Question for the ladies

[Shainie]

Since I'm not working now, I'm on insurance that doesn't pay for my prescriptions. I was toying with the idea of going off my birth control when my supply runs out. (And of course take other precautions).

What I'm wondering - is it a good idea to take a break when taking birth control? I've been on it for the past 2 years - never took it before that.

I've been kind of curious if my total lack of libido has to do with my birth control . . . . but there are things like my lack of breaking out and lack of cramps that want me to stay on it.

And maybe this doesn't make sense, but I have issue with a drug controlling my cycles. Like it bothers me that my body isn't naturally doing what it's made to do - when it wants to do it.

So anyway . . . I'm just wondering if anyone knows if it's good to take a break, or if that would mess with your system even more?

TIA

Rae Ann

[vwbug923]

I also had issues about the same thing when i was on the pill. I had lost all desire and my husband used to joke that he now knew how the pill worked because i never was interested in him. I smoke and the warnings always scared me. But i did like the pill because i knew that when we were together i was protected and it made me less emotional leading up to my cycle. We decided that i should go off of the pill and go to other protection. After a couple years i found myself prego again with just using condoms. My husband had just lost his job and applied for unemployment when we found out. Since he lost his insurance i had to go on govt. insurance. I love my new daughter and feel very blessed to have another healthy child but sometimes a part of me feels i should of stayed on the pill. I think you have to weigh the risks . After having 4 I got my tubes tied( a relief not having to worry about protection anymore).

[Jennifer M.]

My insurance dropped my birth control pill coverage. I was on Alesse. I was paying $20 per month, but then it went to $40 after they dropped it. I then started buying my pills @ [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]. I can get a 3 month supply of the generic version for only $55. I spoke with my doctor about these and he said they were fine, they are just the generic version. All you have to do is fax in your copy of your prescription.

My doctor always gives me at least 3 months supply when I go to my yearly appointment so that is nice.

I don't want to have the cramps I used to have, or the longer cycles. Also, right now paying for pills is alot cheaper than having a child to raise for 18 years. That is just my 2 cents.

[Mouse7088]

I guess making the decision to take different precautions would depend on "how long" you wish to try to prevent pregnancy. I know someone who just decided in favor of the Intrauterine System or IUS (Mirena). She claims to not want "any more" children and was scheduled to have a tubal ligation after the birth of her youngest child. Scheduling with the Dr. got messed up...this allowed her time to become "more nervous" about a tubal ligation. Nothing to do with "maybe" wanting more kids, she literally is afraid of the surgery itself. She was also told wrong info or heard the info given in a wrong manner. She turned and told me a tubal ligation was suppose to be only like 95% (or less, can't quite remember because of the initial shock...lol) effective, uhhh...nuh-uh! LOL! I knew better of course and informed her of the statistics I found. She was told this would *could* stop her periods over time or at least make them lighter. I had a tubal ligation after Codey (3rd. son), but I was also VERY sure of this decision. I used BC pill a LONG time ago (pre-first child born) I stopped using them because of the way they made me feel. Instead of trying a different type *I* chose to use a condom. There weren't any "mishaps", but I have definitely heard stories of ppl. using a condom and getting pregnant. I've never tried any of the gels or cream...I'm pretty "stupid" when it comes to the different methods available.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

Continuous Abstinence -This means not having sexual intercourse at any time. It is the only sure way to prevent pregnancy. This method is 100% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Periodic Abstinence or Fertility Awareness Methods - A woman who has a regular menstrual cycle has about nine or more fertile days, or days when she is able to get pregnant, each month. Periodic abstinence means you do not have sex on the days that you may be fertile. Fertility awareness means that you can be abstinent or have sex but you use a "barrier" method of birth control to keep sperm from getting to the egg. Barrier methods include condoms, diaphragms, or cervical caps, used together with spermicides, which kill sperm. These methods are 75 to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Keep in mind that to practice these methods, you need to learn about your menstrual cycle (or how often you get your period). You keep a written record of when you get your period, what it is like (heavy or light blood flow), and how you feel (sore breasts, cramps). You also check your cervical mucus and take your basal body temperature daily, and record these in a chart. This is how you learn to predict, or tell, which days you are fertile or "unsafe." You can ask your health care provider for more information on how to record and understand this information.

