Okay, where to begin. I'm 22 now, using condoms mainly, and recently added Gynol II spermicide to this regime due to a scary spillage.
I was originally prescribed Ortho Tricyclin Lo when I was I think 14 to control a sloppy overenthusiastic period. (Occuring every 2-3 weeks since age 11, exceptionally heavy flow, I missed some school nearly each period and my grades were suffering.) I forgot pills somewhat often and I would subsequently double up when my doctor said it was appropriate. I was on it for years.
Quit taking it at 18 because I wanted to be natural and I had just quit Zoloft so it felt appropriate to be done with pills all together. I then got pregnant, and ended up taking mifepristone/misoprostol to induce miscarriage, a decision that I still have much trouble with as it felt bullied upon me, but this is not about that... Anyway, I was then put back on bc pills, I don't remember the brand, but it was also a "low dose" because there is much cancer in my family, especially breast cancer.
I took these pills for one year, until my then-boyfriend [above] discovered a lump in my right breast. I had just turned 20. I immediately stopped the pills. Got a biopsy, it's benign (for now???). At 21 I started to notice some sensitivity in another spot in the same breast, and I feel pretty certain another tumor is developing there. I have since cut a LOT of soy out of my diet, though it's extremely difficult to avoid all together.
My period now is not as maniacal as it was during my teens, though it does last a full 7 days and is heavier than anyone I know. Day 2 and Day 3 are the worst, wherein I go through a 'super tampon' every two hours. I was prescribed cannabis for the cramping, and I simply ride it out.
I have been curious about Paraguard for years. My doctor was ready to insert one over a year ago but I couldn't afford it ($300). At this point I still can't technically afford it, but my situation is feeling more urgent and I'm willing to borrow for it. I have a new boyfriend who I expect is longterm, but twice already we've had condom malfunctions, one of which was actually frightening enough for me to take a "morning after pill" despite my intense fear of hormones, as well as begin using spermicide as a backup. The pill was expired, so I have no idea how potent exactly it remained, but I know that I am not pregnant as my period just showed up and that was over a week ago.
I would feel MUCH, much safer to finally have the Paraguard I've been mulling over for so long. But I'm nervous about it, too. With my period already being so heavy, I can't tell if it would be even worse with the IUD, or if I'm used to it in such a way that this won't be a big deal for me. My biggest concern though is what the copper itself could do to my body. I've read some scary stories about copper toxicity tying in with estrogen overproduction, and if that's true I just feel so completely hopeless, because that's what I'm trying so hard to avoid...
I don't know of any other birth control that is effective enough to feel safe, without hormones. My doctor had told me that the lowest doses would be safe despite my family history, so the tumor growth has made me question his certainty, hence why I'm turning elsewhere for more opinions. He had said that the IUD would make the bleeding and cramping bad but that that's the worst of it as long as I don't expel the thing, which with my luck I just might do, but hopefully not and I'm knocking on my desk... :/ I just feel at such a loss, I don't want to worry so much, and I'm on my period now so it's the right time to get the IUD if that's what I'm going to do.
Please share any stories and experiences you may have, and I'd love to hear what you think I should do with my specific situation. I read several pages of the old Paraguard thread but didn't see anyone discussing tumors/breast cancer/etc. which is my biggest concern.
I was originally prescribed Ortho Tricyclin Lo when I was I think 14 to control a sloppy overenthusiastic period. (Occuring every 2-3 weeks since age 11, exceptionally heavy flow, I missed some school nearly each period and my grades were suffering.) I forgot pills somewhat often and I would subsequently double up when my doctor said it was appropriate. I was on it for years.
Quit taking it at 18 because I wanted to be natural and I had just quit Zoloft so it felt appropriate to be done with pills all together. I then got pregnant, and ended up taking mifepristone/misoprostol to induce miscarriage, a decision that I still have much trouble with as it felt bullied upon me, but this is not about that... Anyway, I was then put back on bc pills, I don't remember the brand, but it was also a "low dose" because there is much cancer in my family, especially breast cancer.
I took these pills for one year, until my then-boyfriend [above] discovered a lump in my right breast. I had just turned 20. I immediately stopped the pills. Got a biopsy, it's benign (for now???). At 21 I started to notice some sensitivity in another spot in the same breast, and I feel pretty certain another tumor is developing there. I have since cut a LOT of soy out of my diet, though it's extremely difficult to avoid all together.
My period now is not as maniacal as it was during my teens, though it does last a full 7 days and is heavier than anyone I know. Day 2 and Day 3 are the worst, wherein I go through a 'super tampon' every two hours. I was prescribed cannabis for the cramping, and I simply ride it out.
I have been curious about Paraguard for years. My doctor was ready to insert one over a year ago but I couldn't afford it ($300). At this point I still can't technically afford it, but my situation is feeling more urgent and I'm willing to borrow for it. I have a new boyfriend who I expect is longterm, but twice already we've had condom malfunctions, one of which was actually frightening enough for me to take a "morning after pill" despite my intense fear of hormones, as well as begin using spermicide as a backup. The pill was expired, so I have no idea how potent exactly it remained, but I know that I am not pregnant as my period just showed up and that was over a week ago.
I would feel MUCH, much safer to finally have the Paraguard I've been mulling over for so long. But I'm nervous about it, too. With my period already being so heavy, I can't tell if it would be even worse with the IUD, or if I'm used to it in such a way that this won't be a big deal for me. My biggest concern though is what the copper itself could do to my body. I've read some scary stories about copper toxicity tying in with estrogen overproduction, and if that's true I just feel so completely hopeless, because that's what I'm trying so hard to avoid...
I don't know of any other birth control that is effective enough to feel safe, without hormones. My doctor had told me that the lowest doses would be safe despite my family history, so the tumor growth has made me question his certainty, hence why I'm turning elsewhere for more opinions. He had said that the IUD would make the bleeding and cramping bad but that that's the worst of it as long as I don't expel the thing, which with my luck I just might do, but hopefully not and I'm knocking on my desk... :/ I just feel at such a loss, I don't want to worry so much, and I'm on my period now so it's the right time to get the IUD if that's what I'm going to do.
Please share any stories and experiences you may have, and I'd love to hear what you think I should do with my specific situation. I read several pages of the old Paraguard thread but didn't see anyone discussing tumors/breast cancer/etc. which is my biggest concern.
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