Minnesota-Minneapolis and St. Paul

TMI Monday - BC

Going off my discussion with Steph about birth control I would love to know what you ladies use (if anything).

I'll go first.
I was on the pill going on 6 years until this past Friday when I switched the the Nuva ring. So far I like it. I have more cramps than I did on the pill but it is awesome to not have to take a pill every day. I have 3 months worth of the ring but am not set on staying with that yet. Joe and I dont want kids for 2-5 years so I need something to keep me kid free till then.

Any rants/raves about what you have used or tried for BC?

«1

Re: TMI Monday - BC

  • edited December 2011

    I had the iud (Mirena) put in me. Stays there for 5 years. I like it. I don't have to think about taking pills everyday and buying condoms. My periods are lighter and doesn't last as long. First couple months the cramps were bad, but its gotten better. You have to check it every so often, otherwise i like it.

  • edited December 2011
    Same as above.  I've had the Mirena IUD for three years.  Lighter shorter periods and no worrying about birth control for five years at a time. 
    BFP #3 July 2012 = EDD 4/1/2013
    BFP #2 May 2012 = loss at 4w3d
    BFP #1 January 2003 = 9 year old son

    imageimage
    ? My BFP Chart
    BabyFruit Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    I've been on Trinessa (pill) for nearly 5 years now.  I haven't had any problems with it, although I do blame it for at least 10 pounds of weight gain, even though the Dr. says I'm wrong, and I have noticed that I'm more emotional since I've been on it.  I cry at the stupidest stuff now.  But as far as reliability goes, it's been fantastic.  I'm going to go off it after the wedding, though, so FI and I can work on having soem kids.  We're not getting any younger.
  • edited December 2011
    I am on Seasonque and its nice not having periods every month. I have been taking medication since I was in 4th grade so another pill in the morning is nothing.  I also get Migraines linked to hormones thus with my period and they have since stopped. YAY!!

    FI and I are also on a No Kids for 5 yrs plan. :)
  • edited December 2011
    boooo. you stole my post for tomorrow!

    Rain/Jess, do you mind me asking how much it was? Was it covered by insurance? I'm considering doing that. Obviously I'll talk to my doctor about it too, but just wondering about some real world stories.

    I started BCP (ortho) when I was 15 to attempt to help my migraines and awful cramps. I tried Nuva Ring for a few months, and thought I was dying.  So I went back t to the pil and stayed on it until last month.  Now it's just condoms.
  • hkieslinghkiesling member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I'm on the pill and DH and I don't plan on having kids, at least not at this point.  When I was in college, one of my BFFs joked about being on the "rip out your ovaries and burn your uterus" birth control plan (neither of us were "kid" people).  I thought it sounded pretty effective.
  • edited December 2011
    I'm on the pill (Junel) as well. I've taken meds for allergies since I was a little kid. So, like pp another pill really doesn't bother me. Plus, since i originally went on it for horrible cramps and long periods it's kinda my wonder drug. I'm dreading the day I have to go off it when FI and I decide kids are a good option. (Probably won't start trying till at least a year after the wedding.)

    We also use condoms as back-up though. Better safe then sorry is kinda our motto. Plus, that means I'm in charge of something and he's in charge of something.
    Anniversary
  • edited December 2011
    I'm on ortho-tri, I went on the pill pretty young because I had such problems with cramps. I was on Yaz for a while and really hated it, but other than that nothing else I've tried stands out as good or bad.

    I want Cake - you should try switching to a different brand. My roommate had that same problem and dang was she moody at times! she switched to a different formula and the crying and moodyness went away :)

    FI and I are also not planning on having kids for a while. My cousin recently got married and her and her H don't plan at having kids at all much to her mother's dismay. As a remedy she decorated two socks with faces and on family outtings they take photos with the sock puppets on their hands and call them the "twins" so they can send grandchildren photos to her mom haha
  • edited December 2011
    I've been on the Nuva ring for a few months and LOVE not having to think about a pill everyday.  A number of years ago I tried another BC alternative, the Patch.  Regardless of the hormones it released, I think the look of having a giant lint filled (which it was after about day 2) "bandaid" stuck to your hip was birth control in itself!!  Even better I think this product was eventually taken off the market for causing adverse health problems, yikes!  Let's just say Nuva ring is so much better!
  • drdifabiodrdifabio member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    For the ladies who have used the IUD - have you had kids? I was talking to my gyno about it and she mentioned that there are higher risks of scaring that could cause infertility in those who have not had kids (me) - and Joe is very against anything that could potentially hurt our chances at having kids - understandably so - but I feel like everything has some risk - you just have to calculate it.
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_minnesota-minneapolis-st-paul_tmi-monday-bc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:81Discussion:d58ab40b-8b3a-4441-8b4f-75c4a9e4ae11Post:3bc0c3c1-a8d2-4aa7-8c61-e2321b083dd9">Re: TMI Monday - BC</a>:
    [QUOTE]Rain/Jess, do you mind me asking how much it was? Was it covered by insurance? I'm considering doing that. Obviously I'll talk to my doctor about it too, but just wondering about some real world stories. Posted by Steph0871[/QUOTE]

