I use (and love) the NuvaRing. The only bad thing about it is that if you forget to put it in after your period-- it messes the whole cycle up. Luckily they give you those calendar stickers.

Now this is a question!

We can state our favorite hormonal birth control methods, but I don't believe that it should necessarily convince another person to take or stop taking a certain kind of hormonal birth control. This is because each of our chemistries is so very different. So while I have gotten migraines on three different kinds of birth control pills, I know people who have never had a migraine and who have been taking these pills for far longer than I ever did.

Now barrier birth control is a different case. Here, I feel we can recommend what works best and not worry as much about an individual's hormones and chemistry interfering too much (ahh, but reactions to lube and spermicide...!).

Indeed, my 24-year-old sister has been using a diaphragm for about 6 months now. She has had no problems with it, and doesn't seem to find it awkward that you always have to fill it with spermicide, and insert it well before sex. I've used those Instead period cups before, and know how difficult they can be to get out, so I'm not so convinced by using a diaphram personally. But I'm not even kidding when I said we nearly lost her after she had a massive blood clot in her pulmonary artery after mere months on the Nuva-Ring. So she cannot take any kind of hormonal birth control anymore. But again, I want to stress that Nuva-Ring is not necessarily faulty, but that she had unknown blood problems that were exacerbated by this form of hormonal birth control. I think the Nuva-Ring is a great, easy option as you don't have to think about it every day.

Personally, I've taken three different kinds of pills. Damn, can I remember them? I know one was Ortho-Cyclen...I think that's all I remember. Estrovent? I think I'm making that up. One or two were generics anyway so weren't known by their popular names. It's been so many years. They all gave me migraines so I gave up trying to find one that worked.

I did the shot - Depo-Provera - for nearly a year, but it TOTALLY killed my libido. What the hell?! I wish it hadn't as it truly was the easiest option for me: See the doctor every three months for five minutes to get a shot. Never worry about anything in between.

Since I and my family have had such problems with hormonal birth control, I am currently sticking to ye olde barrier methods.

when I used it, I loved the NuvaRing too. except for the occasional game of "NuvaRing around the penis" it was the least annoying birth control method I've used

I use a combination of fertility awareness/condoms. Not a perfect system because it takes some tracking and record keeping, but it works for me. I have been contemplating the diaphragm for a while but fact that you have to use spermicide worries me.

I have tried four forms of horomonal BC in the past; two kinds of pills, the patch, and the nuvaring. All of them had such terrible side effects for me I couldn't handle it. So, I am wicked jealous of people for whom the nuvaring works, because it is so easy and not as bad as the pill. My lady bits just didn't like the thing, as in, swelled shut.

I hated being on the pill. It made me feel nauseated and would double my heart rate (and I'm not even a smoker). I was never very sexually active anyways, so I find that condoms are generally okay for how often I need them. However, right now, and not to give the crazy pro-abstinence freaks any leverage, I just prefer temporary celibacy sandwiched between my forty hour work week, full-time schedule at school, and running two political organizations. My dildo does it good enough to keep me moving along.

Until that last sentence I was gonna say "lesbianism." Lolocaust.

I use Seasonale birth control pills and I love them more than words can express. I've never really had a bad experience with the pill, luckily. They've all vastly improved my life over not being on it and the only side effects I've ever had were yeast infections with one pill (maybe. I'm still not sure the pill was the cause).

I also have a friend who loves her nuvaring. And she really used to love the patch, though I'm not sure why she ended up switching to the nuvaring-- maybe because of the health risks?

obviously, nothing works perfectly for everyone. But I've been on ortho-tricyclen lo for six years, love it, and have had no side effects and no pregnancy (knocking on a whole lot of wood)
(pun intended)

I'm a big fan of condoms (non-latex in my case; the latex irritate me during sex and cause ongoing yeast infections afterwards. Also, non-spermicidal--spermicide is caustic, and there's no proven benefit to it). They're easy, cheap, and they make the man think about birth control too, which I like.