The Male Condom - Condoms are called barrier methods of birth control because they put up a block, or barrier, which keeps the sperm from reaching the egg. Only latex or polyurethane (because some people are allergic to latex) condoms are proven to help protect against STDs, including HIV. "Natural" or "lambskin" condoms made from animal products also are available. But lambskin condoms are not recommended for STD prevention because they have tiny pores that may allow for the passage of viruses like HIV, hepatitis B and herpes. Male condoms are 86 to 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. Condoms can only be used once. You can buy them at a drug store. Condoms come lubricated (which can make sexual intercourse more comfortable and pleasurable) and non-lubricated (which can also be used for oral sex). It is best to use lubrication with non-lubricated condoms if you use them for vaginal or anal sex. You can use KY jelly or water-based lubricants, which you can buy at a drug store. Oil-based lubricants like massage oils, baby oil, lotions, or petroleum jelly will weaken the condom, causing it to tear or break. Always keep condoms in a cool, dry place. If you keep them in a hot place (like a billfold, wallet, or glove compartment), the latex breaks down, causing the condom to tear or break.

Oral Contraceptives - Also called "the pill," it contains the hormones estrogen and progestin. A pill is taken daily to block the release of eggs from the ovaries. It also lightens the flow of your period and protects against pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer. It does not protect against STDs or HIV. The pill may add to your risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, blood clots, and blockage of the arteries. If you are over age 35 and smoke, or have a history of blood clots or breast or endometrial cancer, your health care provider may advise you not to take the pill. The pill is 95 to 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy if used correctly. You will need a prescription and visits with your health care provider to make sure you are not having problems.

The Mini-Pill - Unlike the pill, the mini-pill only has one hormone, progestin, instead of both estrogen and progestin. Taken daily, the mini-pill reduces and thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. It also prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus (womb). The mini-pill also can decrease the flow of your period and protect against PID and ovarian and endometrial cancer. Mothers who breastfeed can use it because it will not affect their milk supply. The mini-pill is a good option for women who can't take estrogen or for women who have a risk of blood clots. The mini-pill does not protect against STDs or HIV. Mini-pills are 95 to 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy if used correctly. You will need a prescription and visits with your health care provider to make sure you are not having problems.

Copper T IUD (Intrauterine Device) - An IUD is a small device that is shaped in the form of a "T." Your health care provider places it inside the uterus. The arms of the Copper T IUD contain some copper, which stops fertilization by preventing sperm from making their way up through the uterus into the fallopian tubes. If fertilization does occur, the IUD would prevent the fertilized egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus. The Copper T IUD can stay in your uterus for up to 10 years. It does not protect against STDs or HIV. This IUD is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Requires visits with your health care provider to have it inserted and to make sure you are not having any problems. Not all health care providers insert IUDs.

Progestasert IUD (Intrauterine Device) -This IUD is a small plastic T- shaped device that is placed inside the uterus by a health care provider. It contains the hormone progesterone, the same hormone produced by a woman's ovaries during the monthly menstrual cycle. The progesterone causes the cervical mucus to thicken so sperm cannot reach the egg, and so that a fertilized egg cannot successfully implant into the lining of the uterus. The Progestasert IUD can stay in your uterus for one year. This IUD is 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. Requires visits with your health care provider to have it inserted and to make sure you are not having any problems. Not all health care providers insert IUDs.

