What type of birth control is best?

Dung - posted on 11/12/2009

Triana, I also like the IUD (Mirana). It is the best thing for me since I have to have a low dosage of hormones. Its five years but when you are ready, you can take it out and have more children. Most other birth control makes me gain weight and have heavy bleeding. Mirana is the only one that works for me.

April - posted on 11/12/2009

Quoting maria:

Depo, its an injection in the hip-ish and lasts for a month, she doesn't have to worry about remembering the pill, which I might add, she never remembered to take it.  Also it is 100% proven to not let her get pregnant should she end up in that kind of situation.

I'm sorry to correct you, but I feel I should share the correct information with the other moms.  Depo is not 100% proven to prevent pregnancy.  The only birth control menthod that is 100% failproof is abstinence.  I'm not preaching abstinence, I'm just saying that Depo is also 99.9% effective, same as if you were to take the pill at the same time every day without forgetting it.

I also caution about Depo because I had it 10 years ago.  The Depo-Provera shot has a LARGE amount of hormone in it so that it can last 3 months.  If you are sensitive to hormones, Depo can give you some major side effects.  Mine:  gained 40 lbs within 30 days, horrid acne, depression / suicidal thoughts, complete loss of sex drive. 

I'm currently on Mirena, have been for two months, and I love it.  I've had no side-effects, and my doctor tells me that it's as effective as a tubal ligation.

KGOMOTSO - posted on 11/12/2009

Quoting Triana:

What type of birth control is best?

I have never been on birth control in my life. Now that I have had a kid the hubby is already wanting to start up our sex life again. I had mentioned to him that if we do anything I would want him to buy protection and hes whining and complaining about spending money to get some lol. So was just wondering which type is best. I know there's a pill, patch, and a shot but aren't too sure which one would be best to do. Any suggestions

if you are breast feeding then microvals are best.

Alison - posted on 11/11/2009

I've tried them all (except the nuvaring, which can fall out!). Pill (forgot too often), patch (loved it until I developed an allergic reaction), injection (highly effective and practical, but killed my libido), condom (it'd no good unless he'll put it on)... the best by far is Mirena. It is pricey if you are not covered, but over 5 years it is a reasonable option.

Ashley - posted on 11/11/2009

My best friend and I both got IUD's after having our sons. Sadly we both had terrible experiences. We both went through very painful stuff. I would cramp so bad I had to lay on the floor of whereever I was. At first it was just every few days, but eventually it started happening every few hours and I couldn't work or leave the house. My friend started having the same issue a few months after it was put in. Neither of us got infections and they can't tell us why it happened. I'm on Nuva Ring now and I love it. One of my friends said it made her breats way too sensitive though. I stay away from the pill because I'm terrible about taking pills. The patch isn't a good choice because my doc says it contains too much hormone, and the shot put about 0 lbs on me when I was on it in college.

TYLER - posted on 11/10/2009

befor my baby, Nuva Ring.....after my baby.....I had an IUD inserted....they both work fantastic

Uloma - posted on 11/10/2009

I love the Ortho Evra Patch.It is a transdermal patch that is applied once a week on the skin.The only downside is that it will discolor the application site if it is not rotated.I will be trying the nuva ring next.I understand that it is very convenient as well.They are also on the expensive side about $60 a box (I mths) supply even with your insurance .Good luck!!!

Samantha - posted on 11/10/2009

i have had mirena and i love it. i forget sometimes that i even have it lol, i will think to myself oh no we forgot the condom and then i rememeber oh yeah im covered. i havnt had a periodsince i started on it. it was painless to have a doctor put it in and i never have to worry about it, EVER!!!! :D be carefull of the thingy they put in your arm because i thought its what i wanted untill my doctor said it was banned from the US for some reason so i just went with the mirena. i would have done the shot but my sister uses it and she was naturally stick thin and now she has been gaining more and more weight every month she uses it and now she looks like she is 4 months preggers. good luck

Ashley - posted on 10/27/2009

I have the IUD. I got it after having my first child and it works great. I like know that I'm protected but don't have to worry about remembering to do anything to protect against pregnacy right now. Once it's in you forget about it even being there. I am protected for up to 5 years before it has to be replaced again. I really suggest the IUD.

