I use (and love) the NuvaRing. The only bad thing about it is that if you forget to put it in after your period-- it messes the whole cycle up. Luckily they give you those calendar stickers.

Now this is a question!

We can state our favorite hormonal birth control methods, but I don't believe that it should necessarily convince another person to take or stop taking a certain kind of hormonal birth control. This is because each of our chemistries is so very different. So while I have gotten migraines on three different kinds of birth control pills, I know people who have never had a migraine and who have been taking these pills for far longer than I ever did.

Now barrier birth control is a different case. Here, I feel we can recommend what works best and not worry as much about an individual's hormones and chemistry interfering too much (ahh, but reactions to lube and spermicide...!).

Indeed, my 24-year-old sister has been using a diaphragm for about 6 months now. She has had no problems with it, and doesn't seem to find it awkward that you always have to fill it with spermicide, and insert it well before sex. I've used those Instead period cups before, and know how difficult they can be to get out, so I'm not so convinced by using a diaphram personally. But I'm not even kidding when I said we nearly lost her after she had a massive blood clot in her pulmonary artery after mere months on the Nuva-Ring. So she cannot take any kind of hormonal birth control anymore. But again, I want to stress that Nuva-Ring is not necessarily faulty, but that she had unknown blood problems that were exacerbated by this form of hormonal birth control. I think the Nuva-Ring is a great, easy option as you don't have to think about it every day.

Personally, I've taken three different kinds of pills. Damn, can I remember them? I know one was Ortho-Cyclen...I think that's all I remember. Estrovent? I think I'm making that up. One or two were generics anyway so weren't known by their popular names. It's been so many years. They all gave me migraines so I gave up trying to find one that worked.

I did the shot - Depo-Provera - for nearly a year, but it TOTALLY killed my libido. What the hell?! I wish it hadn't as it truly was the easiest option for me: See the doctor every three months for five minutes to get a shot. Never worry about anything in between.

Since I and my family have had such problems with hormonal birth control, I am currently sticking to ye olde barrier methods.

when I used it, I loved the NuvaRing too. except for the occasional game of "NuvaRing around the penis" it was the least annoying birth control method I've used

I use a combination of fertility awareness/condoms. Not a perfect system because it takes some tracking and record keeping, but it works for me. I have been contemplating the diaphragm for a while but fact that you have to use spermicide worries me.

I have tried four forms of horomonal BC in the past; two kinds of pills, the patch, and the nuvaring. All of them had such terrible side effects for me I couldn't handle it. So, I am wicked jealous of people for whom the nuvaring works, because it is so easy and not as bad as the pill. My lady bits just didn't like the thing, as in, swelled shut.

I hated being on the pill. It made me feel nauseated and would double my heart rate (and I'm not even a smoker). I was never very sexually active anyways, so I find that condoms are generally okay for how often I need them. However, right now, and not to give the crazy pro-abstinence freaks any leverage, I just prefer temporary celibacy sandwiched between my forty hour work week, full-time schedule at school, and running two political organizations. My dildo does it good enough to keep me moving along.

Until that last sentence I was gonna say "lesbianism." Lolocaust.

I use Seasonale birth control pills and I love them more than words can express. I've never really had a bad experience with the pill, luckily. They've all vastly improved my life over not being on it and the only side effects I've ever had were yeast infections with one pill (maybe. I'm still not sure the pill was the cause).

I also have a friend who loves her nuvaring. And she really used to love the patch, though I'm not sure why she ended up switching to the nuvaring-- maybe because of the health risks?

obviously, nothing works perfectly for everyone. But I've been on ortho-tricyclen lo for six years, love it, and have had no side effects and no pregnancy (knocking on a whole lot of wood)
(pun intended)

I'm a big fan of condoms (non-latex in my case; the latex irritate me during sex and cause ongoing yeast infections afterwards. Also, non-spermicidal--spermicide is caustic, and there's no proven benefit to it). They're easy, cheap, and they make the man think about birth control too, which I like.

The only other method I've tried was the diaphragm, which I hated. It was very inconvenient, a real pain. I was always trying to get it out in the bathroom of my office, and it was always a twenty-minute long sweat-fest during which I was convinced that this this time, the damn thing was in there for good, and I always ended up having to lie down on the nasty bathroom floor.

I used the patch, which was great, but after the health risks made me a little worried. I have used two different bc pills that I never had a problem with, except that it was a hassle to remember it every single day. Now I use NuvaRing, the best method ever. I only have to remember it twice a month and it doesn't interfere with my life.

I tried the nuvaring and I got the worst yeast infection of my life. I also tried the shot, but just couldn't live with out my period, which is the ultimate goal of the shot. It made me feel like like my body was working against me. To me there's nothing better than the pill.

Word to the NuvaRing love. That little thing is awesome.

I hate the pill. I can never remember to take it and it really chaps my ass to have to pay $45 per pack.

We just had a class in med school about contraception. The professor was completely wild about the progesterone infused IUD and the plastic rod infused with progesterone that they put under your skin somewhere. Apparently the failure rates are less than 0.01% and they are great at alleviating menstrual symptoms. And supposedly fertility comes back faster than with most of the other methods. She said that the IUDs weren't problematic anymore like they were in the 70s and that most of her patients who used them really liked them. I guess they're used all the time in Europe? I like the pill for myself now, but I worry that when my schedule gets crazy when I enter the clinics my third year of med school, that I won't be able to take it on time. I'm seriously considering the rod or the IUD.

I also have a friend who used Depo-Provera, and LOVES it, but I worry about reducing my bone density over the long run.

We just had a class in med school about contraception. The professor was completely wild about the progesterone infused IUD and the plastic rod infused with progesterone that they put under your skin somewhere. Apparently the failure rates are less than 0.01% and they are great at alleviating menstrual symptoms. And supposedly fertility comes back faster than with most of the other methods. She said that the IUDs weren't problematic anymore like they were in the 70s and that most of her patients who used them really liked them. I guess they're used all the time in Europe? I like the pill for myself now, but I worry that when my schedule gets crazy when I enter the clinics my third year of med school, that I won't be able to take it on time. I'm seriously considering the rod or the IUD.

I also have a friend who used Depo-Provera, and LOVES it, but I worry about reducing my bone density over the long run.

The form of BC we use is my vasectomy (which definitely won't work for you personally, and probably not in your relationship at this time).

Whatever you end up doing, I would recommend staying away from the pill Mircete. My wife used it for PCOS, and it caused severe vulvadynia. Painful sex for two years is a real turnoff.

I LOVE my copper IUD, Paraguard!!! I had a ton of trouble with hormonal birth control. Even nuvaring (which was the best out of all the hormonal methods) was a major problem for me---moody, no libido, headaches, etc. People need to know more about IUDs!!! While they are not for everyone, they are a great method that not enough people know about. The negative side effects--heavy periods and more cramps instantly make them a non-option for some (though the Mirena low hormonal IUD would potentially help with those symptoms), but they went away after 6 months for me. It's one of the cheapest methods, lasts for 10 years, don't have to think about it. I can't say enough how much I love my IUD.

Ha! EG - I had those experiences with the Instead menstrual cup. I know you're supposed to breathe deeply and "try to relax", but fuckin' hell, I have long fingers, and damn if that thing wasn't the most stressful event just to get out.

I can only assume the same would hold true for me and a diaphragm.

Maybe I just have a really long cervix! ;-)

I'm another IUD fan. I got mine last fall and love it: no worrying about pills or the side effects from hormones (since mine is of the copper variety). Anything with hormones gives me the crazies, even the NuvaRing. The downside is the painful insertion, but the worst pain only lasts a few minutes, with some cramping the same day and the next. May not be worth it for some women - especially if they have bad cramps already, I am fortunate not to - but it was better than the mood swings I was going through on the Pill.

Jen, my sister! The worst was trying to get it out while I was menstruating, and then on top of everything else, I had to worry about getting menstrual blood on my office clothing! I read the "breathe deeply and relax" stuff too, and all I can say is anyone who can relax while crammed into an office bathroom cubicle with her pants around her ankles and a line forming outside is probably dead.

The form of BC we use is my vasectomy (which definitely won't work for you personally, and probably not in your relationship at this time).

Whatever you end up doing, I would recommend staying away from the pill Mircete. My wife used it for PCOS, and it caused severe vulvadynia. Painful sex for two years is a real turnoff.

I LOVE my copper IUD, Paraguard!!! I had a ton of trouble with hormonal birth control. Even nuvaring (which was the best out of all the hormonal methods) was a major problem for me---moody, no libido, headaches, etc. People need to know more about IUDs!!! While they are not for everyone, they are a great method that not enough people know about. The negative side effects--heavy periods and more cramps instantly make them a non-option for some (though the Mirena low hormonal IUD would potentially help with those symptoms), but they went away after 6 months for me. It's one of the cheapest methods, lasts for 10 years, don't have to think about it. I can't say enough how much I love my IUD.

I've been on various types of pills for about five years now, with desogen being the latest. I really like it, but have been told recently that being on the pill plus having migraines with vision changes are quite the stroke risk factor.

Long story short, I'm considering getting an IUD, since I'll be entering med school in the fall and definitely don't want kids during the next five years or so. I'd be very interested to hear other people's experiences (especially with Mirena).

sorry for the double post:(

Depo Provera, been on it for many many years, never a problem. Poodle along to clinic four times a year, fight with nursey over my arse or my arm, arm wins, zap, ouch, no baybees, no side effects, no nuthin'.

I'm on Depo-Provera and I really dig it!
I don't seem to have any side effects, and I have almost non-existent spotting maybe every 2 months, otherwise, no periods, no nothing.
I was (vainly) worried about weight gain, but that doesn't seem to have happened.
I've been on it for about 8 months now, and I think I'll continue to use it for awhile, though the bone density issue is something I think about.

I have been on the regular Pill before, but because of my history of migraines I went off it, onto the mini (Progesterone only) Pill.

I got pregnant on the miniPill, even though I was very responsible with it.
So, that's not a method I'd recommend!

I have friends who love their IUD's, but I always had really bad period pain, so I didn't think it was for me.

By the way, how's that Male Pill coming along?
We've been hearing about it for so long, and yet, it's still not on the market...

I have two friends on Mirena. They love it. Less cramps and lighter periods because the hormones reduce the lining of the uterus. But they don't have the hormone problems they had while on the pill. Not as cheap as the copper IUD---it costs more up front and doesn't last as long, but still a good deal. Insertion is kinda painful--but not as bad as an abortion. IUDs have the highest rates of satisfaction of all contraceptive methods.

Actually, I just remembered, I do have a slight side effect from Depo-Provera, and that is occasional vaginal dryness. Nothing a little bit of lube can't fix though...
(Wow, I'm telling feministing stuff only my partner and my doctor know!)

I'm using abstinence right now because my luck with dating is awful, I'm on a spironolactone-derived pill to treat my PCOS (and it is helpful with those symptoms) but I'm not sure I'd trust it for contraception, I plan to use a condom when I lose my virginity, and I'm looking forward to a tubal ligation.

I had a horrible reaction to the patch... my period stopped for weeks, and then started again during an exam and continued for weeks. My doctor asked me if I could have been pregnant, but I hadn't had sex.

I've been on the pill for a few years, but maybe I'll ask about Mirena next time I see my doctor. I don't plan on having kids in the next 8-10 years, anyway, if I ever have them.

My favorite BC method is NuvaRing. I have been on the pill and on the patch. The patch was by far the worst. I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive.
But I love the ring. It has weirded out some boyfriends, but I love it.

I am in week two of having a Mirena IUD. The pills give me the crazies and Depo made my hair fall out. I wanted to get fixed but the doctor convinced me to try an IUD instead. The insertion was HORRIBLE and I've had a lot of pain and spotting since and I've been very moody and ravenously hungry. I've heard that these symptoms go away within a few months. Does anyone have any experience with Mirena? I'm tempted to have it pulled out but I also feel like I should give it more time. I'd appreciate hearing about other's experiences.

I'm all about the plain old pill plus condoms, personally. I hate sticking stuff up there and am COMPLETELY FREAKED OUT at the idea of having to dig for something to get it out... I don't even like tampons (which is why I use my pills to skip my periods -- and it's AWESOME). I've been on Yasmin for about three and a half years, never had any problems whatsoever.

Trixie - Depo made your hair fall out?!
Jeebus, that sounds rough.
Also, I think maybe you should go back to the doctor, your side effects don't sound good.
I've never had an IUD, but anything that causes you a lot of pain can't be good for you....

I LOVE my Mirena IUD! I haven't had any problems with the low hormone dose, which I was a bit worried about after my experience with the pill. And in my case, a very light and infrequent period! Yay!

