We currently use condoms, but I was hoping to find something more natural. I have been on the pill for almost five years (stopped about 9 months ago), and I am not sure whether it would be good for my health to go back on it (I'm 24 and healthy, but I don't know for how long it's good to be on it). Also, I have heard that the diaphragm can increase menstrual pain, which would be a problem. Any recommendations? Thank you very much.
136693
There is always the shot. The sponge you can buy at your drug store. The pill shouldn't harm you.
409304
WELL...do I have a lot to say about this!\nWhen I got to college, I decided to get on birth control because I was sexually active.  I originally started on Depo Provera.  I went through three shots, then stopped them because I was concerned about the severe cramping and spotting I was having.  When I stopped taking them, I had a period for a straight month and then very irregular menstruation for a year thereafter.  :(  \n\nThen, a year later, when I was on serious boyfriend #2, I decided to go on the pill.  I kept forgetting them at inconvenient times - rushed trips across the state because of a relative in the hospital, etc.  This was not effective at all.  Plus, I had the worst loss of libido ever.  I was pretty moody.  My boyfriend said that it was how the BC worked...he couldn't get any!!   And I was rather disappointed about how the Pill *didn't* clear up my monthly acne breakouts.\n\nThen, I decided to go on the Ortho Evra patch.  I loved it...until I had a blood clot.  I had throbbing pain in my right arm one night for hours, then my whole right side went numb for a couple of days.  It passed, but I was advised not to go on hormonal BC for another year. \n\nI was recently cleared to take the progesterone-only pills (like Depo, but no shot), but my now-husband and I decided it wasn't worth the risk to my health.  Now, we always use condoms and we're very careful close to my fertile time...\n\nI think that only your doctor and you can really go through the pros and cons of hormonal BC.  Sometimes a woman's body chemistry handles the hormones differently.  Monitor your symptoms after going on the BC and then keep in touch with your MD.
551288
I've been on NuvaRing for 11 months now and I love it. This is the longest I've been able to stick with one product, and I haven't had any bad side effects. My periods are shorter and my cramps, while they're still there, aren't nearly as bad as they were. I've never had a slip out problem, and the only time I've heard of that as a problem was during sex for most of the cases. Although it is a more expensive route for me (no insurance), I choose it over anything else for the convenience factor. \n\nWatch how you feel on it, and if you have any problems ask your doctor, but overall, I recommend it for anyone that is comfortable enough to use it.
277544
I was on this pill for 1 year.  I had problems the 1st 3 months with spotting, & almost switched when it stopped. I had horrible mood swings & gained weight(it came off with exercise though) The mood swings were the worst though. Then in March I started bleeding again so I got switchd to Ortho Novum which is awesome (except for a few headaches). The thing is, every woman is different so pills affect everyone differently. You just have to try them until you find the right one.  And you are going to have some symptoms with any kind of pill.  There is a good website called www.askapatient.com that you can enter in any drug & read reviews from people that have taken it.
516783
Wild Yam is good for birth control, you take 4 capsules in the morning and 4 at night, take it at least 8 weeks before relying on it and not using other methods.  It has no side effects so it could help your problem.  An antidepressant from your doc might also help.  Do not call CPS again, once they get involved it will only get worse.  Rely on friends and family instead.  My PMDD went away when I went on a raw vegan diet.  Try livingfoods.com or rawfoods.com for more info.  Cooked starchy food (bread, pasta, potatoes) and fatty foods were the culprits.  You can also use Niacin as an antidepressant, (take an aspirin first to prevent flush ) and GABA for anxiety.  Parenting is tough.  Ask yourself how you can do it differently when you're in a no-win situation.  Give yourself time-out.  Let her go naked.  If you have to go somewhere, take the pants with you and try again later.  Also, I took resentments I had against my husband out on my kids, so ask yourself what is really going on.  Her Blood Is Gold is a great book, tho out of print I think.  It explains in other cultures how women are allowed to rest before and during their moon.  It is a time of emotional cleansing, we are usually pretty honest then.  My symptoms would start mid cycle, then improve, then hit full blast.  My main symptom was hatred.  At least you may have an easier menopause.  I did. Good luck.
