Deprovera

[minibabe]

I was on the nuvaring; but it did not work for me. Anyone ever had an experience with deprovera? There is not really that much information on the internet about it.

I am not sure if I would ever want to have childeren, but I am not sure if this even affects that.

Thank you

Amanda NY

[jmengert]

I'm afraid I only have negative things to say about the shot. I was on my period for six months after getting the shot once; therefore, I became anemic and had problems related to that. The same thing happened to my friend. I also became depressed, which the pill never did to me. Some women love the shot, but I was one of the ones with side effects, so I just make sure to caution people now that some people have their period continuously while on this (in theory, you're supposed to stop having a period, but my doctor told me it could take a year)--my doctor never told me about the continual menstruation until *after* the fact. Just wanted to warn you, just in case--good luck with whatever you decide!

[penguin]

I don't know, any gyno I've talked to doesn't like the shot. You get a massive dose of hormones all at once, and people I've known that have been on it have had horrible periods that are really heavy and last forever.

It also takes longer to get pregnant after you go off of it compared to the pill.

[jenvan]

I am also definitely against depo. Depo made two friends from college absolutely miserable, with some effects lasting after going off the meds. What was your issue with the nuvaring if you don't mind me asking?

[Girl Ninja]

I'm curious about the ring too.

I got the Dep shot for a while. Made me gain 25 lbs. I liked it other than that, but I knew lots of people who had the extended bleeding problem. My cousin was on it for years after she had her daughter. Then she divorced, married a new guy, and started trying for a baby with her new husband. It took her 5 years to conceive.

There's a new implant one I saw on the news last week that goes in your arm. I had the sound off, so I didn't catch the name or how long it's good for.

Have you considered an IUD? One friend of mine has a copper one because she can't use anything with hormones. She loves it and it can stay in for 7 to 10 years pretty much maintenance free. There's a plastic one that releases hormones too.

[minibabe]

I am also definitely against depo. Depo made two friends from college absolutely miserable, with some effects lasting after going off the meds. What was your issue with the nuvaring if you don't mind me asking?

I had spotting. I would have my period for like three weeks a month and then not have it for a month.

It was HORRIBLE!!!!

I do not want to take the pill becuase of the celiac diease. I am afraid that if I have a gluten attack, and then I take my medication it will not work. Because if you become glutened your body does not absobe anything (but I know that you already know that ).

I do not want any unexpected surprises. I am still in college and I have a boyfriend that I have been with for two years now. We both do not need any expected surprises.

My doctor will also not prescribe the patch because I was on that for a while and I thought that it was great but she is totally against it. The nuva ring did work for about a month then it got all retarted on me.

I wish that it did work because it was not a bother at all.

If anyone else has any other suggestions feel free to suggust away!

(I am totally for being on birth control because I am not ready for a baby right now.)

Thanks gals :)

Amanda NY

I'm curious about the ring too.

I got the Dep shot for a while. Made me gain 25 lbs. I liked it other than that, but I knew lots of people who had the extended bleeding problem. My cousin was on it for years after she had her daughter. Then she divorced, married a new guy, and started trying for a baby with her new husband. It took her 5 years to conceive.

There's a new implant one I saw on the news last week that goes in your arm. I had the sound off, so I didn't catch the name or how long it's good for.

Have you considered an IUD? One friend of mine has a copper one because she can't use anything with hormones. She loves it and it can stay in for 7 to 10 years pretty much maintenance free. There's a plastic one that releases hormones too.

My doctor is cool with the IUD, but she will not let me do it because I am to young.

[penguin]

Yeah, doctors don't like giving IUD's to women who haven't had children yet. FWIW, my sister had a horrible time with an IUD, constant heavy periods.

I take the pill, which might be a risk, but so far so good (knock on wood!)

Just lends more to my theory that I've spent all this money and time trying NOT to get pregnant, when I probably couldn't anyway.

There is also the basal temperature rhythm method, you just have to abstain or use condoms during fertile days.

[ehrin]

Interesting - I didn't think there was an age limit on an IUD - my sister has used one since she was 19??? I had a friend on Depo and she gained nearly 100 pounds. Now, I don't think all of that was due to the Depo, but I think it started her on her road to weight gain. I've been on the pill for over 10 years. My boyfriend and I do not use protection and rely heavily on it - I have yet to have a problem with it a) being a T1 diabetic and having undiagnosed Celiac, for what I expect was 3 years. Why doesn't your Dr like the patch? I have a friend who is on it and she loves it!! There is also some strong history in her family of heart disease (her father died very young) and her Dr still says it's okay!

