So I have to laugh at the TMI alerts in the comments of yesterdays post. We're talking about birth control options, is there such a thing as too much information on a topic like that? Isn't that too much info in the first place for some people?
On a brighter note, I totally appreciate how awesome and forthcoming you ladies are with the information. Very helpful.
After reading some of your comments about how birth control either just doesn't work or creates devastating side effects, I'm thinking of staying off the whole synthetic hormone bit. It doesn't really make sense to me to try a bunch of different types which may take months to figure out, only to go off of them because we'd like to have a second monkey yes I am insane. Which brings up the topic of alternative methods. I'm not a huge fan of the condom. It really really reduces the sensation that are so important in a healthy sex life. What methods do you use other than the pill or condoms? How has your success being using methods such tracking your cycle, spermicide, IUDs? Realistically is an IUD worth the cost if I'm taking it out less than 12 months later?
I have an appointment with my totally awesome family physician on friday, so any decisions will be made in consultation with her (and mr.sm of course!), but its always great to know different perspectives. I like to be armed with information.
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10 months ago
14 comments:
I went off the pill back in September after we were married. We are currently using condoms, and I absolutely hate them. But, we will start "trying" soon, so it won't be so bad then.
During the past few months, I have started charting - taking my temperature, and charting my cervical fluid. It's a great way to get a deep appreciation for your cycle. Also, you really know when you're fertile and when you're not - so you don't have to use birth control for most of the month!
Now, I want to say this is NOT the rhythm method, where you just assume you're cycle is 28 days long and you ovulate on day 14. It's all about charting the signs of the cycle so you know exactly when things are happening. It's called FAM (fertility awareness method). A great reference on it is Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. It also has information about conceiving and such.
Honestly, it may sound silly, but I absolutely LOVE knowing what my body is doing, and I just feel so in touch with my fertility.
Anyway, not sure if that answers your question, but I hope it helps!
I agree with Mrs CH :) It is fun to know your body and the time of the month fluctuations. I was a very late starter with pills - up until 25 years of age - so I had done some biology testing.
As Mrs Ch states, testing your own temperature and noting differences in fluids and also noting "back cramps" made me fairly sure on when I was ovulating/where in the cycle I was etc.
My best friend uses this method too and has reduced their use of condoms to a mere 6 day window each month and other days they need none.
Good luck wih the meeting and hope you find something good that works for you and Me :)
Frankly, I don't trust any method that isn't the pill, but some of my more adventurous friends seem to like the diaphragm. They say once you get the hang of inserting it, it's a snap!
I would be very surprised if your doc gives you the IUD knowing that you plan on having a second child. Apparently the risks of infertility are too high for it to be a viable option for any woman planning on becoming pregnant in the future.
Personally, I think if you choose to go with any method other than hormones, you're going to end up with a second monkey sooner than you planned. Because believe me, if there was a method just as effective that didn't require pills, injections, patches, etc., I would use it.
Reading all of this, does anyone else think that it's about time the guys had to start messing with their own hormones?!
Maybe it's just me... I have an indecent amount of schadenfreude over the idea of my male friends starting to have their prostate exams in the next few years, after all those years of annual paps...
CAth> oh, I know that feeling. I think it relates a bit back to that discussion we all had (was it here?) about the snips and visectomy that doesn't correlate to those who state "I know I don't want kids but you women can take pills instead" manly discussion.
Btw, I ended up with a discussion the other time about how it was so much worse and I as a woman couldn't possibly understand how helpless nd violated (yes, this was the term) a man felt when the doctor performed the prostate exam... my small comment about the obgyn examination didn't as much as register... apparently "i was use to that and _their_ exam was much much worse" ...
sorry for derailing ;)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6375261.stm
Really, it works...we're not making this stuff up. And it has the added benefit of getting you ready to get pregnant again when the time comes - no waiting to have something removed or let the hormones wear off or anything. Besides, I'm a firm believer that all women should read Taking Charge of Your Fertility. In fact, why don't we learn this stuff in high school health class?
I would say that if you're planning to try again soon, skip the hormone based methods. I have several friends with IUDs and they love it.
Husband and I used condoms since Bean was born, but in April we started trying again.. and got pregnant the first month! Guess those condoms were doing their job!
A bit late but I want to give my few pennies: The pill, - I am just not made to regularly take a pill the same time a day, just does not work for me. Nuva ring is great , but gives me migranes. I tried several methods to find out about my natural cycle, and I found out it's very stable and reliable, - I can tell the exact day I ovulate most months. We count days, I notice my cervical fluid, my mood and my migraine, and 4 days prior (expected) ovulation until 4 days after we use condoms. Works fine. It is guesswork, though. But, then again, we don't mind having a third child. After a third child, I think there will be a little surgery for MIA.
OMG Sciencemama that is so awesome congratulations!!!! I am so happy and excited for you! I am totally virtually hugging and squeezing you!
FIA - I wold love to have a second monkey right now but I really do not want to write comps while prego
After trying a couple different pill versions, i am totally off hormone-based contraception. I don't know how women deal with it.
We use condoms & some fertility monitoring. I'm not sure I would trust fertility monitoring before ovulation. it can work, but it requires more effort (and i really dn't want an accident). However, it is quite easy to assess ovulation using cervical mucus. wait 3 days. and then you're safe until you start menstruating.
I'm de-lurking to share my love of the IUD. I use a hormonal IUD (Mirena), and I love not having periods, PMS, cramps...I think it's pretty much the best thing ever :-) If your insurance will cover part of it, I'd say it's totally worth it for 12 months. The only downside is that the first week or so can be pretty uncomfortable. With regards to the risk of infertility, my doctor told me that the newest incarnations of the IUD carry very little risk. I've never had children (but would like to in the future), and both my doctor and my gynecologist said it was safe.
I can also recommend the Nuvaring. I liked it a lot, and I only switched because the IUD was cheaper in the long run.
Diaphragm works really well, and it isn't like trying to take a shower in a raincoat, the way condoms are. I used one for more than a decade and never had a failure. Once it's in, you don't feel it, and you can put it in long beforehand, so it doesn't interrupt as a condom does.
I put a ring on my finger when I put the condom in, so I'd remember to take it out (it has to stay in place for 6-8 hours, lest the hovering sperm invade when it's removed; it shouldn't stay in more than 24 hours).
If you have regular cycles you can use a diaphragm only when fertile--I guess--never tried this.
It's much nicer than a condom, as long as you're not worried about STD's.
I love love love my IUD. I have the hormonal kind -- stopped the periods completely. Love it. Worth every penny.
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