Ok, here's my dilemma... I am not really big on any of the BC I've used before, but my periods come every 24 days, and are miserable. I want to go on something to shorten/stop them, ASAP, but Depo is out (bad experiences), and I'm not sure what my other options are. What BC have you used, especially BC that helps with heavy periods, and what side effects did you experience? I hated the patch, and it didn't really help at all with cycles, and haven't been on the pill before, but I really want to do something. I'm considering Seasonale... anyone use it? Also, since I'm on my cycle, can I start midcycle if I do a Sunday start? I don't want to go through this again next month!! What are my options here? We aren't done having kids, so we're looking for temporary options only. TIA!!!

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 09:37 pm:

Nuva Ring!!! I'm a huge supporter of this one! I never used it for birth control. I'm fixed! hehe! But I did use it for my endometriosis. I can't use the pill because I am ultra sensitive to hormones. The Nuva Ring was better because there are fewer hormones and they don't go through your system because you aren't ingesting them. You place the Ring in once a month and forget about it. Take it out for your monthly period. Actually, my dr. had me immediately replace my old ring with a new one for four months so I only had a period once every four months.

I can't sing its praises enough! LOVED it!

By Tink on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 10:14 pm:

Oh, that sounds heavenly, Adena! I may have to speak to my doctor about that. I'm "fixed" but my periods have been so much worse since I had my tubes tied that I spend the two weeks before dreading the day Aunt Flo arrives. One period every four months sounds incredible.

By Kittycat_26 on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 07:28 am:

After I had Timmy, the pill (regardless of how many we tried) just never worked. I had alot of break through and was getting agitated. My doc recommended an IUD and it worked like a charm for me. After about 3 months, my periods stopped altogether (though not everyone's do). I had it in for almost a year and a half before I had it removed. Not because of any problems, we just decided to let nature take its course.

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 07:35 am:

I had problems with the pill and didn't want the aggravation of a diaphragm, so I used IUD's for a number of years.

BUT - they are not for everyone! It's very painful to have one inserted, and my periods were very heavy with more cramping with them, but that also *could* have been partially to having endometriosis. I don't even know how many different types are on the market. At one time there was an IUD with hormones in it, but I've never used that particular type.

Crystal, if I were you, I'd give the pill a try.

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 08:20 am:

I've been on the pill and only the pill for 11 years. I love it because it's easy for me to do...before kids I set my alarm and took it at the same time every single day. Now I take it at night before I go to bed. The pill is jsut a no-brainer for me, but I know some people that just can't remember it and then they get into trouble.

What I don't like about the pill: the moodiness! The hormone swings are sometimes just awful. My sister just went off the pill because she just couldn't take the hormonal swings anymore. The best I've felt in 11 years was when I went off the pill to get pregnant and during my pregnancy. I may have to check out this Nuva Ring, but I'm just so faithful to my pill and I DO NOT want to get pregnant, so it's hard for me to switch. My periods on the pill are shorter and lighter, without a doubt, but I still have cramping.

I think it's hard to make a choice. I'm begging my DH to get fixed so I can go off the pill and we can all be happier!!

By Claire on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 08:56 am:

I use Seasonale - it is wonderful. It's helped with my problem periods ( they were lasting sometimes 2+ weeks). I would give it a shot. The only issue is that you have to be very careful about taking it the same time daily.

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 12:38 pm:

Thanks everyone. I am hesitant about the Nuva Ring, I have heard mixed reviews, and I'm pretty sure my doc (military) will not ok if for 4 months of no periods unless that's how it's intended, which is why I was considering Seasonale. This won't be our only form of BC, this is simply to help control my periods. Claire, what happens if you don't take it at the same time?? I am kinda bad about stuff like that, which is why I never took the pill before. As for an IUD, I worry about that because I already have such heavy periods (possible endometreosis) and a tilted uterus, which makes menstrual cramps almost unbearable.

By Tripletmom on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 01:14 pm:

Crystal-Did you know it is harder to conceive with a tilted uterus?? It took me longer to conceive with the DD.My doctor told me I had a tilted uterus.When TTC having a pillow underneath you is suppose to make it easier.It took me 2 mths to conceive the DS's.A girl I worked with also has a tilted uterus and after I told her It was 1 mth when she conceived.I might be wrong but it seems to work.

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 01:32 pm:

I did know that, I didn't know I had a tilted uterus until I was preg with the twins, but this time around we tried everything, uncluding the pillow. We decided to just take a break for a while, and focus on the family we have, but when we try again we're going to have DH's SC tested (the kids are not his bio kids, and he didn't have any success conceiving with his ex) and go from there. Of course, I didn't have the problems with my cycle like I do now back when I conceived the kids, so we'll be looking at al options/issues. For now I just want something to make my periods lighter/shorter/a bit farther apart, because bleeding heavily every 24 days for 6 days is misery, and the cramping is killer.

By Claire on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 02:35 pm:

"Claire, what happens if you don't take it at the same time??"

It takes longer to get the full effect of no periods - you may have more spotting & the risk of pregnancy goes up slightly. I am not super anal about it but take it withing the same hour every morning.

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 03:46 pm:

Good to know. Thanks!!!