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Seeking an alternative to Birth Control

Birth control makes me mean, cry a lot, and not able to get tasks done. I wake up and just go through the motions of the day. I have two small children and cannot be like that. I have been on multiple birth control pills, the depo shot, nuvaring, and the copper iud. Every time I’ve mentioned that I don’t handle it well, she just wants to switch me to the nuvaring. Is there any type of bc that will not have this type of effect on me or an alternative to birth control that will keep the pain minimal and the endometriosis from growing?



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  1. Hello I feel your pain. I have struggled for years with birth control, and tried to avoid it for as long as I could because of the emotional toll. It made me miserable. I am now on provera, which seems to be working OK. But ideally, I would like to move on from hormonal support, I just don’t know whether it will be possible. There’s a book I plan to read soon, by Dr. Jolene Brighten, it’s called Beyond The Pill. It seems very interesting as it explains why for many women hormonal treatments are so challenging, and she offers alternatives and ways to do things differently. I don’t know how great this book is, but I’ve heard good things, and maybe it can be of help to you.

    Thanks for reaching out, I am sending you a massive hug – Jessie (team member)

    1. That's so nice to hear, ! Are you now trying something different to keep your symptoms and pain at bay? - Pam (team member)

  2. I was on Orilissa.

    1. It was not bad to be honest. I experienced a great deal of being nauseous. It stopped my period and made me feel better. Cramping here and there but pain was way more manageable.

    2. So glad to hear it seemed to be helpful for you! Hoping you are still finding relief 😀 -Kimberli (Team Member)

  3. I've had many of the same issues with hormonal pills as well. Like you, I've tried every kind they have to offer and to be honest, my "original" OBGYN didn't tend to listen to my response about the issues I was having, or simply tried to add antidepressants to try and counter the effects of the pill. Either way, it wasn't working for me. Like you, I had (at the time) little ones at home and I couldn't afford to be like that for my children. After a long talk with my husband, we decided that he would have a vasectomy and I would manage the endo symptoms as best I could with other options. It's been a few years since then. Even though I do have quite a few symptoms from my endo, at least I'm not dealing with the hormonal side effects too. I don't know about your situation, or if that would even be an option or consideration for you, but it was the best answer for me and it has made a big difference. I really hope you find something that works for you and makes managing your life with endo a little easier. How have things been recently? -Leanne, Community Moderator

    1. - I hear you! Birth control pills do the same for me. And it is crazy. Right now I have to stay on them because they keep my cysts at bay, but I definitely cannot wait for the day where I can come off them.

      I will say though, some other pain management tools I use, that seem to be very helpful is diet change. Taking out so many foods has really helped with the bloat + pain. CBD, and just making sure I am doing light stretching and moving my body every now and again every day!

      Hoping this comment finds you well and that you are having a pain free day and have found something that works for you! -Kimberli (Team Member)

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