Better Birth Control?

[blas]

I'm so bad at remembering to take pills that I can hardly remember to even take my damn vitamins or my diet pills.

Maybe the Shot has made me lazy, but then again, I've always hated swallowing pills. I have gummy and dissolving vitamins, so I don't have to swallow those whole.

[hawkchick11]

I was just told by my doctor that its ok to be on depo for longer than 2 years now, as long as you are making sure you get enough calcium.

I gained about 5 pounds when I went on depo... and when I went off of it, I gained about 30.

I'm horrible at taking pills, and I don't know how I feel about NuvaRing, so I'm going to get back on depo. I thought about an IUD, but I'm not sure if I want that.

[blas]

You are supposed to have a bone density test after 5 years of Depo if you want to continue the Depo Shot. It truly robs calcium right from you.

I take calcium suppliments and vitamin D suppliments to help absorb it, along with 2-3 glasses of Silk a day

[Andara Bledin]

You get more vitamin D out of half an hour in the sunlight than most other sources.

Also, as far as calcium, there are a lot of things that can affect how your body deals with it. There are several things that will inhibit calcium absorption (such as grain bran, coffee, and acidic diets), and you need to keep your magnesium levels up, too, as it's vital in building and maintaining bones. We used to have a 1:1 ratio between calcium and magnesium, but most modern diets have closer to a 12:1 ratio.

Oh, and because of the way calcium is taken into the system, supplements aren't optimal, since you take a large dose at one time, and spreading the intake out over the day is notably more effective.

^-.-^

[Magpie]

The sun is a much less effective source of vitamin D at Northern latitudes. Also watch out for iron and calcium together - you won't absorb either one quite as well.

[taxguykarl]

I don't really have any other birth control suggestions that someone else hasn't mentioned already, but I wanted to mention this: NO form of birth control is 100%, including a hysterectomy

Ovary removal will accomplish that--or as my wife put it when she had that operation (fibromyalgia and ovarian cysts) "Spayed like the cat".

Seriously though, Blas's concerns about the pill are justified. I became an uncle when my sister forgot that most antibiotics reduce its effectiveness.

My wife was on orthotricyclene (to slow the cyst growth) some years back and we found that BC prevents rugrats by killing the sex drive.

[r2cagle]

"I have a headache",

"Not tonight, the cats are watching",

and the surefire classic winner

"I'm picking a fight with you so you'll leave me alone".

I'm surprised ya'll didn't mention the Dare motto: Just say 'NO'.

I'm just kidding! I have no advice on this. I wasn't on any birth control and it still took 10 years to get pregnant. I blame him, he blames me, we're all one happy family. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Seshat]

Anyone who has Mirena or other IUDs....how comfortable are they? Do the little thingies hang out very often?

Copper-T here.

I thought I felt it from time to time at first, but after a couple of months it sort of seemed to .. 'settle into place' or something. And when I thought I felt it, I don't mean it hurt, it was just 'oooh, was that a twinge?'

The strings hang out of your cervix, which means that to find them and check them, I have to curl up a bit, and reach inside with my longest fingers. And then I brush against them with the tips of the fingers. It's usually easier just to have my husband check them.

Here's a diagram of the placement of a copper-T

and

Here's the female reproductive system as a whole

As you can see, there's the whole length of the vagina before the cervix - and the strings are short, once out of the cervix. Mine actually just sort of .. sit on the cervix itself, practically unnoticeable unless you're looking for them.

My husband says that except when he's actively checking for the strings, the IUD may as well not be there - other than for the peace of mind.

[Giggle Goose]

TMI ALERT, highlight below to read:

My only input is that when I was watching a Mirena commercial with my mom, she told me: "That's how your brother got here."

I take Tri Sprintec, which is the generic of Ortho Tri Cyclen. NOT becoming a parent is at the top of my priority list right now, since I just got into grad school. I set my alarm every morning with the message TAKE YOUR MEDICINE because I also have to take my vitamins and calcium supplement. The other methods of birth control ick me out and TBH I hate using condoms. It's worked like a charm so far.

[Cat]

"Not tonight, the cats are watching",

.

It is so creepy when the cats are watching....and purrrrrrring....and drooooling...

Ortho-Tri-Cyclen here! Was on generic...cannot get it anymore And we also use condoms....need to save for/find a doc who will spay me.

[AdminAssistant]

I'm gonna talk to my doc about an IUD, I think. They do offer them at the student clinic, but I don't know what the cost will be. I've been on the pill for 10 years now...and I'm a bit sick of it!

[1756GR2]

Another happy IUD user. See Seshat's comments from earlier today - I would have written the same thing.

Got my first one 30-some years ago and never looked back, even during the time when they were off the market and you had to sign a release for one. I was never so happy for womankind as when I saw they were available again.