Birth control - What do you use?

virginiagirl11

I know there was another thread asking about one of the BC methods, but I was hoping to poll the ladies here overall to find out what you all use. My doctor asked me to figure out what I want to use going forward and gave me a bunch of literature, but I still can't decide. We've always used condoms without any problems, although it would be nice not to have to use them at all. I'd love to hear your thoughts about the different BC methods. So:

What do you use? Pros/cons? What have you used in the past with success/failure?

dragon_chica

Mirena.  Love it.  It gets inserted and I don't have to think about it for 5 years.  In the beginning there was spotting but it's lessened and sometimes nothing.

In the past I used BCP.  The main problem with that were the headaches and the usual heavy flow and bad cramping I always get when I have my period.

plusoneblog

I use an IUD - the kind without hormones, I can't think of what it is called. The only con was when I got it, it was painful. Now there really are no cons that I can think of, I like that there is nothing to do.

Smgrochowski

I got a Paragard (no hormone/ copper T) in April.  My only complain thus far is my period is heavier and longer. I appreciate that it is hormone free and we don't have to worry about birth control for ten years.

Prior to April we used condoms, which my husband disliked.  We originally decided that he would get a vasectomy, but after much consideration, I wasn't ready for something perminant.

Nechie122

I have the Paragard and love it too. My periods were heavier in the beginning but they're more normal now. I can't take hormones for medical reasons so it was this or condoms.

Before I had DD, I used the cervical cap and was successful with it for a few years. DH liked it because he couldn't feel it but it was annoying to have to remember to insert it. I wouldn't use it now because it's less effective after a vaginal birth.

ETA: I've had the Paragard since June 2011.

XCrissCrossX

Depo Shot since Fall 2010
Cons: it depletes the calcium in your bones so it's not as long term a solution as an IUD, you have to pick up the meds and take them to your dr. for an injection every 3 months, the hormones kill my sex drive (all hormonal BC does)

Pros: I haven't had a period since I got pg because I started the shot before my period came back, it doesn't have estrogen in it which is good because the pill makes me crazy, if you get the shot on time it's almost guaranteed birth control: it can't fall out of place and you don't have to take it every day. 

I would definitely suggest the shot if you plan to get pg in the next few years but want peace of mind until then. Another thing to consider is it could take a year for fertility to return once you get off the shot.

Pips09

I'm on the Pill. I have been for years and years, except when TTC. I know some women don't like using hormones, but it works well for me, and I like that my period is regulated and very light. Con is having to remember to take it every day.

Carnation77

Condoms.  Used the pill for about decade then went off it and have been unsuccessful trying to go back on hormonal birth control ever since.  My body just won't tolerate it.  After this baby we might just do natural family planning or nothing at all.  We want another, we're both older, and we're sick of using condoms  It took us a long time to get pregnant the first time so if it happens right away we'll actually be OK with that, but if it doesn't we won't be surprised.  If and when a second is born DH will get a vasectomy.

sadie+w

I used the nuva ring and loved it. It really smoothed out my crazy period moods and took away the terrible cramps I used to get. I loved that I only had to remember it once a month.

9fraulein

Mirena, love it. Previously I used the pill for about 10 years...it's so much better not having to remember a pill everyday. I have not had any side effects with mirena, the hormones stay more local to the uterus rather than going throughout your system like the pill.

E&RMommy

Mirena love it.  Hormones are only local effect.  I have no period now and it rocks.  No cramps either.  I'm going on year 3 and will keep getting them until menopause.

mrsseguin

I've tried many different kinds of birth control.  the pill worked best for me, but I was not great at taking it everyday.  The last kind I used was the nuvaring.  I really liked it.  After this baby I'll be getting a tubal, but if I wasn't I'd go back to the nuvaring.

ras26

Pips09:

I'm on the Pill. I have been for years and years, except when TTC. I know some women don't like using hormones, but it works well for me, and I like that my period is regulated and very light. Con is having to remember to take it every day.

This.  Combo pill normally, mini pill when nursing.  My cycles are so predictable on the combo pill, and it's more forgiving if you forget to take one.  

cecilyandgautam

Symto-Thermal natural family planning (think advanced charting)

Pros: doesn't mess with my drive or my milk supply, no extra hormones for me or babes and makes it easy for me to get track of how my progesterone deficiency is doing 

Cons: it's a method that you've gotta learn so there's an upfront investment of time, abstaining can suck but most people just use condoms at that time

preggersin2011

Before LO i was on the  a low dose hormone combo pill for about 10 years. It took me 3-4 different pills before I found one that agreed with me- it usually takes 3-4 months to decide how a pill is affecting you. After I wasn't a student anymore and couldn't get free/cheap brand name i tried the generic versions of my brand name and they didn't agree as well with me. I used condoms for a few years when I stopped the pill. I don't need a calendar or a chart to tell me when i'm ovulating. condoms suck, they dull sex and for me it is exactly the opposite of what i want when i'm ovulating. For me it pissed me off more than not having sex. 

Now i have a copper IUD- i didn't want to mess around with having to remember a pill since life is crazy with LO. plus i didn't want to take a chance of not liking the hormones in the IUC. It was 100% covered by my insurance and for me it is a good option. 

jess9802

Pre-baby I used the combination bill (Mononessa) without issue - no side effects, worked perfectly - and three months of Nuvaring, which DH hated. Post-baby I used the minipill until 6.5 months postpartum, when I switched to Mirena. LOVE Mirena. I had mild cramping on insertion with a few days of spotting. My cycles have been wonky due to breastfeeding but now that DS is nearly weaned we'll see - I expect they'll get lighter over time. I'm very happy with Mirena and will likely get it again after a future baby.

Lanajax319

We used condoms/withdrawal method with success for years. I've been on seemingly every form of BC ever due to pretty severe endometriosis. At one point I kinda freaked out because I realized I had been on some form of hormone for over 10 years! Eventually that just didn't sit well with me so we went back to the "old school" methods.

After this baby, we will be trying for 2u2 So, natural family planning. After that I will start to consider longer term options like IUD or even more permanent treatments due to longstanding "female" issues and risk factors.