Birth Control - Stuart,NE

I used the IUD for years and loved it. I didn't gain weight with it but the Dr did warn me I might. I think the fact that you go in once every three years to replace it outweighs the weight gain "maybe". I also loved not having to take a pill every morning (which I forgot to do - then along came the second). The cramping was a little worse for me but nothing I couldn't deal with. All in all I loved it. Now I'm trying for a third so I am no longer using it but afterwards I will again. I hope this helps.

I have an IUD and I love it! I have been on it for over a year and no weight gain or pregnancy! It's convenient and if you don't like it, it is easily removed! Good luck!

I'm not in need of BC anymore, but when I did use it, the depo shot made me crazy. I was very emotional, and my sex drive wasn't good. When it was time to do something else a few months later, I cried and told my DH that I didn't want another shot. He totally agreed! Just thought I'd drop that note.
Blessings!

I started with Ortho, then after my son was born switched to Depo, which I loved for the fact that I didn't have to think about it, but didn't like it because I couldn't lose the baby weight and it made me very depressed. Also, when I went off it to get pregnant with my daughter, it took about 8 months for my period to start again. But when it did, I got pregnant on the first try. Right now I have Mirena and I love it. It doesn't mess with my emotions like the pill and the shot did. I don't get a period right now, but I don't know if that's because of breast-feeding or if the IUD is causing it. I really like Mirena and would recommend it. I still haven't lost the baby weight, but I'm trying a new excercise class, so we'll see. :)

I have the copper IUD and love it as well. It is a wonderful addition and highly successful.

I have used depo..and am currtently using Mirena IUC.
The depo can cause weight gain..another side effect is that ..let's say you are carrying 20lbs. extra...it will be virtually impossible to lose weight while taking depo. The short of it is, the depo tricks your body into thinking it is pregnant.
Now with the Mirena, most offices will ask you to pay them upfront, and if your insurance covers any of it, they then will reimburse you(Because they do cost more upfront,,around $400)
In the long run that is way cheaper than other birth control, because its once every 5 years.
A lot of women will experience spotting from both the Mirena and Depo...the depo in most cases you can/will spot for the first cycle(3months) With Mirena, some women spot for 2 weeks..some up to 3 months...then there are women that will forever spot on both types.
Mirena does have levonorgestrel(a horomone) that is slowly released.
A side note...for me when I was on depo I also noticed my hair was falling out.

I have now been told that Mirena can cause cysts..although harmless...sometimes painful.

With any birth control that causes irregular periods..these both do, and for most have NONE...you have to be very in tune to your body..and not miss your annual appt.'s w. your GYN.

Also if you suddenly decide you want to get pregnant...Mirena does NOT interfere with that. Depo, pill, patch..all do.

Good Luck

Honey tell ya what I have personally tried pretty much every BC out there and to tell you the truth they all cause a lil weight gain the trick is to keep an active lifestyle. My personal favorite is the depo. I love the fact that i have NO period n NO pms. Sure I gained a lil weight but I just watched what I ate n took my kids for long walks. I figure its worth the hassle. Plus I get to spend the extra time with my kids n lose weight at the same time. Its up to you but I strongly recommend the depo just for the ease of it.

E.

P.S. The money I save on products I get to spend on ME time. Just another side effect if you ask me.

I am having the exact same problems as you are! I am on the Loestrin birth control (also a low dose like the Ortho-Low). I have a period every two weeks and the yeast infection thing and sex drive things...same! I am not sure if it is the low dose of hormone or not. I have an appt. for my yearly May 14, and I'll be asking my doctor what to do about it. I'll let you know. If you get around to figuring it out before me, please let me know what your doctor says.

Hi G.~
I got an IUD after having my daughter 15 months ago. I have not had any problems or side effects. After the second month I stopped getting my period, which is nice. The IUD works great for me b/c I don’t have to remember to take a pill or make an appointment; I just go in for my yearly examine. It last for 5 years, but can be removed earlier. We were (and still are) unsure if we want another child and it seemed like the best option. As others have stated, I would definitely talk to your doctor about all the options that are available as there are a lot! Good luck :)

I used to take Ortho-tricycline religiously everyday at the same time, however, I somehow managed to get pregnant anyway. Its happened to a few other girls I know.

I have been looking for a different form of birth control too until my boyfriend gets his vesectomy, and I've considered the shot. So far I've heard good things about it.

A friend of mine is on the patch Yah you have to put it on once a week and you take it off for a week that you are on your period but it is a great thing. She hasn't had any side effects and it has worked really well for her. So that is an option to.

