Starkizzer

I know there is a BC thread somewhere but I know it is old and I was hoping that some of the women who posted in it during its early stage would give some advice now that it has been a few years.

Well after not having my sex drive for a good 3-4 years now, im2smrt4u and I have discussed it...at GREAT length and I am getting off of the traditional BC pills.

I have tried 3 different methods and while I have enjoyed the last two for many reasons; keeping me regular, no cramps, light short periods, no breast tenderness, I cannot stand the lack of a sex drive any longer! Plus my most recent BC which I have been on for a yr and a half now has made sex painful.

I finished off my last pack and while I have a good paying internship I'm going to fork out the money for an IUD. We have researched and looked them up and we have decided on the Paragard IUD. I won't be able to get into to see the gyno till the end of the month so in the meantime we are going back to condoms.

SOOO ladies, other than wishing me luck...Do I need luck? lol Has anyone done this or something similar? How did the whole experience go? Does anyone know anything or have the Paragard IUD? We chose this one over Mirena (sp?) as it had no hormones and that is what I am trying to get away from.

So basically share words of wisdom and advice

Thanks in advance!

__________________
Frivolity, at the edge of a Moral Swamp, hears Hymn-Singing in the Distance and dons the Galoshes of Remorse. ~Edward Gorey

cellophanedeity

I don't have an IUD, but from what I understand it is one of the very best ways to go, as long as you can get yourself through the insertion process. They're going to need to dilate your cervix a bit to get it in, which can be a little crampy, but once that's over, you'll be sitting pretty.

Good luck!

__________________
who am I to refuse the universe?
-Leonard Cohen, Beautiful Losers

PonyPotato

I went off of BC almost two months ago, and I can't be happier with the decision. I'm not sure if you're friended on here (if you're not, friend me!!) but you can read my blogs about it if you are.

My mood has improved, my skin has improved (I produce more oil, but I don't get as many pimples), my sex drive has improved, and I feel much more in control of my mind and my emotions. I went from feeling disconnected a lot to feeling totally involved in everything I am thinking and doing.

I personally cannot get an IUD (I've had some abnormal paps, they're not recommended in that case), so I choose instead to a) use condoms and b) keep Plan B on hand if necessary. I am not currently in a relationship, so the sex I have is relatively casual so far and therefore condoms are even more important.

I took Plan B the other day after an equipment failure, and it really didn't affect me much physically. Emotionally, however.. that's another story. I spent the evening crying over every little thing that could possibly be deemed sad. Today, I'm feeling back in control again and a lot more positive.

My counselor really recognized the change in my outlook and moods and reactions, and she's thrilled with the change.

__________________
"Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark."
— Henri-Frédéric Amiel

hunnychile

When I quit BCPs (many years ago) it was wonderful, esp. after a month or two. I felt so much better & happier. I wasn't bloated like before & quit having so many intense headaches. Note however: it took 2 years until my periods became regular once again. That wasn't fun at all! And that made my "calendar watch" more difficult than ever. I got a diaphragm which wasn't worth the effort and was just a pain to use. Luckily I was married and it would have been okay if I had gotten pregnant.

Pay close attention to your body's reactions. If you get weird pains do get a check up. They can get dislodged. I hope the IUD is a good solution for you. Let us Ladies know how this is going

Best of Luck, Much Fun & Peace of Mind!

__________________
"I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB

Shaindra

Well, seeing as I'm not in a monogamous relationship, I use condoms. The last guy I was with without condoms was fixed. If I were to be with someone unfixed in a longterm, committed relationship, I'd probably go for the IUD as well.

__________________
"Never regret something that once made you smile."

Starkizzer

Well I know its only been about a week of no bc, (well two if you count the time with the inactive pills) but I feel great!

I do feel like my sex drive has come back, and pretty strongly too. Its all I could think about at work today. Yesterday was a good indicator of it as well, we had sex three times and instead of feeling annoyed by his advances I actually welcomed them. He is very happy to have the old me back.

