Thank you for once again sharing news about Cop City! That was a great article with so much info!
As far as birth control goes, I was on Annovera (ring) for two years and I experienced hardly any side effects and it seriously alleviated the excruciating pain that it was prescribed to treat so I consider it a win all-around. It's definitely a great option if you are bad about taking pills at the same time every day (which I am). I only stopped using it because I had a lapse in insurance coverage.
Re: birth control, I take a low dose combo pill (Junel Fe 1/20). I love it! Years ago, I was on a protesterone only pills and they amplified my mood swings in such a way that I was a sad, angry monster all of the time. The combo pills have helped a lot with my normal PMS symptoms. My period is *way* lighter than it is without birth control. My cramps, which were pretty brutal when not on birth control, are very minimal. And, the intense mood swings that I normally experience during PMS are gone, which has helped my mental health drastically. Plus, the benefit of not worrying about pregnancy! You *do* need to remember to take a pill every day, but it doesn't have to be at the same time. And once you've been on it for a month, if you do forget to take a pill you are still protected against pregnancy if you take it the next day (along with the prescribed pill for the day).
I'm like two weeks late to this but on birth control: I'm one of the quiet group that really likes Nexplanon! I got it because I wanted something low maintenance but my body rejected two IUDs in a row. (Did you know that you can accidentally pull your own IUD out? Fun fact!) I'm on my second implant (7+ years total) and haven't had any real side effects other than a slightly less regular period. There are some really scary stories of mental health effects (see another comment on this post) so it's definitely an "approach carefully" option but it can work really well!
I am on POPs (progesterone only pills) because I have chronic migraines and headaches.
Pros:
-not much of a mood change, I am a huge cunt on other hormone doses
-high probability of no children if you are someone who has that risk in your sex life
-not much side effects for me, but this varies, obviously, because everyone reacts differently to medication
-no painful insertion or extraction
-periods are not greatly affected, they still remain 'normal' for me
Cons:
-gotta take a pill every day, at the same time: POPs don't have any placebo pills, so you have to be diligent about taking the pill at the same time every day. I have an alarm set a time that works best for me, and my whole household helps me remember to take it.
-risks to my body (POPs risks were outweighed by the pros, for me)
A tip on birds: Birds are like cats in that they only approach if you don’t try too hard (probably). Put out food, make sure it’s accessible, keep the food fresh. They will come, but it may take years.
I am not actually a professional but I did live an apartment with a balcony and no birds. It took TWO YEARS of consistently refreshing food before they started to congregate. Good luck and godspeed.
Re: birth control. I've only ever been on the pill but needed a stronger dose than the bare minimum, and my doctor was able to get it prescribed so that I don't ever take placebo pills -- essentially I'm taking 4 months of birth control pills in 3 months. I don't get periods anymore and don't cramp or really have pms. Mine don't need to be taken at a certain time either, which is really handy. Also the specific one I'm on (microgestin) is covered by insurance but is only about $35/4mo if uninsured.
The least impactful to my well being was Nuva Ring. I didn't notice a change in mood or any other bad side effects. The most annoying part was remembering to put it back in when i took it out, or remembering to change it out. (Caveat: was a teen, maybe didn't notice the effects as much? idk)
Basic pills probably come second. Noticed mood changes, but like, not as bad as now. (Given, I was a teenager who was far more prone to swings)
IUD is.... middling, and its what I have now (at the ripe age of 30). I maybe should have gone with copper. I can't speak to insertion as I had mine inserted during a surgery in the same area, specifically because the other times I tried to get one it was a. way too painful and failed or b. I was way too tense and the doctor refused knowing it would be too painful. I like that I don't have to remember to do anything with it really. The strings curled up so unfortunately I did have to go get an ultrasound to make sure it was still there. Mood swings are.. eh. I have gained weight. I did notice my period didn't really *go away* so much as become completely unpredictable and weird. But my cramps did reduce and the bleeding is minimal.
Absolutely do not never ever get Nexplanon I will not elaborate just don't do it abort abort (I was a young adult here but I distinctly remember ideation being an issue etc)
Thank you for once again sharing news about Cop City! That was a great article with so much info!
