i'm torn -IUD or pill? - Birth Control Message Board

Cbrsiren · 03-04-2009, 04:30 PM

Sorry this will be long.
Okay so I have been on the pill since I was 16. First I can remember was Marvelon can't remeber the next two. Than onto Depo, Ortho Tri and now Ortho Tri Lo.
Marvelon - got bad heaches, no zits, weight gain or anything but bad heaches (mind you I was 16)
Next two - don't remember much bout them
Depo -was hell I went from 107 pounds to 145! I was freakin crazy on it- moody that is, was on it 4 years and always had my period it seemed.
Ortho Tri -heaches again really bad this time
And now Ortho Tri Lo.... I started out liking it mostly had short periods and no headaches.. bad side I have started to relize is that I am moody have zits
and blackeheads now that I never use to and my forehead is all bumpy like I have underssurface acne. Oher things I have realized are the kickers here - I cry all the time act bipolar sometimes and now have NO libido at all!
I really don't want kids -- I would adopt perhaps.
So my choices have came down to Paragard, Allese or just go for the Essure.
Not wanting to do hormones again but I don't want long periods either.
Paragard-no hormones over Mirena but if I deciede to do hormones I would just do another pill but Essure looks so much easier. My only dilema is BF wants kids of his own.
1.So my questions are if you had to choose one of the three which would you choose?
2.Why?
3. If you have used any of the above can you list your pros and and cons?

LauraLu · 03-07-2009, 11:40 AM

Hi there! I can definitely understand some of your concerns regarding birth control. It really is quite tricky finding the perfect fit. I hated the Pill, which is why I was not on for too long. Like you, it gave me terrible headaches, made me moody as hell, and I just didn't like the other side effects. I opted to get off of it.
After the birth of my daughter, I decided to go for the Paragard IUD. I had this for a little over a year. I had it removed because my periods lasted for up to 8 days and I got terrible backaches every other month. Enough was enough.
I know you said you didn't want to do the hormone route anymore, however, the NuvaRing is a very low dose as well as the Mirena IUD. It's definitely an option. I tried the NuvaRing for a bit and did not have any headaches but did have a low libido. (I'm not on anything right now though for insurance issues.)
We plan on trying for baby #2 next year, so I'm going to ask for the Mirena after baby is born. My sister-in-law has it as well and LOVES it. She too was in "Pill-Hell" (headaches/moodiness) and swears by the Mirena.
I hope you find a good fit for you. I know it's not easy.
Take Care!

Laura

Oleander53 · 03-07-2009, 07:13 PM

I am going to jump in here.

Yaz by Yasmin bc is what I recommend. It is expensive but will clear your skin and improve your mood especially if you have PMS...... at first it will make you tired but take it at night until you adjust. It works really good.

I am against IUD's...... they make you bleed, cause infections and can harm your infertility...... I had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy while having a copper 7 IUD in. Lost my left tube because of it. Almost could not have anymore children so I am really against any IUD...

I use a birth control patch and my 2 daughters are on Yaz by Yasmin. My youngest daughter had great mood and skin improvement with it . I was thrilled it agreed with her. Birth control can be very tricky.

Good Luck................ Oleander

catheryn · 03-07-2009, 09:09 PM

Yaz has anti testosterone properties and that's why it works so well for PMDD. My doc told me it's only second to diane when it comes to skin benefits. It also isn't supposed to cause that much weight gain. I'm going to to start it next month or so I think.

Minnesotamom07 · 06-23-2009, 11:19 PM

I have severe PMDD and was put on the bc pill seasonique. It was terrible! It made my symptoms worse! I got off of it and switched to the copper IUD. I love it so far! I had some problems at first after it was put in because it wasn't situated right but it was an easy fix. I have had several ultrasounds to make sure it was in right, which it is. I do have long, heavy periods...9 days, uugghh but it is soooo worth it compared to the hell I went through on the pill. I haven't had any spotting in between periods or pain. It was like a pap smear during insertion and not at all like the horror stories I read about. It lasts 10 years and is completely irreversible. I wish I would have done this years ago! Now I can focus on my PMDD which I am doing with supplements, exercise, meditation and bio-identical hormones. I think the most important supplements you should take are 1000-1200 mg of calcium, B6 (no more than 100 mg), and omega 3. I also take L-theanine, st johns wort and a pms blend that I got from a holistic doctor. I know it is all over kill but it has helped my pmdd symptoms by 1/2. Even if you don't take all of these, some are still beneficial and what do you have to lose?? They are all safe and cheap and you can get anywhere.