Let's talk about contraception.

[draco_somnians]

Went to the doc's this morning about my headache, because I woke up and couldn't move my head without blinding pain. And the back of my head and neck were sore too which always sets alarm bells off for me, even if I know it can't possibly be meningitis or anything like that. Apparently I have a sinus infection. My eardrums look "dull" and it would

Comments

[lolmac]

It's been a lot of years since I needed any form of birth control, and the last time I did, the implant was brand new (and the version of that era was pretty damned scary) and the shots weren't even available. So view this through a long lens.

I came from a family with tendencies to migraines and depression; oral contraception was contraindicated from the beginning. I had great success with the IUD (the IUS also wasn't around yet). It was damned uncomfortable getting it, and I did occasionally have bad cramps, but that was it. But I never had to deal with the possibilty of reduced fertility afterwards, which is the big caution.

I eventually went onto oral contraceptives in my mid-30s, with considerable success; my doctor was able and willing to work with me to find the version that worked best.

My own fundamental attitude is that anything that actually stops you from having periods is a really bad idea in the long run. The female body is built for menstrual cycles -- when they're prevented from occurring, you're screwing up the internal chemistry in ways that can last for years. If you go that route, make sure you follow through with any additional supplements, dietary safeguards, etc., and try not to be on it for any longer than you have to.

[draco_somnians]

My own fundamental attitude is that anything that actually stops you from having periods is a really bad idea in the long run.

This is what worries me most about the injection. Apparently half of the women who have it find their periods stop completely and it can take up to a yer after stopping it for fertility to return to normal. I have concerns about my fertility anyway (came off the pill a couple of years ago and didn't have a period for six months!), so anything that's gonna screw it up any more worries me.

I've tried a few different pills to find one that suits (first one I was on got taken off the market because it didn't work properly! Awesome) and this one was fine as far as I knew. I never even considered it being the cause of migraines, but I think it's worth a shot trying something else and seeing if it makes any difference.