    My insurance covered all of it, but I do remember reading my insurance invoice. It was around $350 to $400 and thats not including the office visit for inserting it and the follow-up visit.
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_minnesota-minneapolis-st-paul_tmi-monday-bc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:81Discussion:d58ab40b-8b3a-4441-8b4f-75c4a9e4ae11Post:2504e37f-ce34-4549-8854-b83c1ac7d861">Re: TMI Monday - BC</a>:
    [QUOTE]For the ladies who have used the IUD - have you had kids? I was talking to my gyno about it and she mentioned that there are higher risks of scaring that could cause infertility in those who have not had kids (me) - and Joe is very against anything that could potentially hurt our chances at having kids - understandably so - but I feel like everything has some risk - you just have to calculate it.
    Posted by drdifabio[/QUOTE]

    Yes! I have two kids and that's why I chose IUD. I wouldn't recommend it to you or any ladies that do not have children.
  • graysquirrelgraysquirrel member
    5 Love Its Combo Breaker First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I just started BC pills for the first time this month. I'm on sprintec which is a generic of ortho. So far I have not had any problems at all. I'd heard so many horror stories about throwing up and sore boobs, and my mother always told me that they made you feel sick, but so far so good. I have noticed a change in my appetite already, though. It has increased which isn't good. I will have to learn a little more willpower since I'm not about to give up my pills. I'm really looking forward to being more regulated since my periods are so dang heavy =P
    Photobucket
  • edited December 2011
    I have been using orthotricyclen like some of the other pp's, and haven't noticed any problems with it. I noticed that my skin cleared up significantly and my periods usually only last between 2-3 days and are ridiculously lighter. I have no plans on switching any time soon, because like several other girls have said, I've had allergy meds since middle school so it is second nature to take pills in the morning. My cramps completely disappeard as well, which is so nice! I don't think I could do a type of BC that didn't allow me to get periods though, because even though they are annoying, I would just get paranoid if I didn't have the monthly visit...I like the reassurance that I'm not pregnant! :P
    image
  • debbieupperdebbieupper member
    5 Love Its First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_minnesota-minneapolis-st-paul_tmi-monday-bc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:81Discussion:d58ab40b-8b3a-4441-8b4f-75c4a9e4ae11Post:225fec24-f2f2-48b1-bf23-94282f33ab58">Re: TMI Monday - BC</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: TMI Monday - BC : Yes! I have two kids and that's why I chose IUD. I wouldn't recommend it to you or any ladies that do not have children.
    Posted by rainlex83[/QUOTE]

