Birth Control Questions

naughtoj

naughtoj

Cathlete
I want to get off the Pill and recently got fitted for a diaphragm.

Problem is, I could not get the diapragm in or out!! I tried to tell the nurse but she sort of scuddled me out of the office without listening. MY FINGERS ARE TOO SHORT!! Go ahead and laugh, but this makes sense! I can ALMOST reach the rim, but not quite and I just can't see hubby being that pro active! So, I don't think it is going to be a practical BC method for me.

Soooooo....was thinking about the Today Sponge (wonder if I could reach up that far? LOL) or condoms. Preferring something other than condoms, but non hormonal. If you know of any "good" condoms, let me know too!

I would like comments from anyone using a non hormonal birth control method/what worked for them/how you like it, etc.

Also, if you have discontinued a hormonal BC method, how did that go for you? Do you feel better with natural hormones or was it better with artificial ones?

I would like to try the Natural Family Planning method and chart my cycles, but know I need a barrier birth control method as well, especially until I can regulate my natural cycles..

Thank you!
 
Hi, Janice. I can only comment on your question about stopping hormonal BC methods. I stopped my pills over a year ago for many personal reasons. I was worried, since I'd been on the pill since college (started it back then to get rid of ovarian cycts, and just stayed on it for BC reasons). Anyway, I worried. No need, though. And I am much happier about not having that unneccesary med in my blood. My cycles are completely normal (knock on wood), every 28 days to the MINUTE! LOL. I do experience a very slight SLIGHT outbreak of 1 blemish (can't bring myself to say the Z word since high school, lol). I also get that bit of a mood swing about 5 days before my cycle starts (yes, it's PMS). But, if I'm aware of that mood swing coming, I can easily counter balance that with workouts and my mood stays pretty even.

I hope I helped some. I am definitely for the non-hormonal approach. I was paranoid about that stuff in my bod.

Gayle
 
Janice, I'm in the exact same spot as you. I was so relieved last week to finally stop taking the pill. It was murder on my body, and I hated it!!!

I went to Planned Parenthood to get an IUD instead. I'm really nervous about it, but they acted like it was no big deal. I have an appointment to have it inserted on March 16. I'm really hoping it works for me, as I can't do anything hormonal any more.

I posted something about the IUD a few weeks ago, asking for scary stories. Others posted their methods in that thread, too. HTH
 
I just finished my last pack of Pill and am soooo happy to be going off. Happily DH has decided to get clipped so I am not going to have to think about birth control.

Good luck with the alternative methods, ladies. Hope they work out!!

Sparrow


Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
Janice,

I got off the pill over a year ago (after being on it for about 8 years) and am so happy I finally did. Those hormones were messing up my body big time, especially my head. There were times I felt depressed and psycho that I am sure were a result of messing with my natural hormones.

Since going off the pill I feel my thoughts are much clearer, if that makes any sense. I feel more in control where as before there were times I'd just lose it. So far my periods are pretty regular. The only drawbacks since going off are my periods last a little longer than when I was on the pill, and my cramps are horrendous. But to me it's still worth it.

Sorry I don't have any advice on any alternative methods, but I do suggest trying something other than the pill to see how that makes you feel.

Melissa
 
After having my second son two years ago I swore off the birth control pill. I hated it and learned later in my life that it was really messing with my body, physically and emotionally. I feel so much better being off the pill. We currently use condom's for our BC method now and I don't really mind them. I have to tell you my 14 year old cousin was a today sponge baby...not sure if they've changed them at all recently (actually do they still exist??) but I know that there were alot of reports of women getting pregnant while using the sponge. But again not sure if they've changed them or not.

If you want to try and go the natural direction with your BC measures I highly recommend a book titled "Taking Charge of your Fertility"...I can't remember who wrote it...but it's a great book. If you have fairly predictable cycles it could really work for you. Check it out.

Deni
 
I've been off of the pill for 6mo. now. I'm so glad to be off it (I was on it for 17 years). I was starting to get bad headaches every month for a whole week. The headaches have dissapeared since I've been off the pill. I had the non-hormonal IUD put in and have had no problems, just notice I acually still have a period, the pill almost took that away. I've been trying to convince DH to get snipped (he almost faints just thinking about it), but it's not working for me so far. LOL!
 
>I've been trying to convince DH to get snipped (he almost
>faints just thinking about it), but it's not working for me so
>far. LOL!

Me too! I've reminded my DH that years ago he said he wanted to get snipped because he didn't want anymore kids. But for some reason whenever I mention it, he says that he never really meant it. :p
 
>>I've been trying to convince DH to get snipped (he almost
>>faints just thinking about it), but it's not working for me
>so
>>far. LOL!
>
>Me too! I've reminded my DH that years ago he said he wanted
>to get snipped because he didn't want anymore kids. But for
>some reason whenever I mention it, he says that he never
>really meant it. :p

LOL! Men are such whimps! Now, if we could get snipped as 'easy' as they could, there would be a line miles long to get in. Heck, we'd be camping out on lawn chairs so we wouldn't lose our spot!
 
>>I've been trying to convince DH to get snipped (he almost
>>faints just thinking about it), but it's not working for me
>so
>>far. LOL!
>
>Me too! I've reminded my DH that years ago he said he wanted
>to get snipped because he didn't want anymore kids. But for
>some reason whenever I mention it, he says that he never
>really meant it. :p

It took me almost two years to convince DH to talk to the doc about getting snipped! He's all for it now. The thing that tipped him was me saying "Honey, did you HEAR the latest about the Pill? They're saying now that it can diminish a women's sex drive for years, even after she stops taking it!! Wow, I've been wondering why I have no interest in sex." He literally agreed to have it done by the end of the day, lol.

Sparrow

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
Get a copy of "Taking Charge of your Fertility" (though being a nursing student, you probably won't need it-- I didn't have a clue about how my cycles worked!). My period was normal after the first month when I quit BC. And, luckily, has stayed that way with everything happening when it should! For those few weeks when it's dangerous, we use condoms and spermicide.
 
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