https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:52:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-term-birth-control#post-2928351 Mon, 28 Aug 2023 13:02:25 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2928351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>During my last pregnancy I was having a planned c-section and after telling my OBGYN this was our last kid he suggested a tubal but DH was surprisingly not on board. He felt that I have done enough so he offered to get a. vasectomy. Unfortunately he had a complication (they cut the wrong thing) and had to go back for a second time but after that it was smooth sailing. </p> <p>My periods have also gotten much heavier but my OBGYN doesn't want me to go back on the pill and I don't want an IUD so just living with it. </p> <p>@alphagam84: I agree with everything you said! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-term-birth-control#post-2928350 Mon, 28 Aug 2023 12:28:32 +0000 alphagam84 2928350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband had one as soon as we were done having kids. We are the ones who are pregnant for months on end and give birth...he can handle five minutes of discomfort. Tell him to man up and get it done. I'm sick of periods tbh but I don't want to go on hormonal bc again (risk of issues since over 35) and I refuse to get an IUD. Too many horror stories of them migrating and just the pain of insertion alone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-term-birth-control#post-2928349 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:21:55 +0000 karenbme 2928349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve never tolerated birth control well, I have migraines and they get much worse with any kind of hormonal birth control. We’re 9 months out from the birth of our second and last baby, and have agreed on a vasectomy. But DH has not made any appointments yet 🙄. I think I might have to do it for him as others have said. Periods suck, but not as much as chronic migraines 😅. I also have a strong family history of cancer on both sides so different gyns would only ever prescribe me mini pills (not sure what made them mini) because of breast/ovarian cancer risks, but that was also 10+ years ago so info may have changed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-term-birth-control#post-2928348 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 11:54:49 +0000 LadyDi 2928348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a tubal done during my last csection, it did not impact my recovery at all (I had three c sections so I knew what to expect). I would not have done that if I wasn't already open though, if I had vaginal births my husband would have gotten a vasectomy. I feel the same as @erinbaderin. I grew and got three humans out of my body, so I think the men can take an afternoon of discomfort. </p> <p>That being said I hate having regular periods! They are much heavier now that I am older and just linger for so long. I've considered going back on an IUD just so I don't have to deal with it (I had mirena for years before I got pregnant and had no issues) but I'm hesitant to put hormones or a device back in my body when I don't really have a need to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-term-birth-control#post-2928347 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 14:26:31 +0000 JJ2626 2928347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: hahah your last sentence made me lol. I totally agree! </p> <p>I’m only 99% sure we are done but once I am, my hubs will be getting a vasectomy. But for now, I’m good with the pill and it has benefits for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-term-birth-control#post-2928346 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:01:11 +0000 Lahela017 2928346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: I totally agree with this.</p> <p>My husband will be getting a vasectomy soon. My youngest just turned one, and DH is just waiting on my to tell him I'm for sure done with kids. He had his intro appointment though, and he's on board. I currently have a IUD, but will have it removed when the time is right and probably not do anything else afterwards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-term-birth-control#post-2928344 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 09:43:34 +0000 MACSUNSHINE 2928344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My ob recommended a tubal sterilization, it does reduce ovarian cancer I think he said. I am currently pregnant and if I have a c-section I will have it done but only if I am open from the c-section. My primary care said it is more invasive, longer recovery vs the vasectomy and the reduction of risk may not be worth it. This is all different for everyone and risks etc.</p> <p>I just emailed to get a vasectomy referral for my husband to get that ball rolling. If you are on Instagram, there is an obgyn that has posted a few reels on the topic: biglovefiercejuju. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-term-birth-control#post-2928343 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 08:31:50 +0000 erinbaderin 2928343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband got a vasectomy, and it was seriously a non-issue - they have an almost completely non-invasive method, they gave him, like, two advil and a xanax for the anxiety, and then sent him home with two more advil for "pain management". It was easy, quick, and like a previous poster said, done right in the office, not in a hospital. No offence to any husbands but I have very little patience for men who balk at doing this, after everything women go through. I'm sorry, I grew some amount of humans inside my body and then got it outside my body either through a phenomenal feat of endurance or a major surgery, and you're hesitating about a minor in-office procedure? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-term-birth-control#post-2928342 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 08:02:03 +0000 josina 2928342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JJ2626: I did some more googling yesterday and that's what I found also, that BC can prevent certain kinds of cancer, so I'm not sure which cancer my OB was referring to (she did say she had breast cancer and that was an issue for her). </p> <p>She did say I don't have any risk factors so I think I'm just going to stay on Nuvaring for at least a few more years, but its definitely something to be aware of.