birth control options. IUD maybe?

HCindy

Met with my ob/gyn for my yearly and asked about some bc options.  He recommended the IUD as a semi-perm option. Thoughts?  Pro's/Con's?

What about hormones?  What do I want/need at my age (37)? 

 

 

 

 

 

vanverth

No help here.  To need BC, one would need to be having sex on a regular basis. 

ScoobyM

I currently have my second Mirena IUD - I had one after having Ellie as well.  I like it a lot, it is so much easier than having to remember to take a pill every day.  I haven't had any issues with the hormones that it releases (I think it is progesterone only but don't rely on me, I'm not totally certain), but then again I never had trouble with hormonal BC like the pill either.  It was super easy to insert and remove and you are able to get pregnant immediately after it is removed - it took me 2 cycles after I had it out.  You can keep the same Mirena in for 5 years, then you have to have it removed and my OB/GYN said you can put in another one if you want.

The only potential issue is that insurance does not always cover it.  The first time, my insurance did pay for it, but this second time, we are on different insurance and we had to pay for it and it was somewhere around $300-$400.  We did, because it was preferable to the mini-pill which was my only other option b/c I am breastfeeding.

So I would recommend the IUD based on my good experience with it.

 

robynlesley

I ALMOST went with Mirena but, like Scooby said, my insurance didn't cover it--or to be more accurate the cost would go towards my $500 deductible. I had $383 left and that's what I would have had to pay--but I decided NOT to because I wasn't sure if it would work for me and didn't want to pay that money--without a refund possible--if I hated the IUD.

So I (at age 41) am now taking Losetrin24Fe. I'm on my 2nd month on this. First month was an adjustment as I had breakthrough bleeding for a week BEFORE I got my period. This month it seems like I'll get my period today, with 2 days left of active pills (this one has 24 as opposed to 21). But it's an improvement. And I do well with hormonal contraceptives. No issues with lack of libido.

My OB just said that at my age, she wants me on lower doses of estrogen. I think at 37, you'd be fine with a pill if you chose or Mirena. Discuss with your OB-Gyn.

Piranha54

I'm also on mirena and like it.

JKohio

I was on Mirena for about 2.5 years and recently had it removed (was on it from age 39-41) so we could TTC for #2. Even though the hormones are very low-dose, I'm convinced the Mirena contributed to my lack of natural lubrication (which had never been an issue before). Aside from that, it was fine. Before DS was born, I was on Ortho-Tri-Cyclen pills (up til age 38) and never had any side effects from it. YMMV, of course.

gimmietimmies

I had a "regular" IUD a few times (I think it was less than Mirena @ $75), I can't do the pill or Mirena. Didn't mind it, but I had to go back and have the strings clipped twice because DH noticed them. It did make AF crampier though. DH is permantly fixed (again.....) and I'm going to go ask my doc about Essure, just in case.