As far as birth control goes, I was on Annovera (ring) for two years and I experienced hardly any side effects and it seriously alleviated the excruciating pain that it was prescribed to treat so I consider it a win all-around. It's definitely a great option if you are bad about taking pills at the same time every day (which I am). I only stopped using it because I had a lapse in insurance coverage.
Re: birth control, I take a low dose combo pill (Junel Fe 1/20). I love it! Years ago, I was on a protesterone only pills and they amplified my mood swings in such a way that I was a sad, angry monster all of the time. The combo pills have helped a lot with my normal PMS symptoms. My period is *way* lighter than it is without birth control. My cramps, which were pretty brutal when not on birth control, are very minimal. And, the intense mood swings that I normally experience during PMS are gone, which has helped my mental health drastically. Plus, the benefit of not worrying about pregnancy! You *do* need to remember to take a pill every day, but it doesn't have to be at the same time. And once you've been on it for a month, if you do forget to take a pill you are still protected against pregnancy if you take it the next day (along with the prescribed pill for the day).
I'm like two weeks late to this but on birth control: I'm one of the quiet group that really likes Nexplanon! I got it because I wanted something low maintenance but my body rejected two IUDs in a row. (Did you know that you can accidentally pull your own IUD out? Fun fact!) I'm on my second implant (7+ years total) and haven't had any real side effects other than a slightly less regular period. There are some really scary stories of mental health effects (see another comment on this post) so it's definitely an "approach carefully" option but it can work really well!
Birth Control Info:
I am on POPs (progesterone only pills) because I have chronic migraines and headaches.
Pros:
-not much of a mood change, I am a huge cunt on other hormone doses
-high probability of no children if you are someone who has that risk in your sex life
-not much side effects for me, but this varies, obviously, because everyone reacts differently to medication
-no painful insertion or extraction
-periods are not greatly affected, they still remain 'normal' for me
Cons:
-gotta take a pill every day, at the same time: POPs don't have any placebo pills, so you have to be diligent about taking the pill at the same time every day. I have an alarm set a time that works best for me, and my whole household helps me remember to take it.
-risks to my body (POPs risks were outweighed by the pros, for me)
A tip on birds: Birds are like cats in that they only approach if you don’t try too hard (probably). Put out food, make sure it’s accessible, keep the food fresh. They will come, but it may take years.
I am not actually a professional but I did live an apartment with a balcony and no birds. It took TWO YEARS of consistently refreshing food before they started to congregate. Good luck and godspeed.
Re: birth control. I've only ever been on the pill but needed a stronger dose than the bare minimum, and my doctor was able to get it prescribed so that I don't ever take placebo pills -- essentially I'm taking 4 months of birth control pills in 3 months. I don't get periods anymore and don't cramp or really have pms. Mine don't need to be taken at a certain time either, which is really handy. Also the specific one I'm on (microgestin) is covered by insurance but is only about $35/4mo if uninsured.
Good luck finding something that works!
RE: Birth control
I've tried throughout my life (In this order)
1. Pills
2. Nuva Ring
3. Nexplanon
4. Mirena IUD
The least impactful to my well being was Nuva Ring. I didn't notice a change in mood or any other bad side effects. The most annoying part was remembering to put it back in when i took it out, or remembering to change it out. (Caveat: was a teen, maybe didn't notice the effects as much? idk)
Basic pills probably come second. Noticed mood changes, but like, not as bad as now. (Given, I was a teenager who was far more prone to swings)
IUD is.... middling, and its what I have now (at the ripe age of 30). I maybe should have gone with copper. I can't speak to insertion as I had mine inserted during a surgery in the same area, specifically because the other times I tried to get one it was a. way too painful and failed or b. I was way too tense and the doctor refused knowing it would be too painful. I like that I don't have to remember to do anything with it really. The strings curled up so unfortunately I did have to go get an ultrasound to make sure it was still there. Mood swings are.. eh. I have gained weight. I did notice my period didn't really *go away* so much as become completely unpredictable and weird. But my cramps did reduce and the bleeding is minimal.
Absolutely do not never ever get Nexplanon I will not elaborate just don't do it abort abort (I was a young adult here but I distinctly remember ideation being an issue etc)
Hope that helps!