Randi - posted on 10/26/2009

Oh I used the depo shot i put alot of weight on plus my periods where never the same.. I take the pill i just got int a routine and I rarely forget..

Sandra - posted on 10/25/2009

I take the pill, there are SO many out there you can choose one that fits your body type. I like it because I regulates my periods along with shorting them, and controls A LOT of the craps. Only down fall to this is you must use them every day. I use my cell phone with an alarm that goes off to remind me to take one. The pill will run you about 30 dollars a month or close to it.

Carmon - posted on 10/25/2009

Well this is tough! 1st if your breastfeeding a hormonal birthcontrol will decrease your breastmilk. If not everyone is different. before i had my son i was on a oral contraceptive with a low dose of hormones. It worked best for me because i get headaches and i always knew when I was going to get my period. I took it every day on time for 5 years and never concived. You have to be faithful to the pill in order for it to be faithful to you! I have seen people get the DEPO shot and i have also seen there weight climb and they have spoting like crazy sometimes the whole three months, and others do well. The truth is when do you want to have you next kid? It took us a year to concive after i stoped the pill. Just do your research. Personally I will only do the pill but i have never tryed anything else either.

Julie - posted on 10/25/2009

Prior to getting pregnant with my first, I was on Ortho Evra (the patch) because I was terrible at remembering to take the pill everyday. I have to admit it was just okay. When applying on the first day of the week, I actually felt a little sick to my stomach and would often get headaches due to the intesity of the patch. It would then ware down towards the 4th and 5th days. My advice would be against the patch. I wish I had a good experience to support another method. My alternative would be a tubil ligation, but that's not exactly 100% reversable. Good luck!

Jessica - posted on 10/25/2009

It depends on your medical history. Patches can cause blood clots which can be really dangerous and fatal. Mostly, they just leave a sticky residue which is kinda gross. The pill is easily forgotten and personally, they made me very emotional. I took them about 6 wks after giving birth and they sent me into postpartum. I was actually suicidal. very scary. I've taken depo, but they don't suggest taking it more than 2 yrs because it drastically lowers bone density and it almost made me infertile, though that is a small percentage. Currently, I use an IUD. They put it inside you and you don't have to worry about it for 5 or 10 yrs depending on which model you get. Not good for people who've had tube pregnancies or ovarian cysts, but it's perfect for me. I use Mirena- i don't have to take it out til i'm good and prepared for another child.

Alexandra - posted on 10/24/2009

I have been on the patch and loved it, and decided to try the ring when it came out because it has fewer hormones. I loved both of them, but will go back to the ring now that I've had my baby. It took 6 weeks to get pregnant off the ring and I had been on BC for about 6 years.
Here's the problem with the pill that no one will tell u...lets say you have sex on monday, and you then forgot your tuesday pill, this could equal pregnancy. Everyone seems to think that if you forget a pill it's the sex afterwards that matters, but if you forgot a pill and you've had sex in the past 2 or 3 days, you're not really covered.

Glenda - posted on 10/24/2009

The best birth control is the one that works best for your body. Every woman is different, and you know your body best. Talk to your doctor and then try one at a time until you find the one that works best. Good luck

Marie - posted on 10/23/2009

I too had never been on birth control until after the birth of my first child. I am horribly forgetful when it comes to pills, so after talking it over with my GYN, I decided on the Mirena. I loved it. The insertion was not bad at all, just like a PAP, and a little cramping that day. I didn't have to think about anything birth control related again until my husband and I decided to try for number 2. Made an appointment with my GYN to remove it, and 6 months later I was pregnant. Best of luck!

April - posted on 10/23/2009

I was on the orthrotricycline pill and was on the patch and was on depo shot and none of them worked for me as I have 3 beautiful children to prove it..But I was told the IUD was the way to go hope this helps

Stacey - posted on 10/23/2009

VASECTOMY! :) Seriously, I got pregnant with my first on the shot; second on the pill. I now have an IUD (Mirena). I would recommend that. DO NOT GO WITH THE PATCH! I can't tell you how many people I know have gotten pregnant while using it.