[tarnalberry]

I too have heard mostly negative things about depo. I know there are a few people out there happy with it, but it seems as though more are unhappy with it than happy with it. I'm using FAM (fertility awareness) with condoms as a backup, because my body doesn't handle hormones well, and I'm not a candidate for the copper IUD (I'm prone to severe cramping, the doctor didn't think it was a worthwhile risk). If you've got even a semi regular cycle, I actually really like the method. You know when you're fertile and when you're not. Some people abstain completely during that time, some use a backup method. Of course, if you have sex when you're fertile, your risk of becoming pregnant is whatever your backup method (in my case, it's the condoms) is.

[minibabe]

I know that this may sound retarted but what are the days when you are fertile?

Is it like the week before or somthing like that I can never remeber

thank you guys so much, (I dont think that i will be going on depo )

Amanda NY

[CarlaB]

There is also the basal temperature rhythm method, you just have to abstain or use condoms during fertile days.

I use the sympto-thermal method. Yea, I have six kids, all were planned, one was adopted ... my youngest is 8, so it works however you want it to -- to get pregnant, or to not!

Basal temps and rhythm are two different methods. The temp method is proven as reliable as the pill or other chemical methods. One government test even showed it to be more effective than the Pill. Old fashioned rhythm hasn't really been taught for about 40 years and was about 70% effective.

The problem with using condoms during the fertile time is that you are using a basically unreliable method during a time you know you can get pregnant. We find the abstinence to make the fertile phase have a honeymoon feel to it . It's been very good for our marriage and we actually have more intimacy now than we did years ago when I was on the Pill. There's something about the "well, we might not be able to do it tomorrow" aspect of the method.

There is also a health aspect -- no chemicals, and the temps can show you if you're having health problems before you show symptoms. Also, it's much more effective than barrier contraceptives.

Just an interesting factiod, the divorce rate among NFP (natural family planning) users is below 5%!!

[penguin]

Thanks Carla, I said basal temperature rhythm because I couldn't remember the name, that catechism was a long time ago

[CarlaB]

Is it like the week before or somthing like that I can never remeber

Rhythm worked like that, count days ... check out www.ccli.org, they have a lot of info about the more reliable ways of using nfp. It's actually pretty scientific these days.

Thanks Carla, I said basal temperature rhythm because I couldn't remember the name, that catechism was a long time ago

I taught it for 7 years, so I couldn't go without clarifying ... Impressive that you at least remembered the word "basal"!!!

[taz sharratt]

I was on the nuvaring; but it did not work for me. Anyone ever had an experience with deprovera? There is not really that much information on the internet about it.

I am not sure if I would ever want to have childeren, but I am not sure if this even affects that.

Thank you

Amanda NY

i gained weight, i didnt feegreat about myself when i was on it and my periods stopped, at first it was great so i went and had a second injection but the second one was bad, ive got 3 kids so i didnt give me difficulties in haveing children. everyone is different tho.

[tarnalberry]

I know that this may sound retarted but what are the days when you are fertile?

Is it like the week before or somthing like that I can never remeber

thank you guys so much, (I dont think that i will be going on depo )

Amanda NY

CarlaB can correct me if I'm incorrect, but the method I use is to assume that you are fertile if you are producing any fertile-quality cervical mucous, and for three days after your basal body temperature spike. That's usually around 8 days out of the month. You can also use cervix location, which changes during the cycle, to detect ovulation. (I referenced "Taking Charge of Your Fertility", a FAM (fertility awareness method) book. NFP (natural family planning) classes are offered at many churches. My understanding is that the main differences is that abstinance ONLY is practiced during fertile times, as no backup contraception is allowed.)

I'm actually a little more conservative than that method, and - since you can't be sure when you're going to ovulate until you do - use backup contraception until I've ovulated, and then not until my cycle begins again.

[CarlaB]

CarlaB can correct me if I'm incorrect, but the method I use is to assume that you are fertile if you are producing any fertile-quality cervical mucous, and for three days after your basal body temperature spike. That's usually around 8 days out of the month. You can also use cervix location, which changes during the cycle, to detect ovulation. (I referenced "Taking Charge of Your Fertility", a FAM (fertility awareness method) book. NFP (natural family planning) classes are offered at many churches. My understanding is that the main differences is that abstinance ONLY is practiced during fertile times, as no backup contraception is allowed.)

I'm actually a little more conservative than that method, and - since you can't be sure when you're going to ovulate until you do - use backup contraception until I've ovulated, and then not until my cycle begins again.

You are basically correct. If you have concrete rules in place, that's what gives the effectiveness of the method.

Basically, if you have cycles that are at least 26 days, you are infertile up till day 6 (day 1 is the first day of menstruation) as long as there is no cervical mucus. You should use evenings only for relations during this time so that you have the full day to watch for mucus. Internal exams are best, but not necessary. Also, since there is seminal residue, this first part of the month you should not have relations two days in a row. So, every other day, evenings only, in the absence of mucus until day 6. If your cycles are shorter, you need to have an earlier cut off (plus there are other rules if you took the class that can help shorten the fertile time).

