Anonymous wrote:I have not been pregnant but once when I switched from lo-overal to ortho-tri I got really, really angry about the tiniest things. If someone cut me off in traffic or if they were out of the item I wanted to order in a restaurant I would be very angry, not just mildly annoyed, and I would stay angry for hours when I can normally let it go and move on within a few minutes.

I can totally relate to the anger issues. I was a very angry bi*ch when I went on BC after having my second child.

OP-- happened to me. I didn't say anything to anyone for over a year and really, really had a hard time. The "I spend most of my day living in my head trying to convince myself not to be too crazy" is pretty damn familiar. Finally talked to my doctor and she said its pretty common.

Switch pills or methods.

Long before I had my daughter, I realized I was getting depressed and moody for no reason at all. My life was great and I couldn't figure out why I was sad. Talked to my doctor and decided to switch pills in case that was the problem. It totally was. Switched to a different formulation and the issues all disappeared.

that said - if the pills are a type that can be used as a morning-after pill, stockpile a couple of months just in case. (for you or a friend.)

FAM. Free. No hormones. Instantly reversible. Requires cooperation of both husband and wife. No side effects.

Mirena does. Paragard does not.

I got my first IUD in 2000 from a doctor who was from Brazil. At the time American-trained docs were unwilling to give them to nulliparous women but this doc had done it before and saw I was low risk (monogamous). She advised that the biggest risk of complications is in the first few weeks/months. So PP, get the IUD now while you'll be in the States for the most dangerous period, and depending on where in S American you're going you may get more experienced care, not less.

Do IUD's have hormones? I know that's a stupid question, but I had such a bad experience I won't even consider mirena or paraguard. I don't want ANY non-self hormones in my body at this point. Keep that in mind, OP.