BC

[wickedconcubine.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine mentioned the other day that she is looking into different forms of birth control.
She isn't comfortable with the Pill, being forgetful and such, she worries that she'll skip a day (or more) and end up pregnant which is completely the opposite of what she wants any time soon.
She does want, maybe, to eventually have kids, but not for a few years, so she's been looking into the nuvaring/iud/that sort of thing.

Right now it looks like top of the list is IUD but she's afraid that when the time limit (5 years I think?) is up she'll have forgotten by then and not go back in time for a replacement/to get it removed or however that works. Also, she's generally afraid of the idea of getting it done.

I'm considering doing the same thing, making an appointment the same time she goes and have it be a girly day sort of outing.

Couple of questions I have. 1) Do they set up some kind of reminder for you to come back when time is up?
and 2) more important to me, does it affect your cycles? I know the Pill is a good way of regulating, helping with heavy flows or irregular cycles... will IUD have the same effect?

Also, for those who've done it... Drawbacks, weight gain, breakthrough bleeding, sexual side effects, any of that sort of thing?

And before you just throw a link at me, yes... I can do the research online, I can ask her where she's doing her research so I know we're looking at the same info, and I can do some of my own. I would just Also like to consult others who've done the research, had experience with this sort of thing, or have reccomendations to make.

Thanks.

Comments

[ravrhi.livejournal.com]

Hormonal IUDs tend to (I think) pretty much make the period cease to be. I have a copper IUD, which made my cramps really bad for a while, but they are fine now. You may wish to ask also in iud_divas for more opinons and information.

[sagesseabiona.livejournal.com]

I have an IUD and have for a few years now. I switched to an IUD as I was trying to get rid of all the extra hormones in my body from the pill and liked the convenience of the IUD and am married so no worries about multiple partners.
Before the IUD I never had cramps and had very light periods. Now I get minor cramps and my periods are longer and heavier, but I still think it's worth it. I'm on my second one now as I had a baby in between (on purpose, took the IUD out to get pregnant) and I like them a lot. Not for everyone obviously but I recommend doing lots of research on the pros and cons first. Also, I had it put in by a nurse at the local sexuality clinic as I figured they would have the most experience. Feels like really bad heavy period cramping the first day in if you've never had one and/or never had a baby. The second one after my child was born didn't hurt as much at all. Anyway, if you have more questions I would be pleased to tell you what I know.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_last_serenade_/]

the mirena lasts 5 years and generally lightens (but lengthens, in my experience) your menstrual flow and makes it fairly unpredictable. i basically have light brown discharge most of the time, but i never have an actual *period*. i've had my mirena for about 8 months now, and my spotting/discharge has slowed to a barely noticeable trickle. i really love it besides the spotting. i have none of the side effects from the pill, no migraines, no nausea, no mood swings, no forgetting the pill, i've lost 10 lbs pretty easily since i stopped taking the pill, etc. just all around a decision i feel pretty good about.

i can't speak on personal experience for the paragard. i know it lasts 10 years but has the possibility to increase menstrual flow and duration. the best part of the paragard is that there are no hormones, so if your friend is especially sensitive to progestins (the hormones in the mirena), the paragard would probably be a better choice.

both require a doctor to do the insertion, and for both, you're likely to have a good amount of cramping for a week or so after insertion and sporadic cramping for a month or so afterwards.

anyway, good luck to you and your friend. i hope you both find something you like! :)

[garillama.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you and your friend have thought about this, but if you're not quite ready for an IUD yet (it seems like a pretty big step to me), have you considered something like the patch or the shot? You could set up an online reminder, and as you only have to get it taken care of every week, month, or 12 weeks (depending on what method you go with), it might be a better method. As I said, you've probably already looked into it, but just thought I'd mention :)

[wickedconcubine.livejournal.com]

well, she think sshe probably wants kids eventually but has a list of demands the husband must meet before she'll have any on purpose... must be financially stable (him making enough to support the family without her having to work for a while), living in their own home, that sort of thing.

Me, the only reason I haven't gotten a tubal or something more permenant is the lack of money for it and no insurance. I do not want children ever, I don't like them, I don't like anything that demands my attention (no pets, the boyfriend has learned when it is wise to leave me alone, etc), had an abusive childhood and a handfull of bad traits to pass on. Various forms of insanity, heart problems, that sort of thing. Also, I'm in line for a hereditary heart defect that leaves me functional, but carries a 50% chance of surviving pregnancy/delivery... and not particularly liking children, that's too high of a risk for me to take for something I don't want in the first place.

I'd rather the people who like kids have them so that they can be raised in healthy, happy homes... and I'm more than content to live vicariously through my friends and family's kids. I can love them for a little while, then give them back when they get on my nerves. Can't do that when its your own, I hear. :)

I've known since I was at least 10 that I didn't want to have kids, I've never changed my mind. Even the one time I was pregnant, I felt like the whole thing was some kind of game I was playing, and I fully intended to give it up for adoption as soon as I got bored of it. The car accident that caused the miscarriage, the main thing that upset me about it wasn't that I'd lost the baby... It was being angry at the idiot who wasn't looking where he was going and slammed into me. Other than being in pain and aching all over for days... I was actually relieved that I didn't have that responsibility anymore.

Or.. uh... the short version of the response, we've both thought it out and we both know its a big step and for different reasons are looking at it for that reason. :)

[garillama.livejournal.com]

Ah, that makes sense :) I just wanted to make sure you guys weren't leaping into anything, but it sounds like you're both very informed and know what you're looking for :) Go you!