Total Letdown (and TMI)

ExpatPumpkin · February 2010

Nugget - Haven´t tried the patch. But I did use NuvaRing, which is the same concept - gradual release of hormones...

ExpatPumpkin · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_total-letdown-tmi?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:4914a4ad-07c3-4233-90e8-4fee9cad52f0Post:0d716e3d-5d96-40c7-988e-87d6fb31de02">Re: Total Letdown (and TMI)</a>:
[QUOTE]Trial and error as in, difficult with finding one without nasty side effects.
Posted by PsyDet 2155[/QUOTE]

Hahaha, yes I´d hate to try trial and error as in "we have six kids now, I hope this method works out" ;)

But seriously, it really does suck. I get my hopes up every time :( Although I think the Sponge - combined with using NFP to know when to abstain - could really work!!!

Mrs.B6302007 · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_total-letdown-tmi?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:4914a4ad-07c3-4233-90e8-4fee9cad52f0Post:5fc6e1e5-66ed-4573-91be-fc7b74c0a1dc">Re: Total Letdown (and TMI)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Total Letdown (and TMI) : Were you just TERRIFIED in the beginning? That´s where I am now. I really don´t want to get pregnant for a few years and I´m so scared I´ll do something wrong.
Posted by ExpatPumpkin[/QUOTE]

No, but we would have been okay with an oops, so our mind-set was different. I found it really easy to learn and because we were willing to stick with it, we never had any scares. If you use all 3 signs, it's actually 99% effective. You could certainly give yourself a 3-6 month learning curve while using condoms for extra peace of mind.

glam70s · February 2010

This is fascinating, since we're in the same sort of situation.. I was on hormonal BC for 9 years and finally determined that it might be the cause of my emotinal neuroticism (apparently some of the worst side effects get worse over time on the pill). I also had NO sex drive whatsoever.. I've tried different pills, nuvaring, and depo-provera. LOVED the shot, but had to get off it or risk osteoporosis.

I've been off the pill for about 6 weeks and feel absolutely fabulous! Which is good, but also bad because it means we're left with condoms :-(. FH is happy that I'm no longer a nutcase, but condoms really suck.. I'm definitely looking into the sponge. Wonder if it's approved for use in Canada?

jasmineh7777 · February 2010

The sponge looks like a good option, but is it hard to get in place*?

glam70s · February 2010

Hmm... Apparently the sponge is only 84-87% effective? That's not very cool...

temerityjane · February 2010

Expat - I hope it works well for you!

jasmineh - It can be a little tricky at first, but no more difficult than a diaphragm, I'd assume.

glam - If Expat is going to use it with NFP and stay clear of her most fertile days, there shouldn't be a problem.

As for me, I know the sponge isn't perfect in effectiveness, but it has 3 different methods of birth control built into it. Plus, I don't use NFP at ALL, and I've been using the Sponge for over a year, and I have no babies, so I'm giving it a thumbs up.

gailpete · February 2010

I'm past needing any now (yes, I'm old), but I was on Mircette BCP for years and it was great. It is low dose and only has 2 days of placebo and 5 days of low estrogen only, instead of 7 days of placebo. It totally eliminated my migraines.

jasmineh7777 · February 2010

That might be a good option to try. I was on birth control for years, with no break, for pain problems. It made my absolutely crazy.

LauraW313 · February 2010

Have you tried VCF or vaginal contraceptive foam? It is an instant kill (if you oops without anything in...excitement of the moment) and really easy to use. No hormones (i tried Nuvaring...the hormone thing really altered my mood and sex drive) but effective when used. Gives a little extra lubrication as well.

glam70s · February 2010

Hmm.. Jane, thanks for the info! I think we might have to give it a try. The effectiveness scares me a bit, since I don't know anything about NFP and could never be consistent enough to follow it... But although we don't want kids now, we could handle it without a problem.... Hmm.. decisions..

danieliza1127 · February 2010

I'm late to this, but why didn't an IUD work for you? I have one and love it. They make one that does have a tiny bit of hormones but there's also one that doesn't...

kimheartsscott · February 2010

Try a pill that isn't Yaz. I had HORRIBLE side effects from Yaz, but then I switched to Lutera and all the side effects went away.

EDIT: Nevermind, you already addressed this. IGNORE ME!

emilyinchile · February 2010

I know two people who've used NFP. One is a hippie and used it because it was "natural" but didn't take it super seriously and ended up accidentally pregnant. The other is a sexologist, takes it totally seriously, has never gotten pregnant when she didn't want to and has never had problems getting pregnant when they've decided to start TTC. From what I've heard, you just need to be really strict with it, and it's a great method, although I would be nervous to try too.

JessAndTrav · February 2010

I'm also late to the contraceptive party, but have you considered going to an endocrinologist to see why you had negative effects from hormones?

At the very least, it'll give you an understanding of what you can and can't use, versus a shoot-and-miss experience.

DH just use condoms. Have you tried the polyurethane condoms that Trojan makes? They're really, really thin but strong.

TJ, do you happen to know what the percentage of effectiveness is with the sponge? That'd give DH a nice break from condoms.

temerityjane · February 2010

Jess, someone stated above that it's in the 80s, percentage-wise, but it's actually about 91% effective if you've never had a child (and with perfect use, of course). Once you've had a kid the effectiveness drops way down, since it's harder to completely cover the cervix.

temerityjane · February 2010

And that's pretty much how we use it, by the way - a break from condoms - since it's so expensive. We also prefer them for weekends (TMI, I'm sure...) because with one sponge, you can have sex any number of times within 24 hours. They're more convenient than condoms, too, in that you can put it in whenever beforehand and they're immediately ready to go, but you can also wait a while, too - no stopping in the middle to get the stupid condom on.

