Birth Control

Which type of birth control meets my needs?

To prevent an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, couples should consider their options for birth control. While there are many choices of birth control, not all options will be appropriate for everyone.

CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS

*The pill is one of the most common types of birth control for women. When the pill is taken correctly, it is more than 99% effective at preventing an unplanned pregnancy. Oral contraceptives have two hormones-estrogen and progestin. These hormones do not allow your body to ovulate. The pill is easy to use and does not interfere at all with your sex drive. The pill is also taken to make menstrual cycles more regular and less painful. If you are breastfeeding, you can not take oral contraceptive pills. Ask your doctor if the pill is suitable for your birth control needs.

VAGINAL RING

*The vaginal ring is a newer form of birth control and is 98-99% effective when used as prescribed. The ring does release hormones into the body once it is inserted into the vagina. The ring is actually a bendable plastic ring that is about 2 inches in diameter. One new ring is inserted into the vagina, where it will stay for three weeks. At the end of three weeks, the ring is removed and your menstrual cycle will begin. Because you do not have to remember to take a pill each day, the ring can be a convenient choice for birth control. To get the ring, a doctor must write you a prescription.

CONDOMS

*There are both male and female condoms available on the market. When condoms are used correctly, they are 97% effective in preventing an unplanned pregnancy. The male condom is placed over the penis and prevents semen from entering the vagina during ejaculation. Condoms are meant to be used one time only and discarded after use.

DIAPHRAGM

*Diaphragms are dome-shaped disks that are inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse. The diaphragm will have to be fitted by your doctor initially and can only be received with a prescription. In order for the diaphragm to be effective, it must be inserted atleast 6 hours before sexual intercourse occurs and no longer than 24 hours afterwards. If the diaphragm is used correctly, it is 92-96% effective. The diaphragm should be used with a spermicide to kill any sperm.

CERVICAL CAP

*A cervical cap is a rubber cup that has a round rim and is positioned around the cervix. Cervical caps are smaller than diaphragms and they have to be fitted by a doctor before using initially. The cervical cap does not allow sperm to enter the uterus and can be placed into the vagina at any time before sexual intercourse has begun. Spermicide is necessary when using the cervical cap and the failure rate is fairly high. Approximately ten out of every one hundred women will become pregnant while using the cervical cap.

IUD

*An IUD, intrauterine device, is a birth control method that is placed into the uterus by a doctor. There is a copper wire on the IUD that causes the atmosphere in the uterus to change. The changes do not allow the sperm to fertilize eggs. IUD's can remain in palce for 5 years. The IUD is 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. Some women may experience more painful periods and the chances of getting pelvic inflammatory disease is higher with the use of an IUD. For women that are breastfeeding, an IUD is optimal.

Comments: Birth Control

Comments 51 to 74 of about 118.
Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next

iamjustmeforme - 221 days ago.
Has anyone tried the mini pills for post partum BC? If so, can you send me a message with info...side effects...how it compares to normal BC pills...stuff like that?

Bigbelliedmomma - 227 days ago.
I was on Ortho- Tri when I got pregnant. (Now 37 weeks) I am planning on having my tubes tied after a vaginal delivery. What I have read about it, if you do it postpartum then they just make one incision in your belly button and it is about a week of healing time. The risk of complications are also pretty slim. I'm not sure about having the other version done where they make two incisions. But, I would rather have a 1/2 incision in my belly button than my husband have his 'boys' sliced on. Lol

collegeprincess27 - 231 days ago.
Ok so I had mirena put in on monday and this weekend FINALLY got to play in the sheets for the first time THIS YEAR lol and was wondering if anyone with mirena had bleeding the first time they had sex after it was put in?

momentfrozenintime - 238 days ago.
Hey everyone, I am on yaz right now, and I am starting to reconsider it. I actually know a few people that have gotten pregnant while being on it, and even though they probably misused it, I still worry. I am also having a few negative side effects. I want to switch BC pills, but I don't know even where to start. Any good suggestions?

