If so, and you've also used the pill before, did you notice similar hormonal side effects at all? I've been on the pill for so many years that I don't even know what it's like! I have moodiness and sometimes a bit of depression that comes and goes, and I wonder if it's my pill. I remember while I was off the pill (before conceiving and while pregnant) I felt GREAT all the time, never any of those side effects. I wanted to hear your experiences before I talk with my doctor.TIA

By Reds9298 on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 10:58 pm:

If not the patch, what else do you use besides condoms?

By Crystal915 on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 11:16 pm:

I used the patch, but I was never a pill user, only Depo. I didn't like the patch for other reasons, like fibers from my jeans sticking to it, unsightly, itchy. I had major mood swings on Depo, though. The patch has the same hormones as most pills, so I don't know if it'll be much different.

By Mrsheidi on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 11:18 pm:

Used the patch, but it was too itchy. By the 6th day I wanted it off!! :-) I use Elesse...it's wonderful. No pimples or side effects since it's a low level. I've used it for 5 years and no pregnancy while using it.

By Pamt on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 11:27 pm:

Used bcp for years and then the patch for a few. Patch has the same hormones, so you'll feel about the same as you do on the pill. I did LOVE only thinking about birth control once a week, but like Crystal said, the edges of the patch get small fibers attached to the adhesive and it looks pretty nasty by about day 7. Definitely not all pretty like the commercials--LOL. I didn't itch though. For birth control now? The Big "V." It's been my favorite birth control method by far! (Of course, we're finished having kids though---otherwise it was hormones or condoms.)

By Reds9298 on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 11:43 pm:

Sounds like the patch isn't for me either. I really like the convenience and reliability of my pill, just not the side effects. Heidi, maybe I will ask my doc about Elesse. I use Ortho-Cept right now and have most of the 8 years I've been on bcp's. I don't know what level of hormones that is.
Pamt- Dying for my dh to get the big "V"! I don't want anymore kids and he's not sure, so he wants to leave the door open. I want him to shut the door!! LOL

By Kittycat_26 on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 06:37 am:

Never used the patch and didn't do well on bcp after I had Timmy. I'd used them before I got pregnant just fine though.

For me, it was an IUD. I just loved it for almost two years. We had it removed about six months ago to sort of let nature take its' course.

By Trina~moderator on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 07:55 am:

Never tried the patch but have used BC pills. Was on them for 10 yrs. before kids with NO problems. After kids was a different story. Headaches, mood swings, depression and loss of libido... UG! Took awhile to realize it was the pill. Went off them and am feeling MUCH better. Used condoms for 2 yrs., then DH finally got a V. Woo hoo! (We waited until we were both 40 and absolutely, positively SURE our family was complete.)

By Juli4 on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 08:38 am:

right now we use condoms. I have never used any hormonal bc. Of course I have also had 3 kids in about a little over 4 years. I don't want anymore but am scared to go on hormonal. I don't want to gain weight or have any of those side effects.

By Luvn29 on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 10:15 am:

I used pills for a few years. Then after having dd and was on them before ds, they made me really sick. After going off and (intentionally) conceiving ds and having him, I had a tubaligation. I was only twenty when I had him, but we knew our family was complete. I would love to have another child, but had very bad complications with both pregnancies, so it wasn't worth the risk of losing my life (being a mother to two already) or the life of an unborn baby. Besides, we already had a boy and a girl, so what more is there to want, huh?

Anyhow, I have endometriosis. Bad. And we were trying hormones to help me keep it under control. As before, pills made me extremely sick. I just can't tolerate hormones. So we tried the NuvaRing. If I were using birth control, this is definitely the one I'd use. It is a flexible ring, made similar to a jelly bracelet that fits right up in you, around your cervix. Very easy to fit, no problem getting it there, and once you do, you don't feel it and it doesn't affect sex, either. It lasts a month. You wear it three weeks. Take it out for a week to have a period, and then reinsert a new one.

This is supposed to have the fewest hormones because it is right where it belongs, and needs to be working. It also doesn't go through your system, so you should not feel all the hormonal problems you do with the other options.

I was going to wear one for three to four months straight to avoid having a period for a few months to help with the endo. I still have two rings and a prescription, so I think I am going to try it again now that my health is a little better to see if I can tolerate it this time around. The surgery results are starting to wear off and my endo is acting up again.


Oh yeah, I have also used semicid. It is a little waxy like capsule, kind of like a suppository, I guess, that you place inside of you about 15 minutes before having sex. It melts inside of you and is a spermicide and keeps you from getting pregnant. Probably not as safe as a pill, but I had to use it for about a year because I couldn't use the pills for awhile, and it worked like a charm.

By Jann on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 11:00 am:

Don't know about patch for bc, but I use one for Estrogen replacement (had a hysterectomy). You will absorb the hormones better via the patch since it doesn't have to go through your liver first like orals do.

By Amecmom on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 11:09 am:

Adena, the NuvaRing sounds amazing! Any idea of the effectiveness? I know the pill is something like 99% - and that takes into account all the people who miss one once in a while.
I think I'll put in a call to my ob - thanks!
Ame

By Luvn29 on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 01:51 pm:

The effectiveness is about the same as with the pill. And most insurances that cover bc covers the ring just as it would the pill.

My insurance doesn't cover bc, but it does cover mine (when I used it) because it is for treatment of the endo.

Some people just will not have sex with one in, even though it doesn't affect it and the man can rarely feel it, so it is good to know that it can be removed for up to three hours without a lapse in your protection, and rinsed with warm water and reinserted. I never did this, but it is good to know. But don't ever leave one out for more than three hours at a time.

Good luck!

By Mrsheidi on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 01:56 pm:

One of my friends uses the ring, but it fell out during sex and she didn't know it...needless to say, one of her 3 year old boys said, "Mommy, look at my new bracelet!" YES...he had on the ring around his wrist...she was MORTIFIED!!

Be careful about getting the big "V"! My dad had one when he was 30 and it grew back...and voila! He had a son when he was 52 years old. I would have your husband do it when he's 40 to be on the safe side?

By Reds9298 on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 02:42 pm:

OMG Heidi! I can't imagine being on bc of ANY kind for 8 more years!!!

By Amecmom on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 04:01 pm:

LOL Heidi! Too Funny!
My husband said he would get the big V, but I don't want him to. Life can change in an instant and I don't want either of us to do something permanent.
I checked out the ring online and called my ob's office. My midwife will call back on Monday.
I am so excited! I hate the pill. I hate the weight gain and mood swings and the hyperpigmentation!
My plan does pay for the pill, I hope it will pay for this.
Ame

By Reds9298 on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 05:14 pm:

I've never heard of weight gain on the pill! Learn something new everyday. I never gained weight or lost weight when I was off/on it. I just felt better emotionally and physically when I was off.

I think that ring sounds great. I have to check with my insurance, too, though. It pays for the pill. Now I just have to get over my fear of doing something new (old habits die hard and I really put my faith in the pill). I would FALL OUT if I got pregnant!