Insertion was painful and the first week was pretty painful. Also, my first few periods afterwards were extra crampy and heavy and long. It was all worth it though. Now I don't have to think about BC, I spend very little money on menstrual products, I don't miss days to cramps, and I'm not crazy from the higher hormones in other methods.

I used the NuvaRing and liked it well enough at first... until it started giving me yeast infections nearly every single month. Gross. I also think it decreased my libido and have other friends who think it did the same to them.

Now I always use condoms but I'm leaning toward getting an IUD soon, too.

I've been using orthotricycline lo for about four years now and I have not had a single problem. It even had me down to getting my period at 6 pm on tuesday of my off week. However, I realize I am in the minortity in that the hormone's do not seem to fuck with my system too much. I do have a friend who has the IUD. Her and her husband are active in the Marine's and they didn't want to throw a kid into the mix. She loves it and recommends it to anyone she can.

BEST: I use the Paragard IUD, and have for 6 years now. I've been fortunate enough to experience no side-effects: no extra cramping, no extra bleeding, and no pregnancies.

WORST: I hated the pill for numerous reasons: it killed my libido, gave me "morning sickness" (which could happen at any time of the day or night, of course), made me bleed like crazy; I could never remember to take it on time, it was expensive, and it was inconvenient and prohibitively expensive to have to go back to my OB/GYN every year for a new prescription (no health insurance).

LOVE LOVE LOVE my Paraguard IUD. No hormones works for me!

I love my NuvaRing. They even have a little computer application you can download that pops up when it's time to insert and remove it. I've been on it for about a year and a half. I haven't had any side effects, and I've never missed an insertion/removal. That's saying something, as I'm the most absent-minded person in the world.

LOVE LOVE LOVE my Paraguard IUD. No hormones works for me!

Not to mention nothing to think about or buy for 10 years.

My favorite's been Seasonale, which I'm on now, but since you're looking for alternatives to the pill, I guess that doesn't really help you.

I would definitely not recommend the patch though. I got incredibly sick every week when I would put a new patch on.

I'm really happy with my Mirena. I had pretty serious cramps for a couple of weeks and spotting for almost a month, but after that it was completely unnoticeable. I had horrible reactions to various pills, but the low-dose hormone hasn't affected me at all. I would recommend it to everybody who can handle the insertion pain.

I was (and am) absolutely in love with the NuvaRing, but like Leann, I started having the horrible monthly-vaginitis side effect. Which, incidentally, if I may hijack the thread, has continued even though this is my second month on Yasmin (which is fine; I don't like having to think about a pill every morning, but my body seems pretty impervious to changing different hormonal BC methods).

Has anyone else had something that feels like a yeast infection, but when the doctor takes a culture, doesn't show yeast at all? This has been going on for nearly a year. My doctor has taken about four cultures in the last three months, looking for both yeast and bacteria, and everything has come up clean. (But my vagina winds up irritated and painful the week before my period, without fail).

Sorry for the thread derailment.

Trixie - I have a copper (non-hormone-bearing) IUD, and I could not be happier with it. I've had it for about 8 months. I also felt like death for the first few weeks after getting it inserted. If it's really making you miserable, of course do what you need to do - but for what it's worth, I'm glad I stuck it out. The first 3 weeks were pretty bad, but by 5 or 6 weeks in my symptoms were totally gone. I won't have to deal with any other contraceptive issues for another 3 years. A-mazing.

I hated hormonal contraceptives. No matter what I was on, after about a year I'd start basically having two full bleeding 'periods' a month - like being on your period 50% of the time. Then I'd have to change brands, causing nightmarish hormonal transition problems. I really think some people's bodies just aren't compatible with hormone therapies.

The one major problem with IUD's is they increase your risk of contracting STI's. I'm in a long-term monogamous relationship so I'm not too concerned, but those who are likely to have multiple partners during the time they have their IUD might want to reconsider or continue to use condoms.

Andrea - I'm no expert, but when I first got vaginal dryness, I didn't recognise it for what it was, and thought I must have an infection because things felt sore and rough...maybe it's something as simple as a lack of good moisture down there? Try a little lube, not just for sex, but as a treatment maybe? I don't imagine it would do any harm if that's not the problem, and it'd be pretty cool if it was something that simple!

Has anyone else had something that feels like a yeast infection, but when the doctor takes a culture, doesn't show yeast at all? This has been going on for nearly a year. My doctor has taken about four cultures in the last three months, looking for both yeast and bacteria, and everything has come up clean.

Yes. I hate this. It happened to me for over four months straight about eight years ago. I was treated for yeast, for bacteria, no help. Eventually my oh-so-sympathetic doctor shrugged her shoulders and said "Sometimes this just happens to women."

I was so pissed off. I had my first steady boyfriend ever, and a new pill had just been developed to help Bob Dole get it up, but I was supposed to just suck it up because "sometimes this just happens to women"? I didn't know what to do. I couldn't have sex, it was so painful. I tried a bunch of health-store remedies, including Vitamin E suppositories that were supposed to be soothing.

Eventually I just had to wait it out, and it did gradually get better. That's when I stopped using latex condoms and spermicide. But you don't do that anyway, judging from your post, so I don't have any advice to offer. Just sympathy.

Got the Mirena, and one year after insertion, I can safely say...it ROCKS! Mine was FREE under my Dad's insurance, and I'm covered for five years. If it's possible, I'd like to get it again when this one runs out, but I might not have insurance then. But Mirena rocks! Got it inserted and went to work that day with some minor spotting for a few days. Highly recommend it.

I've been using orthotricycline lo for about four years now and I have not had a single problem. It even had me down to getting my period at 6 pm on tuesday of my off week. However, I realize I am in the minortity in that the hormone's do not seem to fuck with my system too much. I do have a friend who has the IUD. Her and her husband are active in the Marine's and they didn't want to throw a kid into the mix. She loves it and recommends it to anyone she can.

Another shout out of LOVE for the copper IUD. I took a women's health class in college about 3 years ago, and the copper IUD works better then the hormonal IUD because copper is toxic to sperm. As you abosorb the copper, your uterus basically becomes a sperm no-mans-land.

I wanted one about three years ago when I was with a guy, and my doctor was a real asshole about it. I was in the process of looking for a new doctor when we broke up and I started dating my current girlfriend, so I don't need one now. But I wouldn't hesitate to get one now. And a good friend of mine got hers about 6 months ago and wont stop talking about how much she loves it.

As for most hated, let me go with condoms.

Two words: Paraguard IUD, baby. After being on the Pill for 6 years and having my weight gain top out at 30 pounds (!!!), I said "enough" and vowed never to go back to hormones. (Side note: I lost 10 pounds the first WEEK I went off the Pill, so doctors who claim the Pill doesn't make some women gain weight can suck it.)

I love the Paraguard IUD (the non-hormonal IUD, also known as Copper T). Pros: no hormones, 99.6% effective, long-lasting (up to 10 years), all you have to do to "maintain" it is check the strings once a month. Cons: increased cramping and a heavier flow. It's also a little more difficult for some young women who have never had kids to find a doctor who will insert it (the old research says that it's only for women who have had children, but new research says it's safe for everyone). My gynecologist refused to put one in me, so I went to Planned Parenthood and got one. I finally told her to do some research and she later admitted that she felt that it was safe for me now. I never had cramps before, so now with the IUD they're kind of bad, but still tolerable. If you're the kind of person who already has debilitating cramps, this might not be for you. Also, your flow gets heavy (some days I have to empty my diva cup, like, 4 times), but it's worth it to not fuck with your hormones. I highly, highly recommend it.

I work at Planned Parenthood and am pretty much a birth control guru. If you have questions, email me.

LOVE - Yaz! (Has more pills than Yasmin, so periods are shorter and my headaches are non-existent.)

HATE - Patch. Hate with fiery passions. It messed with my hormones so severely that the year I used the patch is etched in my mind as the most depressing and suicidal time of my life as well. Blah. DO NOT USE IT. Please :)

I have been on many and Yasmin I liked the most (before Yaz) but my headaches got severely worse and my attitude at period time because highly explosive and emotional. I switched to Yaz and only have one day of the weepies and no headaches.

I am interested in why SarahS hates the condom? I am curious.

I used the pill in my 20s. I switched to a diaphram a couple of years before I knew I wanted kids. I just wanted to ovulate and make sure that my plumbing was doing what it was supposed to. I don't know if that makes any sense, but being on the pill and not ovulating started wigging me out when I reached 30. Then I got married, stopped using birth control, had 2 kids, and I haven't been refitted for a diaphram, so now I'm on condoms. I've started a lobbying effort to get my husband to have a vasectomy. No luck so far.

Ask a simple question, get a long drawn out answer.

As for my take on the diaphram, I liked it. It was easy enough to use. On date nights, I just put it in before we go out to dinner, or whatever. Then I'm good to go. I was in a monogamous relationship so I didn't worry about STDs, AIDs, etc. And unlike the pill, it doesn't mess with your hormones.

I am a big IUD fan.

I am on the hormonal one and no longer menstruate which is wonderful news for me (as I generally had incredibly painful periods). There were really painful complications during insertion, but still, the IUD is where it's at.

I also can't take the birth control pill because it caused depression but loved the ring while I was on it. I feel like there should be more press and conversation about hormonal birth control and depression.

Even though I trust the IUD, my partner of three years and I still use a condom every time. I guess you can never be too careful...

I don't think anyone's mention my birth control yet. I use Implanol. It's a very low hormone method. The doctor inserts a small plasic rod in my arm and I don't have to worry about kids for 3 blissful years! I was the first woman to get it in my state (thank you planned parenthood) and it's worked wonderfully for the last 8 months. No moods, no weight gain, no cramps. I do spot when I get stressed out but other than that my periods are fairly regular and light.
Regarding IUD's, I tried to get on inserted twice once with my cervix numbed and once without. Both times were incredibly painful and neither one worked. The doctor said it's super rare that it doesn't work but that some women have narrow cervical canals. If you do go IUD, have the doctor numb your cervix first.

Just thought I'd mention that one additional benefit of the copper IUD is that you can get it removed and then conceive immediately. No hormones to clear the system.

Also, my insertion was rough, and I did have to do a little run around to find a doctor that would insert it - single woman, no kids = fight for that IUD!

Anorak,

I wish it were that simple. :o( While I've had some issues with moisture, it doesn't seem to matter how wet things get; sex just *hurts* at certain times of the month. While it hasn't cleared up after I stopped using the NuvaRing, it seems slightly better (same irritation, but without swelling).

EG,

I hear you on the frustration. I'm on my second doctor atm; my former gyno shoved a dose of Diflucan at me every time I went to her, even when the cultures came back normal. The doctor I'm currently with is much more proactive, if baffled.

As to the actual contents of this thread:

I don't really have a favorite; I would say the NuvaRing, but it I'm still trying to figure out if that was partially responsible for the above-mentioned irritation.

As for least-favorite, it would have to be condoms. *shudder*

I liked ortho tri-cyclen (the only one I used, for about 6 years) until a psychiatrist I was seeing for depression suggested I transition off both antidepressants and the Pill at the same time, since I was not really happy with the Pill and it might have been exacerbating the depression.

I actually think my cramps got worse and I started getting spotting about 5 years in, and a doc said that wasn't unusual and I should switch types.

I need to do something about my debilitating cramps, but I'm loathe to start hormonal therapy again. Condoms prevent kids just fine, and make my husband consider that sex might equal procreation without proper precautions.

legallyblondeez,

I know another person on another thread sort of found me to be dismissive of their problems for bringing it up, but I've seen articles about certain foods that are supposed to help with cramping. One of them is supposed to be bananas. I love fruit, and I normally eat bananas every day or every other day. I have never experienced cramps during my period except for 2-3 months when I wasn't regularly eating bananas.

I'm not saying an "alternative" remedy like that would /necessarily/ help you, but if no one in your life has yet suggested it to you it might be worth looking into nutritional remedies in addition to other possibilities.

The first bc method I used, other than condoms, was Depo-Provera and like a lot of ladies posting on here, I had wretched side effects... packed on the pounds, couldn't stop crying... it was horrible.

Switched to the pill after that and was on it pretty much continuously for about ten years. I was on a couple of different pills... started out on Ortho-Novum and then switched to Alesse after I started having yeast infections (it has a slightly lower dose of hormones.) After a while, though, I was so sick of the recurrent yeast and bacterial vaginosis infections and other unpleasant side effects (decreased sex drive, moodiness, nausea, weight gain) that I switched to the Nuva Ring and I have been really happy with it in the year I've been using it. I travel a lot for work, and it's a pain in the butt to remember to take a pill at the same time every day, let alone remember to do it AND factor in the time zone! So the Nuva Ring's been a real convenience in that regard... I have the little computer application on my laptop and it reminds me when it's time to take the ring out or insert a new one, which is just awesome. For the first few weeks I was using the ring, I did notice some irritation down there, but it went away on its own after a bit.

