In ER4YT the book says not to take birth control pills. Which I understand because every time I'm on the pill I gain 15 pounds fast.  Well what about the IUD, same thing? I'm on my third baby so I really need to be on some kind of birth control.

You could try Natural Family Planning - there are some great books on it. All my friends do it and you don't have to put anything foreign into your body.

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Try the book Taking Charge of your Fertillity. It's full of good info.

google the Billings Method see if that might work.

how about a diaphragm?

Natural Family Planning works wonderfully if you follow the guidelines exactly.  There's a book called The Ovulation Method that's very educational.  Besides pills causing weight gain and nasty mood swings, so I hear, they are also abortive.  Something you may want to consider.

I think for a type A a significant issue with the use of birth control pills would be the increased risk of clotting problems. I assume this would be worse for a type A non-secretor.

I personally would have  the operation instead of letting you worry about it...what's his problem?

Not that you guys really want to know this, but I have to say, on the subject of clotting, I'm happy to be an A.  After giving birth, I "drain" for two days----that's it.  None of this week after week deal.

I'm not ecstatic to be taking the pill, but that's better, in my experience, than very heavy and painful periods.  I stayed off the pill for a few years and then went back to it because it regulates my periods so wonderfully...

Since I started following the BTD (two months now!! ) I haven't experienced any mood swings related to the pill and I've been loosing weight.  I'm hoping that being compliant most of the time will balance out the negative effects of the pill - or am I being too naive?!  

BTD may help with heavy periods and cramps.  One possible reason for heavy periods is low iron.  Also, using a menstrual cup, like the Mooncup (UK), Diva Cup, or Lunette helps with cramps!

Natural family planning, Billings Ovulation Method, Taking Charge Of Your Fertility, etc all require cooperation between partners and is a wonderful way to be in sync with your body.

Another menstrual cup is The Keeper.  I'd love to hear testimonies as to how these work.  I don't know anybody who's ever used them, but I like the idea.

Wouldn't surprise me if your periods straighten out and become easier to deal with after being on the BTD a while.  You might be able to use another method other than pills eventually.  I'll start a post asking for testimonies about cycles straightening out after being on the BTD, and it might encourage you a little.  I'll start it under Testimonials.

The Keeper is made of rubber rather than silicone.  The silicone is easier to sterilize (it can be boiled).  For those allergic to latex, they need to stay away from The Keeper rubber menstrual cup.  The Keeper is an ugly color in my opinion.  The silicone cups are clear/white or clear/yellow in color.

Great source of support on menstrual cups because there is a learning curve:  http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MoonKeeperDivas/

Thank you so much for your suggestions and support!!  I'll start by looking into menstrual cups: one step at a time  

The women I know who use the Diva cup absolutely love it!  They all wish they had known about it years ago.

'Birth control choices' is a tough topic to wade through.  Each system has its draw backs, but some are more life threatening than others.  I agree that the birth control pill is a treacherous path to walk.  Some people make it fine, but others have severe long term detriment to their health.

The diaphram works very well and is low impact.  The only problem for me was that the spermicidal jelly may have contributed to the cervical polyps that developed and had to be surgically removed.

I used a combination of rhythm/ovulation method and the diaphram during the fertile phase.  If your periods are regular, it's easy to track your fertile times.  And you only need to use some other method for 1/2 the month.

Free charting can be done at http://www.fertilityfriend.com

The Billings Method  http://www.woomb.org/bom/

Quoted from Ribbit

Another menstrual cup is The Keeper.  I'd love to hear testimonies as to how these work.  I don't know anybody who's ever used them, but I like the idea.

I started to use a Mooncup last summer and haven't looked back.  No problems or concerns at all