Birth control

Can anyone recommend a good birth control, with cost if possible? I have been on depo for over 2 years. I feel like I can't lose weight on it. I watch what I eat and exercise for 45 minutes atleast 3 days a week. I am at 170 lbs and have been around that for months. I have an appointment with my dr in a few weeks and am looking for a birth control method that is not too expensive and won't make me hold onto the weight. Thanks.

Mon. Apr 28, 10:09am

Birth control should not make it impossible to lose weight. When you watch what you eat, what do you do? If you make sure that you do not eat more calories than you use, you'll lose weight. But talk to your doctor about it. She should be able to explain to you how your birth control works.

Monday, April 28, 2008, 12:17 PM

If you're looking for birth control that doesn't cost much, talk to your insurance company about the prescription plans. Also, the methods that have been on the market for awhile (Ortocyclen, Orthotricyclen, etc.) tend to have generic versions; the generic is often way cheaper than the original. In general, generics are released 5 years after the original.

For example, with my prescription plan, I pay $30-$35/month for Loestrin-24 (which does not have a generic version), depending on if I go to the pharmacy or do mail order for 3 months at one time. However, if I used a version that had a generic, the generic would only be $20 for a 3-month supply (rather than $90 which it is now). With my old insurance, it was $5/month for generic.

Monday, April 28, 2008, 1:05 PM

Depo has been proven to put weight on and also affect women's ability to loose weight. Though I guess that you could argue that it causes factors which may result in over eating. But it from what I have heard it is the interaction with the hormones and the body that result in women either gaining weight on that shot and/or making hard to take weight off. Not to mention that it stays in your system for MONTHS... even when you don't got back for the next shot.

I really liked Mircette...but it's really is a per-person thing. Many women react differently to the same pills

Monday, April 28, 2008, 1:45 PM

I can't tolerate the hormonal methods at all, and am trying out an IUD. Can't tell whether I like it yet -- when you first get one you can have a lot of cramping. But it sure won't make you gain weight! And the Paragard is good for 10 years, so although the placement will cost you up front, and removal may also be expensive, for 10 years its a good deal.

Monday, April 28, 2008, 2:07 PM

Are there any forms other than depo where you don't get your monthly cycle?

Monday, April 28, 2008, 2:39 PM

There are a couple pills where you only get it a few times a year, or one, now, where you never get it. I'm on Loestrin-24, which lengthens the days of hormones to 24, with only 4 days off, so your period will be shorter. For me, I almost never actually get it. That's common, but not the case with every woman, so I wouldn't guarantee it or anything.

Monday, April 28, 2008, 4:28 PM

pp, have you noticed any side affects to Loestrin-24? Any weight gain? I have never had my period on depo and I know most women at least experience spotting.

Monday, April 28, 2008, 4:31 PM

i was on the nuva ring and it didnt really affect my weightloss however i did get pregnant with my daughter while i was on it. the depo also worked for me before but. i did struggle with weight and at one point i bled for a month straight while on it. ive also tried the pill but it caused water retention and i never remembered to take it.
youl have to decide whats right for you

Monday, April 28, 2008, 7:05 PM

Since you got pregnant on the nuva ring I will check that one off my list. NO NO!

Monday, April 28, 2008, 8:29 PM

Do IUD's cause you to not have a period? Weight gain?

Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 2:20 PM

I have yet to find a doctor in the US who will insert a coil for a woman who has never been pregnant. They will in the UK though, not sure about the rest of the world.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 2:38 PM

I'm the poster who takes Loestrin-24.

I don't think it affects my weight, but, I used to be very sedentary and I ate a lot (although I thought I didn't; I thought I ate healthily). Now I'm much more active, walk everywhere, exercise, etc., and eat way healthier and way less. And I've reached the midpoint of the "normal" BMI range (my BMI is 21.4; used to be 24 - almost overweight, but still normal). So, I've lost weight while on it.

I was on Depo several years ago, and definitely gained weight. I also had no period and no spotting when on depo.

I switched to Loestrin-24 from Orthocyclen, which I switched to from OrthoTricyclen, because I was getting bad headaches when the hormone level changed. My doctor suggested Loestrin-24 because at least I'd only have the hormone change for 4 days instead of 7 (or, every 7, with tricyclen), so in theory, the headaches wouldn't last more than 4 days. After a few months on Loestrin-24, the headaches pretty much disappeared. So, whatever the reason, I'm happy with it.

If you're switching from something like Depo to the pill, though, make sure you schedule yourself to take it at the same time everyday, which is the part most people have trouble with. It's just about 100% effective if you do, but if you switch up the times, or forget on occasion, etc., then it's not nearly as effective.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 2:39 PM

IUD's do not cause weight gain. The Mirena (hormonal) kind can make your period lighter. The Paragard (copper) kind can make your period heavier.

I have an IUD and have never had children. But hey, I'm also 40. I don't think the doctor was worried about being sued over infertility later! All kinds of studies show that IUDs don't contribute to infertility, but I think if a woman finds herself infertile later she's more likely to sue the physician in the US, which is why US doctors don't like to place them for women without children.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 4:08 PM

I hear Depo is the worst!
I've been on OrthTriCyclen for the last ten years. I hardly get cramps at all (maybe a couple times a year) and my period is rather light. I spend $20/month as a copay. But it will depend on your particular insurance!
:)
Good luck!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 7:37 PM

i've been on depo for 6 years and love it. i have no problems, i did gain about 15 pounds though. this could have been simple laziness though and a desk job so i can't blame the meds.

i'm considering switching to lybrel which is similar, no periods, but it's in pill format and easier to stop and get back to normal should you decide to get pregnant ... anyone else using it?

Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 8:23 PM

anyone tried lybrel?

Thursday, May 1, 2008, 9:18 AM

yasmine = 3 months $60.

Thursday, May 1, 2008, 5:42 PM

yasmine...side effects? weight gain? taken daily?

Thursday, May 1, 2008, 8:44 PM

If you are frustrated with hormonal birth control and are responsible and in a stable relationship, try natural family planning. I used NFP since my 20"s (I'm in my early 50's now). Never had an unplanned pregnancy. People joke about it but it is reliable if you know your body. I only used birth control (condoms) at ovulation. I don't fear an increased risk for breast cancer now because I never used hormonal birth control. I also feel (though I don't have any research to back it up) that I am going through menopause a little easier because I never "tinkered" with my own hormones.

Friday, May 2, 2008, 9:13 AM

It's tough to switch from hormonal birth control where you don't have regular cycles to natural family planning, which is dependent on regular cycles. It can take months or over a year to become regular after going off of a hormonal pill. You'd have to abstain that whole time, or at least use condoms every time. Sounds overly risky.

Friday, May 2, 2008, 4:36 PM

Medical studies have shown there is no medical need to have a period. As a matter of fact many woman suffer from anemia after having their period. Many OBGYNs will tell patients on the pill to skip the week off and just stay on them. Other pills catering to peoples fear that no period isn't natural have them do a quarterly period plan.

I'm on the Mirena IUD and I love it. No period, no pills, no worries.

Friday, May 2, 2008, 5:39 PM

I have the implanon. which is a small device transplanted in your upper inner arm. It's working good so far and I only had some light spotting for about two months and now nothing so I like it

Friday, May 2, 2008, 11:38 PM

To the poster on Mirena...do you gain weight with that?

Sunday, May 4, 2008, 9:38 PM

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