I also feel happier overall. I'm a little goofier than I have been in a long time. So thus far all is going well and I have a consultation appointment at the end of the month with the gyno.

__________________
Frivolity, at the edge of a Moral Swamp, hears Hymn-Singing in the Distance and dons the Galoshes of Remorse. ~Edward Gorey

purplelirpa

That sounds great, starkizzer!

Being off bc is an amazing feeling! I really like knowing that my body is going through its normal cycle. One plus I notice is how much more my guy is attracted to me while I'm ovulating. Gets a bit difficult to manage if not wanting to have a baby, but it's nice to have these hormonal responses.

I've been off of bc for about 4 years, the IUD idea scares me a bit, but I'm a bit of a pansy about things like that. Had to have a cervical biopsy once, I worked myself up so much over nothing!

lostgirl

I got the copper IUD 3 years ago, and it was the best decision I ever made. Not only did I get my sex drive back, I find it to be more reliable and worry free. I bleed slightly heavier than before I got it, but it's nothing to complain about.

The only thing you have to be careful of is to make sure to check for the string every month after your cycle. This is to make sure it hasn't fallen out, this is most likely to happen in the first 3-4 months, you shouldn't have to worry after that.

Good luck, I hope it works as well for you as it has for me.

__________________
We're about to go through the crucible, but we'll come out the other side.
We always arise from our own ashes. Everything returns later in its changed form. - Children of Dune

PonyPotato

I found out today that I can get an IUD (Mirena) after all if I want one!

Yayyyyy!

__________________
"Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark."
— Henri-Frédéric Amiel

lostgirl

That's great pony! The Mirena IUDs are great too, even though they have hormones they are localized to your uterus.

__________________
We're about to go through the crucible, but we'll come out the other side.
We always arise from our own ashes. Everything returns later in its changed form. - Children of Dune

noodle

Aside: Talk to your doc in depth about Mirena. I have two friends that had a lot of difficulty, three that had some and only one that didn't have problems. It's not localized to your uterus. It gets into your blood stream the two with a lot of difficulties are up 15-20 pounds from when they got it inserted.... and have a lot of the same problems as with Depo. Works fabulously with some people, just know it's the same hormone as Depo.

Luck, Starkizzer, I'm having a difficult time without them, but I'm so glad you're enjoying yourself!

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lostgirl

Thanks for that info noodle. I was told by my OBGYN that the Mirena IUD hormones stayed localized to your uterus. It's good to hear about other peoples experiences with it.

__________________
We're about to go through the crucible, but we'll come out the other side.
We always arise from our own ashes. Everything returns later in its changed form. - Children of Dune

Starkizzer

UPDATE:

Been off BC for a month now, had my first period off it and it was a "fun" walk down memory lane. I forgot how much my cramps suck and how heavy I bleed. Oh well not too bad once I get some Excedrin in my system.

Went to my gyno today and they are ordering me the Paragard IUD. They want to be able to insert it as close to the end of my cycle as possible so they won't have to dilate me. Hoping this will occur Thursday morning.

As for my overall mood, I'm still doing good having to adjust to not feeling that "no" feeling when sex is brought up and remembering that sex feels good now.

__________________
Frivolity, at the edge of a Moral Swamp, hears Hymn-Singing in the Distance and dons the Galoshes of Remorse. ~Edward Gorey

raeanna74

I considered getting an IUD but my Dr told me that it can make the cramping worse and I used to have terrible cramps. My tubes are tied now and I'm off BC. My cramps still are annoying but not nearly as bad as before pregnancy. I hope you have no difficulty with more cramps. Good luck.

__________________
"Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama
My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

Starkizzer

Got the IUD yesterday, all is well thus far. No sex for two weeks tho.

__________________
Frivolity, at the edge of a Moral Swamp, hears Hymn-Singing in the Distance and dons the Galoshes of Remorse. ~Edward Gorey