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One of my biggest challenges as a gyno is to match up each of my patients with a birth control that works for her. Something that seems simple--unless you've tried to be good with your birth control through every relationship, move, job change, and side effect. Which is, basically, all of us. The latest report (PDF) from the Guttmacher Institute shows that almost half of women who are at risk of an unintended pregnancy--meaning they're having sex and don't want a baby--don't use birth control consistently and correctly. Some women have gaps in their use, some don't use their methods well, and others don't use birth control at all. Why is staying on birth control so hard? Life changes make it really difficult to keep up with your pill. Who has time for a pill refill when you're moving/changing jobs/changing guys? Method problems are a huge factor--access, even for women with insurance, can be a problem. Some of the newer pills can have copays of $30, $40, even $50 a month. And hardest of all is ambivalence, not being sure that you don't want to be pregnant after all. What challenges have you all faced with finding the perfect birth control method? 5 CommentsLeave a comment |
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I found myself writing a hugely long comment on all the shenanigans I've gone through to find a birth control method I like, so I ended up just writing a blog post about it.
I've been on The Shot, Progesterone-Only Pills, low-dose combination hormone pills, and finally the Mirena IUD. I've had side effects ranging from utter insanity (or mood swings, whatever you want to call it), to weight gain, to loss of sex drive, to irregular periods and breakthrough bleeding.
It's taken me four years to find the method (the IUD) that I'm happy with. It's been a mess, but totally worth it. No Babies For Me! (At least for now.)
My current form of birth control costs about $47 a month, and my new insurance company covers only $1 of it. Thanks so much :\ I know its much cheaper than a baby, but still!
I can't find one that doesn't make me gain a little lower belly fat, and my sex drive has plummeted. I would take a pill 3 times a day if it didn't make me un-sex-driven, fat, or emotional.
I just had my pap the other day and my Dr. was surprised to learn that withdrawal has worked for me this long. I know it is not the best for of birth control but knowing all of the factors that make it more effective make it the best one for me.
I haven't found it that hard to keep up with birth control through life changes... multiple moves, multiple guys, multiple doctors...the one thing that doesn't change is my desire to not be pregnant and to control my cycle. About a week from the end of a pack, I make a habit to check how many refills are left and call a Dr. if need be. As far as taking them...setting a reminder (or 'daily meeting') on a calendar program on your work computer helps a lot, and a cell phone alarm can take over on the weekends.