I started using the nuva ring in Febuary and I think that it is great. I have not had any weight gain on it and you just put it in and forget about it until you have to change it again. (usually 3 weeks in and then 1 week out) Since I got pregnant on the pill my doctor has me on the ring continuously with no time off...They can stay in for up to 30 days so it is great.

Hi G.!
I have been on the depo shot for almost 12 years. Love it!! Weight gain? Not really. Only gained five pounds in the first year. And my lifestyle wasn't very active that year. So was it from the depo or just not being active? Who knows. I have no period, no PMS, and no side effects!! I love the no PMS-ing cuz my friends would say, "She's PMS-ing...RUN!!!" I was pretty bad. LOL! The couple of times I have not taken the shot (only two cuz I'm a fast learner! LOL!) were due to the fact that I couldn't afford it when I had no insurance. Then I had my period, and the PMS was worse than ever. So I made arrangements with my OB/GYN to make payments so I could continue with it. Everyone's different though! What works for one may not work for another. Your doctor knows your body better than anyone else. Seek his advise on this one. It's a very personal choice. Here's to you!!

Just Me!
S.
P.S. The sex drive thing...never had a problem with that on the depo, in fact, it gave it me more freedom and desire to get a little nooky whenever I could! LOL! LOL!

I've tried all 3, ortho tricyclen for 2 years, depo provera for 3 years, and am now in my second year on the IUD. I've been lucky enough not to have any bad side effects with any them, so I have no advice on the problems your facing with your ortho. However, I can easily say the IUD is by far by favorite.
The pill is just a pain, too easy to forget.

Depo was very convenient (if you don't mind a shot every 3 months) and a great side effect was NO PERIOD (HOORAY!) but I've heard too many horror stories of massive weight gain to use it again. Also, it's recommended you only stay on it for like 2 years at a time then switch to another method (staying on it too long may cause fertility problems) so you'll be faced with choosing another method again soon.

The IUD is just fabulous. Quick and easy office visit, it isn't any more uncomfortable then getting a pap. I don't have a period with it either, I only spot real lightly for about half a day every other month or so. The downside is the inconsistency of the spot, I've lost some nice delicates. Most of the time though my boyfriend or I will pick up on my moodiness and know that it should be "that time of the month" (my hormones still kick into gear just no flo to accompany them) so I wear a panty liner for a few days to make sure I don't stain anyting.

The best part is this. Whenever you decide you want to have another baby, you can just take the IUD out and start trying immediately. Now the pill your to stop taking 6 months before trying to concieve, and depo your supposed to wait 18 months before you try, both because that's how long it takes your body to get back to normal when stopping use.

As with everything there are pros and cons, and whats best for some isn't for others, but I strongly suggest the IUD to everyone!

I have been on the depo for several years and love it. Any birth control has a potential of weight gain. Mine was no more than when I took the pill, I just have to be conscious of what I'm snacking on. I've had NO PERIODS since I've been on it, which is a pretty cool benefit! Plus, I don't have to worry about forgetting to take the pill. For me, it's worked well. I know others who haven't been as lucky with it. From what I gather though, if the pill has worked well for you, you'll probably be good on the Depo as well.

I have had the Mirena IUD for almost a year. Recently my periods have been tapering off. Other than being worried about that it has been absolutely wonderful. I don't have to worry about anything. I have been able to lose weight on it. I lost it through diet and exercise, a total of 50 lbs. I know the IUD didn't do it, but it didn't stop it from happening either. Good luck!

I do know that there is a bc pill that is supposed to help with your sex drive. It is the same pill all month long, no sugar pills, and you dont know when you will get your period. My experience with it was not a good one. I would get mine probably twice a month and it was extremely heavy. But its not supposed to be like that with everyone. And with the shot, I would not go on it because I have friends who have went off of it and tried to get pregnant and it took at least a year to a year and a half to get pregnant. But if you are done having kids maybe its the way to go.

I have done the depo shot. It personally does not work for me. My sex drive was great the first month and a half. Then I started to get what they called "vagina discomfort" which was at least to say a nice way of saying it. Then I did spot for 10 weeks. I don't know how well it worked for anyone else. I don't know how well this is going to help but I hope it did help you.

Try Nuva Ring. After the first week (once you get used to it) it's great. You don't have the ups and downs the pill gives you, it's a steady dose and just as effective. Also - -and this is my favorite part - -you can use the NuvaRing back to back. So essentually, I only have a regular period 4 times a year. Check it out!

Please research the IUD before you consider using it for birth control. It may work great for some, but not for everyone. It almost left my sister unable to bear children, and caused her great pain and almost her life.

