(Part 2) Top products from r/birthcontrol

Sure, these are softcups. I generally buy them at Wegmans or CVS, as unlike the reusable hardcups you need a new one every period. (I think the box says a new one daily, but I just clean it daily through each period.) Still far cheaper than tampons or pads though. I hope they work for you if you try them :) Feel free to PM any questions.

Natural Family Planning / fertility awareness are overarching terms that refer to a variety of fertiltity awareness methods. Unfortunately the medical community often does not teach even the basics of these methods in medical school. Many just consider it tea leaf reading even though there are plenty of studies illustrating the effectiveness. Usually those more informed understand that the method or perfect use effectiveness is in the 99% effective range. But the early studies found the user effectiveness to be around a 25% failure rate. More recent studies put the user failure rate between .5 and 3%, but these studies were dismissed in the book "contraceptive technology ". Instead that book decided there were no reliable studies for the user effectiveness and they gathered data form the survey of family growth. As such from that dat the user failure rate is said to be 25%.

this is the statistic that is thus used by most medical organizations but I believe it gives an incomplete picture.

I think a thing to consider is that the method requires consistent and regular observations and behavioral modification. Even if we are not talking failure rates the medical community knows that giving people a pill works better on a user level than getting them to change their diet. So on a logical level, they don't trust it.

Beyond that, I would say that those who use the method tend to have a more casual attitude toward pregnancy. the bulk of us are Catholic and are concerned about needing a just reason to avoid pregnancy. We are the primary users of the method and so our large families tell others it can't be trusted. and as such a good chunk of people who are not Catholic who use it only make the switch if they embrace a more casual attitude as well.

If you want to look further into it, here are some recommendations

http://woomb.org

http://www.fertilitycare.org

http://tcoyf.com

http://nfp.marquette.edu

https://www.lady-comp.com/en/

http://www.cyclebeads.com

http://natural-fertility-info.com/natural-menstrual-health.html

http://www.amazon.com/The-NaPro-Technology-Revolution-Unleashing/dp/0825306264

http://iusenfp.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Sweetening-Pill-Hooked-Hormonal-Control/dp/1780996071

http://www.amazon.com/The-Pill-Are-You-Sure/dp/1741750792/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=09F03AM1422NZZ4F477S

http://sweeteningthepill.com/resources.php

no problem! i use the GNC brand for all of them. i almost forgot though, i also take a menstrual symptom-specific supplement from solaray. i've heard tons of good things about shepherd's purse tincture as well, it's used as an anti-bleeding agent, i believe. i figured i shouldn't use anything like that without consulting a doctor first because of my low blood pressure, so be sure to see your GP if you're interested in trying that out in conjunction with the other supplements!

also, what's your bleeding like? mine was SOOO light so it was so annoying whenever it continued, like a leaky faucet or something lol. i get that everyone's different but i'd still take into consideration what your breakthrough bleeding is like. if yours is just spotting, it may clear up faster than mine did.

The internet community has gotchu!! It's how I cheered myself through my insertion :) I also highly recommend a hot water bottle/bag to rest on your abdomen after the insertion, mine helped allll the cramps and twinges I felt later that day and night!

The shampoo that jumpstarted my regrowth was http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SCS64IE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00 .


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FH692PQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_imb_mini_detail&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
is the one I use now which helps to foster healthy, fast growth.

With Amazon prime's free shipping you could get this: http://www.amazon.com/100%25-Pure-Tree-Good-Natural/dp/B001063NY8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375584013&sr=8-1&keywords=pure+tea+oil

My scalp gets this way, didn't even think I could credit it to my mirena!
But I was given a sample of TSAL Shampoo and it has changed my world. 2 weeks now without a single itch and all the bumps have faded away. I would give it a try!

Renew Life Women's Probiotic -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ZNDFIW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

If you’re interested in a cranberry pill, I don’t have a preference of brand I just find one that I only have to take one capsule and with at least 500mg cranberry.

Amazon.

I bought [these] (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0038L99B4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_tCIBCb6TGAK8K) and they've worked fine.

This one is for clinical guard. It seems like they dont have the 25-piece option available for now but they have the 50-piece. These are Wondfo.

I have a few thoughts/suggestions:

1. Reconsider an IUD. Not already having kids isn't a good reason to deny someone an IUD. There is a slightly bigger risk of the body rejecting the IUD, but it isn't big enough to stop you from trying. I got an IUD last November and it has been wonderful. I have never had kids. If your doctor's only reason to say no to the IUD is because you haven't had kids, go talk to another doctor. If you're in the US, I've heard good things about Planned Parenthood.
   
   
2. If you are having problems with tampons, you might want to consider alternatives. I personally use and love the Softcup. There are also other options, like the Diva cup, the Moon cup and Sea Sponge Tampons. I have heard good things about them, although I haven't tried them personally. I suspect one of the cups might be good for you since it doesn't absorb like tampons do, so it can't cause you problems from overuse.
   
   
3. If you're still having vaginal pain this long after the tampon problem, is it possible that you have a bad yeast infection or something?

You can order the Today Sponge online (but it isn't reusable): http://www.amazon.com/Today-Sponge-Vaginal-Birth-Control/dp/B002ATYHC6

Caya is a regular reusable diaphragm, but it is one size fits all. http://buycaya.com/store.html

This is the one I take, but there are lots of other ones out there. My doctor said to look specifically for “lactobacillus acidophilus” when choosing one.

When I went off the pill, my chin/jawline broke out like crazy- only time has really helped that. I've had back acne since high school, the only thing that has helped is an exfoliating washcloth. I only use it on my legs and back, it helps a lot.

I have one and I love it! I recommend that you don’t pick one that’s marketed to women for periods, but instead choose one for generic pain.
I have this one and there’s a $2 off coupon for it on Amazon

Consider the fertility awareness method. I realise it is hard for many women not to have the "security" of hormonal b.c., plus FA takes a certain level of effort and organisation, but it's so great being hormone-free, and also learning much more about the signals your body is giving you all the time. (I also had a failed IUD experience. Got it inserted but it ejected itself after 2 months and I wasn't willing to go through that pain again.)

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The first book I read was (super cheesy name) The Garden of Fertility, and I immediately felt bitter that I wasn't taught about these things back in high school or even in my 20s! https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HUVUHHS/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1