Tracy - posted on 10/23/2009

hi triana its hard to decide which birth control to use i have 3 children and i asked my doctor what was the best one and she said if i wasnt having any more kids she advised me on the mirena coil and i have it in 2 yrs now and have no problem with it it is fit and forget about it for 5 yrs

Colleen - posted on 10/23/2009

I know a few people who went on the shot and gained 30 pounds.if your over 35 and smoke the pill is not right for you.I say make him where a condom til your finished having kids and then he can get a vasectomy! lol

Kelly - posted on 10/23/2009

i have had the implant, it works for three years it does nt stop working when you take medication and you dont have to remember to take anything, its 99.9% relible

Sylvia - posted on 10/22/2009

I also have Mirena...awesome!!!!!! no periods!!!!

Triana - posted on 10/22/2009

Thanks for all the help everyone! My recent annual with the doctor we talked about options and seems like the Mirena is the best for me =)

Valerie - posted on 10/22/2009

well if he is worried about buying protection for himself I do hope you have insurance, birth control for women are a bit more expensive then a box of condoms! after I had my first child I want the IUD but turns out my uterus is too small, so I cave the Depo shot a try for about a year or so, then my doctor mention to me last march about the Implonon, its a rod inserted into your uderarm that releases hormones slowly up to 3 years. the procedure was quick and pain free. you dont even notice the rod in your arm, its the same kind or hormone used for the pill and this is something i dont have to remember to take every day or visit a doctor every 3 months for. I havent had a period since march. Its different with everyone but do talk to your doctor about it and read up on different methods. hope i was of some help!

Maria - posted on 10/20/2009

Quoting Triana:

What type of birth control is best?

I have never been on birth control in my life. Now that I have had a kid the hubby is already wanting to start up our sex life again. I had mentioned to him that if we do anything I would want him to buy protection and hes whining and complaining about spending money to get some lol. So was just wondering which type is best. I know there's a pill, patch, and a shot but aren't too sure which one would be best to do. Any suggestions?

I don't know if it is to late to reply to your question, I have put my daughter who is fifteen on the Depo, its an injection in the hip-ish and lasts for a month, she doesn't have to worry about remembering the pill, which I might add, she never remembered to take it.  Also it is 100% proven to not let her get pregnant should she end up in that kind of situation.  We first put her on the depo to stop her periods due to the fact that she suffers terrible pain and paracetamol just wasn't any help, after a long chat with her doctor, we have finally found a contraception that suits her and she is very comfortable on it.

Tara - posted on 10/19/2009

I have to say that my all time method will be the Nuvaring. It is great, you put it in and calendar the change date 3 weeks later and forget about it. It is about the size of a bracelet that would fit on a toddler and plastic. They put the hormones into it so it releases throughout the 3 weeks. Since it is an insert into your cervix you get a lower dose hormone with it and thus less PMS. My estrogen migraines are fairly gone ever sense I started it.

And on a happy side note, once you decide to have another child it is quicker to get pregnant because the hormones don't have as large a build up. I was only off my for about 3 months and was pregnant.

Good luck!

Rachel - posted on 10/19/2009

I have 4 children, was on the pill and fell pregnant on the first!, this is only an option if you can be sure you`ll remember it every day. I have a mirena in now and I would highly recomend it to anyone. Once it`s in it can stay for up to 5 years, so you never have to worry about protection. It also reduces the flow of your period, so anyone who suffers from heavy periods will benfit from this too.

Nicole - posted on 10/19/2009

Quoting Triana:

Quoting Tara:

Quoting Triana:

What type of birth control is best?

I have never been on birth control in my life. Now that I have had a kid the hubby is already wanting to start up our sex life again. I had mentioned to him that if we do anything I would want him to buy protection and hes whining and complaining about spending money to get some lol. So was just wondering which type is best. I know there's a pill, patch, and a shot but aren't too sure which one would be best to do. Any suggestions?

I personally like the IUD (the Mirena) I got one put in after my second child and 3 years later when I was ready for #3, I had it pulled out (takes 3 seconds) and was pregnant the next month!  I now have one again and I love it!

