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Combined hormonal versus progestin-only birth control
Three of the most common forms of birth control—the pill, the ring, and the patch—all work the same way. They’re all considered “combined” hormonal methods, meaning they contain two kinds of hormones: estrogen and progestin. Other hormonal methods—the shot, the implant, hormonal IUDs, and the progestin-only pill (a.k.a. minipill)—contain only one kind of hormone—a progestin. […]
No pain, no gain: The IUD insertion process
By Lena Chen. A version of this article was originally published on November 11, 2009, on SexReally.com. I wish I could say that getting the IUD was easy once I made my decision that the love affair with the pill was over. In reality, it took me three visits before I finally baby-proofed my uterus. […]
It took two doctors five tries to place my IUD — And I’d do it all again
When my boyfriend and I realized we were in it for the long haul, we got tested for STIs and switched from using condoms to the combination pill . But that was never a long-term solution for me. Besides my erratic schedule and goldfish memory almost guaranteeing I would miss a pill sometimes, I suffer […]
Can you feel the IUD during sex?
It’s a question that has come up many times in my conversations, from chats with friends thinking about getting an IUD to fellow IUD users who’ve been able to feel it while getting it on. Ever since I got my Paragard three years ago, I’ve been curious, too. The best part about having an IUD […]
How I dumped the pill and met the IUD
By Lena Chen. Slightly amended from the original version published on November 4, 2009, on SexReally.com. Two weeks ago, I ended my longest and most tumultuous relationship to date. Four years and hundreds of dollars after my first prescription, I decided that I had swallowed my final birth control pill. I tossed out my last […]
Safe travels : Birth control when you’re abroad
Soon my boyfriend and I will be headed to Europe for a few blissful weeks of travel. Being a bit type-A, I’m already working my way through my pre-trip checklist (renew passport, buy European outlet convertors). I breathed a little sigh of relief when I got to “birth control.” My new IUD will be effective […]
Which birth control method will help reduce my cramps?
Most women who use hormonal birth control–the pill, the ring, the shot, the patch, the implant, or a hormonal IUD–will have less painful periods than those who don’t. This is because these methods of birth control make the lining of the uterus thinner. There’s less tissue in the uterus to shed, so periods are lighter. […]
Is it safe to lose blood by spotting a lot?
Spotting, which can happen with a bunch of different methods, doesn’t make you lose that much blood, even though it might seem like it. We have a Provider Perspective article about it if you want to learn more. Still not working? You may have more luck on a pill with a slightly higher dose of […]
What are the best methods to use if I don’t want to have my period?
The Mirena IUD, the shot, and the implant have all been shown to reduce menstrual bleeding for most women. You can also use the pill or the ring continuously to intentionally skip your period. original post
Is it safe to use birth control right after giving birth?
Not every method of birth control is safe to use right after giving birth, but many of them are. Breastfeeding consistently can be its own form of birth control , or there are a bunch of other methods you can use , including super-effective methods like the IUD and the implant. If you feel like […]
