lower dose pills prior to giving up on the method completely.

 

[AdjectiveNounVerb]

Non-latex are more expensive, but I think the sensation is better and you could buy them in bulk online.

Is sterilization for either of you an option? If your partner doesn't want [more] kids, a vasectomy may be your best bet.

Lifestyles Skyn brand (including their Large size) are non-latex and not noticeably more expensive than several latex brands, especially if you wait until they're on sale and then buy several boxes.

Is it true that doctors won't put an IUD or an implant in until you've already had a pregnancy? I've heard that (or hitting an age threshold) is required for tubal ligation/vasectomy.

And has there ever been any truth to that rumor I hear ever year or two that some reversible spermicidal treatment men would be able to take is in clinical testing?

 

[Lord Pmann]

Lifestyles Skyn brand (including their Large size) are non-latex and not noticeably more expensive than several latex brands, especially if you wait until they're on sale and then buy several boxes.

Is it true that doctors won't put an IUD or an implant in until you've already had a pregnancy? I've heard that (or hitting an age threshold) is required for tubal ligation/vasectomy.

And has there ever been any truth to that rumor I hear ever year or two that some reversible spermicidal treatment men would be able to take is in clinical testing?

Doctors normally won't do the IUD thing if you've never had kids, unless there are other circumstances. My wife was never pregnant but she had one. She basically told the doctor that she wanted me to get a vasectomy and they suggested the IUD instead. She had that in for about a year and hated it. It screwed with her hormones a bit. It decreased her libido as well.

I got a vasectomy at age 27 (and I have no kids). They don't tend to do them on younger people unless you can convince them that you don't want kids. My doctor was cool and didn't give me any crap. But I know a couple friends who really got crap from their doctors about it and they have kids. But if you find a good doctor and really explain why a vasectomy is the best option, they should oblige. If you don't want kids, there is no better way to go. Sure if felt like a donkey kicked my balls for about a month, but the fact that I can have sex now and not worry about it sprouting legs makes it all worth it.

 

[desertslave]

If his or hers sterilization isn't an option, an IUD might be a good choice. As was already pointed out, there ARE risks. I had one for about 3 years and it wasn't bad at all. I did have a 2 month period of adjustment, with heavier periods and cramping, but then it settled down and all was well and I had much lighter periods (which was part of the goal for me at the time). I did have the Mirena, and it was considered to be a viable option when the pill wasn't, anymore. (I was getting migraines.)

One caution...if you smoke, do not use a hormone based contraceptive. While the risk is statistically low, it can cause all sorts of problems. I haven't smoked in over 20 years, but I went on a low-dose pill for hormone replacement, and promptly ended up in the hospital with blood clots in my lungs. I'm lucky to be alive, so I've been told.

 

[Carnevil9]

I'd be remiss if I failed to point out that blowjobs are the best form of contraception.

 

[Flybigirlsea]

Thanks everyone who has offered a "serious" reply. A diaphragm really isn't an option because of the inconvenience but I do appreciate the suggestion. A vasectomy also isn't a consideration because even though I am married I am separated and I am not monogamous. I have considered a tubal ligation but not sure Iam emotionally ready for that.

 

[Flybigirlsea]

Non-latex are more expensive, but I think the sensation is better and you could buy them in bulk online.

Is sterilization for either of you an option? If your partner doesn't want [more] kids, a vasectomy may be your best bet.

HERE is at least a partial list of pills and their dosages. I used a more comprehensive one years ago to figure my own plan out. Your pills should have hormone dosage info online (like via the drugs.com prescribing info for medical professionals) if it's not on the package. Compare it with the list, see where it falls, and maybe try lower dose pills prior to giving up on the method completely.

Erica...thank you so much for your research. It is VERY informative and helpful. My answer probably lies on the charts and I intend to research those.

