[Jessie3110]

Hey all,
I'm a recently engaged 20 something who chose abstinence, and thats great for now, but I am excited about getting married and I don't think the two will mix well. I am a nursing student, and that leads my biggest concern to be reproductive issues while in school. As the oldest of 3 kids in my family with my youngest sibling being 8 years old, I would love nothing more than to start on a family, but I know better right now. No matter how much IWGCS( I want grand children syndrome) my mother develops.
I have always been VERY regular on my cycle and in the past 4 years or so it has been light and lasting about 5-6 days tops and I have always been blessed with rare if any cramps. I do not want to mess with my hormones because honestly, it bothers me at the thought of how that type of birth control works. I have 2 cousins who have had TERRIBLE experiences on the pill and both of them want off of it.
Graduation is 16 months away, and I only need something for a maximum of 10-12 months. I merely want to make an informed decision. I feel that it may be risky to jump right in to NFP methods and I don't particularly care to deal with insisting on condoms simply because it seems like something that would be such an interruption to something God called good.
I'm not married yet, but when that happens depends heavily on your answers and my decisions.
IUD's that do not have hormones sound like an appealing choice, but before I consider that I would like to hear from the crowd out there who knows the ropes. What are the risks? Can it mess with your ability to become pregnant in the future?
Thank you

[x.st.angel.x]

I have just the thing for you! I went to the doctor for mant options of different birth control as i was sick of the pill and she gave me this information.

Combined pill - 1 pill consisting of 2 hormones taken the same time daily. Prevents egg being released.
Advantages: Can reduce PMS and period pain Does not affect spontaneity
Considerations - Not suitable for some medical conditions. if pill is taken more than 12 hours late extra precautions required
99% reliable if taken properly

Progestogen only pill - 1 pill consisting of 1 hormone taken the same time daily. Prevents sperm from reaching the egg
For older women. those breastfeeding those who cant take the combined pill
Considerations: Pills must not be taken 3 hours late
98% reliable is taken correctly

Contraceptive Implant (Implanon) - A small rod containing hormone progestogen which is inserted under the skin in the arm by a doctor. Prevents egg from being released. Prevents sperm from reaching egg
It lasts 3 years.
Considerations. May cause breakthrough bleeding. Possible weight gain
99% effective

Contraceptive Injections (Depo Vera) - Progestogen injection that prevents sperm reaching the egg and egg being realsed.
Lasts for 12 weeks
COnsiderations - Periods can be irregular innitially, possible breakthrough bleeding, possible slight weight gain, delayed return to fertility
99% effective

NuvaRing - Vaginal ring containing both progestogen and oestrogen released from the ring and absorbed through the wall of the vagina. Prevents egg being released.
Low dose of hormones. Lasts for 4 weeks. Inserted for three weeks and taken out for 1.
Considerations: Possible weight gain and acne, Some medications can effect reliability.99% if correctly used

Condom (male) - Can reduce spontaneity 98% effective if used correctly

Diaphragm Cap - Dome of rubber places over the cervex to prevent sperm entering uterus. Spermicides required
Only use during sexual activity, stays in for 6 hours after sex
92%-96% effective if used correctly

IUD (multiload) - Copper device fitted in uterus. Prevents egg and sperm meeting
Stays in place for up to 5 years
May make periods heavy and/or may increase period pains
98%-99% effective

IUS (mirena) Small plastic device with progestogen fitted in uterus. Prevents egg and sperm meeting. Stays in place for up to 5 years
may make periods lighter
99% effective.

Thats all of them on my list that the doctor gave me, i hope this helps you weigh out the pros and cons

[2Bpositive]

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.

[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

[WildChild]

Really for birth control you should visit Planned Parenthood, they deal with way more of this than any doctor. I had a plain non hormonal IUD for many years with NO problems at all, but I had two children already.

They can help you determine what would best fit your needs.

[Mes T]

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

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.

[x.st.angel.x]

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



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.

Yeah i really wouldnt mind getting an IUD. Dont have to worry about taking the pill everyday and hormones messing up your body

[kira]

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.