Raw Food AND Birth Control??

[TheNewLucilleBall]

I decided to go off the Nuva Ring yesterday. This is day 47 of being raw, and I've been on the Ring consistently for at least the last year and a half, probably two years...so I don't really notice how it affects me anymore. I didn't really pay attention then how I felt or any noticeable changes either, and I figured what's the point of eating healthful food if I'm just pumping myself full of toxins 24/7? SO, seeing as I'm 20, and don't want to get pregnant, anyone have a holistic method of birth control? Besides finding out when my cycle is...I want to do that AND use another method as well...Thanks!

[JennaHoneyBear]

you could keep track of your cycle, I know that works for a lot of folks.

I use a copper iud. it seemed like the best option for me--hormone-free!

[TheNewLucilleBall]

Don't you worry about metals leeching into your body? I just don't want to use a method that seems..."against" nature or will be making my body toxic.

[Shels]

I'd love to say I know of natural birth control, but I have no idea. I went off "the pill" (Lutera) earlier this year, simply because I ran out and couldn't find access to any more, and boy did I feel better without it! I'm determined not to go back to it, but I really want to find something. (I can't keep track of my cycle, as it's disappeared).

I know it still sort of messes with you hormonally, but does anyone have experience with the shot? I've been considering it.

[TheNewLucilleBall]

I know it still sort of messes with you hormonally, but does anyone have experience with the shot? I've been considering it.

I DO actually. I didn't have a bad experience with it, but I'm not sure I would recommend it because if you DO have an adverse reaction, it's going to be in your body for 3 months...period. There will be nothing you can do. Also, if you're eating raw, or at least mostly raw, do you really want to pump artificial hormones through your body? You're better off eating cooked food! At least it grew out of the ground!

[JennaHoneyBear]

Don't you worry about metals leeching into your body? I just don't want to use a method that seems..."against" nature or will be making my body toxic.

nope. i haven't read anything about it leaching too much copper into the system during my research. i went over 15 years of my life with silver fillings in my teeth and was fine.

[FLuwrchLd]

I had a copper IUD for about 2 months, I hated every minute of it. I was constantly aware it was there, my periods were SOOO much longer (I was warned about it but didnt think it would of been too bad) it went from 2-3 days to 7-8 and the cramps were awful. So I got it removed and thankfully my cycles are normal again. I use a ladycomp (www.ladycomp.com) to track my cycles and on my fertiile days I use a diaphragm. The diaphragm can be a little bit of a mood killer, but my husband is fine with waiting the 15 minutes until we can "play". Hope this helps! I have been on every birth control out there, and hate every form of birth control, this is the only one that works!

[margoss]

Tracking your cycle is very good method. Once you get the hang of it, it's not that hard. I've read about some people using beads but don't know much about it. Do a search on here for bc. I think it's good you want to get more natural.
You have to take care of things yourself. I turned 39 a few weeks after I had my dd, surgery 6 weeks later. Now I was 39 and hadn't used bc since I was 21 or 22 so, why start, right. The MD wanted to put me on BCP so I wouldn't get pregnant! He couldn't understand why I wouldn't do it...still don't understand that.

[TheNewLucilleBall]

That's very funny Margo! I get similar reactions from people when I tell them I don't eat beef alone! I also get a lot of questions from people about raw food and they're always surprised how much thought some things take (ex. what types of alcohol one can consume), so when I went to put in a new NuvaRing I hesitated thinking...what's worse, chemicals or cooked plant matter?

Thanks very much everyone for the advice! I'll definitely look into learning my cycle.

[JennaHoneyBear]

the ladycomp seems so involved. taking your temperature every morning before you get out of bed? using protection on fertile days? this is the reason I chose the copper iud, its hormone free and you can just forget about it. no daily maintenance. no worries. hakuna matata :)

[Eva]

My husband and I struggled with this one for awhile... when I first went raw I was still on the Depo shot... so it still was working for another month or two. By then, there was no turning back. My whole life changed after I went raw. I was healthy and happy and clear and off meds.

I wasn't about to get the shot again.

So I looked into the copper IUD. It seemed the best option.

When meeting with the nurse, we discussed alternatives at length. The thing is, that if your body rejects it, you will have to have a pretty invasive surgery to get it straightened out. Not "that many" people reject it, but not that many people only put natural things into their body.

We talked about condoms. I always had the idea they could only be so effective and that using condoms was like playing Russian roulette or something.

That was not true. We talked about some studies apparently done in Las Vegas ~ where prostitution is legal ~ and it turns out that WHEN USED PROPERLY condoms are pretty much 100% effective.

That, along with watching your cycle, should be quite a help...

Good luck with whatever you decide.

:)

[xPIXIEx]

That was not true. We talked about some studies apparently done in Las Vegas ~ where prostitution is legal ~ and it turns out that WHEN USED PROPERLY condoms are pretty much 100% effective.



Good to know, as that's the only form of BC that my husband and I use. We have decided that it's the best option for now. I'd rather have us both "fixed" but that isn't going to happen anytime soon.

I was going to go with an IUD, but we never meet our insurance deductible and it costs A LOT to pay out of pocket for one.

[Amii]

I don't want to go back on hormonal birth control ever. I had the implant removed after only two weeks because of how it was making me feel.. now I know that I never want to go on the pill and definitely never ever get the shot.

