Sort:
11-15-2012 at 7:56 AM
KyllaS
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-31-2011
33 Points
KyllaS is not online. Last active: 03-01-2013, 8:39 AMNewbie

Chaning birthcontrol...

My fiance and I plan to get married in June of 2013. I have been on the depo shot for a little more than two years. I dont get my period anymore but occasionally, I will spot a bit. My sex drive is increasingly low. Before him and I go off to pre-med together, do you think it would be alright to switch to an IUD if we want to hold off on kids until after our first four years? Thanks!
 
11-15-2012 at 8:10 PM
California...
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-04-2012
61,225 Points
CaliforniaDream87 is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 11:50 PMSilver

If you want to switch your BC to try and see if your sex drive will improve there is nothing wrong with that.

Im sure your Dr. will tell you to use condoms during the transition from one BC to another.

Hope that answers your question.

GL.


PAL/PgAL Always Welcome. EDD is 08/14/2013. Missed Miscarriage EDD: 08/25/2012-"I loved your for a thousand years and I will love you for a thousand more" Image and video hosting by TinyPic Lilypie Pregnancy tickers 
11-15-2012 at 9:56 PM
kibskix
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-13-2009
1,083 Points
kibskix is online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 9:55 AMNewbie
If you want your sex drive back because birth control hormones stole it and you want an IUD, make sure you get the paragard and not mirena. 
I've had my paragard for 6 months so far and I <3 it. 
Lots of girls I know preferred to go with mirena because they liked that it made their periods lighter over time, but if you give ME a choice between no periods and no sex drive, bring on the periods! I don't like to mess with my natural cycle (the last time I was on hormonal bc, then got off it, I didnt have a period for a YEAR before it got back to normal) 
I agree your doc will probably want you to switch to condoms for a while before. Your natural cycle needs to come back before you get an iud. They will also want to insert it on the 4-6th day of your period, especially if you have no kids yet (so your cervix is more open)

Also keep in mind depending on your health insurance, it may or may not be covered. I was told mine was "technically" covered, but it went toward my stupid deductible, so 2 days before insertion I was told I had to cover pretty much the entire cost, which ended up being $650 bucks. 
 
11-16-2012 at 5:00 AM
monkeygirl...
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-31-2007
Pa
2,488 Points
monkeygirl18 is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 9:26 AMGold

kibskix:

I agree your doc will probably want you to switch to condoms for a while before. Your natural cycle needs to come back before you get an iud.  

Incorrect. I had mine inserted when I was still on the pill. Of course each Dr. may do it differently but there is no medical reason why you would need to stop the pill before having it inserted. 

 I've had the paragard for 4 1/2 yrs (never had kids, not going to) and it's a love hate relationship. I love no hormones. I never had trouble with my sex drive in the 15yrs I was on the pill. However, my mood swings...out of control. I do however hate the heavy periods. 

 The paragard is good for 10 yrs and the Mirena 5yrs. Keep in mind they may or may not be covered by your insurance ( mine was not and it was $750 and that was 4 1/2 yrs ago). Therefore, if your looking to possibly start a family in less than 5yrs the paragard may not be the best choice since you'd have it taken out long before its life expectancy is up (personally though I'd rather waste money and have it taken out early than deal with homones and lack of sex drive). 

I'd make a gyno appt. and talk to them about your best option.  


Our Website


Kristi and Kerry June 21,2008






Daisypath Next Aniversary Ticker 
11-16-2012 at 12:27 PM
annmarie71...
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-09-2011
2,114 Points
annmarie714 is not online. Last active: 05-10-2013, 7:12 PMNewbie

An IUD is a good idea for long term BC.  I have paragard (no hormones, good for 10 years) and my insurance covered quite a bit of it.  The periods are heavier than with BCP but no more than before hormonal BC.

I got my IUD because H is in med school and we're not ready to have kids for at least 5 years but hormones were not an option.  The insertion wasn't pleasant (no previous pregnancies/birth).  I passed out as the Dr. was inserting it but I tend to do that whenever I get blood drawn, so after I woke up and told them that they said I was more likely to pass out.  They explained the stimulation to the cervix can cause a drop in BP. WOOPS!  I would just have someone go with you to drive in case anything happens.  I'm not trying to freak you out, just wanted to be honest!