    <div>I got the Mirena IUD in June and it is the best BC evvvverrrrrrr. I have not had kids, so the insertion was supposedly more painful because your cervix hasn't been opened up and has to get used to the IUD, but after a couple days of uncomfortable random cramping, and then some periodic light cramping for a week or two, I was home free.</div><div>
    </div><div>I don't get periods at all. Sometimes I spot, but that's about it. I don't get bad cramps at all anymore (I originally went on the pill 6 years ago because I had severe bleeding and cramps). I love it, love it, love it.</div><div>
    </div><div>Here's my BC history: I've been on ...</div><div>Ortho-lite: It was okay but it messed with my emotions and I found it a pain in the ass to take a pill every day. I also got a little nauseous with every pill.</div><div>
    </div><div>Yaz: TERRIBLE. For me, anyhow. It made me feel psycho, like a hyper-emotional depressed person. Did not like it. </div><div>
    </div><div>Nuva: Aside from Mirena, the Nuva ring was by far the best. Way better than the pill because 1) it's onsite, so there are less hormones 2) no pills every day! The downside was that for the first few months, it made my legs hurt like whoa for the first couple days of putting it in. Kinda freaks me out, but nothing bad beyond that ever happened and overall I really liked it.</div><div>
    </div><div>Obviously my number one is Mirena. I'm not a fan of the copper IUD because I have heard from ALL of my friends who are on it that it makes your bleeding much heavier, causes more cramping and acne. Mirena has no side effects for me, which was a very welcome surprise! And yep, my insurance covered it in full. </div><div>
    </div><div>Every doctor I spoke to was very accustomed to putting Mirena into women who have not had children and weren't worried in the least (I spoke to several people before I got it because I was super nervous). When IUDs were new, they were much more hesitant, but after years of studies it has shown to be just fine. </div>
    image
    Married and lovin' it!
    Our Wedding! (click.)
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_minnesota-minneapolis-st-paul_tmi-monday-bc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:81Discussion:d58ab40b-8b3a-4441-8b4f-75c4a9e4ae11Post:dc5cfa14-d27e-4625-9974-e1f217003270">Re: TMI Monday - BC</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: TMI Monday - BC : I got the Mirena IUD in June and it is the best BC evvvverrrrrrr. I have not had kids, so the insertion was supposedly more painful because your cervix hasn't been opened up and has to get used to the IUD, but after a couple days of uncomfortable random cramping, and then some periodic light cramping for a week or two, I was home free. I don't get periods at all. Sometimes I spot, but that's about it. I don't get bad cramps at all anymore (I originally went on the pill 6 years ago because I had severe bleeding and cramps). I love it, love it, love it. Here's my BC history: I've been on ... Ortho-lite: It was okay but it messed with my emotions and I found it a pain in the ass to take a pill every day. I also got a little nauseous with every pill. Yaz: TERRIBLE. For me, anyhow. It made me feel psycho, like a hyper-emotional depressed person. Did not like it.  Nuva: Aside from Mirena, the Nuva ring was by far the best. Way better than the pill because 1) it's onsite, so there are less hormones 2) no pills every day! The downside was that for the first few months, it made my legs hurt like whoa for the first couple days of putting it in. Kinda freaks me out, but nothing bad beyond that ever happened and overall I really liked it. Obviously my number one is Mirena. I'm not a fan of the copper IUD because I have heard from ALL of my friends who are on it that it makes your bleeding much heavier, causes more cramping and acne. Mirena has no side effects for me, which was a very welcome surprise! And yep, my insurance covered it in full.  Every doctor I spoke to was very accustomed to putting Mirena into women who have not had children and weren't worried in the least (I spoke to several people before I got it because I was super nervous). When IUDs were new, they were much more hesitant, but after years of studies it has shown to be just fine. 
    Posted by debbieupper[/QUOTE]

    I agree. I inquired about it years ago. Times changed. Its probably more advanced now. When it came time for me to go back on BC I knew what I wanted so I didn't ask many questions.
  • edited December 2011
    I have been on the Mirena IUD also- upsides for me was much lighter period (even lighter than on the pill) and not having to take a pill everyday. Insertion hurt (they do the "sounding" which is kinda like inserting increasingly bigger rods into your cervix so they can insert the larger mirena device.) So each time they did the sounding, it was like really bad cramps. So- painful but managable. And as far as having kids or not- don't let that sway you. I did have cramping and spotting for a couple months after the insertion though.

    In the end- I had it removed after a year and went back on tri-sprintec( ortho tri generic) because I was getting really bad cystic acne and now my face is so so much clearer. I also got worse cramps on Mirena than on the pill, which is uncommon. I should say Tri-Sprintec is the only pill I have been on that helped clear up my face.

    Other than that, I have used Ortho Tri Cyclen, Ortho Cyclen, and Yasmin. All of those were fine but my fave is the one I am on now.
  • MrsBassPlayaMrsBassPlaya member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I've been on Nuva Ring for about a year and a half now, and I've got to say, I LOVE it!  I'm a big pill forgetter, so it's so much better for me.

    However, my first month on Nuva Ring was absolute hell.  FI almost broke up with me because I was a total witch for about 3 weeks.  I also couldn't have sex because it hurt so badly.  I would have never tried it again, except that I had gotten 3 months of it as a trial and was jobless at the time, so I couldn't afford to buy something else.

    So I tried it for the second month, and it's been fantastic ever since.  So I'd definitely recommend trying it again.  It was quite the difficult adjustment, but in my opinion, worth it.  So, since you have 3 months of it already, I say give it a shot at least one more time.

    I also have clearer skin with Nuva Ring.  One of the reasons I started bc in the first place was because of acne.

    So In Love

    image
    Josh and Renata's Wedding

    Planning Bio

  • edited December 2011
    Oh yeah- for cost of the IUD I want to say 700 or 800 for everything. I think I paid around 60 for my out of pocket expense.
  • tpender13tpender13 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Cake - definitely talk to your doctor about switching brands. I don't remember what I used to take, but I've been on ones before that have given me terrible mood swings and awful PMS. It went away almost immediately after I switched.

    musicalsunlight - I like getting the reassurance every month too!

