BC- Pull Out Method

sweets18

So I haven't posted in a minute but I have definitely been lurking...

I am currently on BC, the generic form of Loestrin (Junel) and my doctor switched me to Beyaz because I have no sex drive and have gained 15 LBS since December after not having gained more than 7LBS in over 6 years... After reading more and more reviews about both pills as well as others I have decided that I can't do it anymore and to be honest I feel like I am losing my mind! I have been researching some other natural methods and the only one that is of interest to us right now is pulling out. Some studies say that it can be effective if the man is dilligent and knows his body and DH definitely does. I am just worried that we may slip up and get pregnant before we are really ready. I mean I know and believe that God's plan will always trump our plan and our goal is for our plan to completely align with His so if it happens, it happens. I just won't my normal self back in terms of mood, weight, sex drive, etc. Especially sex drive because its bad right now... What would you do if you were me? What are you currently doing or what do you plan on doing?

MsAmeera25

Are condoms out of the question? I know you're married and may not want to but its probably safer than the pull out method in terms of pregnancy...

msapril0730

I've experienced the same issues with my BC methods. The last BC I tried was generess fe and I bled for a whole month while on it so I ditched it. DH and I have used the pull out method on and off for 8 years, it has worked pretty well for us. I think that if your DH knows his body well then it should be effective, of course with any other BC method its not 100%. 

PrettyCW5

I'm so glad you posted about this. This is something I have been thinking about for a while and have definitely been planning on doing. I'm a waiting bride and do not want to go the hormonal route at all. I like my cycle the way it is (on time, no cramps, average flow) and I like my mental/emotional stability as well . FI has made it clear that it's my decision but that he doesn't support the idea of hormonal BC because of the health risks. I lurk on the boards on the nest and natural BC has more popularity than I realized especially with charting. I'm thinking about this in combination with condoms. I plan on seeing a GYN within the next week or so and figuring out a plan for us.

Misskin

We are currently using the pull out method and have been very lucky to not have any accidents.  I was on TRIVORA(BC) for a while and the weight gain was crazy.  I was averaging about 130 and now i am 150.  I also feel like it killed my sex drive and since i stopped taking them, it took maybe 3-4 months to get it back.  The downfall is that now my cycle isnt regular and we risk the chance of conceiving.  We dont want to conceive before the wedding(but of course, should it happen, we are all for it).  So i try to avoid having sex during my fertile days (according to the ferlity calendar) just in case we slip up and he doesnt pull out in time.

ladychambers83

We're using the pull out method as well. I was actually on the nuvaring and loved it. (its a little ring that you insert up chachie for 3 weeks, then take it out for one week for your cycle. No forgetting pills yipee) But I began getting terrible migranes. My doc said its possible my body is have a negative reaction to the hormones. The thing is, the Nuvaring has a lower dosage of hormones than the pill so now that my body can't handle the hormones we decided to play russian roulette and use the pull out method. We've been lucky thus far, just 6 months, 4 weeks to go until game's on!!!

djscat

If you are going to use the pull out method I would pair it with the rhythm method.  Pulling out alone does not work because of pre-ejaculation.  There are apps that keep track of your cycle and your ovulation cycle as well.  It will tell you the days you are fertile.  You just avoid sex on those days.  I use the app call my honey days. LOL

wallacje

I totally understand how you feel. I've been on BC for 15 years and only now has it started acting up. I only recently have realized the decreased sex drive and emotional mood swings.  This last month aunt flo overstayed her welcome after being a regular monthly visitor. I'm at a loss because we too aren't ready to start TTC. 

If the pull out method will work because he knows his body then go for it, but have you tried condoms, I know that may suck going back to them if you haven't been using them in the past. 

The other ladies seem to be doing it (pulling out) and having success at it.  You're right if God is ready for you to have a baby then it will happen regardless of what you do.  I say think about all of your options and talk to you ob/gyn and see what they say then go from there.

