[mosquito]

I've been on the pill for a few months and was on Depo before that. I really liked the Depo except for the horrible migraines I got from the hormone fluctuations. I switched to the pill hoping it would help but I have the same problem with it, only more often.

I've been thinking about switching to an IUD. My biggest reservation is that I've always had really heavy periods with bad bad cramps (like early labor, need-a-narcotic, bad), and they're much better on the pill. I didn't even get them at all on Depo and I loved it. Organic tampons are too dang expensive! How does and IUD effect periods, if at all? Does it hurt when they put it in?

 

[Kreeli]

Hi,

I got an IUD about 8 years ago and did not have a pleasant experience with it, though I understand I am in the minority. I had a lot of cramping after having it inserted and need to take several days off work. I ended up having it removed a week later--my body just didn't want to have a foreign object inserted into it.

I know several other women who have used the IUD successfully and without problems, though, so I think it really depends. You won't know for sure until you try it.

I did find that having it inserted and removed was fairly painful, because they have to force your cervix to dilate. It feels like very strong cramping.

 

[GhostUser]

Talk to your doctor about this one. From what I've read, IUD don't seem to affect cramps in a positive way.

Kreeli, I've heard it described as far worse then strong cramping, but again, they have may been in a minority.

 

[oneness]

i would consider changing your pills before using an IUD. i ran across a site once that explained which types of pills to not use if you get fluctuation headaches. i believe it said to change to a pill with much less estrogen. i was taken off the pill because of the headaches. i could not function during the week of my cycle. my doc said it can be very dangerous because of the possiblity of having a stroke. he said it was constricting my vessels and he would not let me have them bak until a neurologist gave permission.

so i would suggest that you try a pill that is the opposite of the one you have now. (chemical wise)

good luck.

 

[mosquito]

I'm taking Ortho Tri-cyclen right now. I have no idea how much estrogen is in it. Honestly I'm not thrilled with the pill for a variety of other reasons. I think if an IUD isn't a good idea I'd rather just go back to Depo.

 

[MRSSHF]

I've never used an IUD, but I have a couple of friends who really love theirs.

About your cramps, are you Ovo-lacto? If so, you might want to consider cutting dairy out of your diet to see if that will help with the cramps. I had those severe, eat 150 tabs of Advil Liquid gels in three days kind of cramps when I was eating dairy, and I have had a miraculous turn-around since I cut dairy out of my diet. No cramps to speak of for three straight cycles, and I had battled with severe cramps each and every month for 20 years.

Just food for thought.

 

[blueserendipity]

i'm anti pill full stop

i had serious period problems they put me on the pill, but then my period wouldn't stop, then a higher dose, then a higher dose until they finally said maybe you should go off the pill.

I've since been reading up and the health consequences of the pill just seem horrid.

Why not just use condoms?

 

[DirtDiva]

You should definitely try other kinds of pills before you go off of them altogether.. I've been on 4 different brands over the past 2 years before my periods finally got on track and my headaches stopped. (I was on depo before that but I couldn't stand the headaches!)

I personally would never get an IUD.. just because I wouldn't want something unnatural in my body. Knowing it's in there all the time would creep me out!

Good luck with whatever you decide! We're all here for you!

Courtney

 

[veganchick]

I, personally, do not have experience with IUD's. But, my mother used them. She had a tumor grow around the IUD and they eventually had to do a hysterectomy, so from that story I'm weary of them.

 

[janette]

i get bad cramps... i find cramp bark tincture works really well (you can make your own tincture, its way cheaper). i also have this tea from earths herbal called PMS tea which works really well, also.

i'm scared of the pill.. and depo... and iud's... but i hate condoms and cant touch spermicide.

 

[LadyFaile]

i was on the pill, marvelon, and well i did get bad headaches but i had them before the pill and still get them now so i don't know that there's a connection there. but i had other side affects i didn't like, stabbing pains in my legs which made me scared of blood clots, among other things. (i know blood clots is a risk for smokers but i don't smoke)

i don't think i'd trust depo, and i thought about IUD but i don't know anyone who has one and have heard more bad things than good so for now i won't risk it. i've heard there's a risk that they could puncture the uterus just like with the coil

 

[Kreeli]

Quote:

Originally posted by kristadb

Kreeli, I've heard it described as far worse then strong cramping, but again, they have may been in a minority.

well, it was worse than any menstrual cramp i've ever had, but not as bad as labour contractions.

 

[mosquito]

Quote:

Originally posted by blueserendipity

Why not just use condoms?