"Hot, white sand, gettin' in every orifice of your body"-Phil Robertson 
11-18-2012 at 4:16 PM
HealthyDiv...
Not Ranked
Joined on 11-02-2012
578 Points
HealthyDiva is not online. Last active: 01-09-2013, 6:50 PMNewbie
I have had the Mirena IUD for the past 3 years and got it inserted, like PP, without having ever been pregnant/given birth and that sh*t hurt like a b*tch!!! I would NOT recommend it if you haven't given birth before aka have an already dilated cervix. Also, it decreased my sex drive,and gave me a cystic acne. Tempting, right? With all that being said, I know different BC effects each woman differently. I'm getting married in May and having my IUD taking out in January so I can start charting and using FAM/NFP for BC. Good luck!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Wedding Countdown Ticker Follow Me on Pinterest 1/9/13 Off BC, start NFP 
11-18-2012 at 11:57 PM
kibskix
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-13-2009
1,083 Points
kibskix is online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 9:55 AMNewbie
Monkeygirl, 
That's what My doc told me, because since I've never had kids, inserting the IUD when you're not on your period is more painful. If you're on a BC where you have no period at all, they want you to wait till you have your next normal period. You dont HAVE to, technically, but it will suck more.

Also in response the comment the paragard makes your periods heavier, I technically have to disagree. The length and heaviness of my periods are the same, what did change though the first few months was I had pretty intense cramps a week before my period. So for about 11 days I was either in a lot of pain, or bleeding. That lasted 3 or 4 months, now its pretty much the same as it ever was before the insertion. . 
 
11-19-2012 at 5:53 AM
monkeygirl...
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-31-2007
Pa
2,488 Points
monkeygirl18 is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 9:26 AMGold

kibskix:
Monkeygirl, 
That's what My doc told me, because since I've never had kids, inserting the IUD when you're not on your period is more painful. If you're on a BC where you have no period at all, they want you to wait till you have your next normal period. You dont HAVE to, technically, but it will suck more.

Also in response the comment the paragard makes your periods heavier, I technically have to disagree. The length and heaviness of my periods are the same, what did change though the first few months was I had pretty intense cramps a week before my period. So for about 11 days I was either in a lot of pain, or bleeding. That lasted 3 or 4 months, now its pretty much the same as it ever was before the insertion. . 

Thats why I said there's no MEDICAL (as in it could be harmful to your health) reason.  I actually had mine inserted the day after my period ended and it wasn't that bad but, everybody deals with pain differently. 

You're lucky that your periods aren't bad. I wish *sigh* Two days out of my five day cycle I go through a super plus tampon in about two-three hrs. Two ladies I've worked with also had the same problem. I know that's a common problem with paragard but I'm willing to suck it up to not have to deal with hormones :)  


Our Website


Kristi and Kerry June 21,2008






Daisypath Next Aniversary Ticker 
11-19-2012 at 7:20 PM
kibskix
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-13-2009
1,083 Points
kibskix is online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 9:55 AMNewbie
:( 
Did you have bad periods before your IUD? I think I remember my doc saying something about how I was a good candidate because my periods before the IUD were next to nothing. They've always been to-the-day regular (except for when I got off BC and had post-pill amenorrhea for almost a year) 4-5 days, no real heavy days and my cramps mostly just felt like a warm sensation with maybe a stronger twinge here and there. 

If the cramps I had After insertion are what normal women have every month, I don't know how you guys get anything done. I was miserable the first couple days, and for those first few months when they were bad I had to stop what I was doing and breath through them like contractions lol. 
 
11-20-2012 at 4:59 AM
monkeygirl...
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-31-2007
Pa
2,488 Points
monkeygirl18 is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 9:26 AMGold

As far as I remember my periods were normal before bcp ( I was on bcp from the ages of 17-32). Age could play a factor too. As you age your body changes and so do periods. Not that I'm of an advanced age and ready for a retirement home :) but I'm sure my period at 36 yrs old is different then it was when I first got it at the age of 11 1/2. 

As for cramps, they aren't to bad anymore.

I read somewhere about taking calcium supplements to help with cramps so I started that about three months ago. I took them for two months and the cramps were down to little twingy things. This past month I decided to run a test and not take them. The cramps came back (two days of cramps in my five day cycle).

Everybody's body is different so it may not won't work for everyone but it apparently does work for me. I've also found they tend to be a bit better if I keep up with my daily workout routine. 


Our Website


Kristi and Kerry June 21,2008






Daisypath Next Aniversary Ticker 
hot topics

"When did you start feeling married?"
MindyMWM2012 on Married Life

"Do you have joint or separate bank accounts?"
JustinandHaley on Money Matters

"Severe problems with the in-laws. Help!"
epco33 on Relationships

search boards

choose another board


Sarah's Decor Blog
In a decorating rut? Get inspired with Sarah's tips and deals!