The only other method I've tried was the diaphragm, which I hated. It was very inconvenient, a real pain. I was always trying to get it out in the bathroom of my office, and it was always a twenty-minute long sweat-fest during which I was convinced that this this time, the damn thing was in there for good, and I always ended up having to lie down on the nasty bathroom floor.

I used the patch, which was great, but after the health risks made me a little worried. I have used two different bc pills that I never had a problem with, except that it was a hassle to remember it every single day. Now I use NuvaRing, the best method ever. I only have to remember it twice a month and it doesn't interfere with my life.

I tried the nuvaring and I got the worst yeast infection of my life. I also tried the shot, but just couldn't live with out my period, which is the ultimate goal of the shot. It made me feel like like my body was working against me. To me there's nothing better than the pill.

Word to the NuvaRing love. That little thing is awesome.

I hate the pill. I can never remember to take it and it really chaps my ass to have to pay $45 per pack.

We just had a class in med school about contraception. The professor was completely wild about the progesterone infused IUD and the plastic rod infused with progesterone that they put under your skin somewhere. Apparently the failure rates are less than 0.01% and they are great at alleviating menstrual symptoms. And supposedly fertility comes back faster than with most of the other methods. She said that the IUDs weren't problematic anymore like they were in the 70s and that most of her patients who used them really liked them. I guess they're used all the time in Europe? I like the pill for myself now, but I worry that when my schedule gets crazy when I enter the clinics my third year of med school, that I won't be able to take it on time. I'm seriously considering the rod or the IUD.

I also have a friend who used Depo-Provera, and LOVES it, but I worry about reducing my bone density over the long run.

We just had a class in med school about contraception. The professor was completely wild about the progesterone infused IUD and the plastic rod infused with progesterone that they put under your skin somewhere. Apparently the failure rates are less than 0.01% and they are great at alleviating menstrual symptoms. And supposedly fertility comes back faster than with most of the other methods. She said that the IUDs weren't problematic anymore like they were in the 70s and that most of her patients who used them really liked them. I guess they're used all the time in Europe? I like the pill for myself now, but I worry that when my schedule gets crazy when I enter the clinics my third year of med school, that I won't be able to take it on time. I'm seriously considering the rod or the IUD.

I also have a friend who used Depo-Provera, and LOVES it, but I worry about reducing my bone density over the long run.

The form of BC we use is my vasectomy (which definitely won't work for you personally, and probably not in your relationship at this time).

Whatever you end up doing, I would recommend staying away from the pill Mircete. My wife used it for PCOS, and it caused severe vulvadynia. Painful sex for two years is a real turnoff.

I LOVE my copper IUD, Paraguard!!! I had a ton of trouble with hormonal birth control. Even nuvaring (which was the best out of all the hormonal methods) was a major problem for me---moody, no libido, headaches, etc. People need to know more about IUDs!!! While they are not for everyone, they are a great method that not enough people know about. The negative side effects--heavy periods and more cramps instantly make them a non-option for some (though the Mirena low hormonal IUD would potentially help with those symptoms), but they went away after 6 months for me. It's one of the cheapest methods, lasts for 10 years, don't have to think about it. I can't say enough how much I love my IUD.

Ha! EG - I had those experiences with the Instead menstrual cup. I know you're supposed to breathe deeply and "try to relax", but fuckin' hell, I have long fingers, and damn if that thing wasn't the most stressful event just to get out.

I can only assume the same would hold true for me and a diaphragm.

Maybe I just have a really long cervix! ;-)

I'm another IUD fan. I got mine last fall and love it: no worrying about pills or the side effects from hormones (since mine is of the copper variety). Anything with hormones gives me the crazies, even the NuvaRing. The downside is the painful insertion, but the worst pain only lasts a few minutes, with some cramping the same day and the next. May not be worth it for some women - especially if they have bad cramps already, I am fortunate not to - but it was better than the mood swings I was going through on the Pill.

