Birth Control Options

[PlayingPretend]

So I was recently told by a health doctor on campus that I should never have been put on an estrogen pill (I was put on a generic form of birth control) based on the fact I am currently taking a mood stabiliser, Lamictal, and based on the fact that that mood stabiliser doubles as an anti-seizure medication (not for me personally, but in general). She says that any form of an estrogen pill will significantly lower the effectiveness of the Lamictal, which likely explains why I was an absolute terror even after an entire summer's worth of being on the pill. The moods + the weight gain were honestly what turned me off from taking the pill, and I haven't taken it since.

But because she said a traditional birth control pill is not an option, she gave me the option of a copper IUD or the Depo Provera shot, both of which are not at all an ideal option. The copper IUD is for sure something I will not do. What turns me off from the shot is the fact I've been told weight gain is more likely on the shot than on the pill? I am recovering from an ED (I was diagnosed with EDNOS), and I would say I'm mostly recovered as far as I'm starting to regain a healthy body image, am eating more, etc., but weight gain does send me back into that dangerous mindset of my ED. The idea of having an increased likelihood of weight gain is terrifying.

There is, yes, the option of using condoms, but I would eventually like to do without, and even with, I would prefer a second form of a more reliable contraception. I considered the Nuva Ring but the doctor said that that is also something more estrogen-based so would not work for me... So really, is there much I can do at all? She's not my normal health doctor on campus (and being honest, she was an absolute bitch), so I would like to make an appointment for a consultation with her. But she's the one who put me on the pill to begin with, knowing that I was on the medication I'm on, and at that time, I was also taking Abilify and then Ativan for anxiety. =/ So I'm not sure what to do or what options I have?

[Aletheia*]

Have you heard of the spermicide foam? It's injected into the vagina, and sort of creates a wall of well...foam to keep sperm out of the vagina, and if I'm not mistaken, it kills it too! I used it once, and it wasn't quite for me but that's not to say it's for you. Have you tried looking up different forms of the birth control pills and the other types of contraception that can be inserted into the vagina? I'm sorry if I'm not much help to you, since birth control has never been a problem for me other than causing acne!

I sure hope you find something that works for you soon though <3

[Maloo]

I really, really hated the shot. I had really bad mood swings, I gained weight, and I was ridiculously bitchy like a week before and after I would get the shot. The other thing that's not great about it is that you're not supposed to use it for more than a certain number of years. It's also relatively new so they don't really know too much about how it effects you in the future, I don't think.

[PlayingPretend]

I plan to make an appointment with my normal health doctor to speak more about it, but I would like to be somewhat informed seeing as she put me on the wrong pill to begin with. The symptoms Myss described were written on the sheet/hand-out she gave me and that's what I've heard from a lot of women about the shot, even though there are those for whom it has worked perfectly. That's not something I have to go through especially since I'm on a mood stabiliser for moods in the first place. But maybe I'll run through a Google search when I have more time... I guess it's hard because I'm not even sure what to Google/look for.

I guess I'll try searching up what options there are while being on the medication/type of medication I'm on.

[Kitty.]

Abstinence:

As a means of contraception, abstinence is the voluntary refraining from sexual activity.
Abstinence is the only contraceptive method that is 100% effective in the prevention of both pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

Fertility Awareness Method: Natural Family Planning (NFP):

Fertility awareness method is also known as Natural Family Planning and it is commonly called NFP.
NFP does not rely on devices or medications to prevent pregnancies.
NFP is a contraceptive method that uses the natural functions of your body and your menstrual cycle to calculate ovulation. The most common features of NFP involve recording of your body temperature and changes in your cervical mucus each day.
NFP requires periodic abstinence (approximately 7 to 10 days) during the ovulation period. Some women choose to use a barrier method or withdrawal during this time frame.

Barrier Methods: Devices
Barrier or device methods of contraceptives are physical or chemical barriers designed to stop sperm from entering a woman's uterus.

Male Condom:

The male condom is a tube of thin material (latex rubber) that is rolled over the erect penis prior to contact with the vagina.
The male condom is the most common barrier method.

Female Condom:

The female condom is a seven-inch long pouch of polyurethane with two flexible rings and is inserted into the vagina prior to intercourse.
The female condom covers the cervix, vaginal canal, and the immediate area around the vagina.

Spermicides:

Spermicides are chemicals that are designed to kill sperm.
Spermicide chemicals are available as foam, jelly, foaming tablets and vaginal suppositories.