My husband would never go for it. I don't really like them either, and they're not really effective enough for me. I really can't take any chances right now.

 

[1vegan]

Heavy pain at mentruation ; have they checked on....on.....

endometriosis ?

(hope that is the right word ?)

 

[GhostUser]

I've been considering the IUD, too. They're supposed to be a lot better than they used to be, but I'm still hesitant. I've been taking the pill for years now and I'm really starting to hate being on it. I'm noticing side effects that are getting worse over time. Plus, I don't like putting hormones in my body. It just doesn't seem right.

The Today Sponge is making a comeback. However, the failure rate is a bit scary for me. We're not sure if we ever want to have our own children. If anyone is intersted, here's a link: http://www.todaysponge.com/ If it weren't for the failure rate being so high, I'd say it would be perfect for me.

If anyone else has any comments or experience with IUD's, please share them!

 

[blueserendipity]

Quote:

Originally posted by mosquito

My husband would never go for it. I don't really like them either, and they're not really effective enough for me. I really can't take any chances right now.

No offence at you, but that really rubs me up the wrong way.

I'm sure if you said there is no option but condoms he would cope. Why should you be responsible for birth control, why should be the one to stuff up your health just for sex? I guess thats my feminist side coming out.

Maybe because of what i know about the pill, you know hrt? well the pill harms your body is much the same way i would actually consider it worse.

I don't know much about i.u.d sorry

 

[LadyFaile]

i think i have to agree there. i see it this way: the condom is a bit inconvenient but it's the only method with NO side affects (unless you're allergic to the latex or spermicide in which case there are alternative kinds to try). using it won't make you sick, won't puncture your insides, won't cause you to possibly be infertile down the road. i think if you explained all that to him he'd agree to use them. if not, who's best interest is he looking out for?

besides once you've been using them a while it only takes a second to get them on and is a lot more comfortable a process than having to insert something

on a side note i find it interesting that the success rate for the sponge is higher if you haven't had a baby before

but check out this thing: http://naturalmethods.com/MainFrame.html

 

[mosquito]

Quote:

Originally posted by blueserendipity

No offence at you, but that really rubs me up the wrong way.

I'm sure if you said there is no option but condoms he would cope. Why should you be responsible for birth control, why should be the one to stuff up your health just for sex? I guess thats my feminist side coming out.

Maybe because of what i know about the pill, you know hrt? well the pill harms your body is much the same way i would actually consider it worse.

I don't know much about i.u.d sorry

Sure he would cope if it were the only option, but as I said before they're not effective enough for me to feel comfortable using only condoms so I don't consider them to be an option in the first place. Besides, I don't want to get too personal but it's almost impossible for him to maintain an erection when using a condom.

Future fertility is not an issue because we have both been certain we do not want any more children for several years. Getting pregnant again would pose a health risk to me. We've both looked into sterilization but we're too young to do it for about another five years. As far as I'm concerned, having migraines is way preferable to having another baby or having an abortion.

 

[GhostUser]

Some people just don't like condoms. I don't and many men do not. It doesn't feel as good with one. Simple as that.

And why shouldn't her husband have a say in their sex life? The condom does effect the feeling and comfort. If i screw up my pills or have been sick, I'd rather wait then use condoms. I was on antibotics for an extended period of time and it was just over a month before the doctor gave the go ahead to rely on my birth control pills. I didn't do anything for that period of time. Why? I'd rather not, then use a condom. I don't like the way they feel. To me, they feel cold and uninitimate.

My issue with the sponge is that you have to use spermidicide with it. Since the stuff turns my vagina into the consistency of spoiled ricotta cheese in 5 minutes after it touches me, it's a method I've never tried.

The diaphram (sp) may be a good option.

I plan to stay on the pill forever. I want to be buried with my 21 day packette. I love them. I did have side effects with the first type I tried. I can't remember the name, but it's the most popular one. I made me horribly depressed, so I switched to a ultra-low dose of estrogen one and I was immedately fine on it. The first couple months I was a little nausous, but that stopped. I've been on it continously for 7 years and I feel fine. In fact, I love them.

 

[GhostUser]

FYI mosquito, Ortho Tri-cyclen does have more estrogen than some of the newer pills.

Also, try one of the pills that doesn't have a full 7 days of placebos. The only one I can think of is Mircette-- which I take and have some side-effects, but there might be others. With Mircette, 5 of the 7 pills in the last week still have some estrogen. People I know who get migraines say these pills help keep their hormones balanced and they get less headaches.

The scary thing for me about Depo is that once it's in, you have no control over it. With pills, at least you can easily stop them if they have bad side effects.