Birth Control

well depending on the length of time you have been using the bc, some it takes a while and others the next month...so I think it depends on your body. Personally with my children being 10 yrs apart, I think any type of bc kills your drive. I finally start just using the natural method (without going into too much detail) but I really had to learn my body by knowing when I was ovulating etc...

I have done the pill (gained weight and grew hair in weird places), and the patch (worked for 11 months and then I had a skin-reaction to it) so we use absolutely no BC....we ALSO use the natural method....but you won't want any details....I also am familiar with the ovulation cycle for preventing pregnancy and for GETTING pregnant.....As far as how long it takes after you get off BC to get pregnant...well It can be as short as a month, or as long as a year....Christina Aguilera said it took her about a month after she stopped taking the pill for her to get pregnant.

PS...since we don't use BC I have no problems with my sex drive:) So I may not be much help in this one....

The natural (rhythm) method is what we use as well. I choose not to deal with the side effects associated with bc.

Ivy did you speak with your doctor, perhaps he/she can give you some suggestions, as everyone's body is different and bc may effect them differently.

P.S. Bumble you are too funny!!! LOL!!!

I agree ...the shot killed it for me ...my ex husband's feet couldn't even touch mine in the bed! My tubes are tied now ..and it's on like popcorn ..:) We have enough kids (in my opionion) ...of course he wants one within the union ...and you know what I did -got dogs instead of kids ...yeah you gotta take of care them and sometimes alot of times they are just like kids, so he good (for now) cause I'm already fussing about sharing the responsiblty of our boys!

BTW -I didn't like the pill either ...:(

I'm on the pill Ivy, but I've been thinking lately about changing methods. It's not good to take them for years and years because later in life it could cause some problems. I've used the patch and loved it except i also had an allergic reaction after about 6 months. I was thinking about an IUD (intra uterine device) but now that I hear it causes sex drive problems, later for that!

I was thinking of getting my tubes tied. Neither DH or I want more kids, but that is such a final step I'm hesitant about going forward with it. I'm going to my doctor on tuesday, if she tells me of another option, I'll pass it on.

[quote="sweetnlow74"]I'm on the pill Ivy, but I've been thinking lately about changing methods. It's not good to take them for years and years because later in life it could cause some problems. I've used the patch and loved it except i also had an allergic reaction after about 6 months. I was thinking about an IUD (intra uterine device) but now that I hear it causes sex drive problems, later for that!

I was thinking of getting my tubes tied. Neither DH or I want more kids, but that is such a final step I'm hesitant about going forward with it. I'm going to my doctor on tuesday, if she tells me of another option, I'll pass it on.
[/quote]

You got a skin reaction to the patch too? OMG!
With the tubal ligation, I just found out that if you request one after a C-Section and you're under 25 they automatically refuse you since its so final....Also, they are not 100% because my aunt got pregnant 11 months after she got her tubes tied (if thats the same thing) and she was 40....I just had a client come in with a 5-week old baby and we were trying to teach the baby to latch on so it could breastfeed, and when I saw the older guy with her, she saw my face and said she got pregnant unexpectedly after tubal ligation too....her youngest was 15.....!!!!

Yeah ...I've heard of that too ...The cases different though per doctor/patient, I was 24 and this was our 3rd BUT I was married and WE said go for it AND she (my doctor) didn't try and talk me out of it AT ALL ...I keep telling my FH that it's not as permentant as it sounds, and that gives him hope ...but I sware if I never get pregnant a day in my life I'm straaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaight!

well unfortunately FH doesn't have any children and I only have 1 living child, I doubt if there will ever be more in our household (unless we adopt) because me & pregnancy don't agree. I had so many problems with both of my pregnancies that the doctor has already determined my chances of conceiving again is 15-20%-so much scar tissue etc from all my female probs so I am REALLY considering the hystie :(

I'm on the NuvaRing also. It doesn't affect my sex drive but I think it is causing me some dryness. I also think its effecting my hair. I was on the pill (baby 1) and I used prayer (baby 2). I don't trust the shot plus my doctor doesn't recommend it for women over 30. Skin is extra sensitive so I knew better than the patch. My MOH has a IUD and loves it! I doubt if it affects her drive cause she is a nympho! LOL! FH ad I are dangerous together so I get pregnant instantly off birth control. There are 2 types of IUDs, a 5yr with hormones and a 10yr. They can be removed though. I'm checking my benefits now to see h get my tubes tied. After 2 babies and 2 miscarriages - I'm done!

FH and I had a long talk about birth control about 1 and a half yrs ago because I had been off the pill for about 1 year by then. After weighing up all the options, I actually had the IUD (without the hormones) fitted. It's so good in terms of convenience and is about 98% effective - just as good as the pill or condoms.

