Getting off hormones.

[sullen-criminal.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone.  I have some questions and I know you all will have some insight.

I have been on NuvaRing for the past 15 months.  I have been stacking it and haven't had a period since June '06.  Because of some discomfort lately and a desire to live more naturally, I am discontinuing use in November.  I would like to start using a natural family planning method (no hormones or barriers.)  I will be attempting to avoid pregnancy for awhile. 

Any recommendations or advice you might have for my switch is appreciated.

Comments

[loonylupinlover.livejournal.com]

It may take a while for your cycles to regulate themselves off of HBC, in addition to the time you might take to learn how to do a method like FAM (which I've heard can take a couple months to really get the hang of/get in the habit of monitoring). Based on that I would recommend using a barrier method for a few months until a) your cycle is back to being regular and b) you are confident in the natural method, at which point you can transition entirely into using the natural method alone. If you're concerned about unnatural latex condoms, they do make lambskin condoms, which, if you're not vegan/vegetarian but still concerned about the environment, could be helpful.

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

Have you visited the fine folks over at fam? They have much great information about how to use the Fertility Awareness Method correctly. In addition, if you haven't done so already, pick up Toni Weschler's wonderful book Taking Charge of Your Fertility, which is really one of the most highly recommended books in VP and in FAM circles.

I second what loonylupinlover said: it might be very difficult to get good FAM data on your first few months off hormonal birth control. It's normal for your body to take anywhere from a week to six months to ovulate for the first time off HBC, and it can take additional time for it to fall into a regular pattern.

While your cycle is reacquainting itself with your body, no matter what type of fertility awareness / natural family planning / rhythm method you choose will be affected during that time, since many of those methods require establishing patterns and collecting data about your cycle that can be applied going forward.

In the meantime, I might also suggest withdrawal, either as a companion to FAM or as its own, if you feel comfortable with it. Although much maligned as a form of contraception, it actually posts surprisingly decent protection rates: if used perfectly (meaning your partner withdraws every time, without ejaculating near the vaginal opening, and urinates between ejaculations to rinse any lingering sperm from the urethra) it is 94% effective against pregnancy over the course of a year.

The typical use rates are a big drop -- 74% over the course of a year -- because it is difficult for many couples to use it consistently, but either way it's natural, allows for spontanaeity, and can be used in conjunction with whatever other route you're going.

[atalanta0jess.livejournal.com]

Advice: If your nipples hurt like a mofo, don't worry...it'll go away eventually.