CelticBabe2009 - 247 days ago.
Ariz- Getting your tubes tied IS more complicated, but since I am having a c-section, they will be there anyway, so I was going to get it done at the same time. I am worried about my emotions later down the road, but also worried about the side effects of a vas. on my husband. A friend of mine said he was told by his dads doc that it is linked to testicular cancer (his dad had it). He and his wife don't want children and she got her tubes tied instead. Once we have this child, we want to stop and limit our family to two, with no 'oops-es'. I don't know what to do.....

ArcticArlz - 248 days ago.
Isn't getting your tubes tied also a much more complicated and dangerous procedure then a vasectomy?

ArcticArlz - 248 days ago.
Hi, I am on the ring, but because I hate my period (who doesn't) I leave it in for 4 weeks just to stretch it out, during my week off, I went on a week long holiday and when I got back I was three days late in putting the ring back in, my husband and I had intercourse twice in the next two days... now I'm thinking that I might be pregnant. I wonder if because I stretch it out to 4 weeks if that makes any difference, I know that putting it in too late definitely makes a difference... will take a pg test next week and see.

Mama-of-2boys - 248 days ago.
CelticBabe2009 - I think it depends on many factors. Like your age, how many children do you have, and is there anyway in the world you could see yourself wanting more in the future. My mom had hers done after she had my youngest brother and she did regret it, my aunt was the same way, and a lot of women I have talked to have been like that. They have all told me that it changes your hormones, and then of course later on you always want something you cant have anymore. They have all told me that after they got them tied years later they wanted just that one more baby but never could. Sometimes it can send a women into really bad depression and what not. I thought about getting mine done because this will be my second child, but I want to leave myself the chance if later on I want atleast one more I can have that. But it all comes down to you and how you feel about it. Good luck

CelticBabe2009 - 248 days ago.
ok...strange question. I had decided to have my tubes tied when I had my next c-section but when I told a friend of mine, they said I would regret it. The reasoning was that once I make myself 'infertile' I will feel like less of a woman and 'broken'. It was suggested that my husband get a vesectomy instead because he will feel good about it (freedom) and so would I (still a woman). Has anyone had their tubes tied? How long ago and how do/did you feel about it? Thanks in advance for any help...

Mama-of-2boys - 249 days ago.
Anyone know anything about the Paraguard? I would like to know if there is any major side effects. I dont really hear anyone talk about the paraguard its mainly the mirena and I hear a lot of mixed things about it.

mandiandburger - 249 days ago.
I had the Mirena for almost two years and loved it! When we decided to try for baby number two I had it removed and we concieved on our first try! My doctor told us that it was possible to concieve immediately after having it removed, but boy, were we surprised that it actually happened so fast!

july03baby - 249 days ago.
SabrinaK- I had my Mirena removed March 14th and my life is so much better now. I lost 15lbs almost instantly and finally after 9 months dropping my baby weight. I am not TTC and worried that I can't get pregnant cuz of the Mirena. My period started March 15th and stopped yesterday. Hopefully I will find out something soon... like a BFP would be great!!!

cindy C - 258 days ago.
is any one here on the depo shot or has tried it?im thinking about going on it after my pregnancy.it seems really convenient and also i dont feel comfortable with a ring or anything that must be placed directly in the vaginal area.

Then*Along*Came*7 - 270 days ago.
I'm not quite sure where to direct this question so I thought I'd post here. Sorry if I'm in the wrong place... I had my iud removed Jan 20 and I'm assuming I had my period the 21st through the 26th. My cycles were all over the board while using the iud (regular 28 day cycle otherwise), but I was thinking my next period should be begin around the 18th...nothing. After having sex I might spot but very little if at all. I keep feeling like my period is going to start ANY MINUTE...pressure, bloating, break-outs, moodiness, breast tenderness/itchiness, etc... The day I thought my period should have started I took a pregnancy test but it came back negative. I took another one a week later and still negative. Anyone else have this problem?