Diaphragm:

The diaphragm is a soft rubber dome stretched over a flexible ring; the dome is filled with a spermicidal cream or jelly.
The diaphragm is inserted into the vagina and placed over the cervix no more than 3 hours prior to intercourse.

Cervical Cap:

The cervical cap is a small cup made of latex rubber or plastic.
The cervical cap is filled with a spermicidal cream or jelly and inserted into the vagina and placed over the cervix.

Contraceptive Sponge:

The contraceptive sponge is a soft saucer-shaped device made from polyurethane foam.

Withdrawal & Sterilization:

Neither withdrawal nor sterilizations prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

Withdrawal:

Withdrawal involves the removal of the erect penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation.

Sterilization:

Female:
Sterilization involves the surgical closing of the fallopian tubes which carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus
This procedure is referred to as a tubal ligation
Male:
Sterilization involves the surgical closing of tubes that carry sperm
This procedure is referred to as a vasectomy

Credit: Click here.

[Angel]

Sterilization is probably not an option for her. It would be extremely difficult finding a doctor to perform one on someone so young.

Why won't you consider getting a copper IUD?
If you aren't against the idea of IUDs altogether, you have another option besides the copper IUD. Mirena is a hormonal intrauterine system that releases small amounts of levonorgestrel every day. The hormones are meant to be localized within the uterus, and I'm not sure whether or not that would affect your medication in any way. It is something you might want to ask your doctor about if you aren't totally against the idea of IUDs.

[The Morrigan]

What about going on the mini pill? I can't have oestrogen based contraceptives either and my two options are the mini pill and implant since they both only contain progesterone.

[MacGuffin]

As someone who takes over five mood stabilizing medications I found myself extremely limited in birth control options. I was on Nuva Ring, but that was hormonally based and was jacking with my medications, so I had to get off it. I was basically told this: I could use condoms combined with a spermicide applied separately, a diaphragm, sterilization, or the the copper IUD.

Condoms combined with spermicide weren't the most reliable and a diaphragm came with a lot of responsibility, including having to get one fitted, having to clean one after sex, having to put it on and take it off before and after sex and I really didn't want to do that. I chose the copper IUD because of how easy it to take care of with very little side effects, how effective it is, and how it is obviously not drastic like sterilization.

My bet is that your options are going to be about the same as mine, but look into ALL their positives and downsides before ruling out any of the options because they are so limited.

[PlayingPretend]

Originally Posted by Angel

Sterilization is probably not an option for her. It would be extremely difficult finding a doctor to perform one on someone so young.

Why won't you consider getting a copper IUD?
If you aren't against the idea of IUDs altogether, you have another option besides the copper IUD. Mirena is a hormonal intrauterine system that releases small amounts of levonorgestrel every day. The hormones are meant to be localized within the uterus, and I'm not sure whether or not that would affect your medication in any way. It is something you might want to ask your doctor about if you aren't totally against the idea of IUDs.

The reason I'm against the IUD is because it was introduced to me as "so long as you're not planning on having children for 5-10 years" (though I've heard 3, from some sources, not sure how accurate they are), and though I'm not, I don't like the idea of not having the control over that decision. I also do not like the idea of having something inserted into me for that length time, even though I think it can be removed? It's simply something I will not consider based on the concept of it and on the limitations. My mother is against me using the IUD as well. She's not in control of what birth control I go on, but I respect her opinion quite a bit.

What about going on the mini pill? I can't have oestrogen based contraceptives either and my two options are the mini pill and implant since they both only contain progesterone. Today 07:07 PM

What is the mini pill? I've never heard of it.

As someone who takes over five mood stabilizing medications I found myself extremely limited in birth control options. I was on Nuva Ring, but that was hormonally based and was jacking with my medications, so I had to get off it. I was basically told this: I could use condoms combined with a spermicide applied separately, a diaphragm, sterilization, or the the copper IUD.

Condoms combined with spermicide weren't the most reliable and a diaphragm came with a lot of responsibility, including having to get one fitted, having to clean one after sex, having to put it on and take it off before and after sex and I really didn't want to do that. I chose the copper IUD because of how easy it to take care of with very little side effects, how effective it is, and how it is obviously not drastic like sterilization.

My bet is that your options are going to be about the same as mine, but look into ALL their positives and downsides before ruling out any of the options because they are so limited.