Bubbalub · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_total-letdown-tmi?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:4914a4ad-07c3-4233-90e8-4fee9cad52f0Post:9a2896b6-18e0-4a15-8373-1732ec68ca32">Re: Total Letdown (and TMI)</a>:
[QUOTE]I know two people who've used NFP. One is a hippie and used it because it was "natural" but didn't take it super seriously and ended up accidentally pregnant. <strong>The other is a sexologist</strong>, takes it totally seriously, has never gotten pregnant when she didn't want to and has never had problems getting pregnant when they've decided to start TTC. From what I've heard, you just need to be really strict with it, and it's a great method, although I would be nervous to try too.
Posted by emilyinchile[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>GET OUT! You know a sexologist too?! HAH! My friend's mom is one and it always cracks me up when I describe her profession to people. But she is one of the best in the country and if I ever run into a problem she'd be the first person I would go to. :P</div><div>
</div><div><em>edited to say: I would go to her, I haven't actually had need of her knowledge base at this time. :P</em>

</div>

Bubbalub · February 2010

We use the polyurethane ones too, Jess. We suspected for a while that I am allergic to latex but I have no problem wearing latex gloves when I paint so I think I must just have a sensitive system. (TMI, sorry). But we stuck with the polyurethane condoms anyway, just in case.

As for NFP when I first got TCOYF a few years ago it was because I had to go off the pill since my body was trying to ovulate through the hormones (ouch) so they just stopped working. I got the book so I could learn more about how my body works so I wouldn't be so scared to just use condoms. Now we rarely worry and I always let him know if it is a time to be more careful but if we had gotten pregnant we would have been ecstatic anyway. Right now, though, with the wedding 7 months away, we are being extra careful! Heh.

golden1215 · February 2010

have you considered an IUD? inter-uterine divice, such as mirena? doctors will say that you have to have had a child to have one put in place but that's not true. I had one after my daughter, but my best friend who has no children also just had one put in. she had the copper, non-hormone kind (which is good for 10 yrs) and I had mirena, hormone type (5 yrs). only real difference is you wont get your period (or not very often/heavy) on mirena. my friend is also tiny; 5'2'' 115 lbs.

depending on your insurance too, if you are sure you dont want kids for years (I actually only left mine in for a year though, so it can be taken out at any time) it can be MUCH cheaper than pills, shots, condoms etc

my FI couldnt feel a thing nor could I and its the most effective form of birth control available, outside abstinence :-)

travhannah · February 2010

I tried Ortho Tri Cyclen, Ortho Tri Cyclen Low, Yasmin (Ocella) and they all made me extremely sick, to the point of I almost felt like I was having seizures or something because my body wouldn't stop shaking the first 2 nights of the pill pack. My doctor switched me to Lo Estrin 24 Fe, apparently it is the lowest dose of the hormones that is still effective. I have been on it for 6 months and never once had any side effects. I was so afraid that I wouldn't be able to take the pill but this has been miraculous for me! I hope you find something that works for you, GL=)

jena.n.ross · February 2010

Late to the game, as per usual, but:

I've been using the Nuvaring for about a year now, and I like it. I was on Lo-ovral for a while, and it gave me anger issues :P So I switched back to ortho tri-cyclen, but it was making my depression worse

I don't have health insurance, so I go to a women's health/family planning clinic for my exams and birth control. I make FI drive me there, whenever it's time for a restock. I'm pumping my body full of hormones, he can drive my ass to pick them up. Is it totally bad of me that I think your DH should suck it up and deal with the condoms? He can deal with it not being "the real deal," or he can watch you be completely miserable with side effects.

FI says, "they're not that bad, and oh darn, I have to work a little longer."

thesuninherhead · February 2010

I'm late to this, but just had to say:

I had to go off the pill (I was most recently on Yaz, but previously on others) following a migraine-related numbness episode... Anyway, I did a lot of research on non-oestrogen based birth control as a result, and the copper IUD looked really good from what I read. It's not hormonal so there's no issue with that, and it's very easy- once inserted by a doctor, it just stays put and nothing to remove frequently or anything to remember taking. There is a slight risk of infection which is why now I've been given the all-clear with my migraines I'm going back onto yaz, but I think after I do have children, the copper IUD is the way I'll go. Something to think about possibly, anyway.

thesuninherhead · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_total-letdown-tmi?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:4914a4ad-07c3-4233-90e8-4fee9cad52f0Post:5a7a0412-aac9-4578-bd09-78128c4209fb">Re: Total Letdown (and TMI)</a>:
[QUOTE] Is it totally bad of me that I think your DH should suck it up and deal with the condoms?
<p>Posted by jena.n.ross[/QUOTE]</p><p> </p><p>H and I have had to use condoms for the last month and it's been hell for me. I hate the fact that we can't just spontaneously screw without having to stop, go upstairs and put a condom on, and the feeling of having sex with plastic in between is different to having sex with a skin on skin even for the thinnest of condoms, so even as a female I can totally understand why guys are not into condoms. </p>

jumpingbeanx2 · February 2010

How long did you try bc pills? I know you said that you've tried a few different kinds, but it took me over a year to find the right one. I'm currently on Junel FE and like it much better than anything else (I've had the orthotricyclin and hated it....I had horrible cramps and heavier periods) but I guess that just shows that everyone's different, so you should definately keep trying.

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