Preconception Birth Control

[Morr]

Allrighty, I am going to the gyno in 10 days to get a general check up and to decide on a birth control that would be suited to my.

semicivilizedman and I have set March 2007 as the official month we begin trying to concieve. This gives me 9 months to be on birth control.

I want to figure out a good birth control that my body will adjust to quickly, wont be too much of a hassle, wont make my hormones go out of control, and will be easy to come off of and immidiately be able to concieve.

My mother wants me to go on an IUD. She thinks semi and I should wait at least a couple of years before we ttc. That is not going to happen since we both really want kids sooner, and as far as things are planned at the moment -- We should be settled and ready to have a baby on all fronts by March. However, I have no problems going on an IUD in general. Question is -- Is it worth going on it for JUST 9 months, when its generally used as a long term bc?

Then I was thinking of the pill... But I've heard horror stories with the pill as to hormones going out of control -- Mood swings, weight gain, etc. The next 3 months are going to be very stressful for me, so I really would like to be as sane as possible and not have to deal with hormones turning me into a crazy lady.

Condoms, thats what we were using so far. However -- Its a hassle. And honestly, sometimes we get carried away and well, the condom isnt even taken out of the wrapper (yea yea yea, irresponsible Morr & semi, I know I know...).

Anything else out there on the market -- Well, I'm either not very educated about, or I really dont want to use.

I know the gyno will probably advise me best, but I really dont want to go there not knowing a thing and being totally confused.

Any thoughts? Whats a safe bc that wont mess with my reproducing organs? Whats worth using for 9 months? Any pills out there with a low dosage of hormones?


Thanks!

[Marcasite]

There are pills out there with a low dose of hormones. It might take some adjustments to find a pill that works for you. I was on Diane35 for a while and it gave me brutal yeast infections. I switched to yasmin and I've had no problems at all.
I'm not sure how long you need to be off the pill before everything gets back to normal though...

[Choro's Mom]

My mother wants me to go on an IUD. She thinks semi and I should wait at least a couple of years before we ttc. That is not going to happen since we both really want kids sooner, and as far as things are planned at the moment -- We should be settled and ready to have a baby on all fronts by March. However, I have no problems going on an IUD in general. Question is -- Is it worth going on it for JUST 9 months, when its generally used as a long term bc?
From what I have read (and my birth control worries are long over, between a tubal and the only male in my life being the fella kissing me there in my picture, and he's neutered), IUDs are NOT recommended for women who have not yet had children. Anecdotal evidence only, but I do know women who were on an IUD and then were unable to conceive.

A low-dose pill would be my recommendation, but I am not a doctor.

[Silver_Undine]

A low dose pill or the NuvaRing

[MysticWitch]

An IUD is a long term conterceptive. I wouldnt get one one if your gona remove it in 9 months. I would do on depo. :wave:

[proxieme]

Just a quick anecdote:

Low dose pills are great for many people, but Ortho-Tri Lo made my sex drive dive (which was really noticeable for me as I'm usually the aggressor).

[Merrilyn]

Wanted to add, regarding pills..
I've been on and off pills (both Lo-dose and regular) for various reasons, and every time it has taken me three or more months to get my cycle back on track. Could cause lotso problems for your timeframe. However, who knows how long it will take you to actually conceive? Some people have to work at it for months, anyway.
Best wishes to you guys, ask the doc for more info! There are so many options out there.
BTW..I applaud your courage and responsibility....gyno is good.:)

[MysticWitch]

Go on the depo.. and never get ur period until you go off it! BONUS :woot:

[HorseCrow]

I am personally for mechanical barriers such as condoms, diaphram, femidoms- even though they can be a bit of a hassle some times. But if you are creative, then a condom can be part of the foreplay- the woman can put it on the man (this can even be done with the mouth). And with the diaphram you just put it in place before you even jump into bed, thus no need to break it off once you get started.

I have never liked the idea of filling my body with hormones, even the low-dose ones, foreign bodies or forcing my body to something as unnatural as not having periods for prolonged periods of time. It may be very practical, but there is just no way I find it natural.

[Morr]

Thanks ladies!

I appriciate it :)

I guess I'll have to wait and see what the doc says...

