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Sun May 20, 2007 2:31 pm |
Isn't this a topic you want to see?
Anyway, lately I've been thinking about alternatives to birth control. I've been on the pill since I was 16 (and back then, I deemed that as LATE) and I'm 20 now, and having second thoughts about taking it.
I'm very against pharmaceuticals (except in the case of mental illness) and I hate taking everyday stuff like ibuprophen. I'm sort of like a natural gal, and of course it gets me wondering about whether or not I should be on birth control. I realize it is a very safe and effective way to regulate my menstrual cycle and to prevent pregnancy, but a part of me does not feel comfortable taking it because...well I just want to find other ways to feel in touch with my body.
The trouble is, I have a boyfriend, ha ha ha. That's certainly not a problem in itself <3 but I'd also feel very uncomfortable being sexually active and *not* having such a reliable second form of birth control such as the pill. Since we have no plans to have children (I plan to adopt) I am wondering about what forms of surgery exist out there for women not looking to conceive. I won't go out and get things done tomorrow, but in a few years (because who knows, I may change my mind on the re-spawning thing) but I'd like to know what is available. Which leads me to another concern- I don't feel comfortable with anyone tampering with my body either! I don't want to be thrown into early menopause scares, or have low estrogen levels, or whatever legends are associated with that kind of surgery :P Trying to be as natural as can be, here.
I've also come to realize that my period is a very normal and natural thing, and I (and prepare to laugh ) actually look forward to it, even though I have a hard time with it...I think it's a beautiful expression of womanhood, so to move away from the pill is also to experience all of the so-called pain associated with menstration, and to deal with it in a way that makes me feel good about who I am. ahem *gets down off soap box*
So does anyone know any homeopathic period treatments (or basically, common sense) that work for them? Currently I:
-Always wear two pairs of socks
-Bundle up and stay warm
-Gear my yoga routine into gentler exercises
-Shy away from cold foods
-Stay indoors
And it helps me deal with Aunt Flo. Any other suggestions would be great. |
_________________ http://enlightenedzeal.livejournal.com/ <---Do you dare to change the world? |
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Sun May 20, 2007 2:55 pm |
FrevaKZ,
A bit of unsolicited advice. I hope you take it in the spirit in which it is intended. Please do not make any PERMANANT decisions about your fertility at 20. You are still so young and your attitude on biological children may change over the years. At 20, I was adamant that I would NEVER have children--by birth or adoption. At 39 (after having been married 10 years), my husband and I decided that we wanted a family--by both birth and adoption. No one could believe it--I was always so sure that I would never have children--my animals were enough for me. I now have a handsome son born of my body and a beautiful daughter who grew in my heart. (I still have my furry children, too.) I would not give up either of my children nor would I change the way that they entered my life. I can understand if you no longer want to take birth control, but keep your options open. I am living proof that what the heart wants at 20 is not necessarily what it wants at 30 or 40. BTW, as an adoptive mother, I commend you for your loving heart in wanting to someday expand your life by adopting a child. Someday. both you and a little boy or girl will be very lucky to have found each other. The world would be a better place if more people could open their hearts to a child in need of love. Cuddles |
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Caspers Mum
Moderator
Joined: 02 Nov 2002
Posts: 1694
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Sun May 20, 2007 3:01 pm |
You're not alone as far as wishing to discontinue using hormonal contraception. Many women feel the same as yourself. They're not keen on using synthetic hormones, or hormonal contraception is not conducive to their body chemistry. Everyone is different, and the Pill remains an excellent, reliable form of contraception. It's use also has other benefits.
If you're seeking a RELIABLE method of contraception, you might want to consider an IUD. There's a reason why it's the #1 form of birth control in Europe, and steadily gaining popularity in North America: effectiveness, low-cost, no-brainer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device
Otherwise, condoms paired with spermicide, and used properly offer as much protection against pregnancy as hormonal methods or an IUD. However, some women are sensitive to nonoxynl-9, hate condoms, etc.
I say, "Check out the IUD." |
_________________ Former m/up artist, former fan of OLD-school, pre-Lauder M.A.C Anti-M.A.C ! |
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Sun May 20, 2007 3:07 pm |
I had an IUD put in after my oldest son's birth 17 years ago. At the time, my doctor said they only recommended an IUD to women that had given birth although I'm not sure if that's the case now. Anyway, I had one put in and had them remove it about a year later because my periods became so heavy and painful that I couldn't stand it anymore. |
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Sun May 20, 2007 3:10 pm |
Caspers Mum wrote: |
If you're seeking a RELIABLE method of contraception, you might want to consider an IUD. There's a reason why it's the #1 form of birth control in Europe, and steadily gaining popularity in North America: effectiveness, low-cost, no-brainer.