Born2bmrscenteno

Wow, I can totally relate to your post and have no idea what I'm going to do either. Besides that, I have serious breakouts when not on BC and cramps that have sent me to urgent care unless I have Motrin 800 or Tylenol 3's. With BC I barely know my period is there. But that low sex drive and possible weight gain at any time is really a killer.

One of my BM's is a homeopathic medicine doctor and the only healthy way is pull out/rhythm method and to get your hormones regulated again she puts women on progresterone cream. The only bad part is it makes you FERTILE THAN A MOTHA so that definitely won't work for most. We've tried the condom thing and it really didn't work out AT ALL. oh, decisions, decisions, decisions.

ThunderKitten2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_bc-pull-out-method?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:13d7ec17-6c79-4f90-81b6-f09ec1931be5Post:2d56db1d-7be7-4c8d-a5fd-88d95df38ef1">Re: BC- Pull Out Method</a>:
[QUOTE]If you are going to use the pull out method I would pair it with the rhythm method.  Pulling out alone does not work because of pre-ejaculation.  There are apps that keep track of your cycle and your ovulation cycle as well.  It will tell you the days you are fertile.  You just avoid sex on those days.  I use the app call my honey days. LOL
Posted by djscat[/QUOTE]

THIS!! This is what we have done for a few years and it has worked for us. But you have to know your cycle even betrter than he knows his body, and you need to track it. It took awhile for me to learn my cycle that well but I know it like the back of my hand.

ejagers

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_bc-pull-out-method?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:13d7ec17-6c79-4f90-81b6-f09ec1931be5Post:2d56db1d-7be7-4c8d-a5fd-88d95df38ef1">Re: BC- Pull Out Method</a>:
[QUOTE]If you are going to use the pull out method I would pair it with the rhythm method.  Pulling out alone does not work because of pre-ejaculation.  <strong>There are apps that keep track of your cycle and your ovulation cycle as well.</strong>  It will tell you the days you are fertile.  You just avoid sex on those days.  I use the app call my honey days. LOL
Posted by djscat[/QUOTE]

THIS!  While I am a waiting bride also (only by the grace of God)  I downloaded an app to my phone just to sync with my period.  I wanna get better at paying attention to my body as far as ovulation b/c after June 9, 2012 it's on and popping! LOL  I reccommend getting an app to help you.  Mine is called Ovulation Days and it was free.  You can set it to TTC or do not concieve and it will tell you the days to "do it" and not to.  HTH

runningbride80

I'm currently on Tri-Sprintec, and have no problems with it (my drive is fine, and I've lost a ton of weight in the several years I've been on BC)...so I plan on keeping it for the foreseeable future. We don't want kids now, so I prefer having that piece of mind. Plus, it actually makes my periods more tolerable. But that's just me.

I say do your research and do what works for you. Good luck!

nitaashanti78

My FI and I use this method as well and so far it's worked for us.  We are planning on trying to concieve after we are married, so I've started tracking my periods.  They have finally gotten regular-I was on BC for a long time (from 17-30) and I've had every ailment there is, lol from weight gain to breakouts to low drive...I just didn't want to deal.  Plus we are ready for children. I feel like since I'm 32 I better get to going, lol. 

When I visit my GYN next year for my annual I plan on discussing getting pregnant within the next year or two and what I can do.  So like pp's have said do what works best for you two.

TNMurray

I have been on the pill and have always used the pull out method even on the pill. Since the wedding I stopped taking the pill and we are still using the pull out method. A married friend of mine told me about an article she read that said that the pull out method is very effective.

Baesmom

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_bc-pull-out-method?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:13d7ec17-6c79-4f90-81b6-f09ec1931be5Post:2d56db1d-7be7-4c8d-a5fd-88d95df38ef1">Re: BC- Pull Out Method</a>:
[QUOTE]If you are going to use the pull out method I would pair it with the rhythm method.  Pulling out alone does not work because of pre-ejaculation.  There are apps that keep track of your cycle and your ovulation cycle as well.  It will tell you the days you are fertile.  You just avoid sex on those days.  I use the app call my honey days. LOL
Posted by djscat[/QUOTE]

