Birth Control?

[Jinny Jean]

Hi guys!!

I have a question....

About 4 months ago, I went of my birth control pill completley. I found that every month that I tried to restart a new pack, I would flare really bad. So I decided that the best thing to do was to just stop. I continuly felt better and better after stopping, and I have not really thought about restarting at all.

The problem with that is I am NOT ready to have a baby AT ALL, and I know if I did get pregnant right now it would be a sad disaster and I would probably have an abortion. It wouldnt be good at all


I just had a scare last month when my period was 6 days late, my boyfriend and I were freaking. The more I stressed about it the later it was. I did finally get it though.

Anyways, my boyfriend and I are most of the time careful, and I say most of the time, because we do make a HUGE effort to use condoms when we have sex. There are a few times a month though when for whatever reason he has trouble coming with a condom on or what have you.... so we dont use one and he pulls out. Clearly this is a problem! Because it take only once.... He is always "good" about it and makes it out with loads of time.. but it still makes me nervous.

My mom came home tonight with a brochure on the nuva ring and told me that she wanted me to try and get back on birth control... but I am still really unsure.

I am doing so well bladder wise, and I rarley have any problems at all now just being on elmiron and being careful what I eat. I finally have my life back.

I was on the birth control pill for 10 years before all of this and so I never worried about pregnancy ever. This is all new to me.

I wouldnt mind trying foam or spermacide or something, but I am scared of the hormonal stuff because of the way it makes me react.

So my question is...? Does anyone have trouble using foam? Does it give you a yeast infection??

Or is there possibly one a form of birth control that is generally tolerated well?? I have thought about trying the progesterone only pill but I am still unsure about that one too....

Jenn

[Claire_A]

Hi Jenn,

Did you get my pm a week or so ago?

I react to spermicide really badly but I suppost thats cos I have vv. You could give it a go? Were still just pulling out/ condoms. The thought of BC makes me feel awful now, I wouldn't risk it seeing as you have a reaction to it.

Claire

[Jinny Jean]

Hey! Im not sure I did get your PM, I dont remember? I must have accidetally deleted it I think possibly. Your welcome to send it again though!

Jenn

[kadi]

Hi Jenn,
It may depend on the type of birth control pill you use whether you flare or not. I use Necon 1/35 and it reduces my IC symptoms. But, I got IC when I stopped my birth control pill, so that may be different for me. Restarting the pill with lower dose estrogen ones didn't help the IC, so I went back on the higher estrogen one I use now. What I learned from the use of different BC pills is that they are not all the same.

I really hope you can find something that works, IUD maybe? The withdrawal method is notorious for not preventing pregnancy because the fluid that can leak out before orgasm can still cause pregnancy. My friend who used the rhythm method (carefully timing during the month to avoid pregnancy) and withdrawal method, well - she ended up pregnant. I'd hate to see abortion be a form of birth control. Far better to prevent a pregnancy than end one. Morals aside, I'm not sure what getting pregnant and ending it abruptly would do to you & your IC hormonally. It just seems like there has to be something out there to try.

Have you talked honestly with your gynecologist and urologist about this? Asking us for ideas is ok, but I'd think talking with your doctors is the next step...

[emilyandlouise]

Jinny,

PLEASE think twice about using a high progestin birth control pill. I am convinced that's what sent my body over the edge and gave me the IC to begin with. I was on Loestrin Fe. Progesterone is a terrible bladder irritant. Those types of pills block estrogen and your bladder NEEDS estrogen to stay healthy.

The absolute best person on this forum to answer your question is Sami. Her user name is Sami4. I am positive she will have great advice for you. She has been my hormone guru lately and an absolute angel.

Good luck!

Lauren

[sami4]

Birth Control

The right BC pill can often even out the erratic pre menopausal rhythms that cause so many problems with IC symptoms. However, low estrogen BC pills are usually an irritant. If you use BC pills ask for a higher estrogen lower progestin formula. Also there are many different types of progestins so you may need a little tinking to get the right one. In general levonorgestrel is usually well tolerated as is agystin.
A good BC device which delivers progesterone only into the uterus to prevent endometrial buildup is a Mirena IUD.
This device will greatly lighten periods in most women and is helpful for progestin intolerant individuals as well as women with heavy bleeding. A lot of Gyno's are using this as part of menopausal therapy for women with a uterus because of the low progestin that is needed.
If a young woman uses the device when she is ready to get pregnant they just remove it.

[Jinny Jean]

Hey !! Thanks for the advice!! Yes I really need to get on something I agree. We dont just use withdrawl... we have sex for maby like 5 min without a condom and then stop and put one on, so still safer then withdrawl I suppose, but not safe enough to completley be worry free.... Id rather not have to worry about it, but on the other hand I would never want to have an abortion EVER. I am not really in to that, but my boyfriend, he would lose his mind, he is SO not ready for a baby unfortunatly. Which whatever, to each his own... he wants a big family someday, but he wants it when hes ready, hence the need for prevention lol.

I have looked in to the IUD.... but it scares me that somthing would be PUT UP THERE and that it pretty much stops your peroids. Im not ok with that. My period is SUPPOSED TO come every month. I would be up for trying the Nuva ring? I have a brochure that I read last night and as far as hormones go it has the lowest amount in any BC?

Sami: Do you know much about the nuva ring?? Is anyone else on this with IC?

The only reason I would be worried about this one is because it is so close to your bladder... bah. I wish this was easier...

Jenn

[4realtho]

i actually tried the mirena and it took a while for my body to get used to it... I almost passed out about 30 minutes after he put in the mirena. I stopped having periods and was good to go until I started to notice more facial hair growing and bad back acne so I had it taken out.. I was actually in remission with my IC when I had done this but it never effected my IC. I am actually looking for a birth control too... So if you find one that is well tolerated with IC please let me know...

[Omaklackey]

A lot of my Endometrios friend (or endo gals) have used the Nuvaring with great success. IC can often be caused by something like Endo and you might find it may relieve some other aches and pains you didn't know you had. You will get pregnant if you keep trying "withdrawal" though. I don't know if you didn't realize this but before he ever goes "in" he has a pre ejaculate that is FULL of sperm and it only takes one. Its the male bodies self lubrication but its laden with sperm, hence withdrawl is pointless because you have already introduced sperm into the vagina without him ever "going". Many women just don't realize the basic biology of sex and that's how they get into trouble.