Chest pain while on birth control?

What are other birth control options?

• I used birth control for years until it started giving me chest pain, enough for me to go to the hospital twice. I was using the birth control pill. I stopped for a few months then started again because me and my doctor weren't sure if it was caused by the pill, so I started again but a day later the pain was back so I stopped taking it. I only saw my doctor once since then, it's been like 3 months, but I didn't mention it because I forgot and she didn't ask to check up on it. Also my doctor is horrible and probably wouldn't care... I really want to be back on some sort of birth control again because I'm sick of condoms and I don't trust them as much. What are some other birth control options I can pick from? I've heard of the patch and that T shaped thing but I don't know what else there is. Also if I got chest pain from the pill would I get it from another form of hormonal birth control? I want to be prepared with my options before going to my doctor because like I said she's horrible and doesn't care and rushes me out asap (there's no other doctors I can switch to).

• Answer:

  Well, if you are looking for non-hormonal options, you are pretty much relegated to the family planning section of your local drugstore. There are condoms (male & female), VCF - vaginal contraceptive film which can be tricky, spermicides like Conceptrol (jelly-filled applicators) or Encare (vaginal suppositories that require time to melt). Diaphragms (cervical caps) and IUDs need to be fitted/placed by a GYN. Diaphragms are removable by you, IUDs are placed into (and must be removed from) your uterus by a GYN. If you are thinking about getting an IUD, talk to the doctor's office about up-front costs BEFORE your appointment to place one in order to avoid any financial surprises. Most GYNs require that you pay for the device prior to placement due to insurance issues - The way it was explained to me years ago when I was looking at that as an option was that they were often times not getting completely reimbursed. Of the over the counter stuff in terms of spontaneity, it goes condoms, Conceptrol, Encare.