73914
I've had one for 5 months now.  I'm 26, have one child and no plans to have any more.  I was looking for an alternative to birth control pills.  Initially I was looking into the Essure insert but it was too permanent, I wanted the ability to change my mind if I wanted another kiddo.\n\nGetting the IUD inserted was uncomfortable.  The next few days were torture.  I was afraid I'd rip something if I farted.  My periods were pretty normal but the last two have been bothersome (light but neverending).  Overall I'm pleased with this method.
378435
Birth control pills affect every woman differently, and they can be tricky at first to  take. In order for them to be the MOST effective, you need to take them at the same time everyday, and don't miss any days. You usually have to try 3 or more to find the right dosage and hormone match for you. \n\nHowever, there are more options to birth control than just the pill. I'm sure you've heard of most of these, but here is a short list to refresh your memory so you can ask your gyno about them:\n* the patch (I love it)\n* the Nuva-Ring\n*diaphragm\n*depo-provera injection (once every 12 weeks)       \n*IUD \n*condoms\n*female condoms\n*spermacide\n*and a few other things that are not so popular \n\nThe best thing to do really is to chat with a gyno that you are comfortable with and let her give you her top choices for options. \n\nKudos to you for being responsible for your sexual health!!
575287
you have to go to the doctor for the prescription, but most pharmacies do not carry the pill. You also need to take it with in a certain amount of time after having intercourse. The pill prevents a fertilized egg from embedding into the walls of the uterus. Its cheaper and safer to use a condom or be on birth control pills.
410926
This is something that I've been trying to read up on for a while now, and there are mixed views. Some will argue that menstrual suppression isn't a bad thing, or a bad idea for those women that suffer from endometriosis and painful periods or those that suffer from menstrual migraines, and that it's been tried for years. Others will argue that menstruation is a natural part of a woman's life that shouldn't be tampered with, by trying to argue that suppressing the menstrual cycle can result in an increased risk of heart attack, stroke or cancer.\n\nIf your wife is interested in a contraceptive implant like Norplant, this is something you both should discuss with her doctor. Not every method of contraception works for all women. And not all women are going to have the same side effects when using the same method. I have a few friends that tried the Norplant for the five years it lasts and some experienced no menstrual bleeding, others had unexpected times of spotting or bleeding.\n\nHas your wife ever considered using Seasonale? Menstrual periods are supposed to be reduced to only four times a year, but again, this can differ among women. But it still beats having monthly cycles.\n\nReally, you and your wife should discuss this with her doctor. Her doctor will be able to tell you the pros and cons of menstrual suppression and what method is best suited to her individual needs. She needs a medical examination/evaluation to ensure that she doesn't have a medical condition where she shouldn't be using certain methods of contraception. Good luck to you both!
263077
I got one about 2 years ago, and it was an awesome decision on my end. I had been taking birth control for years, paying all types of money for it every month and always switching brands.  Since I got this, I do not know it is even there and even my health has gotten a little better. There is a little cramping at first, but it is worth it. Just uncomfortable. You don't get your periods that much and eventually kinda just go away!! I would defintely recommend this. Plus, when you are ready to have kids, you just go back to the doctor and get it removed. Good Luck!!\n\nTake some tylenol before you go to get it in though!! Just a heads up!