The only downside is that my periods are heavier (sorry - too much info!) and period pains are worse but they get easier as you get used to it. I also want to get pregnant as soon as possible after the wedding, so I didn't want any hormones interfering with my fertility. So far so good and I've had it in since October last year....would recommend it!

I tried the pill and then the patch and ended up going back to the pill. I never had a problem with sex drive but I guess everyone is different. I am looking for an easier method though because sometimes I forget and have to double up and everytime I double up I feel nauseous.

that's another thing i like about the pill. i'm on one level of hormone, so i control when i have my period. if i want to go 1 or 2 months without one or if dh and i are planning something special, i can hold off on having a period. but i can't be on these hormones forever.

Sorry Ivy, I can't help you there. I have 3 children and they were all as a result of birth control that didn't work. Now, since I was 23 years old, I didn't have to worry about BC. I suffer from Sickle Cell anemia and like soon2b, had a lot of complications during my pregnancies and nearly died during the birth of my youngest and had to have a hysterectomy at 23 years old to save my life. I'm also deathly allergic to all types of condoms. Since I'm not promiscuous, that was no problem for me. I learn to appreciate it now. I went through a sexual rebirth at 27 and it's been on like Donkey Kong for me ( I only have sexual relations only when I'm in a relationship and I haven't had that many to speak of either). I do plan on adopting later because I love children so much. As one of our sisters suggested, speak with your OBGYN and see what she/he recommends for you.

Anyone out there trying right now? I know Ivy will be working on it soon...?...but does anyone have a time/year they expect to start working on having kids?

What about you Bumble? Are you guys going to have kids soon?

We definitely don't want to wait too long, but we haven't set a particular time. Personally, I would like to start trying at the end of 2008, but we will have to see what the finances look like....I know it would frustrate DH if we are not in a house first too.....I asked because I have been thinking a lot about my career situation....I am definitely looking to pursue a PhD soon, and I already have started looking for a higher paying job, and with my background with either one it would mean a move.....I guess thinking of it is making me nervous....as you all know I am a Nutritionist for WIC and I see some sad cases....I wonder how people make it on an income less than mine (which ain't all that) with 1, 2, 3 or more small children???? Lately, the prospect of having babies is appealling to me, but its a NO GO right now and the near future as far as DH is concerned....we did agree that if it happened (esp since we use the "natural method") we would embrace the situation with joy....I think I will start a new post to address this....But to answer your question....we'll start trying after 2008 at this point.

Hey ladies- I use the IUD- and it is wonderful! I have tried everything, natural (ended up having to take the morning after pill regularly so no!) - pill (weight gain) and the injection was the absolute worst- mood swings, no sex drive, spotting all the time and no period) For me the IUD is perfect because i always feel broody and I cannot have any mistakes after an abortion in the past :(. the IUD is no mess no fuss- I have no problems with the sex drive and because it does not contain hormones- the doctor told me that i can keep my particular type for upto 5 years and that when i take it out- I can get pregnant immediately! Its well worth asking your doctor about

Hey ladies... I also use the natural method... After being allergic to condoms, I tried the pill. I couldn't keep up with that so I tried the patch. To put it lightly, sex drive was excellent but I was on my cycle 3 weeks out of the month for like 3 months, so for obvious reasons that had to go. Was about to try an IUD but my older sister had precancerious cells in her olvaries from the IUD and had to have half of one of her olvaries removed @ 24:( Check with your immediate relatives and your ob/gyn to see what will most likely work best for you.

BUMP!

I went to the doctor to get some new BC. Pills were not my thing, the Dr told me that the patch only works for women under 150lbs and I refuse to get the shot. So he gave me the Nuva Ring and then the day after, my mom was watching the news and told me to turn because a lady was using the Nuva Ring and died due to Bloodclots. That's scared the crap out of me, I am still not due to use it yet but I feel like that was God's message for me not to use it. I dont know. So I am calling my doctor to find out what else is good for me. I want to get the Mirena but i want to check with him again. So for now I will be using the sponge.

I have been scared to use BC for a while now. My MOH got married last year and after about 8 years on different forms of birth control she is having a hard time getting pregnant. Then about four of my other friends who have used many different forms of BC have been trying and they either can't or they keep having MCs or tubal pregnacy. I think it was the BC. I did hear about that girl who died from blood clots and that is why I stopped using the nuva ring. My GYN told me there are alot of factors that can determine a womans reaction to BC (weight, diet, age). On a personal note I was 16 on the pill and got pregnant so I guess it's all in GOD's hands. What is the sponge?

I also got pregnant with my daughter on the pill, so that was the last time I took any kind of BC.

The sponge is an actual sponge that you wet and insert inside of you, and it absorbs the sp3rm (sorry on my work computer) and kills it. It has sp3rmicides in it, the water activates it. you can leave it in for up to 24 hrs and do it as many times as you want within that amount of time having that same sponge in. Drugstore.com sells them.