i agree with this.. i use an app called "period tracker" and it is wonderful! 
we also use the pull out method and it has worked great for us.. Now, for those that know me im sure yall are saying "but you have a kid"  that's because i didnt "get off the ride"  lol.
other than that one time, we have had no "incidents" 

msktn95

This is a great Post.  I am currently taking the Generic Ortho Try Cyclen.  I have been taking it for a year and half. I have not had any problems with the pill. It helps with cramps and acne.  I have also lost weight. Which is a problem for me, When I started taking the pill I was 130, now I am at 110, and I know its the pill. The first week of a new pack, I feel nausea, after that I am good.  I am over the age of 33, so we plan to start after the wedding.  This is my last month for my pills.  We plan to use the Pull Out Method or condoms for the first two weeks and after that we are going to give it a go.  Our wedding is next month.

If this methods works for you, then you should give it a go. 

flasweetheart

It may also be the generic form of the pill they put you on.  I was on Microloestrin FE20 which is the generic form of Loestrin. When I went on it I told my dr I wanted something that wouldn't have the weight side effect.  I was on it for 2 years before I came off of it in May and I think I gained 2 lbs.  I had no problem with sex drive if anything I wanted it more.  You may need to have a talk with your dr if you want to stay on the pill to find the one that is right for you.  Whatever you chose to do make sure it's right for you and DH

MrsSmith2Be02

Pull out worked for us with no slip ups just fine. This is after 2 kids. LOL. I decided that I was tired of being on edge every 4 weeks (that time of the month) and decided about 3 months ago to get a Mirena IUD. 5 years and I have nothing to worry about

kittybutton

Im on Lo Loestrin Fe, it just came out in Feb I think but I havent had any side effects, no bleeding (well its very very lite, like panty liner only lite), hell I cant tell you when I had a last cycle and Ive been on it since March of this year. Oh and we sill use the pull out method too.

flawlessfay

I am on the NUVARING and have been on since 2003. I have never had any major issues.....We use the ring along with the Pull out method.....I am not ready to give the ring till at least next jUNE

Born2bmrscenteno

msktn did you want to lose that much weight? I remember when I first started yaz it made me lose weight but i was working out and eating really well too at the time so not sure how much it had to do with it. i was also thinking of switching to ortho for awhile before going off cold turkey.

irons633

Glad someone did this post! Been on BC for ten years and unfortunaley have had many different kinds. The last one being Beyaz which is cool only it made my periods shorter( not complaining) but then my insurance come December will not cover it. We have said we do not want kids until after the wedding which is in August and we are thinking of the pull out method as well. I have two apps that I use and so far they have been very effective. Like PP's you have to know your body just like he knows his. Good luck!!

teamUS2012

I'm only posting because I wonder if I'm alone in this. For the record, I'm a 'waiting bride' myself, and have been celibate for years before FI and I even started dating. I'm older so we'll be TTC from the honeymoon through menopause LOL (hopefully with a couple of kids in between). But anyway, here's where I feel weird: back when I was sexually active, my ex pulled out one day and I broke down into a hysterical crying fit. I discovered that day (and confirmed it when he tried it again), that pulling out doesn't work for me. I'm not sure, but it really did something to my emotions when he pulled out so abruptly. It felt like abandonment. Idk. Maybe I'm just nuts. LOL

sweets18

Thank you ladies so much for responding to this post! DH and I have talked alot about it and have decided to try pulling out with the rhythm method and condoms during my fertile days. I am going to download ALL of the apps that you all suggested too... I want to make sure we get this right! LOL! Thanks again! And I hope everyone else trying to figure this stuff out is successful!!!

prncsz

This is the method that DH and I have used for the last 3 1/2 years and we are still baby free. Again we both know our bodies and I keep track of my cycle so we know okay don't do it these days. It's worked for us. Something I thought was funny though I checked an ovulation chart after we got back from our honeymoon and it said that the best days were August 2-7th. Boy if we had got down on our wedding night!! We may have gotten into some trouble, but we got to the room at 11 and had to be up at 3 for our flight, then we were too tired when we made it Jamaica!!!