Jen, my sister! The worst was trying to get it out while I was menstruating, and then on top of everything else, I had to worry about getting menstrual blood on my office clothing! I read the "breathe deeply and relax" stuff too, and all I can say is anyone who can relax while crammed into an office bathroom cubicle with her pants around her ankles and a line forming outside is probably dead.

The form of BC we use is my vasectomy (which definitely won't work for you personally, and probably not in your relationship at this time).

Whatever you end up doing, I would recommend staying away from the pill Mircete. My wife used it for PCOS, and it caused severe vulvadynia. Painful sex for two years is a real turnoff.

I LOVE my copper IUD, Paraguard!!! I had a ton of trouble with hormonal birth control. Even nuvaring (which was the best out of all the hormonal methods) was a major problem for me---moody, no libido, headaches, etc. People need to know more about IUDs!!! While they are not for everyone, they are a great method that not enough people know about. The negative side effects--heavy periods and more cramps instantly make them a non-option for some (though the Mirena low hormonal IUD would potentially help with those symptoms), but they went away after 6 months for me. It's one of the cheapest methods, lasts for 10 years, don't have to think about it. I can't say enough how much I love my IUD.

I've been on various types of pills for about five years now, with desogen being the latest. I really like it, but have been told recently that being on the pill plus having migraines with vision changes are quite the stroke risk factor.

Long story short, I'm considering getting an IUD, since I'll be entering med school in the fall and definitely don't want kids during the next five years or so. I'd be very interested to hear other people's experiences (especially with Mirena).

sorry for the double post:(

Depo Provera, been on it for many many years, never a problem. Poodle along to clinic four times a year, fight with nursey over my arse or my arm, arm wins, zap, ouch, no baybees, no side effects, no nuthin'.

I'm on Depo-Provera and I really dig it!
I don't seem to have any side effects, and I have almost non-existent spotting maybe every 2 months, otherwise, no periods, no nothing.
I was (vainly) worried about weight gain, but that doesn't seem to have happened.
I've been on it for about 8 months now, and I think I'll continue to use it for awhile, though the bone density issue is something I think about.

I have been on the regular Pill before, but because of my history of migraines I went off it, onto the mini (Progesterone only) Pill.

I got pregnant on the miniPill, even though I was very responsible with it.
So, that's not a method I'd recommend!

I have friends who love their IUD's, but I always had really bad period pain, so I didn't think it was for me.

By the way, how's that Male Pill coming along?
We've been hearing about it for so long, and yet, it's still not on the market...

I have two friends on Mirena. They love it. Less cramps and lighter periods because the hormones reduce the lining of the uterus. But they don't have the hormone problems they had while on the pill. Not as cheap as the copper IUD---it costs more up front and doesn't last as long, but still a good deal. Insertion is kinda painful--but not as bad as an abortion. IUDs have the highest rates of satisfaction of all contraceptive methods.

Actually, I just remembered, I do have a slight side effect from Depo-Provera, and that is occasional vaginal dryness. Nothing a little bit of lube can't fix though...
(Wow, I'm telling feministing stuff only my partner and my doctor know!)

I'm using abstinence right now because my luck with dating is awful, I'm on a spironolactone-derived pill to treat my PCOS (and it is helpful with those symptoms) but I'm not sure I'd trust it for contraception, I plan to use a condom when I lose my virginity, and I'm looking forward to a tubal ligation.

I had a horrible reaction to the patch... my period stopped for weeks, and then started again during an exam and continued for weeks. My doctor asked me if I could have been pregnant, but I hadn't had sex.

I've been on the pill for a few years, but maybe I'll ask about Mirena next time I see my doctor. I don't plan on having kids in the next 8-10 years, anyway, if I ever have them.

My favorite BC method is NuvaRing. I have been on the pill and on the patch. The patch was by far the worst. I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive.
But I love the ring. It has weirded out some boyfriends, but I love it.

