Forewarning: Dude freaders, this may not be a post for you.
I need some advice freaders. Read on, it’s kind of important.
It’s that time of year. Unfortunate really, since I’m in one of those x number of millions that are currently uninsured. Hubs and I are going through our healthcare options – whether we want to buy an individual family plan, go through his work or see how much it is to go through my grad program (assuming I get in)
Either way, my birth control prescription is up at the middle of next month and after that I need to think about my options.
I am in no way, shape, or form ready for children so going all Natural Family Planning isn’t quite an option at this point – it’s something we’re willing to try later, but later being when we feel that if we had an “oops” night (like our lecturer’s from our pre-cana who had child number 5 after a bottle of wine and forgetting to take the temp or something silly like that) we’d be okay with the potential consequences. We’re not quite there yet.
So my options at this point are….
1. Call my former doctor and beg for him to refil my prescription for another couple of months. Unfortunately, this probably won’t work without me going into his office which I don’t really want to do since I don’t have insurance and I’m not in DC anymore.
2. Go to Planned Parenthood. Get a prescription. I’m not technically due for my yearly exam until January (so I don’t know why I ran out a month early…wtf). Get exam in January when I will HOPEFULLY have insurance again.
Here’s where the dilemma is….I’m not sure I want to…stay on the pill. I’m thinking of exploring other options, specifically, I have heard okay things about the IUD. I hate the way the pill makes me sluggish, how I gained ten lbs and despite running, eating relatively well, I can’t seem to get rid of it. I hate the way it affects my sex drive (sorry TMI), I hate the way it makes me moody and it doesn’t really fix the problem I’ve been on it for to begin with (awful cramps. It eases them but not full relief).
Maybe I need to alter the hormones. But maybe? It’s time for a change.
So my question to you dear freaders, is what are your experiences with birth control? Do you have a preferred method? Pills? IUD? Shots? I know everyone is different but I’m curious about other experiences – especially with the IUD.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve gone on and off the pill, tried Depo Provera (wasn’t a fan), gone with NuvaRing (was a big fan, but it became too costly when my, ugh, insurance changed) and, after a recent REALLY BAD experience when the formulation of my trusty pill changed, decided to go without. This may be my granola crunching California roots coming out, but I don’t like the idea of pumping my body full of foreign substances every day, no matter how well tested and “safe” they are. So my boyfriend and I made the decision for me to stay off it, not deal with the side effects and we use condoms. Ideal? No. Better than a baby right now? Yes.
Have you tried the Nuva Ring? I had similar bc problems, and the ring eliminated those for me. Planned Parenthood made it pretty affordable with their sliding scale. Good luck! Having no insurance sucks.
Perhaps consider a progesterone only pill? I’m on the generic for Micronor because I have a genetic blood disorder where I’m more apt to clot. They way I found out about my blood disorder is that I was on Ortho-Tri-Cyclen and was hospitalized for a clot.
I love Micronor – haven’t gained weight or experienced mood swings at all. My only other option was an IUD but I didn’t feel comfortable with that route.
A Sirius Radio show recently discussed the pill and side effects and one woman’s doctor suggested she get her hormones checked to see what form/type of birth control would be good for her.
I have the Mirena IUD and I LOVE it.
I was on the pill for years, needed to be on it because of my PCOS, but I had gotten pretty lazy in taking it, I was sick of having to take a pill every night and I kept forgetting. So, I met with my doctor and discussed my options. I wanted something I didn’t have to think about. The IUD was the perfect choice and wouldn’t mess with my already messed up body. Ha. I’ve had it for almost two years and I love it. I haven’t had any side effects and my period has completely disappeared.
I was on Micronor, a POP, but when going through a terribly stressful time in my life, my body freaked out and I had a very very heavy period that lasted for quite some time. My doctor thought I was having a miscarriage, which wasn’t possible. We decided to switch my pills and take me off of the POP.
The IUD really was the right thing for me.
As far as getting a temp refill, I have done this several times with a couple different doctors. I have just called and asked for a month or two saying that i just can’t make it in until the next month for an exam. Since you’re not due yet anyways, they should be fine with it.
I have also been considering switching for a couple months. I have my annual exam next month and will be talking to my doc about alternatives to the pill. I have also been getting lazy with remembering and don’t think I’ve made it through a whole month successfully in 8 or 9 months. When I forget, I’m terrified of getting preggers and won’t let my husband touch me. When I don’t forget my libido is so low I’m not really interested in anything anyways. Hello! I’m a newlywed! Should NOT be resisting my husband already! It’s very frustrating. So I’m interested in what route my doc and I decide to take. Looking forward to more reviews of IUD from your readers!
Another option for B.C. (at least until you can talk to your gyno about all your options) is possibly a Minute Clinic for a refill?
One thing I would say is this: Do not get the shot. No no no. I hated being on it, and I know of two people who, even when they were timely with their shots, ended up with beautiful gurgling pooping bundles of joy, heh. Also for me, the side effects did not make me happy at all.