[Qeniheru]

Saw this and wanted to add my two cents. :)

I am on Ortho-Tri Lo and have had no problems at all with it. I'd recommend it to anyone. But of course, these things affect everyone in different ways, so I wish you luck in finding what is best for you. :D

[Scarlettvixen]

Go on the depo.. and never get ur period until you go off it! BONUS :woot:
a number of my friends have been on this and it has caused nightmares
weight gain, mood swings
one took 18 months to get her period back after 1 shot! and another one developed polycystic ovaries following her one shot
they nag at those of us with polycystic ovaries that if we dont menstruate regularly we have a major increase in uterine cancer - so i fail to see how the depo shot - which stops yr periods - is healthy for u at all!

im with horsecrow
i dont like the extra hormones that all the pills /shots pump into you

[DixieWitch]

I was on Ortho Lo for 3 months, came off it and got pregnant the first cycle. Depo I've heard is the DEVIL!! It can takes months to get your cycle back on track. I knew a girl that was on it for almost a year and took her 2 yrs to get pregnant. I think Depo is like the IUD, meant only for long term birthcontrol. Personally, I would never use either. I've heard too many bad things about it. Low dose always worked best for me. High dose caused me to have horrible migraines. But I don't have to worry about that anymore!! I'm getting snipped after Alex is born!!

[Starlight*Rains]

Go on the depo.. and never get ur period until you go off it! BONUS :woot:With depo, you cannot concieve for up to a year after your last shot so i wouldn't recommend that.

[Mama J]

I am currently on Tivora which is a generic for Triphasil, but I've been on Estrostep-Fe (works well but costs alot), Ortho-tricyclen Lo (works well and cheaper, and Yasmin (evil made me bleed for a month). Trivora is working good, doc put me on it after I had my daughter in April.

I would say that you also have to look at the cost of bc cause that's a factor too. Cause if you can't efford you bc method you won't use it. If you have insurance you can see what exactly they will cover by calling the costumer service line and asking. My trivora has a retail price of $30.00 american. Good luck, with finding something thats cheap, effective, and is not a hassle.

P.S. Side note if you end up on pills REMEMBER the first month you have to use another method as back up until the hormones are in your system, doc will fill you in, and that if you are on antibiotics you must use another method as back up as well cause antibiotics mess with your pills, again doc will fill you in.

[GEBS]

I agree with HorseCrow.

I would use a diaphragm if I were in your situation. It's comfortable, it's convenient, and it doesn't mess with your hormones. I used one after Brando was born and never had a problem.

I can't use hormonal birth control because of the headaches and numbness I get so I was very happy with my choice.

[Childof_theMorrigan]

i still would recommend spermicidal comdoms... but if you aren't uh... remembering to use them, i would recommend a low dosage pill. i would NOT recommend the shot considering you're worried about mood swings, weight gain etc. once you take the shot you're stuck with it for 3 months. at least if the pills cause side effects you can just stop taking them right away.

[Chesna]

Just adding my 2 cents...try the BC pill..I think since you ae thinking only for a short time..a low dose would be best..then go off about 3 months before trying to concieve to let your cycle get back and allow time for cycle charting..but like others said..talk to your doctor. If they recommend the pill..ask when would be the best to go off when ttc.

Let us know what happens.

Chesna

[Morr]

Thanks ladies!

Honestly, with the NuvaRing and the Diaphram -- I have issues. I dont know, I have issues with putting stuff in there and shoving it in. Bad enough I have long nails *shiver* Nuff said...

I have been warned about the shot and the patch, so I dont know if I want to use those now when I'm planning on ttc in less than a year.

I think the two options are an IUD or a low dosage of hormones sort of pill.


And I just realized I might be on my period when I have the gyno appt, so I might have to postpone it.. Blah.

But thanks everyone :D

[proxieme]

A couple things to remember: IUDs cam be expensive (like $500 for the device and insertion last I checked), and not all insurance covers them (so it may not be the most cost-effective option if it's in the shorter term).

If your insurance doesn't cover them, ask your Doc if you can get a discount. The price for the copper IUD's a little less than $300, I'm not sure on the Mirena; regardless, he or she may not charge for the insertion if you explain your circumstances.
I've noticed that gynos tend to be remarkably flexible in these matters.

The other thing is that many gynos won't insert an IUD in a woman who's not yet had at least one child. Different reasons are given - fear of liability lawsuits if you it somehow renders you infertile, that a pre-kiddo uterus is too small - but I had scant luck when I tried to get one before I had Meg.

Edit: Oh, and I just saw that you said that you'll probably be on your period for your scheduled appointment. See if you can reschedule for right after your period ends if you want an IUD (and don't have intercourse between the end and your appointment) - they like to be triple sure that you're not pregnant before insertion.

[Marcasite]

bah! I cursed myself! Yeast infection again!
I'm thinking of ditching the pills for condoms because we're good with the responsibility (and I hate the infections :P) but I can't use spermacide cause it *also* gives me bad yeasties and I don't want to take any risks of not being able to finish university. Are condoms effective generally?

[proxieme]

They say 85% or something given average use, though I'd imagine that's compounded if spermicide's used, too.

I wouldn't know, though - latex makes me itchy and goatskin's expensive.

