Survey: Birth Control Method

I am so forgetful about taking birth control pills and I do NOT want to get pregnant.  I wanted to ask you a quick survey, since you are all so smart! Even if you use "the pill" could you please fill this out, or offer some tips?

What method of Birth Control do you use?

How long have you reallied on this method?

Has it always been effective?

Any side effects?

What do you know about IUD?

Original Post by mperic81:

I am so forgetful about taking birth control pills and I do NOT want to get pregnant.  I wanted to ask you a quick survey, since you are all so smart! Even if you use "the pill" could you please fill this out, or offer some tips?

What method of Birth Control do you use?

yasmin (a pill)

How long have you reallied on this method?

i have been on some kind of pill since 2001

Has it always been effective?

yes

Any side effects?

less cramps, lighter period, some weight gain with ortho tri-cyclen, but i lost weight just fine when i started dieting/exercising

What do you know about IUD?

That i really really want one, but my doctor won't do it since I haven't had children yet, and its harder to insert if you haven't given birth before.

What method of Birth Control do you use?

Hubby got a vasectomy  (before that, ortho-tricyclin)

How long have you reallied on this method?

About 5 years  (before that, about 8 years on the pill, when not pregnant or trying to conceive)

Has it always been effective?

Yes on both

Any side effects?

After recovery from the procedure, none.  With the pill, lighter periods, no cramps, and skin less prone to breaking out.

What do you know about IUD?

Not a whole lot - they can hormonal or non hormonal, there are some risks, they are reasonably effective

What method of Birth Control do you use?

Yasmin (pill)

How long have you reallied on this method?

a year and a few months

Has it always been effective?

so far no babies

Any side effects?

it makes me super hungry especially when its TTOM, but that's something i can control

What do you know about IUD?

Well, I worked in a clinic for 10 months and we saw many women come in with birth control related questions. I also had the chance to see many inserted (and removed), so I know about the process. Typically they do not give an IUD to a woman that has not had children just because it is more difficult and they don't want to risk damage to the cervix. It all depends on where you go, however.

The procedure is very short and is much like a papsmear. They use a speculum to get a good view of your cervix, clean your cervix (usually with betadine), grab on to your cervix with an instrument called a tenaculum, then measure the depth of your cervix with an instrument called a uterine sound. They measure to ensure your uterus has enough space. Then the IUD is inserted and it sits right inside your cervix. It is shaped like a T and once inserted it is held in place by the top of the T and a string from the vertical part of the T hangs down into your vagina. It can be felt by reaching up and many doctors will ask that you check regularly to make sure it is still in place. After the procedure is done the string is cut so it is at a good length for your body and then you're done. Most women say they have spotting afterwards, but that only lasts a few hours. The IUD can be kept in for up to 5 years which is why some women really like it.

Of course the best way to know if it's right for you is to research and talk to your doctor.

What method of Birth Control do you use?

A diaphragm believe it or not!!! I had too many side effects with hormonal contraceptives

How long have you reallied on this method?

2 1/2 years

Has it always been effective?

So far so good!

Any side effects?

NEVER

What do you know about IUD?

I know that the new IUD's have a hormonal component (the old ones didn't) so it wouldn't work for me. I should say that I have a friend in the women's health care field (PhD) and she believes that the IUD is the hands-down BEST form of BC.

What method of Birth Control do you use?

Mirena - a hormonal IUD

How long have you reallied on this method?

Had the current one for 18months and the previous one for 3 years (removed when it was discovered that it hadn't been inserted properly. Got pregnant waiting for an appointment for re-insertion)

Has it always been effective?

yes

Any side effects?

very light, short periods, no cramps

What do you know about IUD?

Wouldn't go back to anything else. I'm rubbish at taking pills. I have 3 children all concieved while taking a pill of some sort.

What method of Birth Control do you use?

Implanon - the contraceptive implant.

How long have you reallied on this method?

Three years and two months. I had a new one put in last week.

Has it always been effective?

Yes. I love it.

Any side effects?

I've had three periods in three years! Amazing. Other than that, no side effects. I had to come off the pill because it made me moody.

What do you know about IUD?

Not much, I'm very happy with my implant. However, I might consider it when I'm older.

What method of Birth Control do you use?

Depo-provera

How long have you reallied on this method?

It must be close to 5 years or more

Has it always been effective?

I haven't been pregnant on it, so I guess I would say yes

Any side effects?

Some women have negative side effects, but I haven't had any. Unless you count the fact that I haven't had a period since I started taking it.  It actually helped with weightloss in my case as I no longer had monthly madness to contend with.

