Birth Control Recommendations or Alternatives?

lalalauren16 · Post by **lalalauren16** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 6:02 pm

Hey everyone so I have had a implant Nexplanon for almost reaching 3 years. Tex notified me that hormones can cause problems with microscopic colitis. So I plan on getting it taken out soon, can anyone tell me of alternatives that have not caused them problems? I am fairly young, (23) and have a long term boyfriend. So not sure what to do besides condoms. But I don't really trust condoms fully, and I DO NOT at point want to get pregnant and possibly do not ever want to have kids soo....

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Jul 29, 2017 5:57 am

Lauren

my advice to you at this stage is that living in 'MC world' we can not do everything 100% perfect.

the key part of a successful MC management plan and getting wellness is;
- avoid as many triggers as possible
- follow low inflammation gut healing eating plan
- fix key nutrient deficiencies
- for the triggers that we cant avoid either minimise contact OR take counter measures to minimise their impact (ie anti-histamines etc)
- find a way to still live and enjoy life, with minimal symptoms etc.
-make decisions that suit you - based on your age, career, budget, friendships/relationships etc

hormones /medications do impact MC, they also deplete key nutrient's that are key to managing MC inflammation.
I have used implants in the past, and don't believe it was a main trigger to my MC issues.
as part of my wellness journey I have fixed key deficiencies and after lifelong hormone issues, now have a semi normal health cycle at age 47.

At this stage of your journey, you may need to research / find a good functional practitioner that can help you, that if you continue with implant or other medical based contraception as to what nutrients you can take to minimise their impact.

there has been some previous discussions on this topic and it might be worth using the search function to find these.

hope this helps

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sat Jul 29, 2017 8:00 am

Gabes has great advice and key points..

Getting to know your body and your cycle can help. Right now I would use condoms as you are learning diet and lifestyle changes. Hormones have always thrown a wrench in my BM's for as long as I can remember.

jessica329 · Post by **jessica329** » Sat Jul 29, 2017 8:12 am

Why do you not trust condoms? I'm extremely fertile and have never gotten pregnant from using condoms after the birth of my son 3 1/2 years ago.

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Sat Jul 29, 2017 8:32 am

Lauren,

I did not read your thread in depth but when did your MC start? Within 3 months after implant? Or did you have the implant for several years before your MC started.

Other questions....are you gf and df? Have you been gf df for 5-6 months and are you getting any improvements?

I guess what I'm trying to say is go gf and df for 4-5-6 months. Assess how your body is doing. If you are gf and df for 4-5-6 months and still having WD then I would take a look at barrier contraception methods.

Hormonal contraception methods do impact women and can prevent remission from MC but some of us are ok on them.

When talking to your women's health care provider use the term "barrier contraception methods." Diaphragm would be one option. I believe there are some newer options available. Diaphragm is no big deal to use. You can insert it daily and upto 4 hours I believe before sex. If after 4 hours of insertion (like a.m.) you need to insert some spermicide. I think it is preferable to condom in regular relationship. Biggest challenge would be to find someone for fitting. A woman's health care practitioner in her 20's or 30's might not be trained on fitting them. Any woman's health care provider age 40's or older would have been trained on doing diaphragm fittings. I believe there are some newer options than diaphragm available also.

Welcome to the board!

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Sat Jul 29, 2017 8:42 am

I just saw Jessica's post.

I'm in menopause now but I used condoms and diaghram for much of my life. The key thing with barrier methods is using them. They offer good protection as long as they are used.
If STD's are not a concern check out the natural lamb condoms. Men usually don't have any problems with these.

It sucks having active MC. If switching to condoms or diaphragm kicked me into remission and stopped WD 20 times a day I would be so there and embracing the barrier methods.

In the US generally it is not too difficult to get condoms for free. Our local county health department gives away boxes of condoms for free.

lisaw · Post by **lisaw** » Sat Jul 29, 2017 1:17 pm

Lauren:

I was on the pill for a couple of years a while back, and was just as bad on as off, didn't seem to make a difference for me.

lalalauren16 · Post by **lalalauren16** » Sat Jul 29, 2017 11:44 pm

Gabes - You are definitely right and thats what I am trying to do is to remove another trigger for the disease and more than my body can handle at this point. Will search through threads to get more info.

Vanessa - Thats what I am thinking so I will probably switch to that.

Jessica - Just because they can break and or be put on the wrong way. I just feel like they are not as reliable as birth control.

Brandy - To be honest I do not know when my MC ever started because I found out I had it through c-diff. I have c-diff now for the 5th time after having a transplant and I had a colonscopy because my doctor wanted to make sure I did not have any diseases that were causing the diarrhea for me. So I have had it in me for almost 3 years. And I got the c-diff back in Feb. My boyfriend and I have been together for almost 2 years. Yeah thats also another opt. Thanks so much!

Lisaw - Thats good to know! I am not sure if it is a trigger for me but Im trying to help my body out either way.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun Jul 30, 2017 12:03 am

You are definitely right and thats what I am trying to do is to remove another trigger for the disease and more than my body can handle at this point. Will search through threads to get more info.

but dont feel you have to everything perfectly 'straight off'
based on what you have shared, I think the eating plan, fixing key deficiencies and the C-diff are the main priorities for now..

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun Jul 30, 2017 12:14 am

just found these posts

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... traception
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... th+control

lalalauren16 · Post by **lalalauren16** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 1:51 pm

Gabes - thanks for the posts I read through them very interesting info. Will keep in mind