[DixieWitch]

bah! I cursed myself! Yeast infection again!
I'm thinking of ditching the pills for condoms because we're good with the responsibility (and I hate the infections :P) but I can't use spermacide cause it *also* gives me bad yeasties and I don't want to take any risks of not being able to finish university. Are condoms effective generally?
I think they are if they are used correctly. Meaning if they are used from start to finish and they are good..no holes, etc I was never able to use "regular" condoms, meaning latex ones because I am allergic to latex. So up until the point that we decided to start a family, I used to pill. When I could no longer be on it because it started causing me problems, we started using what I think is known as the "natural method". In other words, I knew my cycles and he would..um...pullout at the right moment. Apparently we both knew what we were doing, because we didn't get pregnant until we wanted to. Not to say it works for everyone. And I definitly wouldn't have done it if we weren't married or engaged to be married!!

[Seren_]

bah! I cursed myself! Yeast infection again!
I'm thinking of ditching the pills for condoms because we're good with the responsibility (and I hate the infections :P) but I can't use spermacide cause it *also* gives me bad yeasties and I don't want to take any risks of not being able to finish university. Are condoms effective generally?

Condoms are 99% effective provided you use them correctly...The percentage is according to lab tests, I believe, so in reality it's about 20% less than that to account for human error. I've only had one fail on me once, and that was when it had ripped and we hadn't noticed until too late. I took the morning after pill just to make sure.

Remember that a man produces sperm even before he ejaculates (which is why the rhythm method isn't recommended), so don't let your bits and pieces come even close unless you're protected. Observe sensible precautions like don't rip the condom packet open with your teeth and don't use the same condom more than once.

They're not the most romantic or spontaneous contraceptive devices, but if you definitely don't want to get pregnant just now, they're worth it if other options aren't feasible.

If you're planning to start trying to conceive in the near future, the IUD isn't worth it. If you have to pay for it yourself, it's expensive. If you haven't had a child before, you're unlikely to be given one. And if you don't have to pay for it, then your health service is unlikely to want to pay for one if you tell them you're planning to conceive soon.

From my own experiences on hormonal contraceptives, I personally would never want to take them, in any form, ever again. It can take a while to conceive after taking them, but if you're only on them short term it shouldn't affect you too badly. If you experience any negative side effects to them then you're probably on the wrong sort of pill, but trust me, a little weight gain is the least of your problems.

If you have a regular cycle, or obvious signs when you ovulate, and getting pregnant before you planned wouldn't be the end of the world, you could try a more "natural" method of family planning..

When women are trying to conceive it's recommended that they have sex around the time they ovulate, obviously. This is usually around 14 days from the start of your last period, but that's an average; you might be different. On average, you're fertile for up to a week each month, but again, you might be different.

You can google signs of ovulation to get a general idea of what to look out for, or you can buy a kit from a chemist that helps you gauge your fertile periods more accurately (by measuring hormone levels, I believe). They're not cheap, but according to this website, provide a 94% accurate method of contraception:

http://www.persona.org.uk/WhatisPersona3F.cfm

Gauging when you ovulate without using a kit is much less accurate, I hasten to add.

[RainInanna]

I believe (from my forays in forums for trying to conceive) many women gauge ovulation based on taking their temperature using a highly sensitive "basal body thermometer" every morning, and checking their cervical mucus (ie. discharge). At least that seems to be when they *are* trying to get pregnant. The body is fertile several days before and after ovulation however, and even when your cycle is like clock-work it can be thrown off easily by stress, etc.

Personally I've gotten pregnant on the pill and while using a diaphragm
and I've had condoms break when we weren't even TTC so maybe multiple barrier methods would be good if you're serious about not getting pregnant yet.

[Marcasite]

I really don't want to take any risks. I'm looking forward so much to becoming a mom :D But right now we don't have any money saved and I really want to finish my degree before I have any kids!
This is the first infection I've had in a while though so I guess it's not that bad. I remember in the past I thought I had an infection cause of thick discharge but I must have overlooked the absence of intense itching and burning! OWIE! And the monistat is even worse. Ah, poor me!

[Morr]

Well, I had to push my appt to the gyno back a bit for next week... Getting my period in a couple of days AND I have to work (I got some extra shifts this week and I absolutely cannot pass on them).

I think I'll go for a low hormonal dosage pill -- Not only for bc, but also for taking care and easing up on my cramps. I figure I can kill two birds with one stone.

But I will still consult my gyno.

Maybe we'll just stick with condoms as semi urges me.
He insists he wants to use those and doesnt want to risk messing with my hormones and taking the risk (as small as it might be) of ruining my fertility somehow using hormones and such.

We will see.

Thank you for your responses everyone!