I need some advice on birth control. I've googled till I'm blue in the face and am just more confused.
I'm looking to suppress periods (I have autoimmune reactions associated with my cycle and want to stop them to reduce the autoimmune risks), have mild horomonal acne, and a history of PMDD.
Are you taking a birth control that you love, that doesn't mess with your moods or libido, doesn't cause weight gain, and that suppresses periods? If so, please share!
ETA - I'm really most interested in period suppression. I have an autoimmune disorder that kicks in on my period and I land in the hospital in anaphylactic shock & respiratory distress - last time it was very close to being the final time. Dr suggested we supress the period to see if it helps the autoimmune reaction. I'm on the nuvaring continuously but getting heavy breakthrough bleeding, so looking to change. Thanks Ladies - keep the recommendations coming!
I have used the depo provera shot and seasonique. Depo shot (no periods at all!) I did gain a little weight over the time I was on it (maybe 10 lbs. in 2 years). Seasonique (only 4 periods a year) I don't think I gained any weight. Had good experiences with both but liked the shot better because I didn't have to take anything daily.
what i thought about, but haven't tried is the ring. It goes inside the vagina, so i would think the hormones would be less concentrated in the blood so hopefully less symptoms of moodiness and loss of libido. And if you kept it in 4 wks instead of 3, and then just started with a new one after four, it would supress the period, but the prescription cycle would stay the same.
There are different types of birth control pills out there. There is one called the seasonique I think. It is only supposed to let you have like four periods a year. Another thing you can do is the IUD which does not have any hormones in it or do the IUD which is called the mirena which does have some hormones. A few people that I know who do have it say they have a minimal period. I would talk to your gynocologist about the best options or may be go to a planned parent hood center near you and ask them. Good luck.
To be honest, all those things mess with your body. I have yet to find one that I liked. I either had no sex drive, I gained weight, or my mood swings were off the chain and I felt crazy. It sucks, but none of that stuff is really good for you. You're messing with the bodys natural cycle and I've concluded that there is no perfect birth control.
I have severe endometriosis and was put on lupron five years ago for 6 months. It stopped periods... thats is for sure, and I had to take some estrogen to make me feel better. Ask about it.
Have you asked your OB about Mirena? I have been on Mirena for almost a year and it has done wonders. I have only light spotting every once in a while or no period at all. I feel no pain at all no cramps ect. I still have a sex drive. All the ladies on my block have the mirena and i talked to my OB after I Had my son and this was the best choice for me. I think its the best birth control Ive been on. Its 99% effective. Hope you can find some relieve soon. Good luck.
Whatever you do, you might consider taking natural DHEA, (not the pharma-based DHEA prescirbed by your MD) like Biospec Bio-DHEA in the am and then take whatever BC you are going to use. The BC will not fix what hormone issues you are having, but rather control them and cover them up until you stop the BC after you are 50?
For years I did use BC to suppress my periods. I did not have weight gain or mood issues but I had a major crash in libido. I ended up taking testosterone to try and counter the effects of the pill and was not entirely successful. I wish I could tell you to take brand X and it will be great, but I can't. I wish you luck in finding the right fix for you.
Have you tried Yaz - my girlfriend who had the same difficulties (PMDD and acne) raves about it! I haven't used it personally, but I have noticed a dramatic change in my friend. She's so much happier and handles work, personal life, etc. a lot better without the erratic emotional bouts (anger and anxiety) and physical side effects (headaches, bloating, etc). Also she doesn't miss work, social activities or hide in her room depressed like she used to for long periods of time. Although with Yaz you don't suppress your periods, just control them. Just a thought!
If you have that bad of a reaction to your periods I'm surprised your gyn hasn't suggested an edometrial ablation..that would stop your periods for good.
But not sure if you are done having children...because you have to be to have this done.
Good luck!
I used the Nuva Ring for a couple months and it was great before it wasn't. I was only able to use it about 3 months and then I got REALLY bad cramping. Not sure what the hormones were doing so I had to stick to the pill. I was really disappointed in this since it is hard sometimes to remember to take something every day.
