I am looking for your expertise or experience with different forms of birth control. I recently resumed the use of Mircette (a basic birth control pill) after about 5 or so years of non-use. My recollection of using this pill was that I had little or no side effects, so when I thought about resuming use of a pill, naturally I decided to stick with what worked...
But I am having some concerns now. One of my biggest concerns is that I am 36 years old, and I DO want to have another child, but probably not for another couple years, which in and of itself, is risky with regard to fertility. So I am terrified of using some type of birth control that might further decrease my fertility in any way, as I am obviously getting into the fertility danger zone anyhow.
Additionally, I am having some side effects that I am annoyed by, namely increased appetite, bloating, headaches, and tearfulness. I don't recall having these symptoms before, but I was younger then, plus I had not had a baby, so I am just thinking my body has changed and may not be reacting the same way as it had in the past.
I am looking for the best birth control option for me that will be the least likely to cause any ill effects on my fertility when I stop taking it... I can deal with the day to day side effects if I know I am doing the best thing regarding future fertility.
And just a little additional info, I can't use condoms. They cause me complete agony for days, sometimes weeks after use. I am not allergic to latex, but I don't know if it is the spermacide, or the latex, or the combination that I have a sensitivity to. And I can't bear to go through trying all the different types and suffering the consequences until I find one that I can tolerate. It's just too painful. And I am not really interested in trying any foams or that sort of stuff, as I prefer something that doesn't require that on-the-spot usage. I am also a little squeamish when it comes to inserting anything myself... lol I do use tampons, but I don't like the idea of inserting any devices or anything... lol
Thank you for any thoughts or experience you can share... I do plan to talk to my doctor, but I always like to go armed with my own "research" first!
I have tried probably every type of birth control there is. The pills always caused somekind of side affect with me. The nuva ring was great. I know you said you are squeamish about inserting things yourself,as was i. But you can have your OB doctor insert the first one for you, and show you how. Its really alot easier than i thought it was and you cant even feel it. You keep it in for three weeks and take it out for one. I actually would forget that it was there. If you are concerned about your fertility in any way, i will warn you not to take any birth control shot. I did and i bled for 7 months straight. Ive had a few doctors tell me that the shot causes infertility in women and since the shot i have had 2 miscarraiges. I wish you luck on your search and hope that you have all the beautiful babies you want.
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B.W.
answers from
Erie
on
I have no expertise with pills. I used a diaphragm until we had our last child at which time we got a vasectomy. It isn't much harder to insert than a tampon, but it does require that you use it to be effective. You can, however, put it in "hoping" you'll need it, so should the need arise later, it's already there. It's a bit of a hassle because you can't just jump into bed -- and if you do, you have to jump out to put it in -- but it doesn't add any hormones to your system.
I had 2 kids in my 20's and had kids #3 and #4 at 39 and 41 -- all healthy. No issues with fertility at all.
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M.R.
answers from
Allentown
on
You should look into the IUD. There are a couple of different options that can be put in place to prevent pregnancy and then removed when you would like to start trying again.
I used this method after the birth of both of my children with no side effects like with the pill. Ask your doctor about it for further information.
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M.R.
answers from
Philadelphia
on
So first: the pill actually protects your future fertility. By suppressing ovulation, it saves your best eggs (since your eggs are released from best/most viable to worst) for later, if you will, by preventing them from being used up when you aren't intending to conceive.
Second, I believe they tell you to give any new hormonal birth control method a couple of months to settle in with your body before deciding how the side effects are. The initial adjustment period can be weird and not representative of how you'll feel/be on that pill overall.
Third, good luck in finding something that works for you and in your future fertility planning!
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J.W.
answers from
Reading
on
I went back to mircette after the birth of my daughter. I had been on it for years prior to having her with no side effects. However, after going back on it, I felt like I was losing my mind. I had dramatic mood swings and an increase in my appetite. My OB then put me on Yaz (generic is Ocella) and it helped tremendously. I just wanted to mention that I didn't go back on bc for months after having the baby, so it wasn't just my hormones acting up. Although I'm sure they had some affect, it was the combination of the two that caused the issues.
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D.S.
answers from
Allentown
on
Hi L.,
Did you go to the Doctor to get the RX for BC?
Had you thought about an IUD without Hormones?
Cervical Cap?
Good luck. D.
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T.Y.
answers from
Philadelphia
on
I believe the pill actually preserves your fertility by not letting eggs be released. It saves more eggs for use later when you are ready. It's been years since I've used pills but the Ortho Tricyclin (sp?) worked for me.