</p> <p>@julie31: DH has at least been talking with some of his friends about it, and MOST of the couples we know, the guy has gotten a vasectomy, so hopefully he'll come around. I just don't want to force it on him.</p> <p>@Chuckles: Agreed, its definitely tricky and a very risk vs reward thing to look at. My OB also didn't bring it up, I did, which I feel like should be something she should mention, although to be fair I'm not 40 'yet', so maybe next year she would've. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-term-birth-control#post-2928341 Wed, 23 Aug 2023 23:24:17 +0000 JJ2626 2928341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don’t know what “feed the cancer” means. I’m 40 and on hormonal birth control pills and my OB told me (and I’ve confirmed through research) that they are actually protective against cancer. They also help with symptoms of peri-menopause. So I’m likely going to stay on the pill. I haven’t had any negative side effects (have been on for over 20) and I love that I barely get my period. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-term-birth-control#post-2928340 Wed, 23 Aug 2023 22:55:30 +0000 julie31 2928340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH got a vasectomy a year after the birth of our last baby. It was such a quick procedure, in the doctor’s office (not hospital). At the time, I got the name of his doctor from my ob-gyn who said wives were usually the ones making it happen ;-)<br /> We are both super happy he pulled the trigger - nothing changed for him and I don’t have to worry about birth control. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-term-birth-control#post-2928339 Wed, 23 Aug 2023 18:37:58 +0000 Chuckles 2928339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: It's a tricky time to figure out. I'm 43 and we've been done for a few years. My family has a strong history of stroke and heart attack, so I don't want to go back on hormonal birth control. I had assumed that DH would have a vasectomy, and he was sort of open to it, but now he's basically refusing by doing nothing about it. I also don't want an IUD because of the horror stories. For now we're using condoms unless I've just very recently finished my period, and then nothing. It's not ideal, especially since menopause could still be years ago, but it's working for now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-term-birth-control#post-2928337 Wed, 23 Aug 2023 13:26:30 +0000 josina 2928337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I are done having kids, and I'll be 40 next year so starting to think long term...</p> <p>I've been on the Nuvaring since I was 20 and honestly love it, and would happily keep taking it forever - but my Dr mentioned that the estrogen 'feeds' cancer if I were to ever get it. It also has increased risks of blood clots, heart attacks, etc. after 35. I haven't had any issues, yet.</p> <p>DH isn't keen to get snipped, but I just said it was something to look into. Honestly though the idea of having regular periods again is not something I want to do. He feels like he'd get snipped and then I'd get sick of periods and get back on BC anyways.</p> <p>I'm scared of an IUD after reading too many horror stories of them migrating, and seems like it'd be the same problem with estrogen, unless I get the copper IUD which has an even higher chance of migrating.</p> <p>Any thoughts on any of the above? Anyone just plan to stay on b/c until menopause? Other suggestions? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-control-with-uncertain-ttc-plans#post-2922443 Tue, 09 Feb 2021 12:57:45 +0000 JennyPenny 2922443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! This makes me think that as long as my brain says "well, if you do go for #4 you'll start TCC early 2022" then I shouldn't get an IUD. But if my brain starts saying "you're done and feel good about being done, but not *quite* ready for permanent measures" then an IUD is a good path. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-control-with-uncertain-ttc-plans#post-2922436 Tue, 09 Feb 2021 10:55:52 +0000 nwm 2922436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bees_knees: i have the liletta which is similar to mirena, and i LOVE it. as mentioned above, it was really annoying at first, but now i don't notice it at all. and while i do get a "period," it's super light spotting that lasts for about 2 days that requires like one pantiliner a day. i used to get periods so heavy (especially after my first baby) that i would take sick days from work. so so so much better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-control-with-uncertain-ttc-plans#post-2922432 Tue, 09 Feb 2021 07:50:13 +0000 krispi 2922432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bees_knees: I love my Mirena. I've had it a little over 5 years now and plan to replace it this year with another Mirena. I got it about 8 weeks after my daughter was born, so it was frustrating dealing with the bleeding for the first several weeks, especially since I had just stopped the post-partum bleeding. But since then, it's been great. I don't get periods ever anymore, just some spotting a few times a year. I was pretty sure we were done having kids but not ready for the permanence of surgery when I got it, and it was a great decision for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-control-with-uncertain-ttc-plans#post-2922431 Tue, 09 Feb 2021 01:25:02 +0000 bees_knees 2922431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For those with Mirena—after the spotting stopped, do you now get a regular period? Or no period at all? I’m leaning towards an IUD but would love to not have a period! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-control-with-uncertain-ttc-plans#post-2922422 Mon, 08 Feb 2021 16:45:03 +0000 agold 2922422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been on the fence for a while, leaning very much towards done. I decided to never get back on birth control. Family planning, pull and pray or whatever until DH gets a vasectomy. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-control-with-uncertain-ttc-plans#post-2922421 Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:35:26 +0000 mdf106 2922421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a lot of heavy spotting in the first year with my Mirena iud, so I would not want it for just 10 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-control-with-uncertain-ttc-plans#post-2922418 Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:58:16 +0000 kayla0416 2922418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a Paragard copper IUD for 13 months between my second and third, and I thought that was fine! My dr did warn me that since the Paragard is good for ten years, if I got it out early then got another one in after my third, that some insurances might deny to cover the new one since you didn't use the entire lifespan of the first one. Not sure if I would've had a problem with that but my husband's company actually switched insurance providers between our kids so I was able to get a Mirena after #3, no problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-control-with-uncertain-ttc-plans#post-2922416 Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:23:17 +0000 MrsSRS 2922416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love love love my iud. I'm on my second mirena and I adore it. But I spotted for the first ten months so if I wasn't planning on using it for years that might have sucked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-control-with-uncertain-ttc-plans#post-2922411 Mon, 08 Feb 2021 11:20:13 +0000 JennyPenny 2922411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nwm: Ah, interesting! I guess that might be part of why my OB doesn't recommend it for short term, if it takes a while to stop having discomfort or spotting. I wish I knew how my body would respond to an IUD, that's a big part of my hesitation in just going for it I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-control-with-uncertain-ttc-plans#post-2922407 Mon, 08 Feb 2021 09:25:26 +0000 nwm 2922407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i think i would do it, the only hesitation is that i was surprised by how long the IUD stayed annoying--there were times that i could feel it, especially while running, etc, for the first few months, and it felt uncomfortable. it also took at least 6-8 weeks for the intermittent spotting to go away. since i plan to leave it in for 7 years and all that is behind me, it's just a blip on the radar, but i'm not as sure that i would do it if it was just for 10 months--i might actually find the pill less annoying for that span of time. just one thing to consider! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-control-with-uncertain-ttc-plans#post-2922406 Mon, 08 Feb 2021 08:53:28 +0000 JennyPenny 2922406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Toad: Thanks for this. It's also nice to hear that you're happy with your decision to stop. I feel like I often hear the other way - choosing to go for one more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-control-with-uncertain-ttc-plans#post-2922395 Sat, 06 Feb 2021 21:13:30 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2922395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an IUD put in at 6 weeks after birth each time. After my first two kids, it was pulled out shortly before the kid was 18 months, so well before 2 years. I did the same after my third who is now 20 months and we are done. </p> <p>I asked DH about #4 when #3 was 13 months and I was headed to the doctor. It was pull it then and go for it or leave it in and be done. I'm happy with my decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-control-with-uncertain-ttc-plans#post-2922394 Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:40:09 +0000 JennyPenny 2922394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I have always said we want 3-4 kids. #3 is almost 10 months old and lately I’ve been feeling like our family is complete. In the past I’ve done charting to prevent between kids because I liked getting to know my cycles and the minipill sucks! Also my OB had advised against getting the IUD for a time under 2 years and our TTC timelines were shorter than that. Now that I’m feeling done I think I want an IUD for a few years until I’m sure and we get a vasectomy for DH. BUT if I change my mind we had talked about TTC #4 in early 2022. So I guess my questions are:</p> <p>Would you get an IUD if there was a chance it was only for 10 months? I haven’t ever had one and I can’t remember the reason my OB suggested it only for 2+ years</p> <p>If you were on the fence about growing your family what did you do to prevent in the meantime? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bc-recs#post-2917463 Mon, 20 Jul 2020 13:02:28 +0000 mdf106 2917463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a mirena, and I don't love it. I got it postpartum, and I had a lot of spotting for a good nine months. I pushed through it, and now have monthly spotting similar to what I get when not on birth control, and I also get my normal PMS symptoms. I am still breastfeeding, so that might be affecting things, but I won't get another one when this one expires. I had spotting troubles on the minipill, which is why I tried the mirena this time. In retrospect I wish I had it removed, I missed out on not having a period postpartum which is disappointing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bc-recs#post-2917459 Mon, 20 Jul 2020 10:15:15 +0000 nwm 2917459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have the Liletta. I am really happy with it. I will say that the process of adjusting to it was more intense than my doctor made it sound. I had spotting for like 10 straight weeks (mostly v minor but still annoying) and for a month or two I could still feel the strings at times, like when I was running. Not painful but just a bit of discomfort when I did notice it. But now that I'm four months in I'm really happy with it, I can't feel it at all, I have very light spotting in place of my formerly extremely heavy period. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bc-recs#post-2917454 Mon, 20 Jul 2020 08:10:48 +0000 josina 2917454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been using a Nuvaring for 16 years and love it still. Once a month and forget it. I tend to just skip my periods for a few months by leaving it in and switching to a new one vs. removing it for a week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bc-recs#post-2917453 Mon, 20 Jul 2020 04:18:56 +0000 Ms. RV 2917453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have had Paragard (non-hormonal IUD) for about a month and a half now. I spot every now and then still (tiniest bit, generally only notice when I wipe). My periods did not get any heavier than they already were. Since it is non-hormonal, I still get periods every month, but I hated the idea of hormonal BC. Plus, it is nice it can stay in for 10 years. </p>