Birth Control, Which methods are the best?
 

I'm looking into getting on birth control, just wondering which kinds people found to be the easiest, most effective, least side effects etc.
Going to the clinic on campus tomorrow to talk to a doctor about it.

I'm not too crazy about the pill just because I can't trust myself to remember to take it daily, the patch I have heard some stories regarding whether it actually stays in place or not, and the ring I know about first hand.

Anyone have first hand perspective on a simpler version other than the pill or patch? I saw a commercial about the one where you only have your period four times a year, any expierence out there for that?

One last question, relative cost?

Every person is different, what works wonderfully for me, might be hell for you and vice versa. Its really hard to give advice on this subject. Some people will say and IUD is the best way to go, but I would give up sex before having one.

Im at the age now that I can get my tubes tied with no problems so when I've recovered from the BR surgery early next year I'll be looking into that. Im quite happy with the pill, I have a set routine, the pack stays right with my toothbrush so I dont ever forget to take them in the morning.

Talking with the Doc is a good idea, they can give you the best advice for YOU

I must warn you against the once-per-3-months shots. I lost my libido and was extremely emotional while on these shots.

Birth control varies widely from person to person. I've had luck with Depo-Provera, Nuva-Ring, and the birth control pill. But lots of other women will say that those methods didn't work for them.

We all react differently to the hormones present in the method we choose.

Out of all that I have tried, I thought the Nuva-Ring messed with my body the least and was the easiest to use. I highly recommend it.

The only totally reliable method of contaception is never to have sex, and never to allow a male to become sexually arroused near you.

That said, it's not much fun, so compromises have to be made.

In reliability terms they are all much the same.

The form of contrception that has the fewest side effects combined with the highest rate of success is condoms. Used correctly, an average couple have a 2% chance of conceivig in any given year of having regular sex with condoms.

Many people dislike condoms as they kill sponteneity and need to be cleaned away - hormone contraceptives are reliable and relatively risk free, although as several people have observed, they can destroy your libido, cause you to gain weight, affect moods and so on.

Some women who use hormones suffer reduced fertility for years after they give them up.

Sterilisation has risks associated with the procedure, as does IUDs and implants - sterilisation is not always reversible.

Male sterilisation is less invasive than female, and safer therefore, it is very reliable, but not 100% - it can fail, and there is always the issue of falling pregnant by another man - if your life changes and you have a new partner, it doesn't help that your old man has no sperm.

Many people double up - condoms and hotmone contraceptives are a popular combination - especialy for women who are likely to have seril relationships or multiple ones.

Remember the key thing is if you cannot risk having a baby, don't have sex. If you are morally totally agasint abortion or post coital contraception, then be aware that there is a tiny chance that you may need to have a baby at some point.

No matter how reliable your method of contraception is, you are many times more likely to have a baby evn with it in place than you are to win the 6/49 style lottery (most people kid themselves that "it won't be me" on babies, whilst at the same time thinking "it will be me" on lotto - go figure).

There is a name for people that use the rhythym method (and withdrawal) - the name is PARENTS.

Had a gf who got the shot and it increased her sex drive. So, like others have said, you really just have to talk to an expert and try shit out.

I would also advocate using multiple forms of bc... like condoms and bc pills, for example.

I like to advocate sterilizing all your sexual partners (beforehand, obviously). It's the gift that keeps on giving!

It works for me.

I totally agree that everyone is different- it really takes some fiddling to find the form of birth control that works best for you and your partner. While I swear by my IUD and would lose my job and my car before giving it up, there's people like Shani Faye who would stop having sex before getting one. Everyone's different!

The easiest is the tag team of hormonal birth control and condoms. The trick with those methods is to MAKE ABSLOUTELY SURE you're using BOTH methods correctly- take pills at the same time every day, don't miss a pill (although it's not a huge, huge deal if you miss ONE), don't take any medicine or suppliments that mess with hormone asorbtion, and make sure you're putting the condom on correctly (which apparently is beyond some people). However, there's problems with these methods- birth control has numerous side effects, including horrid mood swings, loss of libido, weight gain, etc, and you have to remember to take it every day. Fortunately there's tons and tons of birth control to expierement with so you can find the one that works best for you. I know that Yasmin has been getting a lot of raves from women I've met that use it because it uses a totally different form of hormones that apparently interact much better with a woman's natural chemistry. Condoms have problems too- sensation loss, errors putting them on, tearing, that kinda thing.

Like I said, I have an IUD, and I LOVE it. From an article in October's Women's Heath Magazine:

• 18% of female gynecologists of childbearing age use an IUD, whereas only 2% of American women do
• An IUD (ten year life span) averages out to be $3 a month, versus $35 (montly average) for the pill
• Failure rate of less than 1%- less than the pill, and according to some studies, more foolproof than tubial ligation
• The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals reports that 99% of women who have tried an IUD are "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with it, compared with 91% of women who have tried the pill
• The risk of infection and perforation (during or immediately following insertion) from new IUD's is less than 1 in 1,000 (American Journal of Forensic Medical Pathology)
• Less than 2 infections per 1,000 IUD users for ten year's worth of use

Of course, IUD's cost more at the onset (although insurance will often cover the entire cost), and it's very hard to find a gynocologist who will insert one in a woman who hasn't had a kid- because of the very slight risk of expulsion (1 in 1,000). Also, they're only a good idea if you're in a totally monagmous relationship- so if you're still young and want to sow your wild oats some more, an IUD wouldn't be for you.