Thank you for this post. I will definitely look more into these options. One thing is that I'd gone from 5 medications to 1, the one being the mood stabiliser. I have recently stopped my therapy sessions based on feeling ready and capable to stand on my own two feet without it. Stopping my medication completely is something I have always considered/wanted, and based on this fact, I've been watching my moods a lot. The psychiatrist I was seeing before the psychiatrist I started seeing on campus suspected it was PMS/PMDD related if not related to Bipolar, and tracking my mood and monthly patterns, I feel this is a viable option. I am considering speaking to my psychiatrist about weaning off the mood stabiliser simply in order to see if a birth control option will prevent the symptoms that even the Lamictal is not. So I'm not sure. But I will look into the options you suggested.

[Angel]

Originally Posted by PlayingPretend

The reason I'm against the IUD is because it was introduced to me as "so long as you're not planning on having children for 5-10 years" (though I've heard 3, from some sources, not sure how accurate they are), and though I'm not, I don't like the idea of not having the control over that decision. I also do not like the idea of having something inserted into me for that length time, even though I think it can be removed? It's simply something I will not consider based on the concept of it and on the limitations. My mother is against me using the IUD as well. She's not in control of what birth control I go on, but I respect her opinion quite a bit.

The information that has been given to you is incorrect. The IUD itself is good for 5 years (Mirena) to 10 years or more (Paragard). That is like the expiration date- after a certain amount of time, the hormones in the IUD will be depleted, and the copper IUD no longer remains effective. You can choose to have the IUD removed at any point for any reason. Your fertility should return very quickly after that.

From Mirena's official website:

A woman's chances of getting pregnant within 12 months of having Mirena removed are approximately 80%.

From Paragard's website:

Most women who have used Paragard can later become pregnant at the same rate as those who have never used birth control. Once it's removed, its contraceptive effect is reversed.

I suppose the difference between the two is because of the hormones contained in Mirena. You have total control over your birth control and when you want it removed. I don't know why they would tell you that you don't.

[The Morrigan]

The mini pill can also be known as POP (Progesterone only pill) and it's similar to the combined pill except it doesn't contain oestrogen and you take it contiuously rather than having a week's break so sometimes it stops your periods.

I'd say ask your doctor about it

[Aletheia*]

I keep seeing this 'mini pill' floating around this forum, and I still don't know what it is. Adding to some more information to the OP and for myself, what exactly does it look like? My doctor has never given me information on it, but of course, I go to my state's free woman's clinic and they may not offer it. Is there a website you could give me (via PM if need be) for more information on it? I'm interested to learn more! <3 Thanks!

[Magic.]

I'd say mini-pill as well! I can't take the oestrogen one because when I did, I got sick and my liver got damaged ... not cool.
The mini-pill, or POP pill, only contains progestrogen. My doctor told me the main risks of the pill that are known, e.g. cancers etc later in life, are caused by oestrogen build up. I was told that the progestrogen one avoids this, hence that you can take it continuously without a break, your body should be able to handle it long term. It works in pretty much the same way, just without as many risks and is useable by people who can't handle oestrogen.
The other benefit of the one I'm on (Cerazette it it's name in the UK) is that it has a 12 hour window. So if you forget to take it, you have 12 hours to take it before you're not protected against pregnancy anymore. Obviously the protection lowers over time, but most pills only have a 2-4 hour window. Plus, missing a pill can cause a breakthrough bleed, but if you have 12 hours to take it, that happens far less.
I would not recommend the implant, having had it before. I know it's different for everyone, but I had it for a year and a half, and only had 5-6 weeks with no period ... they kept telling me it'd go away after the "settle in" time but after 18 months they had to because I was becoming anaemic ...

[The Morrigan]

Originally Posted by ShannonPants

I keep seeing this 'mini pill' floating around this forum, and I still don't know what it is. Adding to some more information to the OP and for myself, what exactly does it look like? My doctor has never given me information on it, but of course, I go to my state's free woman's clinic and they may not offer it. Is there a website you could give me (via PM if need be) for more information on it? I'm interested to learn more! <3 Thanks!

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex_relat...mini-pills.htm

The mini pill looks the same as the 'normal' (combined) pill just there's more pills in a packet

[Aletheia*]

Originally Posted by Serenity.

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex_relat...mini-pills.htm

The mini pill looks the same as the 'normal' (combined) pill just there's more pills in a packet

Thanks Cara!

[Tigerlily.]

Originally Posted by PlayingPretend

The psychiatrist I was seeing before the psychiatrist I started seeing on campus suspected it was PMS/PMDD related if not related to Bipolar.

Well I know that there is a birth control called Beyaz that is supposed to help with the symptoms of PMDD. Not sure how it would work in your case but you may want to consider asking about it. But the mini pill or POP sounds like a really good option for you as well.