639208
i think you need to go back on the pill if your still active, but either way you need to use a condom, and most of all go to your doc, becuase each case is different, teehee
392978
Rikki - I wouldn't touch it!\n\nDoctors are wrong about this one. Depo provera is not safe!\n\nUnbeknownst to many women on birth control, Depo-Provera has been on the radar for the FDA and other research-based health organizations for several years. Last year, the FDA ordered the maker of Depo-Provera to revise the packaging and promotional materials to contain the new "black box" warning which states, "Use of Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection may cause you to lose calcium stored in your bones. The longer you use Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection the more calcium you are likely to lose. Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection contains a powerful variant of the hormone progestosterone which is released through a hypodermic shot given every few months. \n\nSeveral studies have indicated that this hormone can increase the loss of bone density in women of all ages, including teen and young adult women who are in critical stages of natural bone growth. Osteoporosis and the loss of bone density typically effect women later in life making them susceptible to fractures throughout the skeletal system. Health care professionals advise those taking Depo-Provera to discuss a bone density test with their physician and advise using Depo-Provera for no more than 2 years or using a birth control alternative.\n\nHere is one young lady's experience:\n50lb weight gain (half off most of it now years later) \nExtreme Excitability, Nervousness (first two years terrible) \nPanic Attacks, Paranoia (first two years) \nShortness of Breath (horrible first two years - still with me today) \nGreat loss of libido (first two years, getting better every year) \nPainful intercourse (for about two years) \nSevere lack of lubrication (at least 2 yrs., getting better) \nLowered immune system (still suffering but not as severe) \nLoss of hair (the first year with shot, then subsided) \nNow (current) unwanted hair on breasts, toes, face \nViolent headaches (coming from pain at base of skull) \nExtremely sore, stiff, crippled muscles all over body (still today but MUCH better than 97,98,99) \nBlurry vision - trouble getting my eyes to focus on objects \nDizziness (still today - but MUCH improved) \nInability to bend over (feel like I will pass out) \nSevere neck and shoulder pain (still today) \nJaw pain.. facial pain (like TMJ symptoms) 5+ years \nBreast Tenderness & Pains - Fibrocystic breasts (still today) \nHeart palpitations - irregular heart beat (still today) \nChronic sinus and yeast infections (still today) \nConcentration and memory problems (still today) \nAcne - not (teenager type acne - large boil/cyst like acne) \nSuicidal thoughts because daily debilitating pain was too much
285210
You do need to use another form of birth control if you want to prevent pregnancy.\n\n"Norplant should be removed after seven years — five years for overweight women — because it stops working, and it can cause menstrual irregularities. It can also be removed anytime earlier. The clinician will numb the area with a painkiller and will usually make one small cut to remove all six of the implants. Removal takes up to 30 minutes. Norplant may be more difficult to locate in some women. Removal for them may require more than one visit and/or several incisions. Pregnancy can happen anytime after the implants are removed."\n\nhttp://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/medicalinfo/birthcontrol/pub-birth-control-06.xml\n\nYou can get more information on Norplant at the sites provided.\n\nhttp://www.ivf.com//npt.html\n\n"The Contraceptive Foundation is a nonprofit foundation that has established a Norplant Removal Program aimed at helping uninsured and underinsured women gain access to removal of the Norplant system. Women considering the Contraception Foundation Norplant Removal program should call 1-800-760-9030 to determine if they meet the Contraception Foundation's eligibility criteria."\n\nhttp://www.webmd.com/content/article/9/2953_525
70943
Hey, I started taking the pill for irregular periods as well, when I started taking it I hadn't had a period for about 5 or 6 months. After my first month, I had the worst period of my life, I honestly almost called an ambulance I was bleeding so much. It wasn't a pleasant experience at all. But since that first month, I've had absolutely no problems at all, I've been on it 18 months now. I take the last pill of my pack on a Friday, and I get my period Tuesday, it's not particularly heavy and I don't have much pain with it. It usually lasts until about Saturday, but the last couple of days are very light. I think it's definitely worth taking if your periods are as irregular as mine were, even worth the terrible time I had at the end of the first month! But hopefully you won't be the same as me - good luck!
590128
PLEASE do not use this form of birth control!  It is very dangerous and being taken off the market.  Everyone I know who has used it has gained between 30 and 60 pounds.\n\nThe pros are that it's easy - you only have to get it done once every 3 months.  The cons are too numerous to list.  There are so many options out there.  Please look at the others!