Intrauterine System or IUS (Mirena) - The IUS is a small T-shaped device like the IUD and is placed inside the uterus by a health care provider. It releases a small amount of a hormone each day to keep you from getting pregnant. The IUS stays in your uterus for up to five years. It does not protect against STDs or HIV. The IUS is 99% effective. The Food and Drug Administration approved this method in December 2000. Requires visits with your health care provider to make sure you are not having any problems. Not all health care providers insert the IUS.

The Female Condom - Worn by the woman, this barrier method keeps sperm from getting into her body. It is made of polyurethane, is packaged with a lubricant, and may protect against STDs, including HIV. It can be inserted up to 8 hours prior to sexual intercourse. Female condoms are 79 to 95% effective at preventing pregnancy. There is only one kind of female condom and its brand name is Reality. Purchase at a drug store.

Implant (Norplant and Norplant 2) - This product was taken off the market in July 2002. If you are using the Norplant system, you should contact your health care provider about what your contraceptive options will be after the five year expiration date of your Norplant system. Norplant consists of small stick-like devices, or "rods," that are placed under the skin. The rods release a very low, steady level of a steroid that prevents pregnancy for up to five years. However, the rods can be taken out at any time and you then can become pregnant. This method is 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy. It does not protect against STDs or HIV. Requires visits with your health care provider to make sure you are not having any problems.

Depo-Provera - With this method women get injections, or shots, of the hormone progestin in the buttocks or arm every three months. It does not protect against STDs or HIV. It is 99.7% effective at preventing pregnancy. Requires visits with your health care provider to make sure you are not having any problems.

Diaphragm or Cervical Cap - These are barrier methods of birth control, where the sperm are blocked from reaching the egg. The diaphragm is shaped like a shallow latex cup. The cervical cap is a thimble-shaped latex cup. Both come in different sizes and you need a health care provider to "fit" you for one. Before sexual intercourse, you use them with spermicide (to block or kill sperm) and place them up inside your vagina to cover your cervix (the opening to your womb). You can buy spermicide gel or foam at a drug store. Spermicide will also help protect you from the STDs gonorrhea and chlamydia if they have nonoxynol-9 in them. Some women can be sensitive to nonoxynol-9 and need to use spermicides that do not contain it. The diaphragm is 80 to 94% effective at preventing pregnancy. The cervical cap is 80 to 90% effective at preventing pregnancy for women who have not had a child, and 60 to 80% for women who have had a child. Requires a visit with your health care provider for proper fitting.

The Patch (Ortho Evra) -This is a skin patch worn on the lower abdomen, buttocks, or upper body. It releases the hormones progestin and estrogen into the bloodstream. You put on a new patch once a week for three weeks, then do not wear a patch during the fourth week in order to have a menstrual period. The patch is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, but appears to be less effective in women who weigh more than 198 pounds. It does not protect against STDs or HIV. The Food and Drug Administration approved this method in 2001. You will need to visit your health care provider for a prescription and to make sure you are not having problems.

The Hormonal Vaginal Contraceptive Ring (NuvaRing) - The NuvaRing is a ring that releases the hormones progestin and estrogen. You place the ring up inside your vagina to go around your cervix (the opening to your womb). You wear the ring for three weeks, take it out for the week that you have your period, and then put in a new ring. The ring is 98 to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. The Food and Drug Administration approved this method in 2001. You will need to visit your health care provider for a prescription and to make sure you are not having problems.

Surgical Sterilization (Tubal Ligation or Vasectomy) - These surgical methods are meant for people who want a permanent method of birth control. In other words, they never want to have a child or they do not want more children. Tubal ligation or "tying tubes" is done on the woman to stop eggs from going down to her uterus where they can be fertilized. The man has a vasectomy to keep sperm from going to his penis, so his ejaculate never has any sperm in it. They are 99 to 99.5% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Nonsurgical Sterilization (Essure Permanent Birth Control System) - This is the first non-surgical method of sterilizing women and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in November 2002. A thin tube is used to thread a tiny spring-like device through the vagina and uterus into each fallopian tube. Flexible coils temporarily anchor it inside the fallopian tube. A Dacron-like mesh material embedded in the coils irritates the fallopian tubes' lining to cause scar tissue to grow and eventually permanently plug the tubes. It can take about three months for the scar tissue to grow, so it is important to use another form of birth control during this time. Then you will have to return to your health care provider for a test to see if scar tissue has fully blocked your tubes. In studies of more than 600 women, followed for a year, there so far have been no pregnancies in those whose Essure devices were implanted successfully.