Remember most of all, tho, that sex should be fun- not about worry or deliberation. If you find that you're so worried about being pregnant that you can't enjoy sex, then perhaps you shouldn't be having sex in the first place.

Thanks so much for your input! I'm leaning towards the shot or the pill...I've heard the pill clears your skin? That could be helpful!

The only thing about the shot is- once you get it, it's in your system for three months. So, if you have an allergic reaction, or if it gives you terrible mood swings, or if it makes you gain weight, too bad cause you have three more months of it. I would say it's not a good choice for your very first expierence with hormonal birth control.

My advice is get a really good gynocologist. Like, REALLY good. Don't even think of getting a perscription until you're sure you really like her(or him), you jive well with her, you like her bedside manner, and she seems really open and caring about you and your well being. NEVER SETTLE for a doctor who doesn't act 100% concerned for your health and well being FIRST AND FOREMOST. You want to make sure that if you're having problems she's going to listen to you and really work to make everything alright.

Loved the shot
Condoms are old faithful and I insist they are used no matter what birth control I use... better safe than... pregnant *gasp*
The ring is EVIL!!!! (Or at least it was to me)

Abstinence is by far the most effective way not to get pregnant. But its also the least enjoyable. So yeah i wouldnt suggest that one unless of corse you dont have a boyfriend then hey go for it. Withdrawal just a bad idea it isnt reliable at all. Not effective birthcontrol. If a guy ever tells you that he dosnt need a condom he will just pull out... just slap the hell out of him then drag him to the doc to get a vasectomy then he can say that.

If you dont trust yourself with the pill then use both the pill and condoms. Just think of the pill as a back up in case the condom breaks. Figuring out what pill is something you will have to talk about with a doctor. From what i have heard they all effect people diffrently so you just need to find one that works best for you.

But... im just a guy so dont listen to me =)

Hehe...this is truth right here.

If I were you, I'd try pills first. I never liked the pill because no matter what kind I tried, they just didn't agree with me..too many side effects. But they work well for plenty of women, they are very reliable if used properly, some will help clear up acne and some will shorten the length or completely stop your cycle for a few months, and some help with cramps.

I have an IUD and love it. It was expensive since my insurance wouldn't cover it, and it was a little painful to have inserted. However, I don't have to worry about taking a pill everyday, or if we ran out of condoms, or if I'm taking antibiotics and need to double up protection. Every sort of birth control has it's pros and cons...you just need to figure out the best form for YOU, and do your research before hand. Good luck!

God, I DETESTED the shot. It royally fucked me up. Not to mention, the doctor even told me that most girls that got on it gained at LEAST 10 pounds and didn't like the shot either.

IUDs are apparently much better these days. My wife uses one and loves it. They are tiny and don't have the pill side effects. You can also be more sponatious vs. rubbers and diaphrams (spelling?).

Birth Control requires a pap? WHAT?
 

Went to the doc today...talk about a suprise.
They asked me if I was there for my annual exam...

Me: Ummm, no I'm here for Birth control.
Nurse: (Blank looks on nurse's face)
Nurse:Then you need an annual pap before we can prescribe it to you.
Me: WHAT!? And by whom will this be performed??
Nurse: Dr. Villareal
Me: WHAT?! Oh my god, no way!(EYES WIDE OPEN)

Ok first of all, I'm iffy with a woman even going down there, but a man?! No...no...and no. unless it is that special someone, but otherwise no.

Well at Texas Tech they like to hold the birth control hostage until after you get the damn pap. What the hell. Talk about a slap in the face!
I had the male doctor Villareal as referred by James.
Ugh I don't even like going "downtown" with a mirror let alone a male doctor whom I met nearly 5 minutes ago.
I was not anticipating having to strip naked, get a breast exam and pap today.
Thats messed up.
For those of you who don't know what goes on downt there, well I don't either. I never watch. Just shut my eyes as hard and waited for it to be over.
Dude it hurt too, ouch! He was like, slight pain when inserting whatever. Ouch! More than slight pain.
I realize I'm being pretty childish about it I suppose but I was not prepared in the least. Plus had a quiz to think about for an hour later.
Most awkward situation of my life.
Feet in the stirrups or however you spell it.
I'm still mortified from it and its been several hours.
God, legs wide open, some guy looking at me with a microscope in the bright light.
I feel warped.
Probably one of the worst/ most embarassing experiences I have ever had to deal with in my adult life thus far.
What is worse is that I already had a pap last February, yes it is like 4 months away but still, that is 4 months you don't have to deal with it! Ugh!
They also did a std test, ok fine, I already had one and I'm clean but if they want to fine. Ugh! It is still very fresh so I'm all eww over it still.

I did decide on a method, I'm going to use the nuvarings, he gave me a prescription for 13 of em.
All that for a stupid prescription, it does prevent babies but man, I most certainly won't forget it.