Ok, you had your warning. I've debated posting about this for a while, but I figure that this is part of my life and I have a number of readers who are actually interested in this topic. This isn't going to be graphic, but it is going to have to do with uterus and birth control so if that makes you squeemish, stop reading now and instead go to my new favorite blog Dying For Chocolate. I will continue to post on this issue from time to time, during which I will include a warning (see above) in the title.
As every women, and most men, know: birth control is a pain in the ass. Barrier methods have plastically or chemically side effects. Fertility cycles get you away from hormones and chemicals, and are much more effective than the old school rhythm methods, but require extremely anal attention to cervical mucus, body temperature, and or a fertility computer to make sure that you are infertile. Finally, the old and easy method of the hormonal birth control pill (and ring, and patch) is not without side effects. Having been on the pill (or ring or patch, seriously, I've tried them all), I started to become increasingly concerned after the release of C. Penzer's 2006 study on hormonal birth control and loss of libido (published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine). I haven't had the other physical side effects (except for one pill my soph. year of college that gave me intense salt cravings - any college readers will remember my Round Table Pizza garlic bread obsession to fill the salt/butter/garlic cravings - got off that one before I outgrew all my clothes..), I'm really unhappy with the pill acting as a ever tightening vice on libido. Ever birth control method has the wonderful advantage of preventing you (or your partner) from getting pregnant, but there are always compromises. And for the most part, it's the woman who makes them (guys, I hear you on the condoms, or the diaphragm rash, I know it's not easy for you, but most women I know do go the "well he hates condoms, so it's the pill for me" route. Although I wonder how many relationships would decide not to go the pill route if it really does squash your libido...)
Now that I'm almost 30, have been on the pill for 12 going on 13 years, and am feeling the effects on my body and watching others struggle to regain fertility after going off the pill, I want off the hormones. I still don't want to get pregnant, but I have no idea what I'm like being non-hormonally regulated- which leaves me with fertility rhythms, barrier, or the IUD. Barriers have the problem of, well, the barrier. And I'm not crazy about the failure rate. As one Physician's Assistant informed me, "well, they have about a 12-25% failure rate, but you're married and almost 30 and getting pregnant wouldn't be the end of your world". Yeah, try telling that to my dissertation.... pregnancy is not an option. I'm not awake enough in the morning to track my fertility, so I've decided to get a IUD inserted. I think it's funny that as my friends are getting pregnant, or trying to get pregnant, I'm getting something installed that can prevent pregnancy for 10 years (hmm, do I tell my MIL and dad's wife (the baby happy one)...).
So, I'll be writing about this from time to time. This is mainly for my lady friends (and their understanding partners). Hell, I'd do much more exciting-sexually related-item reviews if I could, but I want to keep this blog somewhat professional. I'm going to have the Paraguard IUD installed the last week of July and make my transition off hormones. I'm totally open to the possibility that I will hate it and want back on the pill b/c it does do great things in terms of moodiness, acne prevention, light periods, etc. - but I want to try. I'm going to blog about it from time to time b/c I think the IUD has a really bad reputation in the states (one not shared by Europe, Africa, or much of the rest of the world). I'll talk about the experience, the pros and cons and what I feels like going from pill to no pill. If this works well for us, it's a good option to know about b/c paraguard is one of the few birth control methods you can use while breast feeding - which although not in my near future, considering I want 2 kids will be in my future at some point. My biggest concern is figuring out the string (no poking please), but that's about it. I'll let you know how it goes.
Interesting. I'd like to know about any side effects, including with monthly cycles.
ReplyDeleteI asked my nurse friend (my high school best friend who is still a close friend) told me that the IUD has a come a long way in the last 10-15 years, so I think it's great you're trying it.
She is also a history nerd and told me that when they first started doing tests with the pill in the early 20th century they did it on both women and men. Two men in the study claimed their testicles shrank and a dozen women died. They decided to only continue the study on women. Sigh.
There are two: mirena and Paraguard. Mirena uses Progestin to thin the uterine walls and prevent egg implantation. They think the copper in the Paraguard kills the sperm, but are not 100% sure - just that it works. Women have had problems of heavier bleeding and cramping with paraguard, so they put the progestin in Mirena to stop the heavier bleeding and cramping (worse in women who are heavy bleeders/crampers usually). You do ovulate with both of them - but Mirena does have some hormonal side effects (loss of libido, weight gain, etc - just at lower levels), a trade off for women who would happily trade the bleeding/cramping for reduced libido (b/c really, where is your libido when you are doubled over in pain). We decided to go with the Paraguard b/c I don't have a history of heavy bleeding/cramping and I want off the hormones completely. I'll keep you updated :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you decided to take the plunge and make the post. It's good for women to share these things and learn from each other.
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