Just stick with condoms. They're pretty much 100% effective as already stated when used perfectly.

[Junebug]

hey dear raw ladies,

im quite new here and i'd like to ask, if "tracking your cycle" means NFP? Do you know this, or maybe it's not common in the US? i took my last bc pill yesterday (after 15 years!), and will start now with NFP, which means i will measure the temperature and control the quality of the mucus. i also ordered a book on NFP (but in german, of course), but im not sure about NFP and rawism. in some other forum, i watched a discussion about the natural cycles of raw women, but no one had been able to say if and how they differ from cycles of "cooked women"...

is there anyone else here who does NFP?

[jakrawr14]

I gained 40lbs going back on hormonal birth control (that I had just lost going high raw - that was terrible). So I, too, got a copper IUD. I'm on month 7 - my periods have still quadrupled. I don't think I've ever had actual cramps prior to the ones I have now - they're serious business but, honestly, getting much better. But, for the convenience, it can't be beat. Considering I'm not interested in having children but really didn't want to take a permanent route just yet. As far as pricing is concerned, ParaGard has programs available depending on your income (there's a monthly payment plan, or, you may even be able to get it discounted or free), and my doctor was willing to work with me on payments for the insertion and check ups. My insurance... they'll cover up to three abortions a year, but wouldn't pay for my birth control. *sigh*

Even with the additional discomfort, I highly recommend it. No more stress waiting for my period to show up. No hormones to make me want to stuff my face with cooked food. It is heavenly.

[annabella]

I have done SOOOO much agonizing over birth control. I finally have a product I am EXTREMELY happy with.

I use the Femcap with a natural spermicide called Contra-gel. Before this I was using the Sponge but the chemicals in that did some weird stuff to my chemistry down there.

I have never been on hormonal BC, just freaks the crap out of me to be screwing around with your body like that. Of course I have tried a LOT and this just seems to be by far the best option for me. The Femcap can be purchased online, you don't need a fitting, it's environmentally friendly, etc..

BUT it's not as effective as condoms/IUD, about 89% I think so I also use NFP/awareness and withdrawal... pretty good bet!

[christinajade]

I use the copper IUD too. I love it! No problems and my period is not heavier at all. Maybe one day longer but that one extra day is basically nothing. :D I used the pill for like 8 years when I was in my twenties and I hated it. I got migraines and stuff. I had migraines before the pill but nothing to the extent of when I was taking all those chemicals in my body.

[Shels]

So, for those of you here saying the IUD is good, has anybody gotten it without having had a child? When I mentioned it at the doctors office recently they told me they almost never do IUD's for women who haven't given birth...
:confused:

[Eva]

So, for those of you here saying the IUD is good, has anybody gotten it without having had a child? When I mentioned it at the doctors office recently they told me they almost never do IUD's for women who haven't given birth...
:confused:

They were going to let me, and I haven't given birth...

[christinajade]

I have never given birth nor do I plan to. The doctor's are fine with that. I've never heard of doctors limiting the iud's to only women who have had kids.

[JennaHoneyBear]

So, for those of you here saying the IUD is good, has anybody gotten it without having had a child? When I mentioned it at the doctors office recently they told me they almost never do IUD's for women who haven't given birth...
:confused:

i have one and am currently baby-less

[JennaHoneyBear]

I use the copper IUD too. I love it!

Coppah IUD represent!! :D I love mine! No worries about anything!


I did have a "problem" for the first couple of months--the fishing-line-like string that hangs down kept poking my poor dbf. I had them trim it some more, then as time went on it bent down to the side (i guess, as we haven't had any problems)

[Shels]

Hm, that's so odd.
And um, feel free to ignore this if it's too personal, but I was also told that there is some stretching involved to allow it to be put in if you aren't a mother. Is this true/painful?

[JennaHoneyBear]

Hm, that's so odd.
And um, feel free to ignore this if it's too personal, but I was also told that there is some stretching involved to allow it to be put in if you aren't a mother. Is this true/painful?

Um, not sure. I was told to get it inserted during your period when the cervix is more open. I got mine in after a vacation, which was just at the end of my period, so it hurt a lot more(i think?) to get it in. I won't lie, it feels like a punch in the cervix, but after a little bit the soreness from the insertion goes away and you feel good as new. I believe I took a pain killer to help, which I don't normally do

[christinajade]

I'm not going to lie either. They have to use a "sound", an instrument that measures the cervix and allows them to dilate <---not sure on spelling, the cervix. Even though they do it during your period when its a little dilated, they still have to open a bit more. I took 2 percocets when I got it done. (Big mistake because I was nausious from it). I was prepared for "gun shot" type pain. Also big mistake. It was the worst feeling in my entire life! I've gotten surgery before and the IUD insertion was way worse. I was out on the couch for the rest of the day at home and eating jello in the evening. (This was not when I was raw), so maybe the pain won't be as bad for someone who is raw. I don't know. Anyway that being said, it is so worth it, I would do it all again just for the benefits. :D

[JennaHoneyBear]

. Anyway that being said, it is so worth it, I would do it all again just for the benefits. :D

I agree. it hurts like hell, but it's so worth it! although I'm definitely not looking forward to getting it out and back in again when I start family planning...the things we women do for our men :rolleyes: lol!