Ladies, is there anything positive to say about birth control? - PaleoHacks.com

Ladies, is there anything positive to say about birth control?

2012-06-26T00:52:50Z

I've looked through all these posts on bc, and see...rarely anything positive at all. I am nervous though because I started paleo in May and...haven't had my period since.

BUT when I DO get it, it's very manageable, I have approximately 0 PMS symptoms and usually forget I'm even on it..but, it's extremely irregular but usually I'll get it twice a month rather than..not at all.

More bg: I went from yo yo dieting (lost my period during this time, but it returned), to going vegan which made me gain a lot of weight, went paleo and virtually lost all the weight in 2 months. I am a heavy athlete (run, bike, swim) and pretty shamefully sexually active.

TMI? Maybe. Help!

Answer by Lyndsay for Ladies, is there anything positive to say about birth control?

2012-06-26T00:56:43Z

This is still June, right? Any chance you're preggers? No? Well, I can tell you, confidently, that changing your diet and exercising more ceratinly can change your cycle- it does for me and my friends, many of whom are in Kung-Fu. When they stop Kung-Fu, the cycle changes and when they re-start Kung-Fu, it changes again. No worries!

Answer by Marcy for Ladies, is there anything positive to say about birth control?

2012-06-26T01:13:44Z

It maintained my un-pregnant levels adequately for the entire time I was on it.

Answer by MyDogRick for Ladies, is there anything positive to say about birth control?

2012-06-26T01:19:38Z

yep, zero babies over here. They also toned my cramps way down (they were debilitating before, now just a minor nuisance from time to time), and I've had few PMS symptoms.

Answer by Mel for Ladies, is there anything positive to say about birth control?

2012-06-26T01:56:31Z

If you know you don't want kids for awhile- look into Paraguard. They do also still make diaphragms as well for another non-hormonal option.

As far as hormonal options I know people have great success with Mirena and Nuva Ring which are both low hormone options.

If you're sexually active- get on some kind birth control. This should be a no-brainer.

Answer by Dragonfly for Ladies, is there anything positive to say about birth control?

2012-06-26T01:58:39Z

NOPE. I wouldn't recommend the Pill, knowing what I know now (I was on it for 23 years.)

Read this: http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/how-the-pill-can-harm-your-future-childs-health/

If you don't plan on having children, then I'd suggest tubal ligation.

IUDs can occasionally cause mild uterine scarring that may interfere with egg implantation, so I don't recommend those anymore to women who want to get pregnant in the future.

Taking Charge of your Fertility is a great book & it may be very helpful once your periods are back on track.

Answer by HRHMom for Ladies, is there anything positive to say about birth control?

2012-06-26T03:35:21Z

I tried that shot thing they had going in the early 90s. Ooh, that messed me up.

People discount condoms too much. It's not that I never used the pill, but I got to a point where didn't like the idea of it. After my babies, I was in my early 30's. Thought that it would be better for me to know if something wasn't right with my cycles.

Answer by aoife for Ladies, is there anything positive to say about birth control?

2012-06-26T19:51:12Z

I only get my period for at most half as long as I used to now and it's lighter, I hardly even notice it which is pretty cool. I went on it for my skin but it didn't help (solved that through diet a few months later) but no way am I coming off it! Also it lowers the risk of some types of cancer but it also raises the risk of other types slightly but the risk goes back to normal when you stop taking it (according to cancer research UK, don't know how reputable they are).

Answer by Sarita for Ladies, is there anything positive to say about birth control?

2012-07-02T03:32:54Z

There are TONS of different birth control methods, and there's definitely going to be one that fits your particular lifestyle and needs. I would check out Planned Parenthood's website. They have exhaustive details about all of the different methods as well as a questionnaire that may be able to suggest the best options for you. You could also make an appointment with them for cheap/free and a doctor could give you their personal advice for your particular situation.

I personally have been on Ocella/Yaz for ~ 7 years (since I was 17 and I'm 24 now) and have nothing but good things to say. However, that's just one of the many pills that you could try, not to mention all of the other non-pill options there are out there. There are definitely risks, but to me those risks are nothing given the benefit of avoiding pregnancy (and when I compare the risks to those of other common medications). I don't plan on having children ever, but I want to avoid tubal ligation (or a less-invasive permanent procedure like Essure) til I am in my 30's, just to be sure. Even if I were sure now, it'd be really hard to find a doctor willing to perform a sterilization on a woman who's less than 30 and who's never had a kid.

In closing, I'd like to add a few more things: a) There's NOTHING wrong/shameful about being sexually active. b) Everything everyone tels you here is based on their own experience. It says nothing about how you'd react to the same birth control method and what you should do. c) "Is it paleo?" is not the question to be asking. That would certainly simplify things but it's not going to lead you to the best answer for you! The question to ask is "Is it a choice that maximizes the benefits/minimizes the costs for me personally as I work towards my particular life goal?"