It's only 4 times a year, and there is a 2 week window in which to get the next dose, however if you miss that window you are required to take a pregnancy test first, since it can cause many problems if you are pregnant. I believe they also make you take one before the first one.

I've used the pill, but could never remember to take it at the same time each day. I've also had norplant which was okay.

What do you know about IUD?

Not much

What method of Birth Control do you use?

Paraguard (non-hormonal copper IUD). Before that, the NuvaRing for 3 years, for the same reason as you--I couldn't remember to take the pill everyday.

How long have you reallied on this method?

I just got it put in yesterday.

Has it always been effective?

To be determined, but Planned Parenthood, where I went to get it put in, told me that tons of women come in every week to have this one or Mirena (hormonal IUD) put in. Statistically, they are both 99% effective, about on par with the pill.

Any side effects?

It was uncomfortable to get inserted, and I've been slightly crampy since then, but already that's subsiding.

What do you know about IUD?

There are two main IUDs. Paraguard, which is non-hormonal, and Mirena, which is hormonal. From what I've been told, Paraguard results in heavier and crampy periods for up to the first 6 months, after which things should calm down, though not to the lightness of periods regulated by hormonal birth control. Mirena, since it has hormones in it, results in lighter periods and cramping. Paraguard lasts up to 12 years, and Mirena up to 5 years. Though it is easier to insert in women who have had children, it's not impossible if you haven't. I haven't, and had to go in twice before I got it inserted. The first time, it just wasn't going to happen. The second time, I took some medicine they gave me to dialate the cervix a little, plus I was on my period and they used some regional numbing medication, all of which made the insertion very quick.

If you're comfortable with hormones, I would recommend the NuvaRing. I loved mine--I never had any problems with it. I only switched to Paraguard because I wanted a non-hormonal BC.

What method of Birth Control do you use?

Nuvaring

How long have you reallied on this method?

About 8 months

Has it always been effective?

So far no babies

Any side effects?

I have not noticed many side effects. I thought at first I couldnt lose weight on it but proved myself wrong. I have lost 13 lbs and still going. My sex drive is about zero but I cant tell if thats from the BC or just me.

What do you know about IUD?

Not much.

Original Post by mperic81:

I am so forgetful about taking birth control pills and I do NOT want to get pregnant.  I wanted to ask you a quick survey, since you are all so smart! Even if you use "the pill" could you please fill this out, or offer some tips?

What method of Birth Control do you use?
Currently I have a Mirena.
Before that I was on Mercilon pill.
Then I couldn't get it in the country that I moved to so I did the injection (Depo-provera)

How long have you reallied on this method?
Mirena: 5 months
Mercilon: 5 years
Injection: 1 injection worth

Has it always been effective?
No babies so far!

Any side effects?
Mercilon: helped alot with my heavy period, but I was mooooddyy!
Injection: Actually made my mood go up. Its progesterone based. Apparently I found this out when changing pills once, the one pill was high in progesterone and the other wasn't. The progesterone really helped my mood to stabilize.
Quite a handy piece of info to know ;)
Just before I needed my next injection I found that I started to spot about a month before hand. Decided to go off it, as I am still young and it is so freaking effective that you can struggle to fall pregnant up to a year after 1 shot.
Mirena: well its been 5 months, and I find that I am quite sore still. But hormonally, brilliant. No weird weight gain or water retention etc.

What do you know about IUD?
In my personal experience, this is what I know:
I got it put in under general anaesthetic cause I was already going in for an op and thought hell why not kill two birds one stone.
To check if I was okay for it then did a ultrasound, to see if my uterus was big enough. Has to be 4cm min, I was 4.6 so just made it. (I think the measurement was cm)
When I woke up from the operation, I was in pain.
Now I think I am rather on the exception to the rule kinda thing, cause I hear most ppl say its absolutely fine - but in my case - it was the worst most debilitating pain I have ever come across in my life. ouch.
It was sore for about 2 months. I have had it checked just after the op to make sure it had been placed correctly. Hot baths and hot water bottles were my saviour!
Now its 5 months later and I get a veerrrry light period. And I get what I call Mirena pains, lol.
Its just like a more hardcore period pain. But my mood is great!! And I feel extremely safe on it.
But I have found that I get a bit achy after intercourse. I guess I would say a little more tender.
In my opinion, I would say get it!
Its completely worth it! :)

Injection: Actually made my mood go up. Its progesterone based. Apparently I found this out when changing pills once, the one pill was high in progesterone and the other wasn't. The progesterone really helped my mood to stabilize.
Quite a handy piece of info to know ;)

I noticed the same thing. It totally eliminated the monthly crazies for me. I love it, and since I have 0 plans of having another child, I plan to stay on until  menopause.

