Birth Control - Leechburg, PA

I would look into either Paraguard (the copper iud) or Mirena (plastic IUC). Both last 5 years-- Paraguard is totally hormone-free, but can lead to very heavy periods, Mierena (which I have) has a tiny bit of hormone (way less than pills, etc) and I haven't had a period since I had it put in 14 months ago. The Nuva Ring (which has a low amount of hormones too) might be another option, and the new diaphrams (totally hormone free) are supposed to be more convenient, though I haven't used it. Talk to your gyno-- there are TONS of options.

The old joke is "you know what you call people who practice natural family planning? Mom." It CAN be effective, if your biology is very regular and you are VERY, VERY careful about it, but if it would be a disaster for you to have another kid, I would use it in conjunction with another method... best of luck.

Hello, I have used Ortho Cyclen-28 for the past 3 years and have found it to be the best I have used yet. I had problems with side effects as well and this one has very little. I am on a schedule to within an hour of knowing when my period is due and when it will end! Hope this helps!

The other ladies are talking about Natural Family planning (NFP). There is a book, The art of Natural Family planning and there are classes all over to teach you and your husband how to do it. It is a faith based program which you and your husband may or may not enjoy.

Medication doesn't sit will with my so this is what my husband and I use.

The pros are that it is totally natural and it gets you in touch with your body. The program encourages communication between you and your husband too. The cons are that you have to abstain from sex on the days that you are fertile (and therefore more likely to want to have sex).

Most of the people I know who use the method have condoms on the side for those fertile days where you still want to be romantic and don't want another baby (the class won't teach you that). I hope that helps.

I am not allowed to use birth control, due to high blood pressure etc. I am also sensitive to something in condoms. I have not used any form of birth control in about 12 years. (and planned the 2 babies in that time) I wanted to let you know that if you know your own body and you are careful you will be fine. I do not take my temp or anything. I just have a regular cycle and i know the days to be extra careful. Yes, withdraw is a big part of our method...and yes i am probably going to be judged. My point in writing was to let you know that if you are not allowed, you are not alone and it is possible to monitor yourself.

I will put the issue of religion aside because i do not believe that has any place in a Mom blog. I am currently using the Mirena. It is an incredible form of birth control that is put in by your doctor and can stay in place as long as 5 years. You do not have to do anything. There are little to no side effects and at times i have forgotten i have it in. I would ask your Ob/Gyn about it. Like i said it is excellent and i have recommended it quite a few times. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

I recently switched to Seasonique. It is a 3 month birth control pill, and I have had no problems and no side effects. My family has medical problems just like yours (diabetes, heart disease ect) and the doctor said this would be good for me to take. And a added bonus, only 4 periods a year! You can also go to their website they offer special promotions for new perscriptions.

I just had this conversation with my GYN. She recommended a low estrogen BCP. She also stressed that many of the risks associated with BCP are amplified greatly by smoking. Hope this helps.

If you are worried about preg, and are scared about side effects of birth control...then why dont you try Family planning. Most hospitals(esp catholic) will offer these. I am from PA, and I am near a hospital that offers them. I am sure there are books also. Basicly it is just observing your bodies natural ways, and avoiding the sex around fertal times. It will help you, and condoms help during this process. I have never been on birth control, and I preacticed this for 6 years before trying to concieve. This method of family planning helps to avoid, and promote babies....Google it....Thats all I can really say...
ADDED: This is not about religion...this is about....The idea behind natural family planning is very simple. A woman is fertile for only about 100 to 120 hours during a month. Let's call this time period the "window of fertility." By avoiding sexual intimacy during the window of fertility, pregnancy can be avoided. This method can also help achieve pregnancy by understanding the fertility cycle better and learning when the probability of concieving is highest. The question that various natural family planning methods are trying to answer is "How do I determine exactly when the window of fertility starts and ends?" If the window could be determined with 100% accuracy, then natural family planning would be a nearly perfect birth control method. However, the window can only be estimated (estimated though with high probability). To determine the window of fertility, these methods use such things as temperature, mucus, and cervical changes. That si what I meant....Thank you

The best thing would be to talk to your OB/GYN about what's best for your medical history but, I highly recommend either Mirena (IUC) or the NuvaRing. I have been on both - NuvaRing pre-pregnancy and Mirena currently and feel totally comfortable and trustworthy of the products. My doctor highly recommended the Mirena for moms because you don't have to think about it, it's low hormone, I've personally had NO SIDE EFFECTS (beyond cramping on the day it was inserted - totally normal) it really controls/eliminates your periods, is totally safe, and it's good for 5 years and can be re-administered after 5 years are up. When I used the NuvaRing, it had little to no side effects as well and it really helped me to plan down to the day when I would begin my period. If you're interested in Mirena, talk to your doctor and check with your insurance company because some don't want to cover it.

Iud perhaps i am considering it because i am 44

This is a good medical question, and a really good one to ask your doctor.