? about birth control ?

TLC RN · Jan 6, 2005

I take depo provera. I get a shot every three months and it costs the same as one month of birth control. Side effects I have had are no menstruation and weight gain. Well weight gain is prob not the medicine but the fact I put too much in my mouth :)

One other thing to ask about is how long does it generally take to conceive after coming of various BC...

Deb123j · Jan 6, 2005

One other thing to ask about is how long does it generally take to conceive after coming of various BC...

:chuckle Actually I was getting ready to ask this after I read the first part of your response. We definately want to have several kids after I get out of school - in 3 years.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2005

Everyone's body is different and has different experiences with birth control methods. Probably what is best is to start with one of the new, low-dose medications that weren't available the last time you were on the Pill - especially if you're on the thin side. Because of the lower hormone levels, many women are having less side effects. There are quite a few of these pills available now by different brands. Some offer clearer skin, some contain a diuretic to control bloating, and others leave you with periods only four times a year. There's also the NuvaRing (an intralady partsl ring that you insert and leave in for three weeks at a time) and the Ortho-Evra patch (which you replace once a week for three weeks) for people who forget to take their pills, and these are also low-dose medications.

I'd stay away from Depo-Provera if you want to concieve in the next few years, as it takes longer to totally clear your body than the above methods. The rates for getting pregnant after the pill are about normal, I believe - and actually some women have BETTER luck concieving the first month or so off the Pill. (And personally, I gained 10 pounds in the 3 months I had Depo-Provera in my body, and was in a constant crabby mood.)

Sorry for the long post - as a PCOS sufferer, I've read an awful lot about birth conrol pills!!!

melpn · Jan 6, 2005

Consider an IUD; no hormones (some kinds do have slow-release hormones, but not all do), good for 10 years, if you decide to start a family you can there is no delay in the return of ovulation other forms of BC have. Nothing to remember daily or monthly or deal with at inopportune moments; cost-effective (my insurance didn't cover it, but it boiled down to $75 a year). Yes, the insertion is very crampy but only for about 2 min. I got one it because I have migraines and can't tolerate hormones. Can't recommend it highly enough.

RNLaborNurse4U · Jan 6, 2005

Consider an IUD; no hormones (some kinds do have slow-release hormones, but not all do), good for 10 years, if you decide to start a family you can there is no delay in the return of ovulation other forms of BC have. Nothing to remember daily or monthly or deal with at inopportune moments; cost-effective (my insurance didn't cover it, but it boiled down to $75 a year). Yes, the insertion is very crampy but only for about 2 min. I got one it because I have migraines and can't tolerate hormones. Can't recommend it highly enough.

I second this entire reply! Though, my insurance did pay for my IUD (both times I had them). They are fantastic! My periods are a bit heavy, and I sometimes get wicked cramps, but that's not really new to me, since I was like that before I ever had an IUD. I use the copper 10 year IUD. I find it so wonderful to have it placed, and not have to worry about birth control for up to 10 years! And it's simple to have it removed if we want to try and conceive again - just a quick doctor appt - and it doesn't even hurt when it's removed.

Only downside is I was crampy for the first few days after insertion.

Jen

lisamc1RN, LPN · Jan 6, 2005

There is an excellent book called Taking Charge of Your Fertility, by Toni Weschler, that I recommend to every woman who is trying to prevent or get pregnant. You will understand your body and it's fertility a lot better and it may help you in making the best birth control decisions for you!

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Here's a link about the book. http://www.tcoyf.com/

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 6, 2005

Please see your doctor/midwife. That person will have appropriate access to your medical record and can prescribe what is in your best interests based on your lifestyle and medical history. He/she can also provide you some very informative literature about each method to help you decide for yourself what is best. Midwives, in particular, are great at teaching and spending time with each person to make sure needs are met. I think that would be your best move.

Good luck!

KrisRNwannabe · Jan 6, 2005

I have been on the Depo shot since march and i love it. i have only had one period since then. it came the week i started clinicals!! must have been the stress. my insurance actually covers it because the use is listed as dysfunctional uterine bleeding and not for birth control. but if i had to pay for it, it was actually cheaper than pills. i have been on birth control since i was 16. the only thing i didn't like was Norplant. ick. had it in for 1 year and bled the whole time. when they took it i had to be on special birth control pills to try get my cycle normal again. yikes 120 dollars per month. i had no insurance at the time. my sis has been on depo for years and has never had a problem getting pregnant. 3 kids to prove it. longest it took her to get pregnant was 6 months. never have been interested in IUDs. also a word of warning: these new low-dose birth control pills are very sensitve to your weight. i was on them for a while and i am overweight and ended up getting pregnant. i also had lots of breakthrough bleeding .

Kris

allnurses Guide · Jan 6, 2005

I know this is rare but reading about IUD's made me chuckle a bit . . we've had two women pregnant with IUD's in place and the doc couldn't remove the IUD and so they went the entire pregnancy with it there. One came out after delivery and one patient needed a D&C.

When I was first married long long time ago I was one of those "natural" girls who didn't believe in putting hormones in my bloodstream or foreign pieces of metal in my uterus. :chuckle I followed the natural method where you take your temp q a.m. before getting OOB and check the consistency of your lady partsl mucous, among other things. It actually taught me alot about my body and I did not get pregnant the entire time I faithfully practiced it.

My first son was a diaphragm baby. The second and fourth were condom babies. My third we actually tried for. :chuckle

I'm not advocating anything - I'm agree with Deb. Make an appointment with your gyn/midwife and talk about everything.

steph

BamaRN · Jan 7, 2005

When I first got on BC a few years ago I took Ortho Tricyclen Lo. I hated it - it didnt help regulate my period and I gained about 20 pounds while taking it. So I went back to my Gyn and she put me on Yasmin. Ive been taking that for about 2 years and I love it. I start on the same day every month, it lasts about 2 days and I get no cramps. The only PMS s/s i have is sore breasts a week or so before I start. Oh and I have no kids (:) ) so it works for me! The pill may not be what your wanting but if you go that way I'd talk to your GYN about Yasmin.

Good Luck in your search :chuckle!

nptobee · Jan 7, 2005

I know this is rare but reading about IUD's made me chuckle a bit . . we've had two women pregnant with IUD's in place and the doc couldn't remove the IUD and so they went the entire pregnancy with it there. One came out after delivery and one patient needed a D&C.
When I was first married long long time ago I was one of those "natural" girls who didn't believe in putting hormones in my bloodstream or foreign pieces of metal in my uterus. :chuckle I followed the natural method where you take your temp q a.m. before getting OOB and check the consistency of your lady partsl mucous, among other things. It actually taught me alot about my body and I did not get pregnant the entire time I faithfully practiced it.
My first son was a diaphragm baby. The second and fourth were condom babies. My third we actually tried for. :chuckle
I'm not advocating anything - I'm agree with Deb. Make an appointment with your gyn/midwife and talk about everything.
steph

I agree that this is a good method. My cycle is like clockwork, so I'm able to predict when I'll ovulate. If I were active, and trying to prevent pregnancy I would simply use a barrier method a couple of days before, during, and after ovulation.