It's sound pretty easy but is it messy. (I hope that's not to personal) I am willing to give that a try. Thanks

I've heard there were some serious side efects with the patch. Is this true?

[quote="platinumstyle"]I've heard there were some serious side efects with the patch. Is this true?
[/quote]

I heard this two plat, the rumor started some time back.

Im interested in the IUD, Im gonna ask my doctor about that... I like the idea of not having to do anything for five years. Lord knows the pill is not for me because I always forget to take them. I have one child and I dont think I want anymore.

[quote="Mrs080908"]It's sound pretty easy but is it messy. (I hope that's not to personal) I am willing to give that a try. Thanks
[/quote]

It's not messy, you get it completely wet and squeeze some of the water out, so that it is a little more than moist.
And no it's not too personal, we are grown women trying to get important information. :-)

One tip if you decide to try it, there is a small plastic piece that goes across the bottom, for you to be able to get it out, sorry for being so graphic, cut it off carefully because you or your FH/DH may feel it.

[quote="sensationablyhappy"]
Im interested in the IUD, Im gonna ask my doctor about that... I like the idea of not having to do anything for five years. Lord knows the pill is not for me because I always forget to take them. I have one child and I dont think I want anymore.
[/quote]

My friend has the IUD and loves it, I am looking into that and Mirena, basically the same thing but with the IUD you have an option of it being 5-10 yrs.

Thanks shy, 5 years sound great but 10 years sound even better.

I'm on the pill and I have been on it for 5 yrs going on 6. All of my friends have had problems with the pill and I just think that it depends on the individual. Someone told me that a person should come off taking bc pills every 5yrs, but my doc said it was ok. Has anyone else heard of something like this?

My doctor has never said anything like that to me, but then again, the pill just didnt work with me at all. I tried so many different brands and couldnt stay on them too long when i was steady with them, I used to have pregnancy symptoms from them, even "morning sickness" feeling.

I only know that he told me, if you want a child to stop taking them for about 1 yr.

BC is always so iffy. It took a toll on my body, and I have never gone back. I tried 3 different brands, a low-dose, and then the patch. The patch was fine for 11 months, and then I got skin issues with the patch....I tried it again after the rash (shaped like the patch) went away, but it came back, so I said never again.

As far as getting pregnant after BC, its a die toss....Some people are pregnant within a month after getting off while for others it can be a year or more...As a matter of fact the month they get off they don't even get a period....

I think that we all should listen to our bodies more...Reactions and side effects are a warning that something is being damaged internally, and is out of whack, which is why I am leaving it up to God, and I am fine with that. You can't compare one person's experience, and think you'll have the same....there is a population of women (including my mom and women on my dad's side too) who don't respond to birth control, and even cannot get their tubes tied because they just come lose....My 40-year old aunt's tubes came untied three times (She has 3 kids-cased closed!)....my mom and many of my clients bleed through the first 6 months of pregnancy...And don't be overweight because and have this problem and you won't know. I had a friend with irregular periods (but didn't take BC to regulate b/c the side effects were devastating) who didn't know how far along she was because when she realized she was pregnant, she hadn't had a period anyways in months! I get plenty of overweight clients with irregular periods get their first ultrasound only to realize they'll be mothers within 3-4 months!!!!So we are all so uniquely unique!!!

As far as that Nuvaring, I think that inserting "things" in the body is also iffy. Our body is just not used or designed for that....so buyers beware......
Stress, type-A personalities, over-medicating, too many abortions or MC's, age, and over-working can decrease the ability to get pregnant also....just some food for thought!

Okay ladies I'm bumping this topic because a sister is at a breaking point!! :) This is one of those TMI moments, but we are all women right??!?!?!?

I have fibroids and have EXTREMELY heavy unpredicatable cycles with contraction like cramps (I'm trying to paint you ladies a pic :))which interferes tremendously with our ADULTILICIOUS time (Thanks T :)

The dr. has suggested a hysterectomy to resolve the issue because I took bc pills that didn't do 'nuffin...she also suggested the depo shot since I am still "technically" able to bear children (although my chances are about 5-10% due to prior surgeries etc) DH and I know we do not want to have a child which would jeapordize my health but we still ain't taking no chances!

I have had friends that took the shot and had cycles for MONTHS gained boocoos of weight and had all kinds of side effects!

Have any of you ladies had a positive experience with the depo?

MRS.J, I have never been on the shot and I'm gonna tell you why. I know several different people that went on the shot and for each and everyone the side affects were horrible, from growing hair in funny places to gaining a lot of weight. One of my good friends was 125 lbs and now is a wopping 220 lbs. She recently got off of the shot and said she is down 15 lbs. Now I know everyone is different but I know too many people on the shot that had the very same side affects so I chose not to get it.