In terms of what I use now, I use Yaz. Less hormonal craziness than the regular pill. I would try other options, but I love being in control on a daily basis of it. Not that I’m a control freak or anything. Of course not!
I have been on the pill for 3 years and I can definitely relate to the weight gain, the sluggishness, the diminished sex drive – yes, yes, yes. However, it also takes the edge off my cramps and helps me deal with my periods… so there’s that.
Now, onto IUDs. I have heard such horrifying stories about these that I will never, ever, ever consider one. My mom had one of these experiences. She got her IUD, all was well. She got the one that was supposed to stop your periods and the periods never stopped. About a month after she got it, the string disappeared. She went in for an ultrasound, all was supposedly well. So then she started a period that lasted for about…. 5ish months. Straight, heavily, and the dr wouldn’t do anything.
Story ends with an emergency hysterectomy. The IUD had embedded itself in the uterine wall and had perforated her uterus.
I know that it’s a rare and slim chance that this could happen, but hearing this – I would never tell anyone to try an IUD before having all the children that they want…. it’s just too big of a risk.
Ok, sorry…. this is a book.
I’ve been on the pill for about 10 years now, and I love it! There are some that work better than others for me (Zenchent gives me mad cramping, but Balzavia – strangely enough a version of Zenchent-, Yaz, etc, give me hardly any, plus a really really (we’re talking barely existant flow).
I would consider the IUD, however, I am taking the pill because I have PCOS, and it’s supposed to help it. Who knows.
I’d head to planned parenthood… they’ve helped me out of a jam in the past (when I spent a few months uninsured). My advice would be to wait until you have insurance to go the IUD route. (Plus it’s about 5-600 dollars, so it’s something I’d want to talk over with my regular doctor to make sure it was the right decision).
I lost my healthcare last October when I was laid off. Since then I have been calling my gyno and getting a nuvaring prescription and the buying the drugs from Canada. It actually ended up being cheaper than what I was paying when I had insurance. Good luck.
Hmmm. Well, I’ve used a ton of different things, and I won’t get into my nine paragraph birth control history, but. if you’re considering an IUD, just remember that there are two kinds – some are impregnated with hormones (no pun intended, seriously) and some are not. if you want to take a break from the side effects of the pill, be sure to talk to your doctor or whoever you end up seeing about this about the differences, and consider asking for an iud that is hormone-free. I’ve had a long history of major reproductive health issues, and am scheduled for another major surgery in two weeks. if there is anything i’ve learned that i’d want to pass on to other women, it would be that we have enough of our own hormones already. if you can avoid taking any more than you need, it’s a good thing.
mazel.
I have been using the NuvaRing because I was having issues and I LOVE IT. Periods always on time, short and light, rarely get cramps.
No weight gain! (for me anyway)
I’ve been on Yaz for almost three years. From what I can tell, it didnt cause me to gain weight (I think that was from not working out and eating like crap
), my periods are extremely light (Sorry for the details, but I went from using “super” tampons to “regular” lol), and it’s like clockwork. Sure I don’t like pumping unnecessary hormones in my body, but I made sure to ask my doctor for a low dose one since I have some emotional/anxiety tendencies when it’s that time of the month anyways!
Someone mentioned the Minute Clinic–I don’t know if they can prescribe birth control, but If they can it’s a great place. The practitioner that I saw for an icky sinus infection/respiratory thing was no-nonsense and really efficient and too the point. I couldn’t get in to my internist for another day and I needed something at that moment. Basically told her I wanted antibiotics and she did a quick exam and wrote me the prescription!
Well, I’m a dude, but I dared to read on anyway! You are right that getting started on Natural Family Planning after you quit the Pill can be a challenge for a month or two while you find out what your body’s doing (the Pill suppresses all of your natural fertility signs, forces your cycle length, etc.). You would have be extra careful (read: less sex) during the transition time, but after that rest assured that NFP is 99% effective.
Now, you have to actually follow it, so your pre-Cana couple’s example is not a good one. They could have just as easily “forgotten” to wear a condom or take the Pill that day as well. They shouldn’t blame NFP for an “accident” in that case.
We use NFP and think it’s the best thing we’ve done for our marriage. I have written about it a bit on my website, and NFP really draws a lot of interest. I’d suggest at least giving it an honest try. I think you’ll love what it does for your marriage and your health.
i think that planned parenthood would be your best option now and i’m pretty sure they do more than just the pill. one of my friends goes through them because she is currently uninsured and she says good things about it.
i LOVE my mirena iu. ive been on it for almost 2 years and its amazing. i looked online and the stuff freakedme out ad i have none of the expereinces people write about. no weight gain, no hormone problmes, i dont even get my period really, i get some cramps and occasionaly a little pink but its the best thing ever. i was allergic to the nuvaring so that was painful but peple seem to love that too. good luck!