    I'm on Ocella now, which is generic for Yasmin, according to Google. It's been working great! It may be partly to blame for my weight game, but I doubt it - just over two years ago I went from waitressing and assistant managing at a restaurant for years to sitting at a desk in front of a computer for eight hours a day. I'm sure that's more to blame for the 15ish pounds I've gained.

    H also pulls out. I'm not super great at taking the pill at the same time every day like you're supposed to, so I figure that's our backup. I've thought about trying the patch, but I know a girl whose boyfriend woke up once w/the patch stuck to him. I've also thought about the ring, but I'd be paranoid about it coming out - I know two people that's happened to. And since I don't have any issue w/the pill, I figure I don't have any real reason to switch.

    FYI everyone, H just asked me what's going on on TK. I told him I'm posting on a thread about what everyone uses for BC, and he said "Please tell me that someone answered anal." He makes me LOL!
    image
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_minnesota-minneapolis-st-paul_tmi-monday-bc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:81Discussion:d58ab40b-8b3a-4441-8b4f-75c4a9e4ae11Post:ab3f1ca2-d891-4752-b521-2de8ea9c7cd1">Re: TMI Monday - BC</a>:
    [QUOTE] FYI everyone, H just asked me what's going on on TK. I told him I'm posting on a thread about what everyone uses for BC, and he said "Please tell me that someone answered anal ." He makes me LOL!
    Posted by tpender13[/QUOTE]

    Haha that made me chuckle out loud too ;) And yes, reassurance is really nice! I think my nerves would get to me otherwise!! ;)
    image
  • SSaltzman87SSaltzman87 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I was on Yaz for 2 years, then Ocella but then my insurance decided to hike up my copay on Ocella- so I switched to Microgestin. Neither Yaz, Ocella or Microgestin have had any weird side effects on me.

    Microgestin has made me have pretty light periods and virtually no cramps which is nice :-)
    <a href="http://www.thenest.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Money Saving Tips"><img src="http://global.thenest.com/tickers/tt17ce82.aspx" alt="Anniversary" border="0"  /></a>

    White Knot

    Planning Bio-Added FOR SALE page, will be adding more stuff to it soon! 
  • lboerner88lboerner88 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I am on Microgestin as well. No complaints here. I am too scared to go on the IUD's and I don't find it hard to remember to take the pill. Plus I like getting my period every month...less to worry about!
  • edited December 2011
    Oh my the horrors of BC!Yell

    I started when I was 17ish since I had HORRIFIC periods that lasted 7-10 days of using over 1 box of super plus tampons each month and cramps so bad I was missing school.

    I started with ortho trycyclen (sp?) didn't seem to help the periods much so they put me on the lo estren version which helped.
    After about 1.5 yrs of that my mood swings were getting terrible. (first weekend my now FI visted me at my college, one week after meeting, I went through every emotion under the sun from anger, to happy, to crying uncontrolibly,etc in one night.  FI said he timed it that every hour on the hr I was experienceing a new emotion, its a MIRACLE he stuck with me!!!)  

    DR put me on the patch which I kept on for about a year but got SOOO tired of the icky lint filled bandaid that I requested to try the Depo shot.  BIG MISTAKE!!!!  Not only did I have my period for SIX MONTHS STRAIGHT I also gained 60lbs in SIX MONTHS!  UGH I am still battling to lose that weight!

    SO after Depo and for the last 5yrs I tried other various BC Pills, names of which I have forgotten... and I also started taking anti-depressants to control my mood swings about two years ago now. 

    The mood swings and periods were still pretty awful (although I did have surgery for endometriosis and found out that I have tons of cysts on my ovaries) SO in Feb FI and I decieded I would just stop taking BC altogether. 

    He and I have been together for 7.5 yrs now and if kids are in our furture then thats just fine with us.  I have been off for what, 9 months now and still no baby which is good, although I am seriously doubting my ability to have children which leads me to be more content in my decision to be off BC and let it happen when it does.   FI even told me he actually gets sad/nervous every monthe when I DO get my period b/c he is also afraid we can't have kids. 

    SO he and I will likely go back to good ol' condoms come feb since getting preggers anytime after that will = a big ol baby bump for the wedding.

    BLAH that was super long, thanks for reading if you did!
    BabyFruit Ticker Anniversary
  • Bimbi284Bimbi284 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    II am generally pretty sensitive to anything I put in or on my body, so I try to avoid taking meds unless absolutely necessary. Seriously, one little sudafed pill makes me crazy.