I too am interested in the copper IUD, but like some of you who've posted, my doctor wouldn't prescribe it for me because (even though the research says it's OK for women who haven't had children to use it now) she was worried the insertion would be too difficult. I kind of wanted to smack her around a bit because my ultimate goal is a non-hormonal method of bc that WORKS! But the Nuva Ring is close enough, since the hormones act locally rather than coursing through my entire body. Until I can find a more enlightened gynecologist, I'll stick with the ring.

Best and current: Seasonale

Worst: Ortho tri-cyclen. But that could have been due to being freshly post-pubescent and also on accutane at the time. I went kinda crazy but wasn't sure what was causing it, so I stopped taking both and felt much better. Also, condoms with spermicidal lubricant were pretty bad.

I get some minor side effects with Seasonale (spotting and/or "pre-period" and also had some mood swinging only in the first three-month cycle) but with my health insurance it might as well be free. Yasmin worked too, but was a little more expensive and I tried skipping the placebo pills for three months in a row with unsatisfactory results. My 'natural' periods are hell so I need the hormones.

One friend loves the nuva ring, and another friend is switching to that from the patch because the health department isn't offering the patch anymore, allegedly due to the documented nasty side effects for some people (tho it worked mostly fine for her). I hope nuva works for her, because all our friends are breeding and dropping off the face of the planet. ;)

I'm not too far from 30, at which point I think I'll seek a tubal ligation. The fiance also says he's up for a vasectomy, but we shall see.

Shout outs to the diva cup!

natmusk:
I love my ortho-tricyclen lo too! My favourite part? My period will start on Tuesday at 10am. Exactly. I love that sort of precision.
And to all those yeast infection women, I pretty much live on acidophilus supplements during my period (umm, another thread derailment, but has anyone else using the diva cup or Keeper noticed that after about three or so years they start getting yeast infections ALOT? Or is that just me? That's why I have to rock the acidophilus.)

My doctor put me on Estrostep which I've been on for seven years with no problems (knock wood). I didn't gain weight, I didn't lose my sex drive and for the most part I've been very disciplined in remembering to take them at the same time every day. My friend was put on the patch for a while but she gained a lot of weight from it.

I've only ever had one type of birth control, and that's the Ortho Evra patch which I absolutely love. I had some crazy mood swings for the first month but after that it was smooth sailing. I've been on it for three years (wow...I just realized that. My boyfriend and I really have been together for awhile, lol) and have had lighter periods, less severe cramps (and I had some doozies) and, perhaps most importantly, no pregnancy :-D

wow... I'm actually amazed at how many women here are on hormonal birth control.

Does anyone have statistics on what percentage of young women now use some type?

I hate it when I'm with a guy who assumes I must be on a hormonal birth control, but now I'm wondering if maybe I am fairly unusual...

I feel kind of funny commenting on this topic, but I couldn't help but notice that few commenters made the point that BC is a decision that a couple should make together. When I was single, but a dating sexually active straight man, no way would I do anything without condoms. But as a married man I can't stand them, and for years I begged my wife to consider alternatives. She finally settled on the IUD (I have no idea which version) after months of research, and at first the bleeding concerned her, so I told her we could go back to condoms if that was what she wanted. I was serious when I told her that, because I wanted something that would be acceptable for both of us. But fortunately after 4 months the heavy bleeding during periods went a way, so we have stuck with the IUD. When it comes to choosing BC the best method to choose is the one that both members of the sexual arrangement find acceptable. But I highly recommend doing the research on all of the BC methods before making a decisions. The BC method should never be a quick decision, unless of course it is a spur of the moment thing, in which case you should definitely use condoms and whatever additional measures you want to use.

I was on Ortho 7-7-7 for years and didn't have any bad side effects. The reason it was a pain was because you had to constantly run the pharmacist gauntlet of them hassling you for being young single and on the pill. Living somewhere minus a planned parenthood at the time really sucked.

IUDs were still out of fashion mostly at that time due to the bout of a bad version in the later 70's.

I was one of the first people to get Norplant. For the most part it was great. After about a year though it started causing bleeding issues and required taking estrogen for a while. But that was the only side effect. Not having to fight to get pills every few months and nothing to take was well worth it.

I got my tubes tied after we decided we were done having kids. I was in my mid 30's and it was a major fight to get someone to do it.

Most of the cool things people are mentioning didn't exist. Consider yourselves lucky to have so many options.

I feel kind of funny commenting on this topic, but I couldn't help but notice that few commenters made the point that BC is a decision that a couple should make together. When I was single, but a dating sexually active straight man, no way would I do anything without condoms. But as a married man I can't stand them, and for years I begged my wife to consider alternatives. She finally settled on the IUD (I have no idea which version) after months of research, and at first the bleeding concerned her, so I told her we could go back to condoms if that was what she wanted. I was serious when I told her that, because I wanted something that would be acceptable for both of us. But fortunately after 4 months the heavy bleeding during periods went a way, so we have stuck with the IUD. When it comes to choosing BC the best method to choose is the one that both members of the sexual arrangement find acceptable. But I highly recommend doing the research on all of the BC methods before making a decisions. The BC method should never be a quick decision, unless of course it is a spur of the moment thing, in which case you should definitely use condoms and whatever additional measures you want to use.

I feel kind of funny commenting on this topic, but I couldn't help but notice that few commenters made the point that BC is a decision that a couple should make together. When I was single, but a dating sexually active straight man, no way would I do anything without condoms. But as a married man I can't stand them, and for years I begged my wife to consider alternatives. She finally settled on the IUD (I have no idea which version) after months of research, and at first the bleeding concerned her, so I told her we could go back to condoms if that was what she wanted. I was serious when I told her that, because I wanted something that would be acceptable for both of us. But fortunately after 4 months the heavy bleeding during periods went a way, so we have stuck with the IUD. When it comes to choosing BC the best method to choose is the one that both members of the sexual arrangement find acceptable. But I highly recommend doing the research on all of the BC methods before making a decisions. The BC method should never be a quick decision, unless of course it is a spur of the moment thing, in which case you should definitely use condoms and whatever additional measures you want to use.

I am like a walking, talking nuvaring commercial. I was on the pill for several years and I was a mess. Then I spent two very depressed weeks on the patch. Now I've been on the nuvaring for about two years and it has been absolutely wonderful.

Note: Ran into this girl a while back at the bars who I used to work with. It was her 21st birthday, she was sloshed, and at the end of the night spent about an hour sobbing on my shoulder about how I saved her life by mentioning the nuvaring some day at work. I guess she had been on the pill and wanted to throw herself in front of a bus or off a cliff or something. Apparently I had mentioned she should try the ring, she did, and now she can go on living. Yay!

"But as a married man I can't stand them, and for years I begged my wife to consider alternatives."

Hmm... somehow I'm not surprised that once she had trouble with a different method, she didn't choose to go back to condoms. Just out of curiosity, were all of your "alternatives" things she had to be responsible for or things that inconvenienced /her/?

Sorry if questioning decisions made in a marriage is not kosher. I guess you could say I'm sort of new to the needing birth control scene, and I'm still fairly militant when it comes to the gender balance in such things.

Ranter: You are being patronising. You advise us to do research on methods of BC, right after you admit you have no idea what kind of IUD your wife uses. Irony much?
There are two kinds of BC that men can use - condoms and vasectomies. There are (I think) thirteen kinds of BC that women can use.
Do you really think straight women who are sexually active really need you to tell them to do research?
Do you have any idea how much time, energy and money most women put into finding suitable BC?
I'd like to believe you posted here with the best intentions, but you just come off as patronising and ignorant.

sunburned counsel: Have you been boiling your Divacup periodically? The silicone it's made of can stand being boiled in hot water (as can the natural rubber the Keeper's made out of) and you should do that (ideally after every period) to get rid of any gunk that might be lodged in it. I've been using a DivaCup for a couple of years, and I don't really want to think about how gross it would be by now if I hadn't been doing that.

Miri-
Do you actually boil it? I just worry about deteriorating the rubber...
Not to ask a million questions, but do you drop it in the boiling water? For how long?

i had been on orthotricyclenlo years ago and it made me moody like whoa. mircette fit a little better but then i wanted no hormones for a while.

about a year ago, i was sick of my heavy periods and 36 hours of brutal cramps so i started the nuva ring. SMOOTH SAILING. i love it. and it not only didn't decrease my sex drive, but my partner and i'd been using the not-so-safe withdrawal (and a li'l calendar) method previously, and therefore once i wasn't so tuned into things that WEREN'T the sex we were having...the sex we were having got a lot better. plus my moods feel more like me than the ever did on the pill. so yes, nuva to the mostest! for me.

To answer the original question:
In my last year of high school and into my first year of college, I was taking OTC Lo, but I ended up stopping taking it because I wasn't having sex with guys that often (my boyfriend and I had broken up) and it was expensive, and I was worried about the effects of hormones on my body, and I felt comfortable relying on condoms for birth control, since I had to use them anyway. I'm pretty happy with condoms, since they're inexpensive and also prevent transmission of STIs, but dealing with them can be damn annoying.
My doctor would really like for me to be on some sort of hormonal birth control, since the clinic encourages their patients to use two forms of birth control. However, I have migraines with neurological symptoms, so since there's a WHO recommendation against women with that using estrogen-containing hormonal birth control, my doctor can't prescribe combination (progestin + estrogen) pills. I could take progestin only pills, but they have to be taken at the exact same time of day to be effective.
The reason for the WHO recommendation is that they think that it may increase the risk of seizures in women with migraines with neurological symptoms, although my doctor says that researchers in that field disagree. In any case, that also rules out the ring and the patch for the time being, and I hadn't realized until I looked it up just now that Depo Provera and Implanon don't have estrogen in them, so I haven't thought about whether to try one of them.
In any case, I'm a bit leery of using hormonal methods, because some of the common side effects are things I already have problems with, and I worry about what taking hormones over a long period of time will do to my body. The latter of those reasons may actually be the cause for the reported resurgence of use of the diaphragm by younger women, since a lot of people are uncomfortable with hormones (remember the realization a few years ago that hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women increased the risk of breast cancer?) but at the same time we're urged to use two forms of birth control, which if you're not using hbc leaves you with condoms and the diaphragm, cap, or shield. I'm actually considering the last of those, Lea's Shield (the throughly dorky website for it is at http://www.leasshield.com), although I really wish that a spermicide that wasn't nonoxynol-9 would come onto the market.

i would LOVE to hear follow-up if you do decide on the Lea Shield, Miri. it's such a freaking neato concept (if i can be thoroughly dorky myself), but to me it seems so bulky--like a bathtoy. i am so curious of what it's like in practice. so, if that's the route you go, i hope there's a follow-up thread or something so i can get the true scoop.

I've been on ortho-tricyclen-lo for the last 2.5 years and it's worked fine. No side effects. And like natmusk and sunburned counsel, my period started like clockwork on Tuesdays. Unfortunately, it has recently migrated to Wed.

I had a few friends with accidental pregnancies so I'm also a big fan of always using condoms too.

Ranter is trolling again.

And just to throw my two cents in, I use abstinence but have condoms, just in case--everybody should (IMHO), even the Pope.

Cheers,

TH

You all seem to be ignoring the overall point I was trying to make that BC shouldn't be a quick decision, and that the best BC is the one that both members of the sexual arrangement can agree upon.

Yeah you could say my wife gave me a gift when she got the IUD (that was the way she put it), but we had agreed before she gave me the gift that we wanted a more reliable BC than condoms for daily sex.

Forgive me for not knowing what kind of IUD my wife has, but I would have accepted any choice she had made.

"You all seem to be ignoring the overall point I was trying to make that BC shouldn't be a quick decision"

And you seem to be missing the point that no one is disagreeing with you here, and in fact all of these women are already well-aware of this.

"and that the best BC is the one that both members of the sexual arrangement can agree upon."

What was your point, exactly? That men shouldn't have to use condoms if they don't want to? I think in most long-term relationships, people /do/ have to agree on what forms of birth control they are using. Are you concerned that in discussing the pros and cons of their hormonal birth controls, these women weren't mentioning what their partners thought about it? Maybe some of these women don't have current steady partners. Maybe some of these women are paying for their own birth control, and so simply figure it's their own damn business which form of hormonal they use. You didn't seem to care which form of hormonal your wife used, so long as the birth control didn't involve condoms or vasectomies.

sunburned counsel:
It's completely safe to boil silicone (and also natural rubber, but I'm less familiar with the properties of natural rubber). It's heat-safe to around 600 degrees Farenheit, which is why it can be used to make baking dishes and oven mitts. The makers of the DivaCup specifically recommend boiling it to sterilize it and boiling does not cause the silicone to degrade. I don't think that boiling degrades natural rubber. Do you have a keeper or a divacup?