Emergency Contraception - This is NOT a regular method of birth control and should never be used as one. Emergency contraception, or emergency birth control, is used to keep a woman from getting pregnant when she has had unprotected vaginal intercourse. "Unprotected" can mean that no method of birth control was used. It can also mean that a birth control method was used but did not work - like a condom breaking. Or, a woman may have forgotten to take her birth control pills, or may have been abused or forced to have sex when she did not want to. Emergency contraception consists of taking two doses of hormonal pills taken 12 hours apart and started within three days after having unprotected sex. These are sometimes wrongly called the "morning after pill." The pills are 75 to 89% effective at preventing pregnancy. Another type of emergency contraception is having the Copper T IUD put into your uterus within seven days of unprotected sex. This method is 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy. Neither method of emergency contraception protects against STDs or HIV. You will need to visit your health care provider for either a prescription for the pills or for the insertion of the IUD, and to make sure you are not having problems.

[Mouse7088]

One more...

At the bottom of the page that I linked to above was this:

For More Information . . .
You can find out more about birth control methods by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center at (800) 994-WOMAN (9662) or the following organizations:

Food and Drug Administration
Phone Number(s): 888-463-6332
Internet Address: [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Phone Number(s): (800) 230-7526
Internet Address: [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Resource Center
Phone Number(s): (800) 762-2264 x 192 (for publications requests only)
Internet Address: [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

Population Council
Phone Number(s): (212) 339-0500
Internet Address: [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

[Shainie]

I use the NuvaRing right now. I'd never use the pill because for 1 - I can't remember to take pills. It would be a disaster. And 2 - I get migraines and my doctor doesn't recommend the pill.

I get a 3-month supply and it will be over $120 each time.

BUT my issue isn't with pregnancy. My DH and I used withdrawl for 8 years with no pregnancies. And right now, we're "together" about once a month anyway. lol (And getting pregnant right now wouldn't be the end of the world anyway).

But I'm just wondering if it's a good idea to take a break from birth control - or if it would mess with hormones/systems/cycles even more if you go off, then back on after a while?

[Mouse7088]

I don't quite remember if there were any positives when going off the pill, but I was thinking that one of the "negatives" was that if you wanted to go back on it wasn't there once again an "initial period" you had to wait for your body to again become "accustom" to it?!?!?! I would imagine that this would be with the case with any physician "assisted" BC.

[Brenda2000]

Hmmm....I can't help you with the break question. The only time I ever went off of the pill was when I wanted to get pregnant. It took me two weeks with the first, and 6 weeks with the second, (after going off the pill, to become pregnant).
Right now I'm on the new pill, Seasonale. It's the one that you take for three months straight, then get a period...so you only have four periods a year! I love it....had virtually no side effects except some breast tenderness the first couple months.

Actually DH had a vasectomy after the birth of our second child, but my OB kept me on the pill because of heavy, painful periods.

[mayfly]

I have heard it was healthy to take breaks from it.

[momof3girls]

I've never been on the pill before, but I would imagine it would be good for your body to take a break. My baby sister, the one who just had a baby, was on the pill for about 6 months and then she stopped taking it and she never had any type of problems from stopping it, (except for getting pregnant, but she wanted to get pregnant).

[lookn4deals]

Here is another question how long should you be off the pill before trying to get pregnant? I was reading that it 3-6 months. Is this true? I have been on BC Pills for about 12 years now and once we are married we will be starting a family. I want to stay on my BC pills until after the wedding so I know exactly when my cycle will be.