I’ve been using Planned Parenthood for over a year now since I had crappy insurance that didn’t cover squat. They’ve always been good to me as long as you can get over the shame other people project onto you when you walk in. (Mine is in a strip mall next to a Plato’s Closet and a diner… ugh… can you imagine?) I donate $$ to Planned Parenthood because not only do I believe in their mission, I don’t know what I’d do without them. (No abortion services, have to be clear… their sliding scale for BC has just been great for me.)
Moving on to types of BC… I started on the patch but it seriously made me crazy. Clots are more prevalent with the patch, too, so I strongly suggest you avoid it. I switched to Ortho-Tri-Cyclen and it was decent. The hormones were still mildly apparent, the sex drive was there, but I’m telling you, a pill a day is a PAIN IN THE BUTT. I’ve been on the NuvaRing for over a year now and it’s not ideal but probably my best option, though I’d LOVE to discuss the IUD. I have no sex drive on the ring. It’s an issue. But no weight gain, no real change in emotions, fabulously easy periods, and very few cramping probs. How I generally feel throughout my cycle tends to outweigh my lack of enjoying my newlywed status, if you catch my drift.
Looking forward to comments about the IUD. And seriously, if you ever have any questions or just want to vent, I sorta love talking about this stuff so feel free to shoot me an email!!
I really loved my Mirena IUD. Nearly painless insertion (no worse than a pap smear), didn’t have to think about it, stopped getting periods, stopped getting menstrual migraines. All good. All good.
My husband could feel the strings for about a month, but they softened up and we stopped having that problem.
The only problem I had with it was when it was removed I had some pretty major bleeding (that my OB’s office assured me was normal). I did some science on my own and figured out that drinking red raspberry leaf tea (Traditional Medicinals is my brand of choice) made it stopped. No, for real. It’s a uterine tonic.
Anyway, when we’ve had our 3rd kid (we’re trying), I plan to get another one instead of having my husband get a V! Because his vasectomy won’t stop my migraines, right?
I’ve been on Yaz (and off for a brief period when I experienced what you did moving from FL to NY and having to wait to go to the gyno and running out early WTF doctors? YEAR perscriptions!) and I’ve been on other pills. With Yaz, my periods are shorter, lighter, AND my boobs grew. Plus I tend to lose about 5 pounds when I’m on Yaz, NO WEIGHT GAIN! Weight loss! I never wanna go off it lol.
This might be an individual doctor preference, but I asked mine about an IUD and was told it’s generally not recommended for women who have NOT had a child yet. Something to do with how it stays in your body or something?
This is my first time posting a comment but I love my IUD enough to break out a comment! I am 24, NO kids (happily) and have had my Mirena IUD for 2.5 years. And I haven’t had a period since. And I haven’t had any icky hormonal issues like I did on the pill. They don’t always recommend it on women who haven’t had kids because placing it can be more difficult…and it does hurt like a bitch…but only for seriously a minute at insertion (hello, they’re putting something in your cervix!) You have really bad cramps for a day…but mine weren’t as awful as some of my menstrual cramps were. And then you’re good. For five years. Or less if you choose. DO IT. My insurance covered all but a $15 co-pay…but even if you have to pay full price…SO WORTH IT. You can email me if you have more questions
I know I’m chiming in late. I wanted an IUD for a while, but so far haven’t found a doctor who was willing to insert one for me because I have never had kids. I hate the pill because it makes my hormones all wacky (opposite of everyone else, I know) and my skin turns into a mess. I’ve had Nuvaring and it was good from a standpoint of side effects, but very expensive ($45/mo for me). I was on the patch, but when I switched doctors found out I was in the high risk population and should have never been prescribed in the first place. Is there really a good answer? Sometimes I wonder…
For your situation, I would go to Planned Parenthood and stay on the pill as a stop gap measure until you have insurance or feel strongly one way or another about a different method. Let them know you just moved here, have no insurance and no job. They are good about the sliding scale. Plus you get fun flavored condoms so that’s always fun, right?
Oh what perfect timing….. I just had my Mirena IUD put in yesterday.
I was on the Nuva Ring for about a year and I loved it. I was on ortho-tricyclin for years but I was always freaked out that I would forget. Nuva Ring was cool but I was paying $50 a month in copays for it. I wanted to stop the hormones because I think it was messing with another medication I am taking and making my sex drive take a nose dive. Both my docs say its my other medication though.
I don’t think anyone has mentioned it but there are 2 kinds of IUD’s Mirenas have a low dose of progesterone so it thins the lining of the uterus which is why you have less or minor periods.
There is also the Copper IUD that has no hormones but my doctor says it will make your periods heavier and more painful.
Since I am fresh from the table I’ll tell you the 2 things I learned yesterday. Take advil before the procedure and ask to be numbed. My doctor only did it after she saw how I jumped with the first half of it. Also its easier to do when you have your period because your cervix is more open.
And the reason a lot of doctors won’t do it is because it was approved by the FDA only for women that have had children. That changed earlier this year because I had asked my doctor to do it in 2008 and she wouldn’t. There is a risk of infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Those are the major threats with a slim chance of happening. For me the pay-off was greater than the risk since now I know I won’t be knocked up for the next 5 years.