Only positive for me was not getting pregnant. I had no sex drive ...IDK if that was the shot ...could've been my XH, but I also RETAINED weight ...not actually gained more, but when I tried to lose I couldn't. When I got off, and had my first cycle, the weight started falling off without me trying as hard.

I have also never been on the shot but all my friends that have been gain serious amounts of weight. One of my friends started to lose her hair, he hair started off down her back but she lost weight during her time on the shot and couldnt gain. my other friend's boobs just grew like crazy

soon2bmsJ, I don't know about the depot shot except my doctor did tell me that it could make my irregularities worse.

I do have another suggestion. If you and your husband don't want more children, maybe he should get a vasectomy. We women are always putting these things on ourselves, but, vasectomies are more reliable than tube-tying and less of a serious operation. Just let the doctor snip, snip, snip.

He might make a fuss about his manhood and all that. But, if that's the best option, that's the best option. He'll just need to suck it up.

[quote="VIPrincessBride"]soon2bmsJ, I don't know about the depot shot except my doctor did tell me that it could make my irregularities worse.

I do have another suggestion. If you and your husband don't want more children, maybe he should get a vasectomy. We women are always putting these things on ourselves, but, vasectomies are more reliable than tube-tying and less of a serious operation. Just let the doctor snip, snip, snip.

He might make a fuss about his manhood and all that. But, if that's the best option, that's the best option. He'll just need to suck it up.
[/quote]
LOL---that has been a suggestion and you would have thought I was asking him to cut IT off! he ain't having NO PART of that-heck I can't even get him to go in for his prostate exam!! :)

And yes, that would take care of pregnancy part, but what about me?!?!? I am soooooo tired of not being able to plan anything because I don't know if...and walking around stooped over like an old lady from the pain :)

Well, sis, wouldn't the hysterectomy you mentioned take care of the pain you're experiencing? I've heard that some hysterectomies are unnecessary. So, do some research and get a second opinion too. You want to do the very best for yourself and your health with as little regret as possible.

Yeah, your husband may make a fuss at first about the vasectomy, but if he really thinks it through, he may find that's it's the best option for the both of you. You're married now, so he has to think as a couple. A little snip snip is not going to hurt his manhood. Just emphasize to him how wonderful it's going to be that you two will be able to "enjoy each other" with no worries about babies...that you'd probably give him some more often. LOL!

the patch is no good. It doesnt work and can be deadly for heavier women. Since you guys are only four months away from your day why not wing it. You should still be able to fit into your dress.

I tried the "rhythm method" and it didnt work at all. If you arent allergic to spermicide try a spermicide gel. They work ok.

MrsJ, please leave that shot alone it is a mess I have a bunch friends on the waiting list for studies being done to see why it is so harmful. You will gain crazy weight and there is a high risk for blood clots and the side effects are endless. I know hysterectomies are tough but that may be best.

Shoot my mother has fibroids and endomentriosis and she is 45 she has been begging her doctor for a hysterectomy and has been getting denied repeatedly. So if your doctor is willing to even consider one for you it must be serious. Good Luck with your choice.

[quote="mycenae1918"]
I tried the "rhythm method" and it didnt work at all. If you arent allergic to spermicide try a spermicide gel. They work ok.
[/quote]
ummm...tried this and it totally "kills" the mood!!! you have to insert and wait ten minutes!!

and the crap burns some times. I didn't like it either ..."keep kissing me for ten minutes (while I multitask and incert this stuff) and we SHOULD be good" ...nope didn't work.

[quote="Mrs080908"]
Shoot my mother has fibroids and endomentriosis and she is 45 she has been begging her doctor for a hysterectomy and has been getting denied repeatedly. So if your doctor is willing to even consider one for you it must be serious. Good Luck with your choice.
[/quote]
I know...I am seriously considering it! DH is ok with this if this is the final choice, but I guess it is more me! this is the final, final you know!?!?!?!?

[quote="Turiya"]and the crap burns some times. I didn't like it either ..."keep kissing me for ten minutes (while I multitask and incert this stuff) and we SHOULD be good" ...nope didn't work.
[/quote]
LOL!!!!!! and without given TMI my son's father had a reaction to the stuff....and let's just say it was NOT a pretty site!!!!!!!!!!!!!! needless to say, he was like throw THAT s88t out!! LOL and guess what??? about 10 months later I got a nice little blessing!!!!!

Yeah well I know about that "reaction" scene ..LOL ...that's why I simply said ..."that craps burns sometimes too"!!! LMAAAAOOOOOO ....

Oh My goodness!! LOL!

LMAO, Too funny. Never tried that stuff but thanks for the information. I don't need nothing burning over here.

Spermicide does suck. It can make you more likely to contract an infection because it irritates the tissue but some people are ok to use it.