My doctor told me that the IUD causes a very early abortion. The egg still gets fertilized, but the IUD causes the uterus to be unstable so the fertilized egg cannot stay in the uterus.

Please find out all you can from your doctor and other sources before you consider this form of birth control.

Hi G.:
That is a tough one. There are of course side effects with any medicine. You may lose weight or you may gain weight on any type of BC. It is a roll the dice type of thing, you just gotta talk with your physician and decide together about what would be best for you. No I have not personally experienced any of the S/E you mentioned above, Good Luck
K.

I have many friends with IUD's both copper and Mirena. Everyone I knows loves um. Cooper if you don't like the hormones and Mirena if you do. Both have pluses and minuses. If you care to know more email me I'd be happy to talk about it. I also got Depo when I was a teenager and it did wonderful! and I noticed no side effects. For that matter I only started gaining weight after I quit getting depo. Just the injection site was a tad annoying that day or two. Other than that it was great.

I have heard so many women in my personal life and on this website that have had difficulties with the IUD. There are a few though, that rave about it. Really do your research on this one. Good luck on making the best decision for your health.

i use the nuva ring i love it once a month you put it in adn take a week off its easy nad you dont even know its there i have not gained any weight or spotting while ive been on it i think its great!! i would recommend looking into it!!

i tried the ring before i really liked that but it shot my blood pressure way up but I have that problem with all birth control other than that the ease of it was great! You should try that one!

I have had an Mirida IUD for the past 18 months and LOVE it. I have had NO side effects. I have a little spotting at my cycle time but nothing to complain about. The only "gross" thing about an IUD is that you must be having your period to have it put in. I can not say enought about the IUD. I am the mother of 5 and was not ready to have my tubes tied, but also didn't want anymore kids for a while. The IUD is good for 5-7yrs. The Mirida IUD has a web site that you may what to look up to get some more info. Good Luck.

I have endometriosis so I've been on just about every kind of birth control you can except the IUD because there are too many risks of infections for me.
Right now I'm on the pill and its actually made me gain weight where the depo didnt. The pill also causes me to get a ton of yeast infections.
I love depo I wish I could be back on it but if you dont keep your calcium up and have a small frame you can end up with osteopenia like I have now.
Anyway Depo was the best thing I ever had. Little amount of yeast infections and it worked wonders for my sisters probs with her sex drive due to the pill.
Anyway hope that helps. I know too much about all this dont want to write too much!

Hi G. - I am also on the pill just so I can have a period, but I have the same problem as you. Every time either right before or right after my period I get a light, but never the less annoying, yeast infection. I got tired of spending the money on those expensive over the counter remedies so when I feel one coming on I use a generic brand of anti-fungal cream. It's cheaper and it tends to do the trick.

I have the IUD for almost 2 years and I love it. I had no wieght gain and my sex drive is better then it was when I was on the depo. The only side effect I even have is the first day of my period I do bleed alot but the 3 days after that it almost seems like a waste of a pad because it is so light. My periods used to last 6 days and they were not regular. But now it just seems to be so much better. I was on the depo and it works great for some women but for me I was grouchy and my period was just unpredictable. Plus it kinda scared me that you loose 10% bone density every year you use it. I hope this helps and I hope anything you choose works for you.

I had a bad experience with the depo shot. I gained 40lbs in a year and have not lost it since so I would be careful with that. Good luck!

My sister used the depo shot but didn't like the weight gain either. Sometimes, just a good old condom does the trick. I didn't like any birth control so unless you are planning on having more kids, I would think about getting my tubes tied or have hubby get *the operation* We did that and it worked out fine. Are you taking any new medication? That can sometimes slow your sexual drive. Good Luck!!

I have not used an IUD but I was on the depo shot for a year after my oldest was born (who is now five). I gained more weight on the depo then I have since I have been off it. I had a very good friend who was on it and gained as well. Her nurse actually told her that the shot doesn't actually cause you to gain weight, but it increases your appetite so you always feel hungry- which you end up eating more. One of the other reason I stopped using it was because the longer you are on it the more likely it is to make your bones brittle. I was actually pretty unhappy with it and that's why at my yearly I decided to go for something else.

I have used the patch and recommend it. I have been off it for a year or so now (since our toddler was born).. but I still get tingly sensations on my back where the patch used to be when I work out or do a lot of physical activity... weird.

C.

G.-
I just wanted to tell you my opinion of the Depo.. I was on it for a year and gained weight like crazy. And it has been really hard to lose. But my body doesn't do well on BC I will gain weight with just about them all. Although I didn't with the Nuva ring. It was simple and easy. Just talk to your dr and they should beable to find something that will be good for you.