Mama-of-2boys - 279 days ago.
Has anyone had the paraguard? I would like to know if people have liked it or not. I want the paraguard bc of the fact that it last 10 years.

SabrinaK - 295 days ago.
july03baby- While mirena is highly effective, it is still possible to become pregnant on it. I have a cpl of friends who have become pregnant on it. I am not saying that is the case but it is possible. I would def go to the dr though bc I don't think you should be bleeding or cramping that bad. They also say if you do become pregnant on mirena an ectopic pregnancy is very possible as well as miscarriage. I had the mirena for 5 months or so and had the worst side effects ever and had it removed. I would def go to the dr bc the problems you are having sound pretty serious! Good Luck to you! I hope everything is ok!

july03baby - 295 days ago.
Someone help me please!! I've had Mirena for 6 months and have nothing but pools of blood and cramping!! I don't know what to do. And I'm worried that I could be pregnant, but isn't that impossible? I took a test, and it was negative... but I just can't get over feeling like I did with my daughter. What should I do? I am worried about cysts and uterine perforation.

munchkinsmommie - 297 days ago.
I just had the Mirena inserted a week ago and so far everything is going well. I cramped for 2 days and hardly any spotting. I am so excited about the money savings. Not buying pills every month or condoms. I was worried about getting the Mirena since all I read was negative. But my doc said you will not know if you will reactive negatively unless you try. So far so good lets hope it continues.

AvasMommy08 - 297 days ago.
I just had Mirena inserted today! I'm anxious to see how it works. The insertion was painless (especially compared to just having a baby 19 weeks ago). I've been so paranoid about getting pregnant by being on the pill. I'm ready to get back to my old self and sex life and quit worrying so much.

emmajane727 - 297 days ago.
I absolutely LOVE my Mirena. I had it inserted last October and had some minor spotting for about 2 weeks. I have about 2 days worth of spotting every month and have even noticed this month that is almost down to nothing, I have actually lost 10 pounds since starting my Mirena and I am not even trying. I know it is a different experience for everyone and I am so sorry to hear so many negatives about this device. There are just too many 'oops' pregnancies from missing one pill or breaking condoms. In an economy like this it is not fair to our children to bring them into this world if we cannot completely support them and stop relying on the government (our tax dollars) to pay for them. Mirena is a sure fire way to prevent pregnancy until you are ready. I hope more people will take the time to seek out this birth control method and give it a shot. I would recommend this to anyone having read those negative things before deciding to use it myself.

mommybee - 298 days ago.
Im on Femcon and i was wondering if u have to have a blood test to refill your pills. Im on my last one.Its not so bad but I still cant stand bloodwork.

supermompj - 298 days ago.
i had MIRENA for two years and loved it also. i didn't stop having my period but it did say that not all women would. that wasn't the reason i used it though. it served the purpose of letting me wait two years before TTC again. I didn't have any issues with it and removal was painless!

jennllewis - 300 days ago.
I also love my Mirena...finally some women on here that have had a positive experience with it..I did alot of research before I got mine and all I found was negative experience...I LOVE IT..However, I got mine at the beginning on January. I had a period in December and nothing this month for January. There was some spotting a few days after it was inserted but not a period..I don't think anyways..This is truly the easist BC that I have ever been on!! Yay

momma2memphis - 300 days ago.
I got Mirena in October. Since I had it inserted Ive had a lot of spotting. I had light bleeding pretty much the whole month of December and the first of this month. But for the past few weeks Ive only had some very light spotting. I LOVE IT!! But im still super paranoid about getting pregnant even though I read on the Mirena website that Mirena is 99.8% effective and Surgery (tubal ligation) is 99.5-99.85% effective. So obviously Mirena is just as effective as having your tubes tied. But I still cant stop worrying lol.

sandrawb - 300 days ago.
I got Mirena in July and it took a few months to work itself out ( stop bleeding, cramping ) but now I love it. I only had to pay a $25 copay for the doc visit and I've got birth control for 5 yrs!! Plus, I stopped getting my period!!!!!!