I am in week two of having a Mirena IUD. The pills give me the crazies and Depo made my hair fall out. I wanted to get fixed but the doctor convinced me to try an IUD instead. The insertion was HORRIBLE and I've had a lot of pain and spotting since and I've been very moody and ravenously hungry. I've heard that these symptoms go away within a few months. Does anyone have any experience with Mirena? I'm tempted to have it pulled out but I also feel like I should give it more time. I'd appreciate hearing about other's experiences.

I'm all about the plain old pill plus condoms, personally. I hate sticking stuff up there and am COMPLETELY FREAKED OUT at the idea of having to dig for something to get it out... I don't even like tampons (which is why I use my pills to skip my periods -- and it's AWESOME). I've been on Yasmin for about three and a half years, never had any problems whatsoever.

Trixie - Depo made your hair fall out?!
Jeebus, that sounds rough.
Also, I think maybe you should go back to the doctor, your side effects don't sound good.
I've never had an IUD, but anything that causes you a lot of pain can't be good for you....

I LOVE my Mirena IUD! I haven't had any problems with the low hormone dose, which I was a bit worried about after my experience with the pill. And in my case, a very light and infrequent period! Yay!

Insertion was painful and the first week was pretty painful. Also, my first few periods afterwards were extra crampy and heavy and long. It was all worth it though. Now I don't have to think about BC, I spend very little money on menstrual products, I don't miss days to cramps, and I'm not crazy from the higher hormones in other methods.

I used the NuvaRing and liked it well enough at first... until it started giving me yeast infections nearly every single month. Gross. I also think it decreased my libido and have other friends who think it did the same to them.

Now I always use condoms but I'm leaning toward getting an IUD soon, too.

I've been using orthotricycline lo for about four years now and I have not had a single problem. It even had me down to getting my period at 6 pm on tuesday of my off week. However, I realize I am in the minortity in that the hormone's do not seem to fuck with my system too much. I do have a friend who has the IUD. Her and her husband are active in the Marine's and they didn't want to throw a kid into the mix. She loves it and recommends it to anyone she can.

BEST: I use the Paragard IUD, and have for 6 years now. I've been fortunate enough to experience no side-effects: no extra cramping, no extra bleeding, and no pregnancies.

WORST: I hated the pill for numerous reasons: it killed my libido, gave me "morning sickness" (which could happen at any time of the day or night, of course), made me bleed like crazy; I could never remember to take it on time, it was expensive, and it was inconvenient and prohibitively expensive to have to go back to my OB/GYN every year for a new prescription (no health insurance).

LOVE LOVE LOVE my Paraguard IUD. No hormones works for me!

I love my NuvaRing. They even have a little computer application you can download that pops up when it's time to insert and remove it. I've been on it for about a year and a half. I haven't had any side effects, and I've never missed an insertion/removal. That's saying something, as I'm the most absent-minded person in the world.

LOVE LOVE LOVE my Paraguard IUD. No hormones works for me!

Not to mention nothing to think about or buy for 10 years.

My favorite's been Seasonale, which I'm on now, but since you're looking for alternatives to the pill, I guess that doesn't really help you.

I would definitely not recommend the patch though. I got incredibly sick every week when I would put a new patch on.

I'm really happy with my Mirena. I had pretty serious cramps for a couple of weeks and spotting for almost a month, but after that it was completely unnoticeable. I had horrible reactions to various pills, but the low-dose hormone hasn't affected me at all. I would recommend it to everybody who can handle the insertion pain.

I was (and am) absolutely in love with the NuvaRing, but like Leann, I started having the horrible monthly-vaginitis side effect. Which, incidentally, if I may hijack the thread, has continued even though this is my second month on Yasmin (which is fine; I don't like having to think about a pill every morning, but my body seems pretty impervious to changing different hormonal BC methods).

Has anyone else had something that feels like a yeast infection, but when the doctor takes a culture, doesn't show yeast at all? This has been going on for nearly a year. My doctor has taken about four cultures in the last three months, looking for both yeast and bacteria, and everything has come up clean. (But my vagina winds up irritated and painful the week before my period, without fail).

Sorry for the thread derailment.