Actually, boiling is the preferred method for sterilizing silicone sex toys, and I actually have a dedicated pot that I use for sterilizing silicone items. I'd say boil them for about 5 minutes (you can also wash them in the top rack of a dishwasher!). You want to get the item completely submerged. It can be tricky to keep the item submerged or to get it out again; I use a pair of rounded-edged hot dog tongs. You want to avoid breaking the surface of the silicone (it can crack and tear as a result), so don't use anything sharp to fish it out.

Nina - that's exactly what I was going to say. He completely ignored my comments, OF COURSE bc should be a considered decision. If he read the thread he would see how much effort women are putting into their bc choices. Until men can get pregnant, or the male pill comes out (we're waiting!) bc decisions will always have greater weight for women.
I wonder if Ranter has considered a vasectomy. That'd be an awesome "gift".

Tom Head - "have I told you lately that I love you? Have I told you there's noone above you?"
(can't remember the rest of the song, but you get the point!)

Due to a family history of strokes & DVT, I can't take any hormonal contraceptives containing estrogen, so I've only ever used the Mini-Pill or Depo. MP sucked because of the 3hour window for taking it & my schedule was all messed up, so I went on Depo, which has been great. My only general grumble with hormonal BC is the weight gain: so easy to put it on, so hard to make it bloody well go away! My mum was on Depo about 30 years ago and had terrible mood swings - like bursting into tears at the dinner table on her 1st wedding anniversary! I'm a bit worried about the bone density problems though, so I'm thinking about an getting an IUD put in near the end of the year, since I'm graduating soon & it'll be cheaper through the University health centre than anywhere else!

I have used a diaphragm for 3 years now and love it. It might be less convenient than the pill when you're actually gonna have sex, but you can insert it a few hours before, like if you're going on a date and hoping for a happy ending.

Also, it makes me sad to hear women say they are uncomfortable inserting things in their vaginas. I don't want to jump to criticize others; certainly there are lots of reasons someone may be uncomfortable about this (emotional or physiological). But at the same time I think it is good to question the squeamishness encouraged in women around their bodily functions. Also, I think sex is better when you're 100% comfortable with your body--isn't this hard to be if you don't want to reach inside to remove a diaphragm?

I will NEVER use hormones. I don't trust that they are safe for my body, I don't like the side effects they can create, and it freaks me out that the pill creates a "fake" period to make a woman feel more natural (and hide what she is doing to her system).

Just a couple quick notes of diaphragms from a BC educator and a longtime diaphragm fan (though I prefer using them paired with condoms):

1. When they're SO hard to remove, that can mean you weren't sized properly, and have one that's actually a bit too big -- they don't actually have to make a complete seal, what they need to do is cover the cervix. Proper sizing -- or rather, improper sizing -- can also be part of the issue with effectiveness, and it sometimes can be hard to find a GYN at this point who really is a pro at sizing.

2. A lot of the effectiveness issues with them also are typical use, rather than perfect, and just have to do with them not being put in simply because some women have a hard time putting them in and end up with the "oh, whatever, I'll risk it" scenario. But, IME, practice really does make perfect: I'm at the point where I can put one in myself as fast as a guy can open and slip on a condom (and yes, I take a perhaps ridiculous amount of pride in this circues trick).

3. On the Lea's Shield? I have to say, I have yet to hear a woman who has used it so far in my work and life who didn't like it. But, I nixed it myself the couple of times I was distracted from Old Trusty Diaphragm and looking to something shiny simply because it's not as doable for insertive manual sex after intercourse as the diaphgram is.

I'm not a fan of hormonals for myself, period, and I have reservations about them full-stop in my work (bear in mind I mostly work with teen women), beyond the effect they had on me. But one general downer of those for me as someone who isn't always male-partnered is having to be on something when there was just no reason to, which is a top reason I heart barrier methods, beyond all their other perks.

Well, with my last bf we used condoms for the first year or so then I switched to the diaphragm because I smoke and didn't want to use hormonal methods. Even if I didn't smoke I still wouldn't want to use the pill because it always made me feel sick and I didn't want to gain any weight.

So the diaphragm seemed like the logical choice. It worked fine and I was very happy with it. I had never used it before but it seemed to be the most suitable.

Due to a family history of strokes & DVT, I can't take any hormonal contraceptives containing estrogen, so I've only ever used the Mini-Pill or Depo. MP sucked because of the 3hour window for taking it & my schedule was all messed up, so I went on Depo, which has been great. My only general grumble with hormonal BC is the weight gain: so easy to put it on, so hard to make it bloody well go away! My mum was on Depo about 30 years ago and had terrible mood swings - like bursting into tears at the dinner table on her 1st wedding anniversary! I'm a bit worried about the bone density problems though, so I'm thinking about an getting an IUD put in near the end of the year, since I'm graduating soon & it'll be cheaper through the University health centre than anywhere else!

I have used a diaphragm for 3 years now and love it. It might be less convenient than the pill when you're actually gonna have sex, but you can insert it a few hours before, like if you're going on a date and hoping for a happy ending.

Also, it makes me sad to hear women say they are uncomfortable inserting things in their vaginas. I don't want to jump to criticize others; certainly there are lots of reasons someone may be uncomfortable about this (emotional or physiological). But at the same time I think it is good to question the squeamishness encouraged in women around their bodily functions. Also, I think sex is better when you're 100% comfortable with your body--isn't this hard to be if you don't want to reach inside to remove a diaphragm?

I will NEVER use hormones. I don't trust that they are safe for my body, I don't like the side effects they can create, and it freaks me out that the pill creates a "fake" period to make a woman feel more natural (and hide what she is doing to her system).

Miri, your post gave me a fun little mental image.

I'm thinking of the standard 1950s model wife (a young woman, high heels, pearl necklace, floral print dress, perfect hair and makeup) slaving away over a hot stove... sterilizing her sex toys and diva cup. Love it.

stellaelizabeth:
It is such a neat idea, and I'm pretty excited about it (so's my boyfriend - he thinks silicone is a miracle).
I use a DivaCup for my period (best discovery ever, incidentally - I don't need to remember to stock up on pads and tampons, I don't have to remember to take extras with me when I go somewhere during my period, and I don't ever need to wear, and these are both very good things, because I'm a complete space cadet when it comes to remembering stuff like that), and the Lea's Shield doesn't appear to be much larger. Actually, the method of inserting it sounds nearly identical. It probably helps to be comfortable sticking things up your vagina though (and wow, that sentence sounds dirty out of context).

I was just looking at Planned Parenthood's page of information of the diaphragm, cap, and shield, and now I'm thinking of asking my doctor about the FemCap instead, which I hadn't heard of and which looks a bit less bulky and possibly less likely to get accidentally displaced.
Last time I asked, about a year ago, my doctor was pretty unfamiliar with the diaphragm (she's at a adolescent clinic - they love hbc and condoms) and had never heard of the shield. At that time, the shield was only available through Planned Parenthood in the US - I wonder whether that's changed since then. I'll find out in a month or so when I go for my yearly checkup. If you send me an email (to miriparhelion [at] gmail.com) I can email you back with any follow-up.

Another three cheers for Paraguard- the hormone free IUD. I've had mine 2 years- and love it. Actually, once I understood it was an option- I was really frustrated that I hadn't learned of it before.

The pill, patch, condoms, fertility awareness, and a cervical cap have all worked for me in the past.

I've been on the pill for over a year and a half, and I'm not crazy about it. I don't forget to take it or anything because I'm already on another med that I have to take every day, I just don't like all of the side effects. I've tried 3 or 4 different pills because they all give me migraines; the one I'm on now gives me the least migraines, and that's why I've stuck with it.

Before I went on the pill, my period was extremely regular, short, and mostly cramp-free. My period now only lasts about a day and a half, no cramps whatsoever, and somewhat spotty. It's actually become more of a hassle, and it makes me feel uncomfortable with it.

I asked my gyno about IUDs because I read about them in Jane mag, and she said she didn't like putting them in women who have never given birth but she would do it if I really wanted her to. Also, she said my birth canal (?) might be too small to take it. I'm yearning for it, though, so I think I'm going to go and try to get it done. I know I don't want to have kids for many many years, anyway. No more abortions for me, please.

As someone who thoroughly believes that Astroglide is God's gift to penetration, they teach us in med school that the water-based lubricants actually are pretty active spermicides as well.

Not that astroglide should be considered a primary form of birth control, but in infertility clinics, we would recommend a couple use vegetable oil instead of a drug-store lubricant if a couple is having problems getting pregnant, and needs exogenous lube for comfort.

Another reason why we should all walk around covered in lube.

I've been on the pill for over a year and a half, and I'm not crazy about it. I don't forget to take it or anything because I'm already on another med that I have to take every day, I just don't like all of the side effects. I've tried 3 or 4 different pills because they all give me migraines; the one I'm on now gives me the least migraines, and that's why I've stuck with it.

Before I went on the pill, my period was extremely regular, short, and mostly cramp-free. My period now only lasts about a day and a half, no cramps whatsoever, and somewhat spotty. It's actually become more of a hassle, and it makes me feel uncomfortable with it.

I asked my gyno about IUDs because I read about them in Jane mag, and she said she didn't like putting them in women who have never given birth but she would do it if I really wanted her to. Also, she said my birth canal (?) might be too small to take it. I'm yearning for it, though, so I think I'm going to go and try to get it done. I know I don't want to have kids for many many years, anyway. No more abortions for me, please.

Heather Corinna: What is it about the shield that makes it "not as doable for insertive manual sex after intercourse as the diaphgram is"? I'm really curious about that, and it could affect my decision.

Another reason?!
Count me in!

I have a question about the insertable barrier methods (shield, FemCap, etc) They all seem to require spermicide. Why? Is it really necessary? Could you use a nice organic lubricant instead?

Thanks!

Many thoughts:
I went from the pill, which I was terrible at taking, and then the patch, which made me crazy (though it might have been depression over other things, honestly), and now I am on the Nuva Ring. I love it, though its expensive. I tried to get an IUD, but I am five foot even and have never birthed a baby, so my uterus is too short to fit one in. I cried- the doctor told me I would have to have a baby to stretch out my uterus, and I cried that I didn't want a baby, thankyouverymuch, and that was why I sought the damn IUD. Apparently in Europe there are smaller IUDs, but I am an American, land of the slightly longer ones.

I use the Divacup, and I boil it in the microwave. I put it in, nuke it for ten minutes, and then wait till its cool to pull it out. I recently turned my mother into a Diva lover.

Garrett Sparks: Astroglide contains glycerin, which can cause yeast infections, although they just came out with a version that's glycerin and paraben free (I hadn't realized it had parabens in it!). There are a bunch of really good water-based lubes that don't have glycerin in them though!
There's actually a lube on the market that's intended for couples trying to conceive, called Pre-Seed Lubricant (the name makes me giggle, but there you are). I think they changed the pH to make it more sperm friendly.

manda: I love that image too!

I've been on Yaz or Yazmin for a year, and they're doing it for me. I had horrible cramps the beginning of each period, but no more. It's a bit of a pain to remember to take them, which is why my cell phone now has a constant alarm feature.

The one month I did try the Ring, I had a horrible experience. I was constantly bleeding, the walls of my vag were sore and puffy, and because of that, sex hurt a lot. The first symptom could have been just a holdover from the previous month, where I didn't have a period at all, but still, it's not something that's universally shiny.

I thought I had thrown off my troll characteristic after I wrote a review for FFF on Amazon.

Tom Head why do you consider abstinence a form of BC? I see it as more like total denial. Of course total denial will prevent STDs and pregnancy, but don't you think abstinence is a steep price to achieve that goal? Or are you advocating a less dangerous sexual activities?

I didn't mean to stir anything up with my comment, but I felt that most of the comments prior to mine didn't address the other member. I would like to think that you all are not all that sexually selfish.

Love and sex are a lot better when they are mutual.

Abstinence and NuvaRing.
EC and condoms in case either of those don't work out.

Abstinence is a form of birth control according to both Planned Parenthood and my gynecologist. Like every other form of birth control, it isn't for everyone.

I have nothing bad to say about the NuvaRing, but I also have limited side effects.

And yea for the Diva Cup (not a BC method, but completely rad).

I have a Copper T IUD. Got it about 4-5 years ago. Insertion sucked, but was quick, and though I had uncomfy periods and some discomfort with sex for a while, it eventually went away. Now I only get discomfort with very deep penetration, and my BF and i work around it.

Best thing? No hormones, and it's idiot proof. Expulsion after the first few months is unheard of. I recommend it!

" I would like to think that you all are not all that sexually selfish."

