WomanSavers.com Forum / ASK DR. WOMANSAVER / Birth Control Randomness

Hey, on the subject of BC. I have been on something called Micronor for 3 months. I was off the pill for 2 years prior, and hubby and I just used the ole‘ pull and pray form of BC. I know...not very effective. But I havent gotten pregnant. And condoms are not an option for us. We both hate them, and they can irritate me.

Soo..Micronor is a progesterone pill..no estrogen. However, my boobs are as big as cantaloupes and I‘ve gained close to 10 pounds. I have been getting exercise more lately, and not eating any worse than 3 months ago. I blame the pills.

Not to mention my periods were awful, and usually BC pills regulate it for me. However, on this crap-pill, I have 2 periods a month. One in the middle of the pill pack that is awful, worse than before. Very painful and heavy. Lasts for at least 6 days and 1-2 days after that coming off. Then, a week later, when the pills say I‘m supposed to start, I have another period. Much lighter, but still painful and very evidant.

I‘m hoping Dr Womansaver can answer a couple questions for me. But remember, I refuse to get an IUD, I have thought about it extensively and I don‘t want to shove a piece of plastic up me when I can‘t even use tampons because my cervix is so small.

Also, I don‘t want the pill anymore. I still smoke, although I plan to quit this year. I‘m not a fan of hormones because they always make my boobs so big and tender and I always gain weight, even when I was in the gym 5 times a week.

I also won‘t use that gummy jelly ring thingy. I refuse to stick anything inside me. Sponge, contraceptive jelly, diaphram, NOTHING.

My hubby is willing to get a vasectomy, but that won‘t help my terrible periods.

Will getting my tubes tied affect my periods at all? I do understand a womans physiology, so I know that I will still have periods, but will they be as strong?

I don‘t want another child ever, and I‘m too young and not sick enough to get a hysterectomy. I‘m just looking for some reliable BC that doesn‘t involve hormones or foreign objects in my body.

And I really want relief from my periods. They can really cripple me for 3-4 days a month.

Any suggestions? Tell me to quit whining like a baby?

Hi Fifi Larue.
You have some valid concerns about birth control.

First of all, the "pull-out" method isn‘t the best way to prevent pregnancy as you know.  You have been lucky so far, but as I have seen many women are in for a big surprise when it doesn‘t work!

If you find that condoms irritate you, you may be allergic to latex.  Have you tried using a non-latex condom?

Micronor can make your periods irregular as you described.  Weight gain is a rare side effect of the progestin only pill, but it surely can occur in some women.

I don‘t know your individual case, but having a small cervix is very rare... As you probably know, the cervix is located high up in the vaginal canal and is the donut shaped opening to the uterus. 


If you are able to have periods, then you probably don‘t have a small cervix.  Tampon insertion can be difficult or uncomfortable due to other reasons.  It might just be that you feel uneasy having something inside you, like you mentioned.  If the tampon is not inserted high enough, it can also cause an uncomfortable feeling while sitting down or walking.  It is also possible to have vaginismus (spasms of the vagina) which prevent tampon insertion.  The tampon sits OUTSIDE the uterus, in the vaginal canal.


An IUD is NOT something you insert yourself!  It is a small device made of copper or plastic and looks like this:



Unlike a tampon which is placed outside the uterus and cervix, the IUD goes INSIDE the Uterus, and is placed there by a doctor.  It shouldn‘t be painful or even uncomfortable.  This method of birth control releases hormones gradually and is good for a few years depending on the type.


There are other methods of birth control like the diaphragm, and the Nuva Ring the "gummy jelly ring thingy", which you mentioned. This one is placed OUTSIDE the uterus near the cervix, and you have to insert it by yourself, similar to a tampon.

Anyway if you don‘t want something inside you or are tired of the pill there are other options:

1.  Tubal Ligation for you or Vasectomy for him.  If you are sure that you are done with having children, and considering tubal ligation, talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks as they pertain to you.  This method is unlikely to affect your periods though.  A vasectomy is a simple procedure done with local anesthesia on an outpatient basis; talk with your husband and his doctor if you are considering this.

2.  Depo Provera.  This is an intramuscular injection or shot which you get at the doctor‘s office.  Like your pill, it contains Progesterone only.  The good thing is that it lasts 3 months.   However it does commonly cause weight gain, and irregular unpredictable breakthrough bleeding.

3.  Transdermal Patch.  This is like a small sticker you put on for 3 weeks and remove for 1 week to allow your period to come through.  This method of birth control contains Estrogen and Progesterone at a higher level compared to the pill.  It is effective, but some of the disadvantages are that you‘ll need to change sites, be careful when using lotions, perfumes, etc, possible skin irritation, it is visible, and if it comes loose or peels off for any reason, it‘s not effective.

Here is a good article.. It contains all you need to know about contraception and the different options out there.  I hope you find something you and your husband are comfortable with.
http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=wom_issu/8943

Dr.WS