Experiences with birth control

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  • I love the nuvaring. I was on yasmin before and I developed terrible moodswings and depression. On the nuvaring I have even moods and a very good sex drive
  • A bit of a long story for me...

    I was on the pill when I was younger to help control my acne. I gained a bunch of weight and eventually just went off it because I felt I was too young (13-14) - I was probably around 170lbs by now.

    When I was 18, I went on the patch (Orthro-Evra?) and was on that for almost 4 years. I enjoyed it because my periods were always predictable (almost to the day), It was easy to apply and I could see it - so I knew it was there and "working". My periods were always normal - 3-7 days, mild, no cramping, no headaches, no bloating, etc. As a girl, I couldn't really complain.

    In February of 2010, I decided I wanted something different as I was getting older and thinking about my future. I knew I didn't want kids so I wanted a more 'permanent' solution. My Dr suggested the Mirena IUD and I got it a couple weeks later. I don't have kids so to me, it was very painful to put in, but it subsided after a couple days with Tylenol and everything seemed to go well.

    I have not had a period since my insertion (Feb 2010). My moods were okay in the beginning but within the past 6 months, they've been so wacky I'm not sure what to think about the IUD anymore. It is nice that you don't have to worry about it and you can leave it in for 5 years, but it's not cutting it for me. Another problem is that I have wayyyyy too much lubrication during sex that it becomes un-enjoyable and just annoying! It's more frustrating than ever since he has problems feeling me

    I am young, 22, but I know kids are not in my future (my fiancée already has 2 kids) so I'm already in the works with my Dr to get my tubes tied.
  • Quote: My friend had implanon and liked it, too.
    My doctor only highlighted that it was better for women who had already had children, but she made it seem like it was discouraged for young women without children because it would make them feel like it was okay to sleep around or something.
    From what I've read, there are actual risks for women without children like sudden expulsion and uterus irritation. Some also have issues with having it inserted. I don't see how an IUD would encourage sleeping around any more than other BC's.

    With that being said, I have the Paragard (completely non-hormone, copper IUD) and have since I've been 19. No problems. No children prior to insertion.
  • I heard about the sudden expulsion for women without children. That alone is enough to deter me.
  • I was on the pill for 8 years and just got a Paragard (copper IUD) put in about a month ago. It's fantastic! No hormones, no pill to remember (although I can honestly say I never missed a single pill) and no condoms to "pause" for. I can't attest to the heavier periods because I'm nursing and so am not menstruating. In fact, I've been either pregnant or nursing since Feb 2008 and have only had one period in that time. But, it hasn't caused weight problems, libido issues or the like.