Troll.

"I felt that most of the comments prior to mine didn't address the other member"

How do you even know there is "another member"? And if birth control is to be considered all a woman's responsibility anyway, who's to say she doesn't get to pick what kind she uses? Not to mention this thread was just about women's preferences. Women are allowed to have preferences that aren't influenced by the men in their lives, you know? I think a lot of women would be most happy to have men take total responsibility for birth control (i.e. with condoms or vasectomies or the ever-sexy hypothetical male pill). But if the menz can't be relied upon to do it, well then that limits your options. It's hardly like male preferences are being ignored -most women don't have that choice.

And also on a personal note, if I had apparently been in agreeance with my partner about using a specific kind of birth control that wasn't hazardous to my health (i.e. condoms) for years into the relationship, at which point he suddenly felt comfortable enough to start whining at me nonstop that we must change whatever we're doing so that whatever we do has to be /my/ inconvenience alone, I'm not so sure that wouldn't be incentive to kick him to the curb...

I love the nuvaring, and my boyfriend loves the nuvaring (if I don't take it out and he fishes it out during sex it's like he's won the prize) but I am starting to notice a massive libido drop at this point. England doesn't have it yet, but I love it so much that I have my mom go collect it for me at planed parenthood and send it over. I've been lobbying all my doctors to try and get it over here- england has a massive teen pregnancy issue, and they give out BC free, and with less chance of fucking up the effectiveness of it than with the pill I would have thought they would have jumped on it.

I came off the BC pill after using it for 6 years a while ago, and we (my fiance and I) use condoms.

If you're in a relationship, I don't really see much point in favoring a less effective but woman controlled method. And honestly, even if you are single, what stops you from carrying the condom in your purse and putting it on him?

From the male perspective I can honestly say that I am deeply appreciative of the gift my wife gave me. Our sex life is now completely without stress, and neither of us notices any difference at all, and we could start procreating again within days if we so choose. The 4 months of heavy bleeding was a concern at first, but everything returned to normal. A few of my male friends claim they can actually feel their wife's IUD, but I can honestly say I have not (but maybe I am just not that sensitive or large enough).

If you could see how my kids looked anorak, you would see why my wife would not consider a vasectomy a gift (which I had offered to get)

Condoms are fine, but as a married man who has sex routinely, I worried too much that one might break, and I hated cleaning up the condoms afterwards.

My wife definitely was not going to consider hormones, because of the many side effects that are attributed to them.

I had considered testosterone injections to lower my sperm count, which was a method a few of my friends had tried, but the increased aggression possibility scared me, and I don't want to run the risk of developing man boobs.

I just went on the Paraguard (copper IUD) a few months ago, and I'm liking it. The first week was uncomfortable, but I just set my sights on the idea of 10 years of B.C. and no hormones and made it through. My periods are longer but not much more painful, and the whole shebang was actually free thanks to the Planned Parenthood funding in my state.

Hormonally speaking, I swore by the NuvaRing for years. I got some mood swings at the end, but nothing like what I had on the pill.

Well I'm glad to know you had considered vasectomy and other options.

You were still way out-of-line to come on here in a thread that was directed at women's preferences and call women "sexually selfish" though. Not to mention the fact that most of those women were on hormonal birth control, which seems to be something very few men object to.

"From the male perspective I can honestly say that I am deeply appreciative of the gift my wife gave me."

I'm glad it worked out for you two. That doesn't change the fact that it appears to me it was your needs being met best by this new arrangement (or at least, your desire was the exclusive motivating factor in seeking out a new arrangement, and from what you told us you rather badgered your wife until she gave in). And well, it's really anti-feminist to demand that the guys' needs have to be totally met in every situation in a relationship in order for the woman to avoid being called "sexually selfish."

Maybe that's not what you were saying. I don't know. But I guess I still don't really understand what point you were making and why you posted here to begin with.

You read a lot into what I wrote Ninapendamaishi. Stuff I had no idea I was implying. Also I did not call anyone sexually selfish. I knew most of you have or had sexual partners, but I was surprised that almost none of the earlier comments mentioned those partners. Sexual selfishness is more of a man's trait, but when I first read this thread I got the feeling that none of you cared how your man (or woman if the case may be) felt about your choice of BC or protection.

I have never in my life badgered my wife for anything, but I did beg and plead that she as least look into alternatives to condoms. For years condoms was all we used, and I knew it was because my wife was too shy to ask her friends or specialists about alternatives.

From what I can tell a lot of women are too shy or scared to talk to gynecologist.

Perhaps not on this thread though.

"Also I did not call anyone sexually selfish." -Ranter

???

"I didn't mean to stir anything up with my comment, but I felt that most of the comments prior to mine didn't address the other member. I would like to think that you all are not all that sexually selfish."
-Ranter

Frankly, I'm sure there are women on here who /are/ making unilateral decisions about which particular birth control to use. For women who are not in long-term relationships, why wouldn't they? For women who are paying for their own birth control and/or have a partner who doesn't really care which method of hbc his girlfriend uses, why wouldn't they?

i've had two norplants - and GODS did i love them.
i did a paper in an anthropology class about menstration... and there is a lot of current evidence that women should NOT be have 400 periods over a life time. so, that made me xtra happy that every form of hbc i've ever had stopped my periods. just got the last norplant taken out. it ran out a while ago, almost 3 years, but taking it out is worse than getting it in and i was waiting until there was a replacement. so, in the middle, i used the Ring - also rocking, mostly - but the thing can move.
now, i am getting the NEW implant (whatever it is called) ASAP

Maybe I am old fashion, but I consider it sad if anyone (male or female) prefers sex without the romance of a long term relationship. I would like to think (call it ideology if you will) that monogamy and courtship are still cherished. I have nothing against one night stands, or free spiritedness, but I can't help but feel that that way of life is a selfish (and a very lonely) way to live. If I give love I hope it to someone who appreciates it.

I hope being a feminist does mean advocating that women should behave like men.

Maybe I am old fashion, but I consider it sad if anyone (male or female) prefers sex without the romance of a long term relationship. I would like to think (call it ideology if you will) that monogamy and courtship are still cherished. I have nothing against one night stands, or free spiritedness, but I can't help but feel that that way of life is a selfish (and a very lonely) way to live. If I give love I hope it is to someone who appreciates it.

I hope being a feminist does mean advocating that women should behave like men.

Maybe I am old fashion, but I consider it sad if anyone (male or female) prefers sex without the romance of a long term relationship. I would like to think (call it ideology if you will) that monogamy and courtship are still cherished. I have nothing against one night stands, or free spiritedness, but I can't help but feel that that way of life is a selfish (and a very lonely) way to live. If I give love I hope it is to someone who appreciates it.

I hope being a feminist does not mean advocating that women should behave like men.

Sorry my browser is posting what I write before I can correct it in the preview window. I guess I should stop for the night.

Okay, thought I'd comment on this.

Worst: By far the worst is Depo. I was on it just over two years. I gained tons weight, had bad acne, and many many other problems. I would seriously advise against it.

Best: So far the Nuvaring has been my favorite. I had no problems with it but went off it awhile ago as I was not seeing anyone and was leary of having been taking hormones for so long.

Currently: I'm interested in Paragaurd but am being tested for PCOS. If I were to have the PCOS I would have no problem going back on the Nuvaring if that would be a semieffective treatment. If I don't have it thought I'd like to stay away from hormones.

I think you're setting yourself up for a lot of criticism on this site. I don't know if you're doing it on purpose.

"I hope being a feminist does mean advocating that women should behave like men."

Being a feminist /does/ mean advocating for women to be able to make a wide variety of choices and be respected for those choices. (so long as they're not hurting others, IMO) I think the "behaving like men"/not behaving like men is a pretty false dichotomy. Not all men behave the same, but they tend to be more respected for their choices than women.

"I have nothing against one night stands, or free spiritedness, but I can't help but feel that that way of life is a selfish "

How is that selfish? Everyone is selfish to an extent, how is that /more/ selfish than say, being in a relationship and having to have more than 50% of things go your way (I'm thinking of a lot of men, here, but probably some women in relationships as well).

"I consider it sad if anyone (male or female) prefers sex without the romance of a long term relationship."

Let's just say I think I'd prefer the swinger lifestyle to a long-term partner guilt-tripping me over a preference for condoms.

"How do you even know there is 'another member'?"

If he really had read all the posts, he'd know that at least one of us has never had a sex partner yet.

I have always been afraid to try hormone BC (family history of blood clots, and quite frankly nausea, acne and weight gain didn't seem like it would up my sexual cache), so I used a diaphragm for a few years, and since then it's been just condoms.

Oh, wait, I did use the sponge - and loved it way more than the diaphragm - MUCH more physically comfortable for me. I was PISSED when they went away. But now they're back! Wow, the fact that I forgot about that highlights my sad-ass sex life right now.

The TAP online article indicates that the next generation of diaphrams will not require a fitting. How cool! The only reason I'm not using a diaphram now is cause I haven't gotten around to having a post-partum fitting. (Childbirth necessitates a refitting.) The other thing that would be nice is if it were available OTC. Condoms are...why not a diaphram?

I agree with Caratronic. The hormonal methods are unnatural. And just because you aren't empirically observing side effects, doesn't mean you aren't experiencing them. I'm not judging anyone (I was on orthotricyclen myself 10 years ago) and I have no science behind me. Maybe my perception is shaped by my primary experience - many of my 30+ year old friends who are trying to conceive are finding they can't ovulate without fertility drugs and even then it doesn't always work.

worst: the sponge. I bought it when it came back on the market thinking it would be better than using condoms, but I wound up with a nasty yeast infection and a whole box of unused sponges.

best: persona - a computerized version of the fertility awareness method that tells you when its safe to have sex if you don't want to get pregnant. No hormones, no barriers, just peeing on a stick a few times a month. LOVE IT!

I've been using fertility awareness methods for years now (can't use anything with hormones because of blood clotting issues, and I find that barriers take away a lot of the fun). Not only have I found it to be effective, but I like that it requires me to really be in touch with my body.

Ok, back to effectiveness.
I do happen to be six months pregnant. Something my husband and I did not plan. We were on our honeymoon, married for, oh, maybe a week. There was lots of wine.
We were both aware that we were taking risks for a few days, but chose those risks.

My point in telling you all of this is that, while fertility awareness methods are great, if you happen to be a touch impulsive or have a history of less-than-adequate decision-making skills, it might be helpful to have a condom in hand. Or to use a different method entirely.

All that being said, I hope I didn't come off as being horribly upset about my pregnancy. Even though she'll be arriving a few years earlier than planned, my husband and I can't wait to meet our little girl :)

Been on the pill Yaz for about a year and a half now. Love it. Of course, I'm not letting a strange penis come anywhere close to my va-jay-jay without a condom on it as HIV is not something I'm hoping to get in my life.

I hate taking any kind of medicine that interferes with my body's chemistry (heck, I won't even take Advil when I have a headache), so I'm a huge fan of the condom-diaphragm combo. If the condom breaks there's still a pretty good chance you won't get pregnant because you've got the spermicide-coated diaphragm up there - so it's nice to know you won't have to take a trip to the pharmacy the next day to get emergency birth control.

That being said, it does take a few minutes to put a diaphragm in, so I really only recommend it if you're going to be in situations where you'll know in advance you're having sex. Another idea would be to monitor your own cycle so you have a rough idea of when you'll be ovulating - use condoms all month long and then the condom & diaphragm during that period where you need to be extra careful. This method seems to work for me - I haven't gotten pregnant yet! :)

In response to Ranter and pretty much everyone else:

Ranter: it seems like you had good intentions, but you don't really understand the newer modernisms regard one's own body. Not even in a relationship should anyone feel they must share their entire body, not you or your wife. After all, you're really only sharing your heart. Also, you do not get to call women "sad" if they make the choice to pursue the pleasure of uninvolved sex, nor do you get to define that as a man's right.

Everyone else: give a guy a break. He sounds like he doesn't treat his wife like shit, and that's a milestone in the world we live in.

Ranter's comment about what kind of sex is allowable in his world really bothers me. It implies that women should only be having sex if it is some sort of "gift" to some guy you have signed a long term contract with.

As long as sex is not taking advantage of or otherwise hurting the other person involved there should be no issue with the details.

I don't see this as an issue of women acting or not acting "like guys". That sounds like more of an issue with women not falling into line properly with an old stereotype in his world. There is something that profoundly scares some people about a women having sexual desire or pursuing such simply for the pleasure aspect rather than as a gateway to marriage, house and kids. Bleh.

I also want to sing the praises of Seasonale. It's wonderful, I only have to refill 4 times a year and I only have to buy tampons 4 times a year..if I choose to use the "white" pills, which I rarely do. I have a theory that the tampon industry is a huge racket as the majority of women have to buy them, and have to pay what ever they want for them. But that's a story for another day.

