[FireCali]

Hey guys I know this sounds wierd, but you guys are my last hope. I am on birth control right now (nuvaring) and I can't keep my weight down. I am about 5'5 148-150 pounds, but definetly not all muscle. I am having a VERY hard time loosing weight and holding onto my muscle. I am lifting weights heavy 2-3 days per week and cardio for at least 30 minutes 3-4 days per week. I am eating fairly reasonable not bad but not good.

I have been on several other birth controls: the pill for 2 weeks and I gained 5 pounds and bled, Depo-provera shot for 3- 3 1/2 years (no one told me I would gain 10-20 pounds on it like I did and that you loose bone density and your hair sheds like it did), then I went on the patch and my breast got huge I had to buy new bra's and I was nauseated and vomiting constantly, then I found the nuvaring which I have been on for 2 1/2 almost 3 years.

I have no bad side effects with the nuvaring except latley I feel like my body is taking a plung and I am only in my early 20's. I can not hold onto my muscle and I am lifting heavy and correctly. I am getting good workouts in, but the only thing that seems to show on my body is the fat. I want to be stronger for my firefighting and have less fat, more muscle, and my libido back!

So I have been researching birth controls latley and I am coming to the conclusion, that the hormones that I have been putting in my body for almost the past decade may not be so good. The only non-hormonal birth control that I have found is the Paragard (Copper T IUD) which is copper that is in tubing in your body and inserted in your cervix. It stays put for ten years if you want and you only have to check that the strings are still there. It has been on the market for almost 2 decades and have a higher effectiveness than many of the other forms of birthcontrol (99.2% effective) also copper is already in our body and bloodstream in smaller traces that the copper in the birthcontrol. In studies that have had extreme heat women have not had any issues (that is what I was scared about with our extreme heat conditions).

Well I guess what I am getting to after telling you all of this info is, what works for all of you women out there. Do any of you use the IUD copper T (Paragard)? What side effects do you have to the birth controls that work for you? I want to loose this birth control weight and be able to gain my muscle and libido back. Any info or advice will help guys, since my hubby and I dont want children for 3-5 more years since we are seriously in our careers at this point.

[ewright]

You need to do more cardio. 30 minutes 3 times per week is not enough. You need to do at least 60 minutes 5 times per week. That should keep your weight where you want it. With meals, try to eat normal size portions (not what us Americans are accustomed to). These two things are most important when reaching your ideal body weight. Hope this helps.

[FireCali]

Thank you for your reply, but I know about eating healthy and working out since I am a personal trainer. I know that it is the hormones that are messing my body up. I appreciate your help, but that much cardio and the combination of fire training every week and fires is too much. That will definetly do more harm than good. I know that us ladies definetly need more strength than cardio, that is why we blow the mens doors on the CPAT when it comes to the stepmill. I have tried the massive amounts of cardio and eating good and like everyone else on hormone birth control I can't loose a pound.

[kmd24]

I experienced simiar weight gain with Depo. My doctor recommended a bone density scan after I had used it for 3 years - I had no bone loss. Still, I switched to the Mirena IUD. It's good for 5 years. It is the hormonal and I rarely have a period. I have not experienced the physical side effects that you are describing with the IUD. I would ask for a local anesthetic when they insert it, the cervix is a sensitive thing. My Dr didn't use any. Does this help?

[labbott]

I also use the Mirena IUD, like the previous reply states it is uncomfortable to have it inserted. For a couple months after it didn't feel great to ride a bike w/o some advil, this passed though. The good news is then you're done for 5 years and most likely won't have periods. My gyn said this was not harmful and they have been used in Europe for over 20 years. The freedom is terrific. I consulted Web MD for further medical discussion before getting one. Another firefighter friend switched to Mirena as well. Hope this helps in your search.
_________________
labbott

[FireCali]

So has anyone used the Copper T IUD Paragard 380A? I am trying to get the Copper T Paragard, because it doesnt have the hormones that are in the Mirena which my friends have gained weight on. If anyone has used the Copper T Paragard I would Love to hear what your side effects were and how you would rate it. Are you still on it, how long were you on it, did you bleed alot, cramp alot, any weight gain, and how was it for firefighting since it has the copper in it? Any info would be greatly appreciated. I appreciate all of your guys input on this subject again in advance.

[baileydonk]

Do you or your husband object to using condoms? I was on hormonal birth control (pills) for over fifteen years, and have uterine fibroids perhaps not *caused* by the hormones but definitely *exacerbated* by them. If you are concerned about effects to your body, the good ol' condom is the only completely non-invasive way to go - no hormones and no messing with your uterus.

I know, I know, a lot of people find them awkward or think they "ruin the mood"... but hey, just might give you that "dating" feeling.

[FireGirlVA]

Hello- you should check into something called PCOS (Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome). I have been a career ff for 5 years now. After 2 years, in my early 20's, I began to gain weight and could not lose it- I have always been althletic and eaten healthy. I would work out with the guys on shift and off duty- NOTHING was helping. I was having problems with my birth control, too. I went to my pcp, who sent me to my gyn. PCOS effects your hormones and can cause insulin resistance without being a diabetic. Do a web search for credible information on PCOS, look at the symptoms and consult your doctor. Hope this helps!

[passthenozzleplease]

I have been on Depo-provera for 9n years. (I realize the recommended time is 2 years). I have no periods, no weight gain, and my department pays for it. There are some risks for some women:

It is thought that it may be linked to Osteoperosis. My department, aware of this, scheduled me for a bone density test. I am 32, on Depo 9 years, but so far have no calcium deficiency and no bone loss.

It is linked to depression and weight gain. Hell, we're women. EVERYthing seems to be linked to weight gain and depression. I did not gain but maybe 5 pounds and I exercise moderately in summer, and aggressively the rest of the year.

[baileydonk]

[ltmalinski]

I like LoEvra. The hormones from regular Pills were making everything the guys like to call me true..... GYN thought I could try this one and it worked with no Evil-PMS-Woman- Monster all month long. No weight gain (not that theres much room to gain more.... ) I don't smoke so the risk of stroke is mild (should I have told the GYN that I EAT a little smoke now and then?) Ahh, well, and the good thing is I can regulate my period if I want to, just skip the lil pink ones if I need to...

[FireCali]

Thank you gals for all of the info. So I guess I am going to have to conclude that no one has had or has a Copper IUD? I am going to my doctors on the 13th, so hopefully I can get steered in the right direction. I think that I am going to go for it. Anymore advice would help though.