." |
Good advice. Both accurate an on point. |
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Sun May 20, 2007 3:11 pm |
I myself inquired about an IUD and they still recommend them for women who have already had a child because of the size of the cervix before and after childbirth. |
_________________ 32, Fair Skin, combo/break-out prone. Simple routine of REN No. 1 Purity Cleansing Balm and Argan oil as a moisturizer; Clarisonic when needed. That's it! |
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Caspers Mum
Moderator
Joined: 02 Nov 2002
Posts: 1694
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Sun May 20, 2007 3:12 pm |
Diana P wrote: |
I had an IUD put in after my oldest son's birth 17 years ago. At the time, my doctor said they only recommended an IUD to women that had given birth although I'm not sure if that's the case now. Anyway, I had one put in and had them remove it about a year later because my periods became so heavy and painful that I couldn't stand it anymore. |
I'm surprised that your doctor didn't offer Mirena as an alternative. The synthetic progesterone, attached to the stem of the device, would have saved you a lot of pain & misery. It's much more expensive than a standard Nova-T/Paraguard IUD, but for some women, the "Mercedes Benz" of IUD, well worth it's cost.
Mind you, Mirena has only been on the market for about seven years, so it wasn't available 17 years-ago. |
_________________ Former m/up artist, former fan of OLD-school, pre-Lauder M.A.C Anti-M.A.C ! |
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Caspers Mum
Moderator
Joined: 02 Nov 2002
Posts: 1694
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Sun May 20, 2007 3:25 pm |
ParisTroika wrote: |
I myself inquired about an IUD and they still recommend them for women who have already had a child because of the size of the cervix before and after childbirth. |
There are still some old-school doctors whom feel that ONLY women whom have borne children ought to have an IUD. Thankfully, many more believe otherwise.
True: the cervical os is tighter if a woman has not borne a child. Therefore, insertion is a bit more difficult. Not "risky". More "difficult". An experienced doctor is skilled at insertion, and it's wise for a woman to pop a couple of ibuprophen, a couple of hours prior to insertion.
True: single women whom have an IUD must be committed to practicing safe-sex, always using condoms to protect themselves against bacterial infections. The strings of an IUD can act as a "highway" for bacteria to enter the uterus, and PID can be contracted. HOWEVER ... if a woman is not in a committed relationship, she ought to be practicing safe-sex, REGARDLESS of her method of contraception!!
MANY single, unmarried, childless women have IUD's. |
_________________ Former m/up artist, former fan of OLD-school, pre-Lauder M.A.C Anti-M.A.C ! |
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Sun May 20, 2007 3:42 pm |
Hi Freva!
I have an IUD which is a big owie every month and the only thing that helps is my nugabest.
http://www.nugabestusa.com/
I put the attachment on the owie place on my abdomen, and the warmth and the infrared really helps!
That, and Tequila |
_________________ Blond, Swedish/Cherokee, normal/dry skin, a sucker for products, gizmos, and treatments that are "age-defying." Just hit the big 4-0 |
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Mon May 21, 2007 8:23 am |
Agree with all who have recommended the IUD - it's a no-brainer. I have never had children and had no problems with the IUD.
I would add a word of caution on the Mirena - it releases the same hormone as the old Norplant implants (levonorgestrel acetate). Norplant absolutely ruined my skin - terrible cystic acne. After the ordeal with Norplant I said NO MORE HORMONES and am quite happy with my plain Jane copper T IUD. |
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Mon May 21, 2007 8:47 am |
I don't think the IUD is the #1 BC in Europe, but it might be an option for some. The IUD come in copper or as a hormon IUD, which is the one recommended to women who has not given birth. I personally like the Nuva ring
(http://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/education/nuvaring.html ). It is no hassel (really!), and the hormones work only locally in your body. |
_________________ Live in Switzerland, age 32, dehydrated combination skin, sensitive to climate changes, some food and cosmetic products. Very fair. |
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Mon May 21, 2007 3:31 pm |
For cramps: catnip tea and abdominal massage. Clots cause cramps, massaging helps the clot move through. Catnip is a natural muscle relaxer. Tylenol. Vicodin if you got a hookup. (THAT WAS A JOKE!!!)
I recently looked into getting an IUD because combo pills make me SICK. I was on three different ones, each one worse than the one before it. It's the estrogen. My body can't tolerate it.
I'm on depo now because I'd just had a pap and to get an IUD you have to have cultures taken at least two weeks before insertion and I wasn't up for two paps in one month. No way.
I'd heard awful things about depo, but I'm here to say, it's not that bad. They have a low dose, which is what I got. It's been two months and I feel loads better than I did on the pill-- depo is progestin, no estrogen. Though, whether I will stay on it remains to be seen. I think a copper IUD is really the way to go as it doesn't introduce any hormones into your body. (If you do take depo, you should take calcium with D, as there's evidence of bone thinning in women who use it for more than two years). |
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Tue May 22, 2007 5:58 am |
I have used IUD's continuously from the age of 24 through to 43 with no problems. I have never had children and my doctor certainly never mentioned that it was only for women who had previously given birth, nor did the gyno who inserted the first one. Two of the drawbacks with the iud are that they can cause heavier periods, cramps, and sometimes spotting between periods. My periods were already heavy and the iud never gave me cramps or spotting, however for someone who gets bad cramps the iud may not be the best idea.
Condoms, if properly used, offer excellent protection against pregnancy and are the only way to prevent the transmission of all sorts of nasty diseases. Even though I have an iud in place, for much of my sexual life I have used condoms as well, only stopping them well into a long term relationship, and even then only after my partner and I had both been cleared of std's. If I had to stop using the iud I would simply use condoms.
Magnesium can help with cramping, so can raspberry leaf tea. This also helps with excessive bleeding. |
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