Also, I have to admit that it never occured to me to take into account if my partner had a birth control preference. If he wants to have sex with me and I can get preggers, I just assumed that it was my choice. That I insisted on some form was really all the info I thought he needed. Weird.

Also, maybe it's sexist of me, but I have no faith in the creation of a male birth control pill. That just scares the bejeezus out of me.

"Also, maybe it's sexist of me, but I have no faith in the creation of a male birth control pill. That just scares the bejeezus out of me."

Why does it scare you, exactly?

"Everyone else: give a guy a break. He sounds like he doesn't treat his wife like shit, and that's a milestone in the world we live in."

That may be. However, I don't think that's one of those things you can really tell from a few statements someone makes over the internet. I think I /was/ reacting more to what he did say than what he didn't say, personally.

For any women in a committed relationship, the IUD is AMAZING. I say committed because not only does it not protect against STDs, if you get one, the IUD facilitates it travelling into your uterus which can cause infertility.
But with one partner, it's the best thing ever. $40, last for 5 years, I never even notice it, very effective and NO HORMONES!!!!

I've had an IUD since I was 20 and I'm 28 now. I have converted all my friends. It's not the old IUD from the 70s. And all those bad things you hear about them, or if you just don't hear anything at all, think about the profits being made on hormonal methods and the interest they have in keeping women away from IUDs.
Planned Parenthood had a fabulous workshop to inform you all about them if you're interested. A lot of old school doctors wont even give them to their non-married patients. Which is ridiculous. But PP provides them.

I can't get down with hormones. Depo turned me into a raging psychopath in high school. I mean, "la la la, everything's fine I HATE THE WORLD *hysterical crying*"

It was bad.

The Pill gave me another cup size (still hasn't left, lo these years later) and 30 pounds that took me several years to get rid of.

Right now I'm using condoms but have considered getting an IUD. I'm at least 4 or 5 years out from even starting to think about a family, and it seems like the best option.

Four months of terror and bad bleeding does not fill my heart with glee, though.

I use estrostep and don't find it that bad. It's cut the intensity of my cramps and flow by half at least. So that's a big reason for not going with an IUD.

And another shout-out to the Diva Cup!

My male partner and I have been monogamous for about 5 years. I was on OrthoTricyclen for maybe a year and a half, but it wasn't for me. Clear skin=good, crying fits=bad.

We've used condoms ever since and I try not to have any intercourse on days I know I'm ovulating. Plus, I feel really comfortable using certain vitamins and herbs to greatly reduce my risk of pregnancy if the condom fails (high doses of vitamin C interfere with progesterone production and reduce the chance of a fertilized egg implanting on the uterine wall, and black cohosh can help initiate a late period). This is not for everyone of course, and do your research very carefully, but for me, this knowledge is empowering and effective when neccesary.

I use the copper IUD and I absolutely adore it. I am very fertile, and already have two kids. I dislike hormonal methods, and can't handle the failure rate on diaphragms and cervical caps (much higher if you have had children).

Mirena IUD. Love it. I got it last April, spotted for a couple months, but now I'm all set. My periods are SO light, I barely use tampons anymore. Way less cramping than before. I love it. I never would have considered it, but my sister got it and she raved about it so much that I decided to give it a try. I REALLY don't want a kid, or even to get pregnant. So 5 years without having to worry about it, is really nice.

It hurt going in, for sure. But it took about 3 minutes, and that was it. It took a few days to recover, although mostly it was emotional-cause it just feels gross to me to have this thing up inside me. But, I got over that pretty quickly!

My insurance paid for the entire thing, I didn't even have to pay a copay. Awesome! I used to be on the pill but didn't like it and was too worried about missing a dose.

I'm in a long-term monogamous relationship, so it works for me. I don't like the hormones though, overall. I'm 30, so I'm thinking that I may get a tubal ligation when this IUD needs to be removed, when I'm 34. I didn't even bother trying to see if I could do it last year, at 29, because I figured doctor's wouldn't let me since I don't have kids.

My SO has a vascetomy, but I am still on the Pill because of endo. Yaz. Tried everything out there, and if I could marry Yaz, I would. :-)

I'm a huge fan of Depo-Provera, which is now even more affordale because it is in generic. Four shots a year and you're good to go.

When I'm having PIV sex, just condoms work fine for me. I've never had one break or slip off, they're cheap/often available for free, protect me from STIs, I don't have to worry about forgetting a pill, or the longterm effects of hormones on my body. I also don't have to use them when I'm not having PIV sex.

I've always used the Pill, and in general, I love it. Of course, if I was having non-monogamous sex, condoms would have to be added.

I hated Ortho TriCyclen and Ortho TriCyclen Lo. They're made to "mimic natural hormone fluctuations", which meant that I had acne, cramps, days where I felt miserable for no reason, and intense nausea before my period. I've been on Yasmin for over a year now, and I have short, light, cramp-free periods and no pregnancy scares. My periods can be timed to the hour. The only bad thing is that the hormone in Yaz and Yasmin, drosperenone, is a diuretic, so it will make you pee a LOT. I am switching to another monophasic Pill at my next gyno appointment to get rid of the annoying pee problem. I have to leave my two- and three-hour classes constantly!

One thing: DO NOT use the sponge! You know, the "Today" contraceptive sponge? My mom recommended it when I had to take antibiotics that made my Pill less effective for a week, and I had a hard time removing it, and when I did, it had made me bleed in a weird way and feel faint. My gyno said it might have been the spermicide in the sponge, but whatever it was, it was a terrible experience.

I'm starting to see this trend that with every single birth control method except for condoms, it seems like /somebody/ had an awful experience with it. I wonder how frequently these problems occur with each kind of bc?

JenLovesPonies: Did your Dr. actually measure for the IUD, or did he/she just assume? I ask because I'm 5'2" and have never given vaginal birth, and I was fine. I know the old IUD's could only be used post-childbirth, but the new ones can. I've had Drs who didn't like to use them for what seemed to me to be no real reason. You might try some research or a different Dr. if yours was just making an assumption.

to whoever has been experiencing vaginitis that doesn't appear to be caused by or responding to anything (and i apologize for not remembering your name), i had similar symptoms in my early 20s and my fabulous gynocologist suggested something i hadn't thought of: allergic reaction to chemical products.

she thought that perhaps chemicals in the laundry detergent and/or the bodywash/soap i used were irritating that most sensitive area. i switched to a perfume- and dye-free laundry detergent and a fragrance-free bodywash and have not experienced the itching/burning since. and i'm now 30!

this may or may not work for you, but it can't hurt to try. with all of the harsh stuff we put on, in and near our bodies every day, it shouldn't be that surprising when our bodies
protest the treatment.

I'm quite amazed at the amount of IUDs on here, and apparently in women who have not carried a fetus to term. I have had four gynos now (in Milwaukee and Chicago - a midwestern conspiracy?), and none of them would put an IUD in.

Last year, I talked in-depth with some colleagues at Planned Parenthood, and a nurse said she would generally not put an IUD in a woman who has not carried a fetus to term. She herself had not, but decided to try to have an IUD inserted anyway, but her cervix tightened up so much, basically creating a wall so that it could not be inserted. Painful. So that was a no go for her!

Yet so many of my British friends have or have had them, and have not carried fetuses to term. It's so bizarre, this American/European dichotomy.

Add another woot for IUDs! I was lucky enough to have an OBGYN that didn't care about the fact that I haven't had babies.

Honestly, I think that the low number of IUDs in the US is largely due to privatized medical care. Drug companies don't advertise them because they make tons more money off forms of birth control that need to be taken regularly. And, because they aren't advertised, doctors don't learn about them and don't suggest them to their patients.

I bet that if we had universal health care in the States, IUDs would start making a big comeback, since they're very effective and very cheap in the long-run.

NicoleGW - do you know what the numbers are for IUD-use in countries with universal healthcare? I'm Canadian and I think I'm generally up on these kinds of trends - no one I know uses an IUD, or has even considered using one. No doctor has ever mentioned the possibility of an IUD to me. And I'm 23, and have sex with men - seemingly a demographic they would target.

As for birth control, I only use condoms for PIV sex. Never had a condom break or slip off. They're supercheap and often available for free, and they protect against STIs. I also don't have to think about them when I'm not having PIV sex.

debbie - This is something I've wondered about too. I know that rates of IUD use are much higher in Europe, but as best I can tell, they're pretty similar in Canada.

My best guess is that Canada gets a lot of media spillover from the US. This includes drug advertising and bad publicity from the horrible Dalkon shield incident. I'm actually living in Toronto this year, so it's something I've been thinking about.

Avogadro- no, I was measured with a curvy metal stick thing. The doctor only commented on my height after I left the room- she hadn't realized I was short as I was sitting the entire time she was in the room. She said in many cases, shorter people have shorter organs. Hence, no IUD for JenLovesPonies

Oh yay... thread of wonderful goodness. Thanks, folks!

I'm diabetic, PCOS, asthmatic (constant low twitch) and I use yasmin. I take my glucophage XR (yay extended-release goodness) at the same time as my yasmin and cingulair, as a therapy for the PCOS and diabetes. The birth control is almost a side effect. I've regular menses, no to low cramping, and apart from some dryness issues, sex is great.
Divacup=goodness for me too :-)
Before yasmin, I had literally 1-9 month-long periods, since I was 14 (crappy doctors, no insurance). The cup made life possible.

Questions...Has anyone ever heard of uterine ablation? What are the side effects hormonally? It seems insanely hardcore, but I wonder if it would be effective as hysterectomy without the hormonal side effects?
Also, has anyone had any hormonal side effects with tubal? What and how invasive were they?

Women's bodies, chemistry, diet, lifestyle are all different. The reason that just about all of us have experienced prohibitive side effects with one variety of BC or other is largely due to these differences.

As far as partner involvement, I control what goes on in my body. BC is not optional, I can't carry to term without maiming myself. Given all the other issues I have to deal with health wise, we use the solution that keeps me the most functional, and he makes damn sure that I take care of my health first, as I do with his when he has health issues. We know about one another's meds. He can list mine, generics and original meds and dosages, by memory. He would never question a health decision of mine, because the decisions are just that for us, my health decisions. That's not arrogance or selfishness, it's survival and responsibility. Also, I've been dealing with them longer.

Short term relationships ...I take care of my health. Anyone who can't handle that, can't handle me.

RE: IUDs-that is total BS about having to have had a baby first. I didn't have one-my gyno was SO GREAT and she said that's just not true. She said there are lots of reasons that an IUD might not be right for a person, but it's not a hard and fast rule. That makes me mad!

I mean, at least they can try to insert it, if you are willing.

Miri (although this may get lost), per the Lea's and manual sex, two reasons why it appears not to work as well as the diaphgram with that: one, the loop on the end of it for removal is pretty easy to catch a finger on, and two, it sits a little lower in the vaginal canal than the diaphragm, which straddles only the cervix.

But yeah: another shout out for condoms, too. I'm just as happy to use those all by themselves, especially when I'm in a longer-term partnership, and now that EC is available.

My only big issue I've had with men and condoms over the many years is that now and then, with more casual partners -- who can be more self-conscious and have more performance anxiety -- they've been slipshod in putting them all the way on, or not spoken up when what they take from the condom basket isn't a good fit and I've had a slip-off.

But otherwise, when you use'em right, no complaints from me there at all. Viva la latex! (Okay, except when you're allergic, in which case, viva la polyurethane!)

Oh! Also a note to nulliparous women about IUDs: if you really poke around the literature and the science, what you'll notice is that IUDs being less advised for women who haven't given birth isn't really so apt: it's more about women who have never been pregnant, birth or not. Even if you've terminated or miscarried, a pregnancy is a pregnancy, in this regard, so if an IUD is your #1 choice and that's what's standing in your way, have a detailed talk with your healthcare pro about it.

Has anyone here had a tubal ligation?

Interesting point about male partners being slipshod about putting condoms on, Heather Corinna. I dream of a condom revolution! One in which putting on a condom is empowering and sexy, no matter which party is putting it on.

My sister once told me that just the site of a condom package could get her going because it reminded her of having (safer) sex. I would like to see that association unleashed on society. Of course, I would like to start this empowering education when people are teenagers, but with the extreme difficulty of getting most public schools to even MENTION the word condom, I'm not holding my breath.

Speaking of condom difficulties, if anyone has trouble getting condoms or doesn't want to spend money on them, you can probably wander onto the campus of a public university and get some free ones. My college and the college I am transferring to both have free ones in every dorm and in the student infirmary, but they don't ask for your ID if you go in and grab a handful. Maybe my schools are special in this respect, but they've got Trojan, Lifestyle, and Durex condoms in multiple varieties for FREE! Yay. My high school, however, did not have condoms, which I think is a big mistake.

Re: condoms being difficult to put on- I read an article about some new kind of condom that comes in this cool wrapper-I think it's being used in Africa? I wish I could remember-but basically you just crack open the package (no ripping, just cracks down the middle) and you put it on right from the package. It seemed really cool to me-way easier, faster, and there's really no way to put it on wrong.

Now if I can only find the reference...

i have been on the nuvaring for about 3 years now and nary a problem. before that it was about 6 years of Ortho-tri-cyclen, which worked very well for me.

as a much younger person I tried the shot- depo-provera and it wreaked serious havoc on my system. they told me not to worry too much if i started missing my period, since that was a common effect of depo. what ended up happening 4 months after i started (1 month after the 2nd shot) was constant spotting. every day. but not enough to wear a tampon either. then when i didn't take the shot a 3rd time, the bleeding still persisted. that's how i ended up on the pill, to get some regularity back in my cycle.

I have only ever used condoms, and am currently considering the Nuvaring-seems so hassle free.

Anyway, regarding making condoms more "sexy"...to me the smell of latex is a turn on. This is probably a strange thought, but I think because that smell has always been associated with sex for me. Don't think that could be incorporated into an advertising campaign, though.

buggle-
I had a laparoscopic tubal about 2 years ago, when I was 30 and childless. Unfortunately, shortly after the tubal I started having pain (about where my ovaries are) during sex and sometimes while exercising or biking. About a year later an ultrasound found a small ovarian cyst that stuck around about 6 months. I still have a little pain sometimes, I often bleed around ovulation (which I never did before) and I feel like my libido has gone way down, although that could just be because I started associating sex with pain and blood. The doctors I've seen have been totally unhelpful and weird. However, despite all this, I often wake up thinking how happy I am that I'll never have to worry about getting pregnant. Also, from what I've read, my case is not typical, and if you believe my doctors, this could all be due to the fact that I'm "getting older" and not because of the tubal.

Heather Corinna: Thanks! Now I'm really tilting towards the cap.

Also, least favorite form of birth control (so far): the female condom. I tried them, and at first I thought they were fantastic - easy to put in, didn't feel constricting to my boyfriend, but I had to hang onto the outside ring of it the entire time to keep it from sliding in, and I had my one and only pregnancy scare while using it - I was adjusting it, the bf thrust before I was done, and his penis ended up on the wrong side of the condom. That was the end of that, and I went back to using normal condoms as my barrier method birth control/STI barrier.

The condom with the applicator is a South African product, called the Pronto Condom (http://www.prontocondoms.co.za/) and it looks so cool! Watch one of the videos (sort of nsfw, but no penis - they use a carrot to demonstrate); it almost looks like a magic trick. I wish it were available in the US.

I'm actually going to talk to my doctor next week about non-hormonal alternatives. I went back on the Pill (Marvelon) last year when I wanted an alternative to condoms because I was in a long-term, monogamous relationship.

Since then, I've been feeling more and more depressed. There's some stuff in my life that's kind of rough right now, but I'm more convinced than ever that my BCP is not helping! I've been feeling near-suicidal and my emotional state has been all over the map.

I'm also in therapy, but looking at how my moods tie into the cycle of pills for the month, I'm getting the hell off the hormonal crap.

I've noticed that some medical sites even suggest stopping my particular pill immediately if depression occurs, so I'm taking this seriously.

Also, it makes me sad to hear women say they are uncomfortable inserting things in their vaginas.

I don't think anyone on this thread has said that (unless I've missed it). Jen and I have said that we have found it difficult, unpleasant, and physically exhausting to try to get diaphragms/divacups out of our vaginas. There are a number of things I'm perfectly comfortable putting in my vagina. This is not about being uncomfortable touching my body, or ashamed of or grossed out by my vagina. It's about the mechanics of diaphragm use not being right for my body.

I'm personally TTC, so I'm not on anything but I've tried several pills.

I was on Ortho-tri-cyclen for a bit, and it worked fine. I got pregnant the first month I stopped. No side effects other than the happy ones.

Then I was on the mini-pill while I was nursing my son. I have absolutely no scientific evidence to back this up, but I have a theory that the POP might have made my bodies natural hormones out of whack. After taking it I've had a much shorter luteal phase and low progesteren level. So hmm...

As far as the Patch goes, I have a friend who said she could almost feel the hormones the second she put on the patch. Apparantly it would make her really tired and moody.

One more thing, has anyone here used Essure? http://www.essure.com/ I had never heard of it until I saw a flyer for the procedure in my new OB's office. Basically its permanent female sterilization without a surgical tubal ligation. They just insert springs vaginally and your body builds scar tissue around the spring. It sounds interesting.

I'm so impressed by all the BC knowledge here. In fact, though I've been really happy with ortho, after this thread I'm really starting to think about an IUD. I think I was put off by my mum, who still has sort of generational PTSD from the Dalkon Shield disaster.
If I'm thinking baby in the next five years, is an IUD worth it?

HATED the diaphragm! UTIs was a big problem.

My gyno agreed when I said I'd heard that doctors/nurses/med students overwhelmingly use IUDs these days. In a committed relationship, of course.

I'm posting in an EPIC thread.

Thank you Miri! The pronto condom, I remember it had a cool name, but I read through so many HIV articles that I couldn't remember. It DOES look cool-super fast application.

Thanks for the info JM. I haven't looked into it in any real way, but I always like to hear from actual people what their experiences have been.

Thanks, Ann! See - I *knew* they were making a comeback.

First, thank you for posting this question! Based on the enthusiastic and informed comments, this is a topic women want and need to discuss.

Also - thanks to everyone for sharing. I am getting and IUD inserted in two weeks and am trying to decide between copper or hormonal. Your comments have been so helpful, and will give me more information to share with my partner.

Your comments also make me feel truly fortunate to have such a professional and open-minded GYN. And I live in WYOMING for Pete's sake. She's already agreed to tie my tubes when I decide to (I have no kids and never plan on producing any or marrying my partner). She'd played devil's advocate with me to make sure I thought this through and couldn't argue with my reasoning. That's fair, I think. And she wasn't a bully, it was a great discussion, actually.

I want a few more years to finalize this no-kids decision, and think the IUD will work out. (On a side note, my GYN was also intelligent enough not to say, "Wow, deciding not to ever have kids is a big decision." As if deciding TO HAVE kids isn't an equally huge decision??)

I've been on the BCP Alesse 28 (or some form of generic) for eight years now. Grad school, a full time job and a thesis to write have meant that I never remember to take it on time. We use condoms as back up all the time, so what is the point of the pill? Plus, the hormones fuck with me too much, I am convinced it is contributing to my developing moderate depression, and more and more it screws with my head to know I am pumping extra hormones into my system. Needless to say, I am leaning toward the copper IUD.

Like a lot of posters to this thread, I love the NuvaRing - low dose, no daily hassle. The only problem is that my partner can feel it, and so I end up taking it out during sex, which is kind of a pain.

I have tried every form of birth control under the sun. I had a copper IUD at one point because the hormonal methods were making me miserable (bloating, depression, lack of energy.) I couldn't even walk for two weeks after it was put it - and I had to have IV morphine to get it taken out. I know that's an unusually bad reaction, but I was unaware that it was a possibility when I decided to try it.

No, please don't give me a break. This site wouldn't be much fun if I didn't get a response (both good and bad) from every angle. I am surprised and amused by what gets read into what I write. Maybe I was pushy when I begged my wife to consider alternatives. I don't think so, but I'll ask her about it. Either way thanks for making me think about it.

On a more serious note, my one experience with a long term GF (over a decade ago) who used the pill caused me endless worry; did she remember to take her pill? I remember calling her on a daily basis to make sure she had not forgotten. With the IUD that is not a concern. One reason I think gynecologists and other reproductive specialist are hesitant to give IUDs, is because they are afraid of getting sued if the IUD caused a bad reaction due to the way it was inserted. It is almost impossible for a doctor to get sued because he prescribed the pill. In my wife's personal case she had an insurance plan that made it virtually impossible for her to sue her doctor. I have asked many doctors why it is that they only want to give the IUDs to women who have already given birth, and none of them ever gave the same answer. I think the really reason is because statistically women who have given birth are much less likely to develop a bad reaction to IUDs than women who have not. When it comes to all forms of female controlled BC, the experts really do not know why they work, only that statistically they have been proven to work.

From personal experience I will continue to advocate pursuing serious relationships over emotionally uninvolved ones, because I remember being a much sadder person before I learned how precious and comfortable long term romance was. If you prefer shallow relationships, then you will probably end up with shallow men (or women). But I have nothing against anyone who finds joy and excitement in spur of the moment sexual encounters, or prefers to remain unattached but still sexually active.

Come to think of it, I don't have sex, so I probably don't have a place in this conversation. Moving along.

Okay, well as long as you don't mind being given thinking points:

"I remember calling her on a daily basis to make sure she had not forgotten."

/That/ could be really annoying and possibly seen as overbearing as well. That's signaling that you don't trust her. (I mean I can understand asking her before you have sex if she's remembered it every day, but calling every day to ask if she's taken it seems extreme to me)

You made it very clear that you yourself went through periods of being unattached and still having sex. I think the average young woman (and man) today has a mixture of both serious relationships and more casual sexual encounters. You're drawing things into two categories of completely unemotional casual sex, and serious, monogamous relationships that last for months. In reality, there are so many shades of gray: one-night stands, yes, but short term flings, relationships that only last a couple of months, open committed relationships, simply not knowing when you'll have sex next and wanting to be prepared, etc. A lot of women have enough respect for themselves that they're not going to jump into a committed relationship until they meet someone appropriate, but in the meantime they want to enjoy sex. I think any woman who is not in a serious, long-term monogamous relationship in which her bf is paying for part of the birth control is going to feel like she has to be responsible for her own birth control.

I am not going to send you my autobiography Ninapendamaishi, but If your BF is not interested in your BC method, then he probably is not very interested in you. Thinking back a decade ago I may have been annoying with that GF who used the pill, but she never said she was. I called everyday to catch up, and then in middle of the conversations I would nicely ask if she had remembered to take her pill. To the best of my knowledge she was never annoyed with me, but I remember privately stressing out about whether or not she had forgotten to take her pill.

I had no idea I put relationships into only 2 catagories, and I am sorry if that was what you read out of what I wrote. You will never convince me that sex without a emotional involvement is preferable to serious, romantic, relationships. Can we agree to disagree? To each their own, do whatever makes you happy, and I will never try to limit what makes you happy (that would be against everything I believe in), but please accept that I am only expressing my feelings based upon my personal experiences (as I clearly stated).

I guess my point is that you don't need "serious, romantic, relationships" to have emotional involvement on some level.

I've never had a BF, actually. And I do like my degrees of freedom, and plan to maintain them until I find someone who I /want/ to be my BF (even then, not sure if I'm the completely monogamous type). But I am fairly sure I'd resent someone not wanting to use condoms, but then simultaneously being all picky about what kind of birth control I would use as an alternative. With the way STDs are so prevalent, I think condoms just = respect anyway, unless you've definitely been monogamous for years, in which case I think ideally people find a method that inconveniences or conveniences them both about equally.

"but If your BF is not interested in your BC method, then he probably is not very interested in you"

A lot of different spins can be put on this statement, I guess, but frankly unless we're talking about some guy who wants to use a condom all the time for everything (and that's great, IMO) I think giving me plenty of choice about what's done to my own damn body is the more respectful attitude.

I like condoms. They're easy to have on hand all the time. Avanti makes awesome polyurethane ones that are super sensistive and I think, stronger than latex. And, Ranter, just shut the fuck up, alright? Thanks. Patronizing dickwads annoy me so.

Hey Nightwind and other Depo users - As I said way upthread, I use Depo, and only have to deal with a little dryness now and then.

Except - I've just realised my skin has been breaking out heaps recently! I've never had great skin, so I didn't think anything of it until I saw your comment Nightwind.

I've been on Depo for about 8 months, is there really a connection? I know taking estrogen-based BC can help clear up acne, but I didn't realise taking Progesterone-only can cause it...is this right?
Or is it just the difference between taking estrogen and not?
Any doctors wanna offer free medical advice?
While I'm thread-jacking, I don't wanna stop using Depo, so what else could I do for acne?
It's not crazy-bad, just more pimples than I'd like, around the chin/jaw particularly...

"Questions...Has anyone ever heard of uterine ablation?"

I've heard of it, but I'm no expert.

I really like my Paraguard IUD. It went in easily. I did wind up with cervicitis (ack!) the month after it was inserted, but now everything is great. I hated the pill. It killed my libido and made me completely paranoid. (Did I forget my pill? What if I take it five minutes too late and get pregnant? Oh, no!)

