Birth Control Options

[cdavidson52809]

Ok, so I want to switch my birth control to the Mirena again but I am a little skeptical because last time I had it a few months and I started getting abscesses on the inside. After my surgery I started getting them on the outside. I tried the patch but my periods were horrible and I was allergic to the sticky stuff. I am now on the Nuvaring but I feel really achy all the time. I just started the Nuvaring like a week ago. My question is, has anyone had the same experience with the Mirena or have their doctors told them that Mirena is the best option for birth control? I don't want to take pills because I take so much now.

 

[SarahBear]

Hi, cdavidson.

I just started the Nuvaring three weeks ago, and I've been a little achey as well. However, it's pretty common to have mild side effects at first - I expect this will go away after my body adjusts to the new medication. I'm running out of options, so I'm going to try to make it work.

I haven't tried Mirena, as my GYN said it doesn't often work well for women who haven't yet had children. Apparently, it commonly comes loose / falls out unless the uterus has been stretched a little.

You could try the shot, Depo-Provera or the implant. The two are actually the same hormone, so there's no difference - the shot is just easier. The only downside of these is that after two years, the hormone (progestin) causes an increased risk of osteoporosis. Unfortunately, we're already at a greater risk for this because of IBD itself and steroid use. If Nuvaring doesn't work for me, I'll have to try Depo-Provera.

There are also chewable pills, which might be less of a nuisance than regular pills. I tried one (Generess Fe) that was mint flavored, and just tasted like a piece of candy. Unfortunately, my insurance wouldn't cover it so I had to move on from that.

 

[Novice]

I take the depo injection. I take it once every three months an for me it has stopped my periods for me it's been a god send as period cramps + crohns was hell. Can't say if I have had any funny side effects from it cos usually everything I experience is usually blamed on the crohns lol!

I hope you find something that works for you.

 

[prettykitty]

I have not had problems with the Mirena. I am on my second one. I also have not had children -- it works fine for women who have not had children, it's just more difficult for the GYN to insert it through the cervix because the cervix has not previously been dilated.

But I won't lie -- it REALLY hurts going in. I think when my 5 years are up on this one I'll try the implant.

 

[lgpcarter]

I am also on my second Mirena. The first one I had inserted before I had a child and the second one after. The way I understood it was that they were more difficult/painful to insert before everything has been stretched out by a giant baby head! I had the first on in the full 5 years with no issues. Second one I had put in in February after having a baby and insertion was so much easier. No periods and no side effects either time. No abscesses (though I have had them in other spots).

I did Depo for three years and it was awful. My blood pressure rose, sex drive plummeted and beware if you are on steroids, because Depo also steals calcium from your bones. You may not get these side effects, though, so it might be worth trying if the Mirena was the cause of the abscesses.

 

[mish2575]

I have Mirena. I like it but it does contain hormones which can sometimes exasperate Crohns symptoms or other manifestational diseases (such as my Hidradentitis). I would recommend the copper IUD (dont know the name). I guess there is more chance you'll get a regular period and cramping which you dont get with mirena but if you didnt have issues with them before i dont think there will be an INCREASE in these symptoms.

 

[LindaS]

I had a mirena years ago, I loved it. Unfortunately, I had recurrent yeast infections with it. As soon as it was removed, I stopped getting them. Now we use condoms. Not ideal, but my husband refuses to get snipped, and I figure for a man, it is much less invasive surgery.

 

[AlliRuns]

I'm on Alesse and I have never had an issue, but now I'm reading stuff about oral contraceptives being linked to Crohn's and wondering if I should stop taking it. I've been abstinent for a year and a half, so not worried about pregnancy, I just continue to take it because I take 4 packs in a row so I have less periods.

 

[ctrl z]

I just started Depo on the 1st. I don't have any absorption problems so I'm not that worried about bone loss, but it is a concern. My main issue is that I'm now freaking out because I started reading more about it and have found nothing but hordes of women with terrible side effects, such as constantly bleeding. It would be nice to hear from some women here that use it and aren't living a horror story.