Birth control

[Well Spent]

What is the best birth control method if you absolutely do not want a pregnancy and are genetically very fertile (judging by family members)? what are the best brand names of the methods you recommend?

[disneysteve]

Other than abstinence, I'd say a tubal ligation for the woman and a vasectomy for the man. If he goes for the vasectomy, be absolutely sure he does the follow up sperm counts as scheduled because some guys aren't totally sterile for many months after the procedure.

[Well Spent]

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[disneysteve]

This isn't my field, but I believe the DepoProvera shot has the lowest failure rate. Don't quote me on that, though. Ask your gynecologist.

Is one method enough? Theoretically, no. None of the options are 100% effective. Even a failure rate of a fraction of 1% means that some users do get pregnant. Probably the best is to combine a hormonal option with a barrier option.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

DepoProvera is the best.

[MonkeyMama]

My understanding was IUD was the best.

I was sold in 2005 - failure rate was LESS than sterilization.

I just did a quick web search and found a site which backs what my doctors told me. (They were really pushing IUDs - must save the HMOs $$$$ since so effective).

Contraceptive Info :: Birth Control Failure Rates

I guess a plus is that you don't have to remember to take a pill or get a shot.

[MonkeyMama]

I remember now - they really push IUDs on mothers. Not as highly recommended if you never had children. Or if not in a long-term relationship.

But the chart should still be helpful...

[mommyof4]

Originally Posted by Well Spent

What is the best birth control method if you absolutely do not want a pregnancy and are genetically very fertile (judging by family members)? what are the best brand names of the methods you recommend?

Abstinence.

[zakity]

Well, I tell my boys that if they are going to have sex to use 4 to 5 at least. Of course, sex is far off for all three of them.

[Well Spent]

I'm leaning towards the Pill and condoms together.

I don't like the idea of the IUD because it has to be surgically installed and removed. I read up on DepoProvera but I'm hesitant because if you have side effects on it like debilitating depression or severe headaches you're stuck with them for 3 months straight. At least the Pill can be stopped immediately if it causes bad side effects. I've heard that males don't like to wear condoms but i think their made really thin now right?

I don't want to do abstinence anymore so that's not an option for me. I've gone without for too long.

[MonkeyMama]

Just to clarify - getting an IUD is not a surgical procedure. (Clarify for anyone else anyway). I'd say it's less surgical than a shot (no piercing skin)! A doctor just has to insert it and remove it. Which takes all of 5 seconds.

BUT like I said, it may not be a good fit for women who have not had children anyway.

Doubling up sounds excellent - I would use no less before I wanted kids! (4 or 5 - yeah - I would tell my kids that too - hehe).

[ceejay74]

Depo provera, but don't stay on it for more than a few years (say, 5).

If you're having sex with someone new, make sure you use a condom until you both get STD tests--it's not a guarantee, but it increases your safety. Depo doesn't protect against STDs.

[Phenomenal Woman]

For me it was the Neuva Ring. I did the implant, three types of pills, the shot and got severe daily migraines. I still get headaches on the ring but not as bad.

You might have to factor in what your body handles best.

[fruitbowlk]

The DepoProvera shot has worked well for me.

[cptacek]

Originally Posted by Well Spent

I'm leaning towards the Pill and condoms together.

I don't like the idea of the IUD because it has to be surgically installed and removed. I read up on DepoProvera but I'm hesitant because if you have side effects on it like debilitating depression or severe headaches you're stuck with them for 3 months straight. At least the Pill can be stopped immediately if it causes bad side effects. I've heard that males don't like to wear condoms but i think their made really thin now right?

I don't want to do abstinence anymore so that's not an option for me. I've gone without for too long.

whoa, whoa, whoa. Are you making this decision by yourself? Are you married? Are you in a serious relationship? Or are you just tired of not having sex and have decided to have some if you can find someone to give it to you? I ask because these two sentences together: "I've heard that males don't like to wear condoms but i think their made really thin now right?" and "I've gone without for too long" makes it sound like you don't have a male around you can ask (uh, like the one you are planning on sleeping with, maybe?) and are just kind of planning it for some random time in the future.

Sorry, maybe I didn't read this right at all. If I read it wrong, please accept my apologies.

Anyway, I don't know what the failure rates for other contraceptives are, but the sympto-thermal method is all natural AND 98% effective if done correctly. Fertility awareness - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Well Spent]

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[cptacek]

Eh, it isn't so hard. Instead of remembering to take a pill every morning, you take your temperature every morning and put it on a graph. Not that much of a difference, and you aren't adding hormones to your body that can cause blood clots, stroke and maybe even death.

[Caoineag]

I did Depo Provera for more years than they like you to be on it for the reason that my family is extremely fertile. Now on Minerva (IUD) because it has a low failure rate as well. If you aren't in an exclusive committed relationship, you should probably do a birth control and a condom becuase there are plenty of STD's that last longer than a kid...

[Well Spent]

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[Caoineag]

Oh I agree that you can still get STD's with a condom. Thats why I never slept with anyone until I was totally sure that I could trust them. But condoms are better than nothing.