Nuvaring

[tiffjake]

I've been on the ring for 1 1/2 years now. I love it. I hated the patch because it leaves a sticky bandaid type residue where you put it. Neither my husband or I can feel the ring at all and it has been great. I just took my last one out the other day - we are going to start trying to get pregnant in a few months and I want to have some non-birth control periods. I've never had a regular period in my life, but I'm hoping my new gluten-free diet may help with that (I saw that as a symptom somewhere).

I have been without hormones (since thanksgiving) and gluten free (since december) and I am still without period. I was told that it could take 6 months or more. Just wanted to warn you......it could be a while.

[jenvan]

Cassidy-

Much luck to you--hope the trying is successful!

[Guest cassidy]

My problem was that my periods lasted a long time and came too often. I really haven't been off birth control for more than I few months since I started on it when I was like 15 (to regulate my cycle). I am having surgery on my stomach next month, so that will have to heal before we can start trying. I'm hoping things will be regulated by the time my stomach is better. I'm trying to put weight on before the surgery because I don't have much to loose as it is and I won't be able to eat solid food for a month or so. Once I get that fixed, I should be in perfect health and ready to go.

[jenvan]

What kind of surgery? Hope it goes well!

[Guest cassidy]

My surgery is for reflux. I think reflux is one of the reasons I never found out about my gluten allergy. When I would mention my pain after eating my doctors would say it was because of the reflux. No reflux medicine ever helped that, but I just thought I had a funny stomach and there was nothing that could be done for it. I remember even being put on Zoloft because I was still complaining of pain when taking my reflux medication. The zoloft didn't help at all. I had the reflux fixed 17 years ago and the surgery needs to be re-done. I am so excited to get this fixed because I think that for the first time ever I will feel 100%.

[jenvan]

Hope it goes well and yes, feeling better will be great!

[GlutenFreeAl]

Has anyone tried Depo shots? Or an IUD?

I was put on the pill at 17 because of some period probs. (almost 8 years! yikes!) I really want to switch to a method that completely bypasses my digestive system because I'm worried about absorption and because I'm worried that the pill is actually bothering my stomach.

I tried Nuvaring and didn't really like it. I didn't feel like I had enough control, I was constantly checking to make sure it was there, etc.

I was considering the patch, but I'm not so sure after reading this thread!

I've heard both good and bad about Depo. Anyone have any input?

Thanks!!

[tiffjake]

Has anyone tried Depo shots? Or an IUD?

I was put on the pill at 17 because of some period probs. (almost 8 years! yikes!) I really want to switch to a method that completely bypasses my digestive system because I'm worried about absorption and because I'm worried that the pill is actually bothering my stomach.

I tried Nuvaring and didn't really like it. I didn't feel like I had enough control, I was constantly checking to make sure it was there, etc.

I was considering the patch, but I'm not so sure after reading this thread!

I've heard both good and bad about Depo. Anyone have any input?

Thanks!!

EVERYTHING that I have heard about DEPO is BAD!! I know 3 people right off the top of my head that have gained over 30 pounds and had massive mood swing problems. I would be interested to hear if anyone had anything GOOD to say about it. From what I have learned at school, it is because of the one time giant dose of the hormones that is hard for the body to process, causing more problems than the pill, patch, and ring that deliver over time. I am in your exact position, on the pill for 6 years!!! But my husband in overseas, so I am going "au natural" for now. Good luck to you! For me, when he is home on vacation, we will be using condoms!

[jmengert]

I'm so thankful for this thread because I've been off BC for awhile, as I hate taking anything that's not "natural," but my periods are out of control, so I think it's time to go back to some form.

As far as Depo is concerned, I DO NOT recommend it. I went on it a few years ago and had my period for four months straight and ended up with anemia as a result. Ugh.

I was thinking about the patch since it bypasses the digestive tract, but now some of you have concerned me--does anyone have an entirely positive experience with the patch? I get nauseous easily, so I'm looking for a BC method that doesn't affect that at all, if anyone has any suggestions.

Thanks!

[jenvan]

I do not rec the patch...didn't it come out that there were issues with the consistent secretion of hormones--that hormones were spiking or not be secrete correctly?

I do rec nuvaring. I know several woman who have had great success with it too. It is a lower dose of hormones than oral and it is absorbed directly into your bloodstream, not via digestive track, which is the other reason I switched. You insert it once a month for 3 weeks, then take it out for a week etc. I have never felt it, not an issue during sex either.