340540
I am personally very wary of those birth control methods that make you have no periods for long stretches of time.  The hormones released during your monthly cycle are extremely important to keep your bones healthy and strong.  I mean just look what happens to women after menopause!  Their biggest worry is osteoporsis from not having estrogen and the other hormones associated with periods any longer.  That is why those estrogen replacement drugs are/were so popular.  I would reccommend thinking twice before using those no cycle birth control systems.  They could be causing more harm than they are worth.  I would rather deal with a monthly period now than have to worry about a hip fracture when I am 50.
655263
yes one of the complication is waigh gain\n\nWhat are the good points about the Pill?\n\nThe Pill has now been shown to have certain major health advantages:\n\n\nit abolishes period pain\n\n\nit makes periods shorter\n\n\nit makes them lighter.\n\n\nBecause of this, you are less likely to get anaemic.\n\nIf you have acne, the Pill should improve it.\n\nIn addition, it decreases your chances of getting certain cancers (though it increases the risk of others). Please see the section on cancer, below.\n\nBut can’t it give you a lot of side effects when you start? During the first few packs of the Pill, many women get minor, passing side effects, such as:\n\n\nheadaches\n\n\nnausea\n\n\nbreast tenderness\n\n\nslight weight gain\n\n\nslight ‘spotting’ of blood between the periods. \n\n\nThese side-effects usually go away after the first few packs. If they don’t, it’s very easy to get rid of them by simply switching to another brand of the 23 available brands of Pill.\n\n(For a full list of possible side-effects, see the package leaflet.)\n\nWhat about serious side-effects, like thrombosis?\n\nThere is no doubt at all that the Pill can occasionally cause serious problems like:\n\n\ndeep vein thrombosis (DVT) or clotting\n\n\nheart attacks \n\n\nstrokes.\n\n\nFortunately, these events are very rare. BUT ... they are much more likely to happen if you have certain ‘risk factors,’ which include:\n\n\nbeing a smoker \n\n\nhaving a bad family history of thrombosis or some similar illness (say, if your mother had a heart attack at 40)\n\n\nbeing severely overweight \n\n\nbeing diabetic (though quite a few non-smoking diabetics do use the Pill, under careful supervision)\n\n\nhaving high blood pressure \n\n\nhaving a high blood cholesterol level (hypercholesterolaemia) \n\n\na ‘past history’ of phlebitis (vein inflammation) or thrombophlebitis\n\n\nbeing immobile for a while (especially when having a surgical operation).\n\n\nThere are other ‘risk factors’ – for instance, making a very long journey in a plane or a cramped car seat. Your doctor or Family Planning nurse can give you more details.\n\n\nVaricose veins\n\nA lot of people (including some doctors) have the idea that ‘you can’t take the Pill if you have varicose veins'. This isn’t true. \n\nHowever, in recent years it has become clear that severe problems with varicose veins are a contraindication to the Pill. \n\nBut if you just have mild and superficial varicose veins, it is quite likely that your doctor will be willing to prescribe a low-dose Pill for you – provided that you have no other risk factors.\n\n\nMigraine\n\nIn 2004, new research showed that women who have severe migraine and who also use the Pill run an unacceptable risk of having a stroke.\n\nI’m not talking about people who have an occasional slight headache, like we all do. But if you have genuine migraine attacks – particularly migraines with ‘aura’ affecting your eyesight – then in my opinion you shouldn’t be on the Pill. \n\n\nDoes age make a difference?\n\nYes. The Pill is extraordinarily safe for young women in their teens or 20s who have no ‘risk factors’ (such as smoking). But when you get to the age of 35 or 40, the chances of having a thrombosis (clot) are starting to increase.\n\nIn practice, there are plenty of women of 40 who take the Pill. But as the years go by, there is more and more reason to switch to the mini-Pill, or to some other method of contraception, such as sterilisation and vasectomy for men. \n\nWhat about cancer?\n\n \nDid you know?\n\nThe Pill can increase the risk of some cancers and reduce the risk of others. Ask your doctor for advice. \n \n \nThe Pill does affect your risk of certain types of cancer, and when you first decide to go on it, you should be told about this. \n\nBut it’s important for you to realise that the Pill actually reduces your chances of getting some cancers – while it increases the risk of others. As far a