Birth Control Options for Light Smokers: Alternatives to Levlen & DepoProvera

Question
Hi I'm 38, have 2 kids - 8 & 10, am currently on Levlen ED Tablets 150/30mcg but the doc reckons because I'm a light smoker (4-6 cigs a day) I can't take the pill any more.  She's pushed the Minera but all my research has turned up bucketloads of negative reports.  I initially started taking the pill because I bled for 2 weeks, spotted for 2 weeks, bled for 2 weeks, spotted for 2 weeks and on and on.  I tried the DepoProvera but bled continuously even after 3 injections in a 2 mth period so I ended up back on the pill.  I've already had a Grade 3 displacia removed just over 11 years ago and am hesitant to do anything that might cause me more problems.  Hubby would go and a get snipped if we were sure that my going off the contracteptive wouldn't lead back to the bleeding problems again.  I mentioned having a hysterectomy but she poo-pooed that idea immediately and did not want to discuss it as an option.  Can you please advise what avenues I should take.  We do not know of any history of family problems as my father was adopted and I do not have any contact with my mother or her side of the family, although I think her parents both died of heart-attacks but given their lifestyle no-one was particularly suprised.

Many thanks

Karen Yates

Answer
Hi Karen,

Thanks for your question. I don't recommend the depo provera or the mirena. I think there are a lot of side effects from most kinds of birth control. Is there a reason you would not want any more children? Does your doctor have any insight on why you had the bleeding and spotting problems? I wonder how long it would be before you had menopause. Also, there is a method called Natural Family Planning. There used to be an expert on that (NFP) here on allexperts.com if you want to try to find her and ask more. Or do some research on the internet about NFP. I would love for you to email me at CHERYL51@aol.com in case I get some more insights on your situation. So email me and put ALLEXPERTS in the subject line.

Talk soon.
Diane Cheryl