It's about as uncomfortable as a pap smear to be inserted and to take it out is so easy!!

Good luck :)

I feel so completely clueless as to how to put it in lol I feel so dumb sometimes =/

The IUD is placed and removed by your doctor. it's a little plastic and metal thingy that sits inside the uterus. very common, effective and safe. believe it or not, wikipedia has a great article on them!

Nicole - posted on 10/19/2009

the IUD is great if you're not looking to have kids for 3+ years. pills/patch/the shot (depo)/nuvaring are all hormone based, and sometimes it can be a bit of a struggle to find the right balance for your body... but they are also easy to get, cheap, etc. more permanent ideas are vasectomy (it is much MUCH easier for a man to get HIS tubes tied) and tubal ligation surgery.



if you feel that $$ is a concern (depending on what country you're in, benefits from work/spouse) look into the various prices of options, how often will you have to purchase your contraception, as well as how much is it covered by your insurance.



as far as what's the best, there is no best. there are many options (pills, shot, patch, implant, nuvaring, male condoms, female condoms, foam, sponge, IUD's, vasectomy, hysterectomy) because each woman and couple is different from the next. talk to you spouse, and talk to your doctor. heck, take your spouse with you to the doctors if he's the kind that can have a good open discussion about all the many options. when i was looking to go off the pill, i took hubby to my doc with me to talk about a pregnancy plan.



i used the pill successfully with no "accidents" for over 10 years. and got pregnant within 2 months after going off the pill.



good luck! talk to your doc, educate yourself and hubby :) and if hubby keeps whining and complaining about buying condoms, get them yourself, but buy pink ones!!!!!

Krystal - posted on 10/19/2009

It all depends on what your lifestyle is and if you have insurance what it covers. I want an iud but the insurance doesnt cover insertion or removal so thats not an option for me. I use depo and i like it. I dont get periods at all and i only have to remember once every three months to get a shot. I would never be able to remember the pill everyday. The only problem with depoo is that you gain some weight and if you smoke dont get it either cuz it increase your chances of a storke tremendously.

Jamie - posted on 10/18/2009

Triana, I have had an IUD (Mirena) in place for about 5 months and I love it. I am the mom of 5 wonderful daughters and my husband and I decided we don't want anymore, atleast not right now. So, I had my OB/GYN put the Mirena in, it took only a few minutes at the doctors to do. It is good for up to five years, but the doctor can take it out befire that if you decide you want another baby. I like this the best and I have been on the shot and pills before. The Mirena is great because you don't have to worry about birth control on a daily basis. Good Luck in whatever you decide.

Triana - posted on 10/18/2009

Quoting Tara:

Quoting Triana:

What type of birth control is best?

I have never been on birth control in my life. Now that I have had a kid the hubby is already wanting to start up our sex life again. I had mentioned to him that if we do anything I would want him to buy protection and hes whining and complaining about spending money to get some lol. So was just wondering which type is best. I know there's a pill, patch, and a shot but aren't too sure which one would be best to do. Any suggestions?

I personally like the IUD (the Mirena) I got one put in after my second child and 3 years later when I was ready for #3, I had it pulled out (takes 3 seconds) and was pregnant the next month!  I now have one again and I love it!

It's about as uncomfortable as a pap smear to be inserted and to take it out is so easy!!

Good luck :)

I feel so completely clueless as to how to put it in lol I feel so dumb sometimes =/

Tara - posted on 10/18/2009

Quoting Triana:

What type of birth control is best?

I have never been on birth control in my life. Now that I have had a kid the hubby is already wanting to start up our sex life again. I had mentioned to him that if we do anything I would want him to buy protection and hes whining and complaining about spending money to get some lol. So was just wondering which type is best. I know there's a pill, patch, and a shot but aren't too sure which one would be best to do. Any suggestions?

I personally like the IUD (the Mirena) I got one put in after my second child and 3 years later when I was ready for #3, I had it pulled out (takes 3 seconds) and was pregnant the next month!  I now have one again and I love it!

It's about as uncomfortable as a pap smear to be inserted and to take it out is so easy!!

Good luck :)