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vaginapaginaHello, ladies. I've never posted here before but I find myself here a lot searching for information. I'm hoping that I can get some personal stories about different BC methods. I understand of course that everyone is different and everyone will have different experiences. I'm just hoping to get a bit of an idea of what I'm up against here. I'm currently on a generic birth control pill, and while I have never had issues with it, I would like to find a more convenient method because I just can't remember to take the damn thing!
The only method of BC I've tried besides the pill was the OrthoEvra patch. I liked it for the most part, but I had to switch back because it started really irritating my skin.
I've been doing research on things like the NuvaRing, IUDs and Depo shot. I realize that the best person to be talking about this with would be a health care provider, but as I have no insurance, the only place I am able to get birth control from is the free clinic. I get my pills from my local clinic because that isn't a huge deal, but I don't like most of the clinicians there and don't trust their knowledge on a lot of topics. I like my Planned Parenthood better, but it's a little bit of a drive for me. Which would be my first question. Can you get something like an IUD from a place such as Planned Parenthood?
The main concerns I have about the IUD is I've heard a lot of people say it causes horrible cramping. I usually have very easy periods without any cramping at all, unless I use tampons. I'm fine if I'm using pads, but tampons KILL me. The second I remove the tampon, I'm fine again. Which makes me think my body may have a big problem with something actually being implanted. Also, I've read that you regularly have to check the strings to make sure that it's still in place. If you can insert a finger and feel the strings, I'm assuming your partner will also be able to feel them during sex. Has this posed an issue for anyone? Also, when I do choose to become pregnant (which will be at least a couple of years from now), is there a significant amount of time after having the IUD removed before I will be able to conceive?
As far as Depo goes, I don't think I've ever talked to anyone who didn't experience significant weight gain and that's my major concern. I am not overweight and have never had any problems with my weight fluctuating, however. Hell, I could maybe even stand to put on a couple of pounds. So maybe it wouldn't be too big of an issue for me. Any input there?
The NuvaRing is what I'm leaning towards the strongest, but I have a couple of concerns/questions about that one, too. I'm thinking they may cause the same pain for me that tampons do. Also, do they stay in place easily? My other half is extremely well endowed... it takes tons of lube and foreplay for me to be able to comfortably have sex with him, and I still sometimes have to stop because he's giving my cervix such a beating. So I'm concerned that the sex could dislodge the ring, or cause it to become uncomfortable for either of us.
My other issue is that I seem to be exceptionally prone to infections in that region. BV most often.. and I'm talking like once a month. I also get regular yeast and urinary tract infections. I always go to get them diagnosed and treated, but they always seem to come right back. So I'm looking for a method that is not going to increase my chances of infection, because that's the LAST thing I need! And while we're on the subject, does anyone have any helpful hints about what can help prevent these things?
Those are my main questions, although all other pros and cons about any of these methods would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance, ladies!
The only method of BC I've tried besides the pill was the OrthoEvra patch. I liked it for the most part, but I had to switch back because it started really irritating my skin.
I've been doing research on things like the NuvaRing, IUDs and Depo shot. I realize that the best person to be talking about this with would be a health care provider, but as I have no insurance, the only place I am able to get birth control from is the free clinic. I get my pills from my local clinic because that isn't a huge deal, but I don't like most of the clinicians there and don't trust their knowledge on a lot of topics. I like my Planned Parenthood better, but it's a little bit of a drive for me. Which would be my first question. Can you get something like an IUD from a place such as Planned Parenthood?
The main concerns I have about the IUD is I've heard a lot of people say it causes horrible cramping. I usually have very easy periods without any cramping at all, unless I use tampons. I'm fine if I'm using pads, but tampons KILL me. The second I remove the tampon, I'm fine again. Which makes me think my body may have a big problem with something actually being implanted. Also, I've read that you regularly have to check the strings to make sure that it's still in place. If you can insert a finger and feel the strings, I'm assuming your partner will also be able to feel them during sex. Has this posed an issue for anyone? Also, when I do choose to become pregnant (which will be at least a couple of years from now), is there a significant amount of time after having the IUD removed before I will be able to conceive?
As far as Depo goes, I don't think I've ever talked to anyone who didn't experience significant weight gain and that's my major concern. I am not overweight and have never had any problems with my weight fluctuating, however. Hell, I could maybe even stand to put on a couple of pounds. So maybe it wouldn't be too big of an issue for me. Any input there?
The NuvaRing is what I'm leaning towards the strongest, but I have a couple of concerns/questions about that one, too. I'm thinking they may cause the same pain for me that tampons do. Also, do they stay in place easily? My other half is extremely well endowed... it takes tons of lube and foreplay for me to be able to comfortably have sex with him, and I still sometimes have to stop because he's giving my cervix such a beating. So I'm concerned that the sex could dislodge the ring, or cause it to become uncomfortable for either of us.
My other issue is that I seem to be exceptionally prone to infections in that region. BV most often.. and I'm talking like once a month. I also get regular yeast and urinary tract infections. I always go to get them diagnosed and treated, but they always seem to come right back. So I'm looking for a method that is not going to increase my chances of infection, because that's the LAST thing I need! And while we're on the subject, does anyone have any helpful hints about what can help prevent these things?
Those are my main questions, although all other pros and cons about any of these methods would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance, ladies!
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Paraguard IUD
Date: 2008-10-30 03:24 am (UTC)Check out the IUD DIVAS live journal, it's just the best.
1. Cramping. I won't lie, the cramps are bad when they decide to be. I've learned to take things a bit slower, and drink lots of water when I notice the warning signs of an oncoming cramp attack. Before the paraguard I rarely ever experienced anthing other than a mild yucky feeling. However, at five months with the IUD they were half gone, and now a six months I haven't had any except where you would expect them (giving a public speech).
2. Strings, not a problem. I kept mine long, never had them trimmed, the boyfriend has never felt them, and checking for them is no problem.
3. Cervix issues. I have no controll group for these observattions, so I can't be sure if the issue is IUD related or not. If while having sex my boyfriend's penis contacs my cervix strongly, it hurts. To fix it I just shift, or have him shift so that he's no longer striking my cervix. I do experience a similar pain if I insert a tampon really deeply, so it may just be that squishing the cervix always causes pain.
3. Heavy periods. I had pretty light periods before the IUD, two days of super sized tampons, and then the rest of the week was really light. I hated using tampons after getting the IUD, due to the cervix squishing issues, and 10+ days of using tampons really dries you out. I now use a menstural cup, and I put them in the top 10 best things that I've ever discovered. I'd rather give up coffee than my menstrual cup. It's solved the heavy period issue to the point where my period is now easier than it was before the IUD. Check out Menstrualcups.org if you're interested.
3. I'm thinking over your thought about that if you hate tampons, than an inserted contraceptive might not be good. My thought is that tampons are a whole different ball game than an IUD, and not comparable.
4. Yeast infections: the VP vulvapedia can give you better info than I could, because most of my info comes from there! The garlic works wonderfully in my experience, stops the itch within 10 minutes, and it's so cheap!
Re: Paraguard IUD
Date: 2008-10-30 03:26 am (UTC)Re: Paraguard IUD
Date: 2008-10-30 04:08 am (UTC)Thanks for all the info. :)