Birth Control Options… *sigh*
This morning I had a consultation with my midwife/naturopathic doctor to discuss the possibility of having an IUD inserted. Being on “The Pill” isn’t really the healthiest option for someone at a high risk of developing breast cancer. Considering my maternal grandmother died from it at the tragic young age of 36… yeah, you can only imagine why I’m in that “high risk” category.
You know, while I really like a lot of what I hear about the IUD, I am not sure that it’s the right birth control option for me. Upon examination, she found that my (very) retroverted uterus would make insertion either extremely difficult or altogether impossible, so trying to have it put in would be a bit of a shot in the dark in the first place. Considering it’s not a comfortable procedure in the first place, I kind of cringed when I heard her say, “To be honest, I’m pretty concerned that I won’t be able to insert it, but I’m not going to say we can’t try“. Oh, the pain. I can just imagine. She couldn’t even feel the top of my uterus with one hand pressing up against my cervix internally and the other digging down uncomfortably externally. How the hell we’d get my uterus in the correct position to get the damn thing up there is one of those scenarios I’d rather not imagine.
Then there are the other negative possibilities: if in the miraculous event she was indeed able to get the thing in that baby-bearing sack of mine, there’s the chance that it could cause heavier menstrual periods and more severe cramping. I don’t like that. I already deal with painful cramping, and I like the fact that I have a naturally light and short cycle to sort of make up for the uncomfortableness of it. Also, two little nylon removal strings will forever sprout from my cervix if I do indeed have an IUD placed. Considering my cervix is low enough for me to easily feel, I have a feeling I’d find this annoying.
Arg.
I was really hoping I’d walk away from that appointment completely sold on this particular birth control option. While I absolutely love the convenience and of taking The Pill, I don’t like the fact that it puts me at a higher risk for cancer. And condoms… well, they absolutely suck. I hate how much they decrease my own sensitivity in addition to James’, and I find they really seem to irritate my skin and yeast problems down south. Blah blah blah, I know I’m just whining now. Deal with it.
I freaking hate dealing with fertility. It’s a bitch.
Our best option is probably just going ahead and doing the vasectomy, but James and I are both, well, a bit hesitant. Do we want more babies? HELL NO. However, I’m only 28 years old. What if, by some Divine Intervention, I become more mentally stable in the future and desperately want another child? Chances are slim, but we feel uncomfortable snipping the baby batter tubes while we are as young as we are.
Really, using the ovulation method is the best form of birth control for me to use… but the whole “abstinence” thing during fertile times is a no-go if James and I want to heal our already stressed-to-the-max sexual issues. Ugh. Life would be much simpler if I’d become a nun.
I hate this kind of shit.
Current Mood:
Confused
Kathryn-the-Great said,
January 27, 2010 @ 1:11 pm
That is odd about being high risk for breast cancer… only because we’re related and I’ve been on the pill for years and that is the first I’ve heard about that. I’ve been to a few different gynos, midwives and nurse pratitioners over the years, I’ve always told them my grandmother died of breast cancer at a young age since they always ask, and not one of them ever mentioned to me that being on birth control was a risk to me because of that. Maybe you should get a second opinion… Just a thought.
Mia said,
January 27, 2010 @ 1:31 pm
I don’t know about the uterus option, but as for my cramping and bleeding, both have gone down significantly with the IUD. Everyone’s different though, so you would be taking a risk…*if* she could get it in. I’m with Kath on the breast cancer, I’ve never heard of BCP increasing risk. I’ve actually heard the opposite, the only thing I’ve heard is that if you smoke, it increases your chance of heart disease.
Tamra said,
January 27, 2010 @ 2:41 pm
Here, ladies… question #2 refers to the link between BCPills and breast cancer.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/oral-contraceptives
Not like a huge risk, but I’ve been warned by 3 health professionals in the last two months of the link.
Mia said,
January 27, 2010 @ 2:45 pm
huh, interesting, hadn’t heard that. With all of the risks involved with them, I’m thankful for my little metal thing
Devin said,
January 27, 2010 @ 3:09 pm
Aren’t vasectomies reversible? I know that’s not a 100%, but you could discuss with your doctors the possibilites of having a vasectomy reversed later on if you guys change your minds. Hopefully you figure something out, good luck!
Mandie said,
January 27, 2010 @ 4:00 pm
What about the implanon it goes in your arm so no retroverted issues there…
Karley said,
January 27, 2010 @ 4:25 pm
I recommend the Mirena IUD wholeheartedly. I have cardiovascular issues and a strong family history of stroke and breast cancer, so I cannot be on the Pill either.
I also had severe cramping and bleeding, which ruled out the copper IUD (Paragard).
I have had Mirena for 4 years. It has been wonderful. It was tolerable–not much worse than a Pap smear and my periods are so, so light and my cramps are much less severe.
I like that it is completely reversible if we change our minds. When the 5 years is up, I plan to get another. Plus my insurance covered it! Best of luck to you on this personal decision.
Tamra said,
January 27, 2010 @ 4:49 pm
Thanks, everyone, for your thoughtful responses. Hearing what you have to say is actually really helpful.
May I ask… does anyone have a retroverted uterus and an IUD, and if so, how painful was the insertion?
