Thanks for all the responses
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I'm still going to ask my doctor about it though. Also, isn't there a "sponge" out there? I'm not sure how this works, but I assume it might be similar to a diaphragm.
Also, have you asked your doctor why your periods are so irregular? This concerns me...
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I did look at the "today sponge" - basically, it's a thing you insert in your vagina that is a sponge filled with spermicide. You have to make sure you don't leave it in for too long, and it has to go in I think a few hours ahead of time. I think it would probably be a good option, thought it has a sliiiightly lower prevention rate than the Pill, if that was an issue.
My periods were irregular for a long time because I was quite underweight. They've evened out a bit lately, but I think it takes your system a while to adjust itself.
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On the other side of this, wouldn't it be true that for most of human history shorter lifespans and constant pregnancy/breastfeeding would have actually meant women had fewer periods over the course of their lifetimes?
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Yes - and I definitely don't have an issue with other women choosing to take the Pill, if they have painful/heavy periods, or if they choose that as their means of birth control (every woman's body is their own).
However, the period is one of the first signs of something wrong with the body... it's an amazing guide to your general health. It does flush out bacteria and restore the natural ph of your vagina, which can provide defence against thrush. It may not be 100% neccessary, but I do think it's more complex than many people think. I'm not a biologist or a health practioner, but I would definitely approach turning off any of my bodies 'natural functions' with trepidition.
As I say though, it's everyone's choice. I don't think there is a 100% perfect solution, at least at the moment.
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I was all set to get an IUD. I have some friends with IUD's and have never heard them complain about them. (They can be EXPENSIVE though! My particular insurance wouldn't cover the cost.)
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Yay for living in the UK :3
It is sad that having to take the price into consideration is a factor for some people though :/ I suppose it is a one-off payment though.
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I was on the pill for a while, and I didn't find it to be so bad. What IS bad is the first 1-3 months, when your hormones probably will go CRAZY. After that, they even out.
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Yeah, I think many women find it a positive experience. But having seen the potential effects first hand, I'm not very enthused. If it was a choice between the Pill or condoms (or the Pill and nothing) I think I would go for the Pill. I do think it's one of the best things that's ever happened for women - easy, convenient birth control allowed them to take control of their sexuality in a lot of ways.
But there are other choices as well
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I have the Mirena IUD currently. And I have to say, I adore it. It, I believe, does include a small hormone dose. However, it's miniscule, and released over five years while you have it in, so it's not going to wreak the same sort of havoc the Pill or the shot would. It hurt like ever-living hell to have put in, in all fairness I feel I should warn you. I took some insane amount of ibuprofen a half hour before at the suggestion of the doctor, and it still blazed with white-hot pain during the insertion.
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Yes, I think there's IUD's with hormone's and ones without... and I hear that they are more painful if you haven't had children (which I haven't). But as you say... a day of pain for five-ten years of worry-free sex is quite a good trade off :3
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The infertility worry comes when you have sex with a partner who has an STI. The IUD increases your odds of an STI causing infertility, which is why they recommend it only for women in a monogamous relationship or who are very very careful about all partners getting tested regularly.
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I am in a monogamous relationship (getting married in August, yay!) so that shouldn't be an issue.
Thanks for sharing your experience
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Do the research before you get the shot. My wife got the shot back when we were dating... went from 155# to 215 in about two months... Yeah, 1# per day gained.
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That is kind of shocking o.o