    That said, I haven't taken any sort of BC or had any sort of BC put in me ever. We use condoms, and I also use a contraceptive gel from Ortho Options that seems to do the trick. We use those 2 together and have yet to have any issues! I tried the sponge and female condom also, but those are just too complicated for me, and not comfortable at all. The gel doesn't cause any side effects or anything like that.

    I do get cramps pretty badly, but if I catch it early and take ibuprofen, Its usually tolerable. Definitely not enough for me to get BC because of it.
  • edited December 2011
    I'm on Reclipson.  I was on ortho-tri and but different levels of hormones made me crazy.  I think I should try another brand because I literally tear up at EVERYTHING, how embarrassing!  But I've been on about 5 kinds and nothing seems to help the crazy emotions.  I wish I could just stop taking it but alas I'll probably stay on it for 6months-1 year after the wedding and then just go off it and see what happens.

    Nice to know some MD's put IUD's in nulliparous women, the OBGYN I spoke to wouldn't put one in unless you'd had at least 1 child.  My stepsister got one put it right when she got engaged and loves it. 
    Hitched! 09.30.11
  • edited December 2011
    Steph, I remember it being around $300-400, but it was definitely covered by my insurance.

    And I do have a child, so that part of it wasn't an issue for me.
    BFP #3 July 2012 = EDD 4/1/2013
    BFP #2 May 2012 = loss at 4w3d
    BFP #1 January 2003 = 9 year old son

    imageimage
    ? My BFP Chart
    BabyFruit Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    This is a pretty popular subject...so I'll add :)

    I was on the pill for 10 years and just went off of it last month.  I had been through so many different brands of BC beceause I kept having spotting problems in between periods and such.  I originally went on the pill because of my period being soooooo heavy and my cramps were so bad.  My FI & I decided to get off the pill because we want to try for kids as soon as we are married and want to be sure my body is back to it's normal state then.  So we currently are just using condoms which are not bad at all.  I thought I would hate it...but it's turned out to work good for us.   
    image
    BabyFruit Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    I have a long history with BC also. I am one of the unlucky girls who ended up with a blood clot in my lung becasue of the estrogen (when they can't find a reason for the clot they blame the estrogen). I am now not allowed to have any estrogen which gives me 5 BC options.....none of them are real great!

    I was on Loestrin which I loved prior to the clot but obviously that is gone forever. After that I went on depo first and that made me a crazy person also. I felt like my brain was detached from my body and I was just going through the motions of life. At first my period completely stopped but then I started spotting about 4 days out of 10. I think I lasted about a year on that before I got an Implanon implant next.

    I loved the implanon. It was a thin plastic bar that was put in my upper arm and was good for 3 years. Emotionally I was back to myself and feeling great. Again my period stopped for a few months, which is pretty nerve wracking, I also like to see that I am not pregnant each month. I ended up taking it out at the two year mark because of the spotting again.

    Now I am trying to make the progesterone only pill (mini pill) work for me. I still bleed randomly but I feel in control of it since I don't have a device so I can quit anytime. My next options are the Mirena and the copper IUD... other than that condoms I guess. I have so much anxiety though with the irregular bleeding right now though... twice now I have been on the verge of hitting the drug store to get the test to make sure it is just the pill screwing with me and not a baby! To go from bleeding 50% of the time to having 6 weeks without any bleeding just freaks me out! I am really trying to make this work because I have to pay out of pocket for the IUD since my insurance is strange, well I am guessing we all have this rule though. I am only allowed 1 implantable device every 5 years that is covered under insurance so my Implanon has made the IUD not covered for another couple years. Now I am on an HSA to top it off so it would come out of pocket anyway. I want to say it was going to be $700-$800 out of pocket. There was a way to buy the device from Mirena for less then just pay your doc to put it in that saved some pretty major money, like $250 I think. The mark up is incredible!!

    If anyone has any questions I have no problem talking about this subject. Because of my clot I have done a lot of research trying to figure out my options
    image
    Anniversary
  • sailerweddingsailerwedding member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I was on BCP (ortho tricylin low) for about 4 years then last fall decided to try the depo shot, BIG mistake, we also got pregnant while on depo last november. We ultimaltely had a miscarriage at 16 weeks which after testing my doctor said could have been related to the depo shot! So I harbor very bad feeling about the shot :(
    I have also tried the patch (diito pp, giant linty bandaid, ick)  and the ring (liked the ring except it would occassionally come out during sex, kinda weird.  I am back on BCP and I am happy with that choice, it makes my periods lighter and does help keep my skin clear. I will stay on it until after the wedding because we are planning on trying to get pregnant right away.
    My sister has two children and after her 2nd she got the Mirena IUD, she never gets a period and only has very occasional spotting, she loves it. She did say there was some discomfort right after she got it but no problems now.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards