Thread: Non-hormonal birth control! IUD's ?Whats the low down!?

I was on birth control pills for 15 yrs. I started when I had just barely turned 19. The years went by and I was started to notice a lot of side effects. From the sounds of it e you have already read some of the side effects of birth control. You have already been told by your cousins what their experiences have been with hormonal birth control and their reasons as to why they want off of them. Anyway, I had had enought about a year ago. I couldn't stand it anymore. So, I decided to do some research on this whole IUD gadget. I did my research and let me tell you it was the best decision I have ever made in regards to non-hormonal birth control. I had ParaGard inserted and I have not had any problems with it. But mind you, I have been pregnant before so it was a lot easier for me to get it inserted compared to someone who has not had a child.
Since you only want protection for less than 1yr, you may have to get on hormonal birth control or keep using condoms. Cost effective with IUDs, is good only if you consider having them to their full use Mirena is good for 5yrs and ParaGard is good for 10yrs. It's totally reversible if you decide to get pregnant. NFP I would never use because there are sooo many factors that could change your ovulation, body temperature, cervical fluid etc. I don't recommend the pull out method either, it's like playing russion roulette.
Either way whatever you choose it's gonna have it's pros- and cons-. It just depends on what you are willing to put up with. I put up with alot of mood swings, depression, lack of and no sex life.

I've had my copper IUD for a couple months now and LOVE IT.

Originally Posted by x.st.angel.x

I wanted to have an IUD put in but my doctor wouldnt do it because i have not had kids yet. I reckon it would be the best option but not for short term. You may wish to speak with a doctor jessie

They do that because of the botched IUDs they had in the 70s in the states. Really, there is very minimal risk of an IUD making you infertile nowadays... probably the same as a pill, I reckon.

No birth control that isn't listed as permanent will interfere with your ability to get pregnant in the future unless something severely goes wrong. IUDs are probably the most likely to have severe complications but anything that could increase the risk of infection (which includes just having sex in the first place) increases the odds of permanent damage.

A copper IUD has about as many risks of messing with your period and having bleeding between periods as hormonal birth control. It's one of the reasons I chose a hormonal IUD over copper. The risks were greater and if side effects happened they are usually worse but by the numbers majority had lighter periods and around half had no more period. Whereas copper IUDs actually list heavier periods as a common result. Lots of people absolutely love them but if you are wanting to avoid that risk completely along with limiting the risk of complications then an IUD may not be what you want.

If you really want lowest risk, non hormonal, without using condoms then you are probably looking at diaphragms/cervical caps. I don't remember anything else either from the planned parenthood literature or searching online that would have no risk of changing your periods and is hormone free while providing a high percentage of protection. There are other methods listed such as withdrawal or rhythm but those are best practiced by people who are prepared to have kids and are just trying to wait a little while.

You have to weigh convenience with risks. Methods with fewer side effects or risks also tend to be the least convenient in the moment. A condom isn't convenient but unless you are allergic to latex it has no side effects or health risks. An IUD may be very convenient and if it works you never have to think about for 5-10years but the key there is "if" it works. It may be safer these days but there are still risks during insertion and afterward as well as your body possibly just rejecting having something in it like mine did or side effects like increased bleeding. I had cramps bad enough to lay around in bed for a month before my body managed to push mine out and that was after an ultrasound saying it was perfectly placed.