New birth control, same risks?

[sereni-t.livejournal.com]

Hi! 
I have been on HBC since January. I started off on Loestrin 24 but it made me a little emotional/crazy so my doctor recommended Yaz (even though I am not a sufferer of PMDD)  I've been on Yaz for about 5 months and am starting to notice some really unpleasant side effects. The first being, I have severe anxiety. I have never before had tendencies of a hypochondriac but since I've started Yaz I am incredibly anxious about EVERYTHING. I hear about a certain disease on the news and feel obligated to google the hell out of it until I'm convinced I have it. It's RIDICULOUS! The second thing I have noticed is changes in my heartbeat. I have never once in my 20 years of life even noticed my heartbeat but since i've been on yaz I notice that sometimes I am short of breath very easily, which is weird because physically I am in great shape, sometimes I can't feel my hearbeat at all and sometimes it pounds like crazy, even if I am resting
. I did some research and saw a lot of instances in which women were experiencing increased risks of heart palpitations and blood clots in their cases of using Yaz. I never experienced any of this on Loestrin, but now that I have read all about how serious side effects can result from ANY HBC, I want to stop using Yaz but I am terrified to switch to another! My doctor recommended putting me back on Loestrin. I can't get a non hormonal form of BC (such as an IUD) because I have not had a child yet, and am only 20 years old. My boyfriend and I both do not like condoms and I am verrryy sensitive to spermicides and foams. So help me Vag Pag! Is Loestrin less of a risk than Yaz? I want to be pregnancy free but not at the risk of my health!

Comments

[bibliophile0614.livejournal.com]

I think it's interesting that there are VPers who haven't had kids who have an IUD. All the IUD websites say you need to already have had kids. So confusing.

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

It's starting to be very common -- awhile ago there was a more concern about expulsion in women who have not had children, and I get the impression that the IUD manufacturers got pressed into adding those disclaimers.

But those kinds of barriers are going by the wayside now -- as I mentioned to the OP, the feminist health clinic where I volunteer positively encourages IUD use, regardless of pregnancy.

[svexsal.livejournal.com]

I agree and I'm one of them (paragarded without a kid!). There are so many here and over at iud_divas who never had kids either :).

The IUD can even be used as emergency contraception! The doctor at my local planned parenthood didn't know that.

[paraxeni.livejournal.com]

http://emc.medicines.org.uk/emc/assets/c/html/DisplayDoc.asp?DocumentID=2796

That's the info leaflet included with the Mirena. Nowhere does it mention that the recipient needs to have given birth or been pregnant prior to insertion.

The 'not unless you've had kids' approach seems to only happen in America. In Europe, and especially here in the UK, they're happy to fit them in anyone. My local medical practice offers them to everyone over 16.

I'm nulliparous and the successful owner of a Mirena since since January 2006.

[bibliophile0614.livejournal.com]

Yeah. From the us Mirena site, it has this "how to know if Mirena is right for you" thing, and this is what it states (emphasis mine):

Is Mirena® Right for Me?

Mirena® intrauterine contraceptive (IUC) is appropriate for women who:

* Have at least one child
* Are looking for a hassle-free and reversible form of birth control for up to 5 years (or less, if you choose)1
* Are in a stable, mutually monogamous sexual relationship

It's important for you and your healthcare professional to discuss which birth control method is right for you. Mirena® offers effective birth control for busy women who want to keep life simple with a hassle-free contraceptive option