 

[Flybigirlsea]

If his or hers sterilization isn't an option, an IUD might be a good choice. As was already pointed out, there ARE risks. I had one for about 3 years and it wasn't bad at all. I did have a 2 month period of adjustment, with heavier periods and cramping, but then it settled down and all was well and I had much lighter periods (which was part of the goal for me at the time). I did have the Mirena, and it was considered to be a viable option when the pill wasn't, anymore. (I was getting migraines.)

One caution...if you smoke, do not use a hormone based contraceptive. While the risk is statistically low, it can cause all sorts of problems. I haven't smoked in over 20 years, but I went on a low-dose pill for hormone replacement, and promptly ended up in the hospital with blood clots in my lungs. I'm lucky to be alive, so I've been told.

Slave, thanks for your response. Smoking is not an issue for me and I am so glad you are alright today. A question I have is could your partner feel it...did he find it objectionable? I have heard that could be a problem

 

[Lord Pmann]

Slave, thanks for your response. Smoking is not an issue for me and I am so glad you are alright today. A question I have is could your partner feel it...did he find it objectionable? I have heard that could be a problem

I could feel my wife's every once in a while. It did hurt when I hit it. It felt like a fishing wire. It was not pleasant. It hurt. But in all the time she had it I felt it maybe five times. It's not enough to stop me from having sex. But then again a bee could be stinging my eye and I'd keep going.

 

[Flybigirlsea]

I could feel my wife's every once in a while. It did hurt when I hit it. It felt like a fishing wire. It was not pleasant. It hurt. But in all the time she had it I felt it maybe five times. It's not enough to stop me from having sex. But then again a bee could be stinging my eye and I'd keep going.

Thanks pmann, appreciate our thoughts and information. That is a concern of mine...I had heard that before

 

[Flybigirlsea]

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[unregistered]

 

[crazy_sexy_cute]

Mirena

I have had the Mirena IUD for over a year and I LOVE it. I had to get it because I cannot tolerate estrogen based birth control. It was difficult for the doctor to insert it because I haven't had kids yet. With the difficult insertion aside it is one of the BEST choices I have made. For the first few months I had really irregular periods and intervals of random cramping. I believe this is normal because you're pretty much inserted something that is going to irritate the uterus. These side effects only lasted a few months (and they weren't bad at all when they were there)

In the past few months my period has stopped completely, which is a major bonus. I still get PMSy about once per month. I don't think it has impacted my sex drive in a negative way, but everyone is different. My bf loves it too (no more condoms!).

 

[Flybigirlsea]

Thanks again for your responses and information. Everyone has been so helpfull.

 

[Flybigirlsea]

.....

 

[FoxtrotUnder]

If you can get a man to go on a Papaya seed eating routine it will sterilize temporarily til he quits a daily regiment. You can usually find em at health food or vitamin stores.

I've personally been looking into the copper iud. I'm not too fond of the hormone idea. but I can hold off almost another year.... I'm pretty terrified about the pain as I am very tender and jumpy at the ob to begin With. I've heard many bad things about implanon (the stick in thee arm) from it not working to rejecting to bad reactions. I've heard many good about Minerva.

 

[Alcinder]

I've had a Mirena and Paragard IUDs. They absolutely will put them in pre-kids, check Planned Parenthood. I got my first one pre-kids, and that was in 2001 or 2002, and they've liberalized the standards since then.

I've done the Pill, condoms, Depo, and NFP. IUDs are the best, I'll never use anything else.

Ask them to put Cervadil on you to help open your cervix, take painpills beforehand, and ask for a lidocaine shot. You'll be fine.

The Pill has a 10% *actual use* failure rate. IUDs have a failure rate that's a teensy bit better than a tubal ligation. Plus, Mirena has a very, VERY low dose or hormones, and Paragard has none, so it's not a libido killer.

 

[Yttac93]

Implanon or nexplanon are the best, they pop it in your arm, it's bruised for a few days but you don't have to think about it for 3 years! I have no periods and feel greeeat!

 

[BiMommy77]

even though I am married I am separated and I am not monogamous.

interesting....