Hello

[HJam5880]

Hi everyone I’m new here so I’ll tell you about myself then I’ll tell you my question.

I’m 22 years old and never had a serious relationship until now. I still live at home and attend college. It’s my last semester and I will graduate in May. I’ve never had sex or never kissed anyone except family.

Anyways so my boyfriend and I shared our first kiss on Friday after 2 months of dating. Yesterday, we had sex but didn’t, it was dry sex. We both had undies on but he was so polite and even though he wanted to, he didn’t penetrate because I wasn’t ready. My question is, what type of birth control would you suggest? It will be backed up with condoms but I feel like condoms aren’t enough by themselves. I’ve always been told to have 2 forms of birth control. Would you suggest the pill or an IUD? If you suggest an IUD, which one do you prefer? I know everyone has different opinions and I should talk to my dr, but I go to the dr this Wednesday and I want to be prepared before I go. Also, if I want an IUD would I have to go to a GYN or could my family doctor do it?

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Well, I guess the pill is easy and quickly reversible. There is the 'mini' pill and the 'combined' pill, but I'm a bit hazy about the difference. You can research a bit before you see your doctor, and of course there are also different brands, which might affect you differently.

I'm in the UK, and had and IUD fitted by my GP - local doctor, assisted by a nurse. It was a little uncomfortable. It was Minera coil - with progesterone (HRT for menopause symptons, not for birth control). The after effects caused a very painful period, but that only happened once and after that, everything was much improved.

I think you're very sensible not to rely just on condoms. I was taught they are 90% effective, but that is a 10% risk of pregnancy, which is high compared to other birth control methods and, of course, the one using the condom isn't the one who might get pregnant!

Wishing you joy.

[kjaylah]

Over in the UK they don’t tend to fit coils for people who aren’t sexually active/ haven’t had children.

I would suggest that the pill would be the best form for someone your age or even the deppo shot or implant if they offer that there?

The pill by far is the easiest to come off if you don’t react well to the hormones, you are likely to experience changes when you go on any birth control, whether it’s headaches or changes to your cycle and that’s normal, but if it’s something that doesn’t settle down then the pill is the easiest to change.

But most definitely do have another form of contraception, because condoms are not a sure thing! They can split, and all it takes is a little drop...!

[HJam5880 in reply to kjaylah]

I’m in the US but I don’t know if they would do the IUD here either, I guess I’ll have to check when I go to the dr.

[MMoth in reply to HJam5880]

I am from USA and have an IUD. Mirena has plans for women without insurance. Check with a reputable OBGYN.

[Lovelife678]

Hi, I’m from the UK and I asked my GP about going on the pill but it was recommended that I don’t use it as I suffer from migraines and some people suffer headaches on the pill. Instead I got the contraceptive implant in my arm (GP said it’s more than 99% effective, she also fitted it there and then) it is also very long lasting as it only needs replacing every 3 years, meaning you don’t need to think about it.Wishing you the best!