[Pastel Yellow]

I'm about to start being regularly sexually active for the first time in a long time. I don't want to get pregnant right now, but I would like to in the near future, in less than a year. I would get a copper IUD if they still do that, but that seems too much for such a short period of time. So, I'm looking at birth control pills. I took them once before and they made me really depressed. I was trying to see if there are some that aren't as likely to do that. According to the internet, progestin only pills are more likely to cause depression, but estrogen is "considered unsafe" for women with migraines with auras, which I have. I could go to the doctor and ask them, but are they just going to tell me to stick with condoms?

[atskitty2]

IUD's are typically for longer term birth control.

For me personally, I wouldn't go on hormonal birth control pills for this short a time either. Your body will just begin to adjust to the hormones and you'll be ready to stop the pills again. That's a lot of stress on the body. And since you have a history of depression on the pills, and you have migraines, I'd probably consider something else.

I am not current on all the birth control options on the market these days, but condoms seem like a reasonable option for the time frame that you're talking about here. You can talk to your doctor about other options - you're likely going to have to go to them anyway for the prescription - so you can get their thoughts and recommendations as well.
Good luck.

[Pastel Yellow]

Thank you so much.

[Alison H.]

It has been a LONG time since I was on birth control pills, but I do remember one brand/type that caused depression in me almost immediately; Desogen, is what the brand name was, although I don't recall the dosage.

I did have a good experience with OrthoNovum 7/7/7, which if I remember correctly had a mix of estrogen and progestin. Those, I managed to stay on for years with no issue. That said, it was before I began having migraines (without aura).

It might be worth talking to your doctor about your options for temporary birth control, such as the NuvaRing (vaginal ring), Depo-Provera injections, and I think there are even skin patches that deliver hormones now. (If I remember correctly, however, depo takes a while to wear off before pregnancy can occur...)

In terms of something non-hormonal, and this really depends on your personal sensitivity, vaginal gels or spermicide may be an option. Those are used before sex and are entirely without hormones. Still, those can be irritating. I could never use spermicides for that reason — my skin was just too sensitive.

Additionally, there are diaphragms and contraceptive sponges if hormonal BC is out of the question.

I'd recommend talking to your doctor to consider the best option. Particularly if you're thinking about pregnancy in under a year, it may be best to steer clear of hormonal options, unless you intend to stop taking them a few months before you plan on trying to conceive.

[Pastel Yellow]

Thank you so much. <3