Birth Control

I have been on birth control since I lost my virginity in high school. I feel I am very responsible about my reproductive health and (generally) won't use use anything that can leave me vulnerable to pregnancy to either as a result of my partners error or my own. Althouugh I don't list it specifically, all of these depressed my libido, so whatverer is listed add 'no sex drive' to it.

The 1st method I tried was the pill, but quickly realized I had difficulty remebering to take it. Next I was on Depo- i used this through my last year of high school until i was about 20. I had to go off Depo for a multitude of reasons- I gained 20 lbs., I spotted daily for all but about 6 months, and the deal breaker was that it made my acutely depressed(that combined with NW soggy winters I think many considered having me institutionalized).

Next I was on Mirena. That wasn't too bad and I was on it for three years, but side effects started adding up- First it was feeling it hit my cervix( easily solvable since I could just becareful abouut sitting down), then I started spoting daily(lasted for 1year+, but not as bad as Depo), and I started noticing that I could feel my uterus through my belly(which is a big deal since I am now 40lbs. lighter and can't ever feel it), the deal breaker was that my partner stopped wan't to be intimate after being poked by the strings in the urethra on more than one occasion(what's the point of BC if you're partner won't be intimate?).

Next was Nuva ring(4th if you're keeping track) and overall I felt easiest to use and was on it for four years. My body had a hard time adjusting to it and I had irregular periods for the first 6 months.  Shortly after going on Nuva ring my hair started falling out. I always had thick hair, so losing a few strands was never a big deal, but then I noticed my part line widen and I could see a shadows on my scalp when waving my hand over my head. At the time I went on it I was in the midst of a big transformation- I quit smoking, lost 40 lbs(through healthy diet and exercise with subsequent style transformation), went back to school, and changed careers. I attributed the hair loss to these other things and just dealt with it. As time went on, I become much more moody, I became so nauseous each month after a new ring I would have to stay home for a day or two, and my skin went to SH*T. Yes the lingering adolescent acne cleared up, but I developed rosacea around my mouth, burst capillaries on my cheeks and nose, and a lovely age spot on my left cheek about the size of a quarter(I had given up unprotected sun exposure before using Nuva ring  and it all occured before 25!).TMI alert- I also had the smelliest pee, so much so that my husband noticed after the toilet was flushed. I had vaginal irritaion and it was so obnixious during the act that it had to be taken out and put back in aftward. So last spring after much research and consideratin I decided to go off and try Implanon- low and behold my hair grew back in to within about 5% of it's pre-Nuva ring density in addition to all of the side effects subsiding. The age spot, burst capillaries and rosecea I am stuck with:( 

Now I am Implanon and have been for about 6 months exactly and I have about had it. I have had one episode of spotting lasting about two days, one period(heavy bleeding) lasting two weeks in August, and just started bleeding again this morning. I am also extremly moody- I cry over TV commercials, happy songs, and may have started a fued with my neighbors. I can deal with the erradic bleedingand moodiness. What I can't deal with is the gnarly acne, the 15lbs my body is trying to gain(7 of which I have managed to keep at bay throuugh further dieting), and the CONSTANT headaches. I am on my third migraine this week! I wake up with headaches, have them throughout the day, take medicine before bed and wake back up with them! At the time when I went on Implanon I was graduating from Nursing school and had some family issues so I attributed the headaches to the stress. Now all of that is gone and if anything, they occur more frequently, are more painful and last longer.

So I have pretty much had it with hormonal BC. I have tried pretty much every option and am pretty much done with torturing my body, psyche, and husband with hormonal BC's. My dilemma is that I have trouble getting over the reports of reduce efficacy of options like diaphram or cervical cap. When i amhormone free my cycle is pretty redular and predictable. Nor me or my husband cares for condoms and I don't trust my self to be diligent using Rhythm. While we wouldn't be excited to have children, we both would still have it and probably be equally happy. He says he doesn't want kids but freaks out about me being hasty if I talk about getting my tubes tied or him getting a vasectomy.

So, has anyone had good effective expierences with a diaphram?

Unfortunately I don't have experience with a diaphram, but it might be worth a shot for you.

I originally went on the pill because of bad ovarian cysts and cramps. I recently (within the last month) have quit the pill after being on it for 4 1/2 years, no breaks. I also had TERRIBLE headaches and migraines. I would have really bad cluster headaches lasting a week or two at a time, and medicine would not help. I went to the doctor for that and some other things, and we decided the best thing for all of my issues was to quit the pill. I was nervous, mainly because it kept my cycle EXACT, and it helped with the cysts and cramps. Within a week of quitting the pill, my headache was gone, and I haven't had a bad one since. My husband and I are not ready to have kids yet, so we understand we have to use protection, which we're ok with. I have felt so much better and more myself without all the unnatural hormones going into my system. If you can, I would definitely recommend no BC at all.  I would rather use protection then have all the icky side effects of BC. And you'll save a little money each month!

Although I haven't used as many products as you, i am in the same boat.  I was on the pill for 20 years but started getting such bad migraines I stopped.  Then I used Mirana but took it out because sex was sooo painful because it was hitting something inside causing such pain.

Now I'm starting to think about sterilization.  My husband can't even think about a vasectomy.  Maybe if we continue to use condoms he will eventually change his mind, nothing beats spontaneous sex.  I am 42 and don't plan on having children. 

I really would like to stay away from anything with hormones because of all the side effects ie sore breasts and headaches. 

I realize that this doesn't help you much but I wouldn't want a hysterectomy because of the whole menopause thing (that scares me).

Good luck

I had a similar problem with pills, seemed like everything gave me panic attacks, migraines, chest pain, nausea, weight gain and almost every other problem you could have.

I think i went through about 6 different pills. Eventually my Dr suggested that I get a copper IUD, which I did. It was fantastic, no pills to take, no mood swings, or side effects at all!
Unfortunately my body expelled it in less then a year but I still think it is one of the best methods out there.

Since then I have been on the mini-pill (no estrogen like most BC pills), and it has been great, the only side effect is an increased sex drive, and for the most part my husband doesn't really mind LOL

I have not used a diaphragm, because the 10-20% failure rate does not sit well with me. So based on that alone I would be hesitant to recommend it to someone else.