After a three day temp. shift of 4/10ths of a degree cross-checked by 4 days of mucus dry up (there is more to this, you need to learn about consistency of mucus), you are in the infertile stage again. There are various rules that can apply here to make this come sooner in the month ... i.e. if the mucus dry up is strong, the temp. shift can be weaker.

Like Tiffany said, it is taught in Churches, or you can contact CCL to see who teaches in your area. Don't think it's just a Catholic thing even though most teachers are Catholic. We had almost as many Protestants as Catholics, and some who were not Christians at all who used it for it's effectiveness and health benefits. I've taught it to both those trying to get pregnant (usually when they're having trouble after using a chemical contraceptive) and those trying to avoid it.

[tarnalberry]

Like Tiffany said, it is taught in Churches, or you can contact CCL to see who teaches in your area. Don't think it's just a Catholic thing even though most teachers are Catholic. We had almost as many Protestants as Catholics, and some who were not Christians at all who used it for it's effectiveness and health benefits. I've taught it to both those trying to get pregnant (usually when they're having trouble after using a chemical contraceptive) and those trying to avoid it.

That's one of the many things I like about the method - you can use it to go from avoiding pregnancy to planning one whenever you want. Because you know what your body is doing.

I opted not to do classes at a church, because I am not religious, and choose not to use abstinence during fertile times. (There are lots of non-religious resources as well. I've even see a few Planned Parenthood locations that teach it.)

[minibabe]

I really appericate everyone sharing their stories with me. I am not going to be going on the depo. I do not want to gain weight and it is like a 9-10 ratio. (9 being how many people that do not like it). Not really sure what I am going to do but I am glad that I did not do that

thank you everyone

this forum is the BESTEST!

Amanda NY

[jenvan]

I really appericate everyone sharing their stories with me. I am not going to be going on the depo. I do not want to gain weight and it is like a 9-10 ratio. (9 being how many people that do not like it). Not really sure what I am going to do but I am glad that I did not do that

thank you everyone

this forum is the BESTEST!

Amanda NY

So did you try the nuvaring and have issues with it?

[minibabe]

So did you try the nuvaring and have issues with it?

Yea I was on the Nuvaring and I had spotting......I was not going to put up with that all summer long

My doctor told me to stop it and come up with another solution. I still dont have another solution but I know that I will not do the depo.

[frenchiemama]

RE: IUDs

It isn't the age that is a problem. Doctors do not want to give them to women who are not in long term monogamous relationships, having multiple partners can be very dangerous with an IUD. If a woman with an IUD gets an STI, there is a higher risk of serious illness/permanent damage (PID) because the strings from the IUD allow the infection to travel into the uterus. (I have one, the Mirena, but I'm an old married hag)

[jenvan]

Yea I was on the Nuvaring and I had spotting......I was not going to put up with that all summer long

My doctor told me to stop it and come up with another solution. I still dont have another solution but I know that I will not do the depo.

That stinks...I have liked it b/c it is a lower dose of hormones than oral. Now, I don't know a ton about this bc...but I have several friends on yasmin who really like it. I took ortho for about 10 years. It didn't cuase me any issues while I was on it. Ideally, I wouldn't be on any bc, but due to cysts, and unbearable periods, I'm stuck with the meds for now...

[MNB]

Amanda:

In case you are still reading - I would be happy to be an advocate for Depo. I have been on it for over 10 years w/ no problems. My only problem is my doc's are now making me get off of it due to the decrease in bone density. Probably a combination of the wheat allergy and shots.

One of the biggest problems is that once people have one or two symptoms they freak out and stop taking it not giving their bodies time to get used to the adjustment. Now admittedly I could stand to gain weight so the weight thing wasn't an issue for me, but 10 years without a period (as strange as some people find that) has been wonderful! I am not looking forward to all the goodies like PMS, cramps, headaches, tampons ect.. coming back into my life.

While the majority are against it - there are a few of us it worked well for

Thet say about 1 year to get pregnant, I have a friend who was pregnant 3 months after she stopped - you just never know!'

Good Luck!

Michelle

[tiredofdoctors]

Amanda:

I also have to give an "up-side" story about this!!! I went on Depo-Provera years ago when it first came out . . . I LOVED IT!!!!! I got a shot once every 3 months (I thnk . . . been so long now I can't remember) No spotting, no cramping, no periods . . . It was GREAT!!! I was kind of bummed when the doctor made me go off it because I hadn't had a period for quite some time . . . it did take 9 months for me to start having periods again. If you are looking for a longer-term birth control, and aren't going to be in a hurry to get pregnant (potentially) -- the last post said her friend got pregnant in three months -- I'd say YES. I gained a total of 12 pounds, which was a little more difficult to lose than others, but it was worth it.