I plan to get a tubal ligation eventually. My partner is still coming to terms with the fact that I don't want kids, and probably never will. But he's still a bit freaked out about making it final, and my IUD is good for another eight years.

Epic?

Time to del.icio.us.-o.

Condoms. The diaphragm wasn't bad.

Loathed - the Pill.

I have a question for women who have used IUDs - I'm considering getting one, and I've read a lot of accounts of the experience with having it inserted, but what about having it removed? Is it comparable pain, more, less? Thanks for any help at all!

I just wanna say this is a great thread! so much useful information is being exchanged - I dig it like potatoes!

Soupcann I am not a woman, but I do have a little bit of experience with trying to get an IUD removed. For my wife and I the concern was the heavy bleed she noticed in the first 4 months after insertion, so we asked our doctor how many hoops we would need to jump through to get the IUD removed. He told us he could get the IUD out the next day if need be, and he also said that in his experience he noted that the removal of IUDs was usually less painful than the insertion.

I hope that helps you out.

A word of advice though; talk to your doctor about the process of getting the IUD removed before he (or she) inserts it, and don't get it unless he (or she) can assure you that the IUD can be removed in less than 24 hours at any time that you so desire.

Anyone who's curious about IUDs should check out the LJ community IUD Divas. There's lots of information in the form of links and personal experiences. It's a terrific resource, and the mods run it very well.

I just got off the NuvaRing about a month ago. I loved it but had been on hormonal birth-control for 10 years and was ready to give it a break. I switched to a diaphragm and I am crazy about it. It took me a while to get used to the spermicide because at first it was kind of irritating.

I have heard people say that diaphragms are so messy, they would just as soon abstain from sex than use it but I don't get that. Then again, I don't have issues with putting my fingers into my vagina, which was a common complaint I heard about the NuvaRing.

All this being said, after the first month of use my period is almost 2 weeks late. That really doesn't mean too much considering it can take months to get back on a normal cycle (thank you freaky hormonal birth-control) but until I get on a normal cycle I have to keep lots of not so cheap pregnancy tests laying around for peace of mind. And then there is the joy of peeing on a stick and keeping your fingers crossed that you won't be one of the 10-12% who accidentally gets pregnant even though you read the instructions one million times.

I also have and adore a copper IUD (Paragard). JJ is right about the side effects, mine went away after a couple months too; I still occasionally cramp or get aches pre-menses, but it's about what is usual for most women.

Contrary to what is sometimes said, you really don't need to have had a child already to be a good candidate for one. (That idea seems to be over-cautiousness about uterine sizes with maybe just a little bit of breed, dammit ideology mixed in.)

It's a one-time cost (I think a couple hundred dollars; I was lucky enough for it to be covered by insurance, so it only cost me about $30 in copayments) and it lasts at least ten years (the other, slightly hormonal IUD, Mirena, lasts five, I think). If a woman wants to be pregnant, it can be removed anytime and her body will instantly return to pre-IUD fertility.

Inasmuch as there's no perfect birth control solution, the IUD seems to me to be the best of all possible methods -- foolproof, incredibly reliable, reversible, longlasting, and cheap by comparison with $45/month (ouch). And did I mention foolproof? Hell, I can't even take a vitamin every day. Hooray for spontaneous sex!

I also have and adore a copper IUD (Paragard). JJ is right about the side effects, mine went away after a couple months too; I still occasionally cramp or get aches pre-menses, but it's about what is usual for most women.

Contrary to what is sometimes said, you really don't need to have had a child already to be a good candidate for one. (That idea seems to be over-cautiousness about uterine sizes with maybe just a little bit of breed, dammit ideology mixed in.)

It's a one-time cost (I think a couple hundred dollars; I was lucky enough for it to be covered by insurance, so it only cost me about $30 in copayments) and it lasts at least ten years (the other, slightly hormonal IUD, Mirena, lasts five, I think). If a woman wants to be pregnant, it can be removed anytime and her body will instantly return to pre-IUD fertility.

Inasmuch as there's no perfect birth control solution, the IUD seems to me to be the best of all possible methods -- foolproof, incredibly reliable, reversible, longlasting, and cheap by comparison with $45/month (ouch). And did I mention foolproof? Hell, I can't even take a vitamin every day. Hooray for spontaneous sex!

So, here's a question for the people with IUDs: Is having the little string dangling down ever a problem? I'm imagining it getting yanked around by accident during intercourse, or accidentally pulled on during, as Heather Corinna put it, insertive manual sex.

So, here's a question for the people with IUDs: Is having the little string dangling down ever a problem? I'm imagining it getting yanked around by accident during intercourse, or accidentally pulled on during, as Heather Corinna put it, insertive manual sex.

Ranter - thanks for sharing your wife's experience. It's interesting that the doctor said removal is less painful than insertion, but it's ultimately a plus, I think.

NicoleGW - thanks for the link! There is so much good information there, I really appreciate it.

Yes, Heather Corinna, I had a tubal ligation about eight years ago. I had turned forty, and my husband and I couldn't afford any more children, so I said yes to the procedure when by ob/gyn offered.

Surprisingly, no trouble whatsover getting 100% coverage from our insurance company. (Tubal ligation is MUCH cheaper than having a baby, just for starters.)

The big plus: the loopy, dizzying freedom of being able to have sex with no paraphernalia at all, and no Pill- or IUD-like disruptions in your menstrual cycle. The only caution I'd make is that ligation reversals are rare, expensive, and complicated, so typically they're for those of us who wanted kids and had our limit. I admit that I was very depressed for awhile after the ligation, because having children had been relatively easy physically and quite joyful all round, and even though my rational mind knew it really wasn't in the cards to have more children.

I tried a Copper-7 IUD after my last kid was born, but it doubled the length of my period, so until my tubal ligation, I went back to using The Trusty Diaphragm, which I'd used virtually nonstop during my reproductive years. I'm happy to see it's making a comeback.

The last time I bought one, the pharmacist at a crowded Safeway bellowed, "WE HAVE TO ORDER IT! NOBODY USES DIAPHRAGMS ANYMORE!?"

"Nobody?" I asked. "What about me?"

Really, once you've gotten used to it and are properly fitted, inserting a diaphragm goes like greased lightning. (Easier and faster than brushing your teeth, because there's no need to spit...)

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't use a diaphragm without spermicide, not just a lubricant. The device itself covers the cervix, but not tightly enough to block the cervical os. That's what the jelly's for, to block the os and kill sperm. There's been a big improvement in minimizing the smell and taste of the spermicides since I started using them in the mid-'70s.

Much love to the Nuva Ring. I have PCOS and have been on and off all different types of birth control since I was 17. I have always been a moody lunatic. I am sure this is related to my already hormonal imbalances and depression as a result of the extra hormones in the bc pills. I also have an autoimmunine disease that went undiagnosed for years and the most common symptom is mood swings/depression. I was on ortho tricycline when I was in high school and while it did what it was supposed to, I still had major cramps and was very moody. Then as a crazy college student, too busy to remember to take any medication, I stuck with condoms, but rarely got my period. After college and with my then serious boyfriend, I tried ortho tricycline-low and had terrible migranes and had ZERO sex drive (he loved that!). Then I went on the patch thinking the hormones wouldn't effect me the same way but I still had ZERO sex drive, terrible mood swings, and got freaked out by all the health concerns. I have been using Nuvaring for over a year now and love it. I barely get migranes, very little cramping, don't have to remember to take that stupid pill, and my periods last literally for like 3 days. I have heard terrible, very scarey things about Yaz or Yazmine or whatever it's called. From what I have heard the patch is not safe anymore either. If you like the patch, you'll love "the ring". I am considering the copper IUD to rid myself of the unneccesary hormones but need to do more reseach.

Much love to the Nuva Ring. I have PCOS and have been on and off all different types of birth control since I was 17. I have always been a moody lunatic. I am sure this is related to my already hormonal imbalances and depression as a result of the extra hormones in the bc pills. I also have an autoimmunine disease that went undiagnosed for years and the most common symptom is mood swings/depression. I was on ortho tricycline when I was in high school and while it did what it was supposed to, I still had major cramps and was very moody. Then as a crazy college student, too busy to remember to take any medication, I stuck with condoms, but rarely got my period. After college and with my then serious boyfriend, I tried ortho tricycline-low and had terrible migranes and had ZERO sex drive (he loved that!). Then I went on the patch thinking the hormones wouldn't effect me the same way but I still had ZERO sex drive, terrible mood swings, and got freaked out by all the health concerns. I have been using Nuvaring for over a year now and love it. I barely get migranes, very little cramping, don't have to remember to take that stupid pill, and my periods last literally for like 3 days. I have heard terrible, very scarey things about Yaz or Yazmine or whatever it's called. From what I have heard the patch is not safe anymore either. If you like the patch, you'll love "the ring". I am considering the copper IUD to rid myself of the unneccesary hormones but need to do more reseach.

Add me to the Cu IUD endorsers. No hormones, no side effects, practically un-noticable and very reliable.

Much love to the Nuva Ring. I have PCOS and have been on and off all different types of birth control since I was 17. I have always been a moody lunatic. I am sure this is related to my already hormonal imbalances and depression as a result of the extra hormones in the bc pills. I also have an autoimmunine disease that went undiagnosed for years and the most common symptom is mood swings/depression. I was on ortho tricycline when I was in high school and while it did what it was supposed to, I still had major cramps and was very moody. Then as a crazy college student, too busy to remember to take any medication, I stuck with condoms, but rarely got my period. After college and with my then serious boyfriend, I tried ortho tricycline-low and had terrible migranes and had ZERO sex drive (he loved that!). Then I went on the patch thinking the hormones wouldn't effect me the same way but I still had ZERO sex drive, terrible mood swings, and got freaked out by all the health concerns. I have been using Nuvaring for over a year now and love it. I barely get migranes, very little cramping, don't have to remember to take that stupid pill, and my periods last literally for like 3 days. I have heard terrible, very scarey things about Yaz or Yazmine or whatever it's called. From what I have heard the patch is not safe anymore either. If you like the patch, you'll love "the ring". I am considering the copper IUD to rid myself of the unneccesary hormones but need to do more reseach.

I'm now 25 and have been on various forms of the pill since I was 17. It does affect my libido, I know. I've been single for a couple years so didn't need to be on it but tried coming off it for a month a while back and suddenly remembered what my periods used to be like: very irregular, heavy, painful and long! on the pill I get moody and have less interest in sex but it's worth it for having pain-free, four-day, regular and predictable periods. I would love to try Seasonale or similar but they aren't available in the UK - neither is the Novaring, that sounds cool. Since I'm single I use condoms too when needed. I'm the opposite to most people on here, in that I would be very wary of coming off the hormones!

IncredibleKates: That weird faint feeling could be that in taking the sponge out you were brushing your vagus nerve, which runs behind the back of your vagina. Some people are more sensitive in that area than others. I've had it happen a few times (a gyn pinching it and constipation being memorable triggers).

My most effective and enjoyable method of birth control is being in a lesbian relationship, but I'm on hormonal BC to control otherwise-debilitating menstrual symptoms (I suspect endometriosis, but haven't gotten to a specialist yet). I ♥ the Nuvaring! I've been on it for nearly 5 years now, and the only side effects I (or my doctors) have noticed have been the positive ones. Most importantly, I'm a functional human being on days when I used to be in such pain I was at risk of collapsing every few hours. In the next 5-10 years, I think I'm likely to junk my whole apparatus, but I think that largely results from feeling like my entire reproductive system has been periodically attempting to kill me since I was 12.

My 3 months on the Mircette pill was among the worst medication experiences of my life. Instead of spending 2-3 predictable days incapacitated at inopportune intervals, I could spend 2-3 hours any inconvenient evening writhing in gastric pain from not eating enough (enough being an American restaurant-sized meal) before taking the damned pill. Add to that markedly increased premenstrual symptoms without a compensatory reduction in menstrual symptoms and the whole deal was unbearable. It's not available under that name anymore, but I think that progesterone is still used in another brand.

Re: the IUD string-I was worried about this-my doctor cut them pretty short-one time my boyfriend noticed them, and actually after sex there were two little red holes on his penis. Whoops. During the first few months we were both somewhat aware of the string, but not anymore. The string is just left out so that you can feel it, to check the position of the IUD. I never check mine, I can feel that it's in there.

About getting it out-I heard it's quicker and less painful then getting it inserted.

I've tried the pill twice, many years apart. Had a bad experience, vowed never to take it again, then was convinced by a doctor that times had changed and the new pills wouldn't make me feel so awful. Tried it again, exactly the same thing. Miserable, depressed, tearful, low energy. Just use condoms and a persona kit.