What method of Birth Control do you use?

Tubal ligation for almost 9 years but Ortho-Tricyclen before pregnancies.  After 1st pregnancy I wasn't able to find a pill that worked.

How long have you reallied on this method?

Ortho-Tricyclen worked well for 7 years.  I stopped taking it to attempt getting pregnant and it only took 3 months.  After childbirth I was given a different brand.  It was something with low or lo in the name.  I got pregnant while taking it.  I had been on it nine months.  I had not forgotten any doses or been on antibiotics, just a freak thing I guess.  That or it just didn't work at all.  The first time I had sex on that pill I got pregnant.  After second baby, I tried several brands and all caused major issues with mood swings and hormonal  imbalances.  I had a tubal because I can only afford two children and couldn't afford any further BC failure.

Has it always been effective?

See above answer.

Any side effects?

Yasmin caused the worst side effects for me.  Ortho-Tri was awesome.  Effective, helped my skin, no weight gain, etc.  The second one obviously didn't work, but no noticeable side effects.  All others caused serious side effects, but Yasmin caused major depression for me.  My body chemicals just didn't agree with it.

What do you know about IUD?

To be honest, nothing.  I have had a tubal since Dec 2000.  The only reason I still know current things about current BC pills is because my Dr. has made several attempts at helping me with my severe PMS symptoms.  I've tried all the pills and have just decided to give up and deal with it.

What method of Birth Control do you use?

Depo-Provera (injection)

How long have you relied on this method?

3 years

Has it always been effective?

Yupp!

Any side effects?

The only side effects I've had on the shot were good ones! I had NO period, which also meant NO PMS or cramps/bloating, etc.  However my doctor recently recommended that I try out a different type of birth control because long term use of Depo-Provera carries a risk of bone loss.  I have been switched over to Nuva Ring for 3 months now and I dont really like it.  It is easy to remember because you only replace it once a month, but I have my period back in full swing and all the craziness that comes with it :(.  I have recently made an appt. with my doctor to go back on Depo.  I figure I'll be fine on it for a while being that I am 25 yrs old, dont smoke, live a healthy and active lifestyle, and take vitamins every day.  I just cant bear having my period back after not having it for 3 whole years, lol!

What do you know about IUD? 

Not much, I never really looked into it since doctors do not recommend it to women who have never given birth.

*bump*

What method of Birth Control do you use? 

I use the pill (specifically Yaz).  DH also uses a condom.  We REALLY cannot afford a baby at the moment...no matter how much we want one.

How long have you reallied on this method?

I have been using the pill/condom combo for a few years now. 

Has it always been effective?

I haven't gotten pregnant yet!  However, I did have a scare once, but it turned out that I had missed my period because of intense stress.  But, I thought it was because I forgot to take my pill twice in one month and we weren't careful with the condoms. 

Any side effects?

Not for me, but I know that some women experience side effects with the pill.

What do you know about IUD?

Very little.  From what I understand, they usually want you to have already had  a kid, but I could be totally wrong.  It sounds effective and worry-free though.

What method of Birth Control do you use?

Paraguard (copper, non-hormonal) IUD

How long have you reallied on this method?

6 years

Has it always been effective?

yes

Any side effects?

none!

What do you know about IUD?

The copper IUD is a wonderful, super effective form of birth control, especially for women who want a non-hormonal option.

What method of Birth Control do you use? 

Nuva-Ring.  plus usually a condom. We are pretty careful!

How long have you reallied on this method?

A couple of years now.  

I really like it because its so easy. Just make sure to mark the calendar and you are good to go! No pills everyday, same time of day junk. I'm way too forgetful for that!

Has it always been effective?

No babies yet!

Any side effects?

Not that I noticed. No weight gain (not caused by the pill anyway!)

What do you know about IUD?

To be honest, nothing!

What method of Birth Control do you use?

Vasectomy

How long have you reallied on this method?

8 years

Has it always been effective?

yes

Any side effects?

Some discomfort that last well beyond the healing period but none now.

What do you know about IUD?

Ex-girlfriend had one for the 3 years we were together (pre-vasectomy) and and it was 100% effective and didn't seem to cause her any side effects at all.

What method of Birth Control do you use?  

The Pull-Out Method.  Just Kidding.  I use Paragard (copper, non-hormonal IUD)

How long have you reallied on this method?

1 year

Has it always been effective?

Yes.  It involves no thinking. 

What do you know about IUD?

So far so good.