What form of birth control do you use (currently) and why?

[Rogue Robot]

A thread like this hasn't been done for some time, so why not make a new one?

I've made the poll so that you can choose multiple options.

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For me, I've had my IUD going on 2 years this coming August. I decided to go off of the pill for numerous reasons (mostly financial and not wanting to be on hormones). I've had some complications as discussed in the IUD threads, but as someone who doesn't want kids, it's the best option for me at this time.

 

[barnstable84]

I use Implanon because of the fact i'm terrible at remembering to take a pill every day at the same time. When my guy and I got together, I didn't want to risk our early relationship on falling pregnant accidentally if a condom broke or something just because i'm crap at remembering to have my pill.

I'm now on my second implant and almost ready for my third one... but we're really considering a baby, so who knows at this point?

 

[melquiades]

Condoms. My conscious feels more comfortable if the girl is also on birth control though.

 

[Sweet P]

None. Can't get pregnant, nor can I make anyone pregnant.

 

[hellkitten]

None, can't get pregnant. I'm female and I've been with my boyfriend for 6+ months so we retired condoms and he gets to bust inside. Excellent for all involved.

 

[Pillthrill]

Depo.
I get super bad cramps and other nasty symptoms so the depo send me back to before I had to deal with all that. I haven't had a period in years.
However I will soon be losing my health insurance so I'm going to have to switch to the Implant (Implanon), lets hope it works just as well.

 

[Rogue Robot]

I added "none" to the poll. Sorry guys and gals.

 

[exarkann]

my SO uses the nuvaring and when we engage with others male condoms are used.

 

[silentangst]

My SO uses the pill, or soon will. Too many scares have turned us off condoms lol.

 

[precision]

I use the pill... Alesse to be exact Though I wouldn't mind being able to go hormone free at some point but I'm not a big fan of condoms or many of the other options

 

[WhatisMDMA]

I use condoms, pull-out method when I'm not in a fertile stage of my cycle, and I've used emergency contraception three times (each time, the side effects are worse and it can be quite scary...if I have to use it again, I'm going on the pill. 3 pills over 4 years time.)

I don't want to become moody or gain weight...I'd like to get my SO snipped but we may have little ones someday.

 

[Pillthrill]

I use Implanon because of the fact i'm terrible at remembering to take a pill every day at the same time. When my guy and I got together, I didn't want to risk our early relationship on falling pregnant accidentally if a condom broke or something just because i'm crap at remembering to have my pill.

I'm now on my second implant and almost ready for my third one... but we're really considering a baby, so who knows at this point?

If you don't mind me asking, do you still have a period on the implant?
I know everyone is different though.
Unlike a lot of people I react VERY well to the depo. 0 side effects.
Birth control has always been a good thing for me. Keeps me more stable, in less pain and even helps my skin!

 

[_a_A_C_c_]

i have a copper IUD. i have had it for 5 years, i enjoy not having to worry about birth control. it was somewhat of a hassle to get because it wasn't covered by insurance and doctor's were weary that i have not given birth. but i can't take any hormonal birth control so there were not many options. i am very glad that IUD's are becoming a more viable option for women in the US.

 

[InvisibleEye]

it was somewhat of a hassle to get because it wasn't covered by insurance and doctor's were weary that i have not given birth.

+1

I have never been able, in Canada, to get a copper IUD, because doctors (all of my gynecologists were men) are ideologically driven to believe that a woman's ultimate goal is to bear children. I am so fed up with this shit. When my bf goes to the doctor, he's not even asked about how many partners he's had in the past year, even when he goes for a routine STD test. This is BEYOND ME. I've learned to spell the word p-a-t-r-i-a-r-c-h-y the day I learned this. Women do not receive the same treatment as men whenever it comes to their sexual health.

In my case, doctors (not one, four!!) stopped prescribing me the hormonal birth-control pill because «at 30 it might not be the safest choice for you»!!!!! Even though I had quit smoking at the time I last asked for it, was in good health and had the same partner for YEARS. These fuckers make me sick. Sorry for the rambling. Let me get hold of some matches and burn my fucking bra now.

 

[Pillthrill]

Uh that is ridiculous! We have the right to choose!
I wish I had some advice that could help you out! But I'm not in Canada...
l Canadian women, ideas?

 

[_a_A_C_c_]

^i was so frustrated when i was trying to get an IUD. i had my hemotologist call my gyno to explain to her how dangerous it was for me to continue with hormonal birth control. my gyno's solution was to use condoms or take a blood thinner (to negate the risk of blood clots). being in my mid twenties and in a committed relationship, i did not agree with either option. i ended up at planned parenthood because they actually listened to my situation.

 

[Rogue Robot]

It was a hassle for me to even get mine at Planned Parenthood, truth be told. I had to see 3 nurses at different locations until I found one willing to send me to the appropriate clinic.

 

[rant*N*rave]

I'm currently on NuvaRing (and loving it) and my partner also pulls out (although, frankly, having studied reproduction to the point of insanity, I know it's pretty irrelevant because all it takes is one sperm... I just stick to the theory that the fewer sperm that get in, the better). I have used emergency contraception once, and I had no side effects and did not get pregnant.

I'm planning on getting an IUD (if I can find a doctor who will put one in me - I have not had any children yet) if all goes to plan and I move in with my boyfriend this summer. I hate that he has to pull out, but I just don't trust hormonal birth control 100%. I have MASSIVE breakthrough bleeding, pretty much a full-out period, from time to time because I'm on hormones 24/7 (for endometriosis, massive pain and other PMS shit, etc.), so I know full well that an egg could sneak out during one of those hormone surges. I break out like I'm effing 14 again and get all moody and manic. It sucks.

 

[queenbee1127]

I use the pill and have for years, never had a pregnancy scare or used the morning after pill.
I originally got on it for my skin (as I have said in other threads, it was the ONLY thing that helped me) but now that I am in a serious, monogamous relationship the ability for him to come inside me and not having to mess with condoms is glorious.

I am interested in getting an IUD, just to make my chances of pregnancy even smaller, but like others have said, it is hard to find a doctor who will put it in because I haven't had a child. When I discussed it with my doctor, she wasn't as concerned with the fact that I haven't had a child as much as how long I was planning on being with my current partner. She said that IUD's are ideal for people in long term relationships but if I planned on having multiple partners in the next 5-7 years my chance for PID would go up

 

[ayjay]

Currently using condoms - very strict now since birth of second child 4 years ago. It's a bit of a drag and I'm starting to organise a vasectomy - hopefully in next few months! It's a bit exciting - haven't had no-condom sex for a VERY long time...