Rikki said,
January 27, 2010 @ 5:40 pm
I was going to suggest the implanon as well. I hope you can get it figured out somehow, sometime fertility is a pain-in-ass
Oh also Bryan and I use these condoms called Trojan Ecstasy and the are wonderful. I swear I can’t feel the difference and Bryan says the same thing so maybe give those a try.
Devin said,
January 27, 2010 @ 6:26 pm
I second the Trojan Ecstasy! I can feel the difference … espcially since I enjoy sex with no condoms a lot more … but the difference is less defined and almost as enjoyable as condom-less. They’re the next best thing to nothing! Lol.
amy koepke said,
January 27, 2010 @ 6:53 pm
TAMRA, I understand! I had an IUD placed and I have a retroverted uterus also! What they did for me is my doctor did an ultrasound to navigate where the hell my uterus ran off to in some odd place in my body. she went in with her fingers and figured out how to straighten it in the least painful way possible. I know you are afraid of the pain of putting it in with a messed up angle (as was I) but the procedure took about 5 minutes, in and out. It was not as painful as I imagined, and Im sure after giving birth you will think its a piece of cake. It just felt like a contraction. Anyway, 30 mins after the IUD insertion it didnt hurt at all and I havent felt pain since.
GET MIRENA. Thats what I have and its a miracle. It never hurts, and as far as the 2 little strings go, your doctor can curl them up and they will never hurt you or james (Tim had complains before my Dr curled the strings that they were sharp and painful on him so make sure you specify). I used to cramp as well, and all the BS youve been told about cramping getting worse and periods heavier isnt realistic. Everyone I know has said the same. I stopped getting my periods all together after about 6 months and I dont cramp anymore which is lovely. So have many of my friends with mirena.
Hope that helped. I know what its like to be taking such a big shot in the dark, but my situation was the same as yours and I am so glad I got Mirena. Its nice to never think about birth control and be able to do whatever you want without worried whether or not youre a fertile mertle.
Amy
Tamra said,
January 27, 2010 @ 7:18 pm
Oh Amy, thank you so much for your reply (and I had no idea you were reading my blog- LOL!). The Mirena actually seemed to be the better option out of the two for me personally, so I am really glad to hear about your experience.
crazynursingstudent said,
January 27, 2010 @ 7:43 pm
I was going to recommend the Implanon to you. I saw that done over the summer. It’s a small stick looking thing that they insert under the skin in your arm. You can’t feel it and no one can see it. They numb you before they put it in, so it’s not painful. It lasts for years, and the girl I knew that had it put it was really pleased with it.
Also, when I shadowed a midwife this summer I saw an IUD placement. It seemed very painful to me, but once it was in, people seemed pleased.
My fiance and I used Trojan Ultra-Thin for a long time. They were great!
Hope you find what works best for you.
LC said,
January 28, 2010 @ 7:42 am
Tamra,
Naturally I am speaking from my own perspective, but the vasectomy that my hubby had years ago — was the best thing for us. It was a quick procedure and after it’s done — no worries.
We only have one child, but I had some serious complications after kiddo was born – and decided to be happy with the miracle that we have.
The doc (at the time) who did the big V for hubby usually would not do a V for a couple with 1 child (when the female was under 30), but after reviewing the medical situation, he performed the V – no problem.
This was a route that worked well for us — quick procedure, quick recovery time and back in the sack — no side affects or worries.
Just my 2 cents, I hope you don’t mind me chiming in.
LC
Tamra said,
January 28, 2010 @ 9:33 am
LC… of course I don’t mind you chiming in
. I really appreciate hearing your perspective! James and I have been discussing the big V for awhile… honestly, that would probably be the best-case scenario for us as well. Stupidly, though, I think deep down, I really want one more baby at some point. This has got to be a completely biological urge, though, because there is no way I actually want to deal with another newborn- LOL! My doc actually recommended freezing sperm and going right ahead with the V… and I kind of like that idea a lot. It would certainly take a TON of pressure off of me!
Rosanne said,
January 28, 2010 @ 5:47 pm
And related to what Amy was saying – if your doctor doesn’t feel comfortable about the IUD insertion with the retroverted uterus – find a doctor who IS!
Kimberlee said,
January 29, 2010 @ 4:38 pm
Tamra –
Ok…here’s my two bits.
I have the Mirena. I love it. My periods used to be VERY irregular and some lasted up to a month…now…I haven’t had one in probably a year! Its been nice! I don’t have an inverted uterus or what not…but my doctor did have some issues getting mine in. I wouldn’t call it painful…but it wasn’t a walk in the park either and I spotted for the next day or so.
As for another option…no one has mentioned it here yet. http://www.essure.com/ Essure is offered at my doctor’s office. From what I read on the little pamphlet…its a tiny spring that they wiggle up (somehow) into your fallopian tube one at a time. Soon the fallopian tube grows into the spring cutting off the flow of eggs…hence no more pregnancies. Its permanent…so no going back…but if you guys are thinking about that…its an option. I think I’m going to get that when I’m done with my IUD in 2.5 years and ready for a new one. The Essure is a 30 minute procedure and they give you something to relax but you’re awake for it and then you stay for about an hour afterwards to just make sure you’re settled then they kick you loose.
Hope that helps!!
Kimberlee
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