Contraception

[dnr21]

Hi all,

I know abt some female contraception methods out there.

Of it all, my gf is considering using the patch or using the jab which is also known as "Depo Provera"..

I would like to ask whether anyone here tried those b4 or are using them now..

I had check out much info from the web, but i would like to hear from you all.

Pls help mi on this.....

[Lilith]

I have not tried either. But I hear the shot has been a good alternative for many.

[Steph]

I was on Depo for about six months a year or two ago . . . I didn't like the side effects. Other people I know loved it, however.

I should add that I also hated the side effects of the pill.

[skipthisone]

There is always anal..

[dnr21]

what r the side effects?

tell mi more...

[Steph]

The side effects - I gained weight around the midsection because it had tricked my body into thinking I was preggers.

Also, it did weird things to my menstrual cycle.

A friend of mine on Depo had a nice outbreak of acne, too.

[Lovediva]

My daughter has been on Depo for 2 years now and has had No side effects whatsoever! Guess it all depends on the woman!


The best contraceptive advice ever given to me was from my dad..he told me to hold an aspirin in between my knees...if it fell I would get myself pregnant!!! LMAO...
So when I finally did get pregnant I told him "Dad, the aspirin fell" and he knew exactly what that meant!! LOL

[seriousfun]

My girlfriend uses the NuvaRing.

It is a small ring, much like a diaphragm, that dispenses a proper dose of contraceptive hormone, as if she was taking a pill daily. She removes it for the week when she wouldn't be taking the pill.

It has functioned properly, so far! It is unobtrusive - I can feel it in there, but it's not a big deal.

[OzKristin]

ive been on the pill...but i've also used spermicide

[wyldchyld]

i've been on many many different types of pills and they think they finally found one that will work for me for a bit. my sister is on the shots due to have the gastricbypass surgery a couple of months back and seems to be happy with it

[dnr21]

btw, is there any way the doc will be able to predict what side effects it will have on my gf? cos we wldnt want her to put on too much weight or had a n outbreak of acne......

[Lilith]

The newer pills have acne prevention built in.

[ericthered]

I vote for vasectomy - snip, snip and you never have to worry again. It's wonderful......

[osuche]

Either has to be better than the rhythm method... :p

Seriously, I'm on the patch and I LOVE it. You only have to change it once per week. However, it has similar side effects to the pill -- so if she can't take the pill then she may not like the patch.

[tintorshade]

Originally posted by osuche


Seriously, I'm on the patch and I LOVE it. You only have to change it once per week. However, it has similar side effects to the pill -- so if she can't take the pill then she may not like the patch.

Do you notice the patch on yourself though? I mean does it sometimes get itchy or just gets in your way when showering, etc?

[osuche]

I noticed it at first...but after a couple of hours it just started blending in. And you can shower and such just like usual -- absolutely no issues yet...and I work out 4-5 times per week, occasionally swim, and shower @2-3 times a day (thanks to the work outs, etc).

[Irish]

ericthered---Did you know that a vasectomy can be reversed(undone)?My oldest daughters husband,was tied,after two children.They were divorced a few years later.He got remarried.
His present wife wanted children of their own.He had a procedure
done & his present wife,just had a baby. Irish
P.S.Her son(my oldest grandson)was 12yrs old yesterday!It seems like, just last week,that I was carrying my daughter around! Irish

[ericthered]

Reverse it? Ooooh no! Life's too much fun the way it is!

[Little_Miss]

ive been on 2 different ills, and im currently on depo provera. I was originally put on the pill when i was 13 due to really really bad periods, after trying 2 different kinds, the pain was still really bad, so the doctor suggested the jab. I've been on it now for 2/3 years. A lot of people dont like it cause it stops periods (not always, but usually), you can put weight on (i did, but i lost it all), and another thing, the only thing that bothers me, i get very light bleeding about 3 days per week.

[LixyChick]

Originally posted by dnr21
btw, is there any way the doc will be able to predict what side effects it will have on my gf? cos we wldnt want her to put on too much weight or had a n outbreak of acne......
No! Everyone is different and some may experience all the side effects...and some may get a few...and still others may never experience any....and/or display something that has never been determined to be an "official" side effect.

Your girlfriend has to read and absorb all the literature on each contraceptive option. There are side effects other than those talked about above. Each contraceptive has it's own literature upon request from a doctor.....or online (if you feel like doing the research). Only your girlfriend's gynecologist can tell her what options are best for her to try (factoring in age, menstral cycle history, family medical history, smoker or not.....etc.) and an exam will be performed before dispensing of any prescription.

After all is said and done.....and the contraceptive of choice has been used for a while.....there will be another doctor visit to determine if any side effects (if she experiences any) are overbearing or life threatening. In the meantime....knowing her own body....she'll be able to determine if she needs to see the doctor sooner than scheduled. Family and friends can help her with this in keeping an eye on her and letting her know if they observe something that she might be missing.

Hope this helps hun! Good luck and keep us posted....k?

[Irish]

Suggestion!!!---Get a book,that has POSSIBLE reactions to any
medicine or drug.My wife got one,years ago.It tells the POSSIBLE
reactions,that one might have!Not EVERYONE will have them,
everyone differs! Irish

[eliza261]

i have a question for people on the pill.. do any of u live in Canada?? i am trying to find out if it is avail in Canada.. i wanna get it..
and about how much do u poay?? if someone could answer that would be awesome!
much apprecaited

[katekate42]

Well, I'm on the pill and I've had no bad side effects save for gaining about 5 lbs around my midsection as mentioned above. I figure I'd gain a helluva lot more if I got pregnant, so I'm just fine with it and so is he. We also use condoms a vast majority of the time because we're both aware there's no way we could take care of a kid at this point and it's not worth the risk... I've heard great things about the shot and the patch, and they have better effectiveness rates statistically because you don't have to worry about them as often = less chance of human error there like forgetting :) Kudos to you for looking out for your gf and yourself!

[katekate42]

One more thing-- If your gf smokes, oral contraceptives are very bad- she would run a risk of having a stroke.

[LixyChick]

Originally posted by eliza261
i have a question for people on the pill.. do any of u live in Canada?? i am trying to find out if it is avail in Canada.. i wanna get it..
and about how much do u poay?? if someone could answer that would be awesome!
much apprecaited
I don't live in Canada, but I'm certain that the birth control pill IS available there. But sweety....it's not an over-the-counter type of contraception and there are many factors to consider before you decide that this is the best method for you. You have to see a gynecologist....and between the two of you, can make a determination of what is best.

At your age, I suggest you visit a gynecologist anyway....whether you choose to try the pill or not....and even if you aren't yet sexually involved with anyone! It's the responsible thing to do as an adult female......and necessary to make sure all is well in that area of expertise. Don't delay till you are in need of birth control because, as a woman, there are many changes to our bodies that should be monitored and looked after.

As to the cost....it can vary based on dosage and brand.

Hope this helps and good luck!

[celticangel]

make an appointment with either your doctor or family planning clinic or "wellwoman clinic" and discuss the choices available with informed people who can offer the best advise given your individual needs!

[eliza261]

ooops.. i made a mistake.. i ment to ask about the patch.. in Canada.. is there any one on here who is on it?? and when did u get it?
i wanna know if it is available in canada yet. i must sound like a total idiot..
considering that my roommate is on it
oops
anywell..
thanks anyway:D