Contact Us
Public Health
Seattle & King County
401 5th Ave., Suite 1300
Seattle, WA 98104
Click here to email us
Phone: 206-296-4600
TTY Relay: 711
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Family Planning Program
Birth Control Method Stories
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Using an IUD
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"I have a 4 year old and I'm in college so I don't want any more children for a while. I liked the IUD because it has no hormones - I gained weight taking birth control pills; and I had trouble remembering to take them. I was a little worried after reading the brochure that getting the IUD inserted would hurt -- but a friend of mine told me that she got one put in after her daughter was born and that the insertion wasn't painful. She was right -- it wasn't bad at all." |
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~ Celia, 24 year old college student, mother of 1
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Taking birth control pills |
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"Right now I'm using birth control pills because my periods were really long and painful. I've been using them for about 2 years, and they've worked really well for me so far. I'm married so we decided we didn't need to use condoms. When I was younger, I used condoms because I wasn't sure about some of my old boyfriends. I'll probably go off the pill soon because we want to get pregnant after my husband finishes college in 6 months." |
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~ Vanessa, 22 year old hair stylist, no children
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Using Depo Provera |
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"I use the shot because I really don't want to be pregnant right now, and I know it works. I like that I don't have to take a pill every day -- my life is too busy, and I know I'd forget. One of my friends told me that she got fat on the shot, but I haven't gained weight at all. I still use condoms because I don't want to catch anything." |
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~ Tiffany, 16 year old high school student, no children
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Getting a tubal ligation |
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"I was done having kids by the time I was 22 so I knew I wanted something that would last a long time. I had my tubes tied when my second child was about 3 years old. I knew I didn't want a third child, but my friends and family told me I should wait a while to make sure. I got pregnant again and ended up having an abortion. I scheduled the appointment for the tubal right after that. I've never regretted the decision -- I just wish I'd had it done sooner, and then I wouldn't have gotten pregnant the third time." |
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~ Blanca, 28 year old accountant, mother of 2
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Getting a vasectomy
a woman's point of view |
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"I have 2 kids that I love, but both pregnancies were a surprise. I was on the pill off and on for years and when I was off the pill my husband and I used condoms -- sometimes. I had a diaphragm for a while but never used it -- not once! We got pregnant NOT using condoms. So when my daughter was 18 months old my husband got a vasectomy. It was his idea and I thought it was a good idea too. It's great not to worry about 'surprises' any more." |
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~ Leila, 36 year old waitress, mother of 2
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Getting a vasectomy
a man's point of view |
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"After my fourth child was born, I just realized that I couldn't handle any more child support ... no matter what a woman wants!! I had a son and three daughters. It was enough. Getting a vasectomy, I wouldn't have to rely on a woman remembering to take her pills or whatever, even if a condom busted. I traded a little pain in the short run for peace of mind in the long run. It was the right decision for me." |
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~ David, 27 year old laborer, father of 4
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Using the Ring |
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"I've been on the Ring about ten months now. I love it because it is simple to use and I don't have to worry about taking a pill every day. My husband has no complaints. He was worried he would feel it during sex, but he’s only felt it a few times and it didn’t bother him. The Ring has made my period go from a very heavy flow and very painful cramping to a 2 - 4 day period and light or no cramps. This is the best part of the Ring!" |
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~ Becky, 23 year old teacher’s aide, no children
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Using the Patch |
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"I was on the Pill for 4 years before my first child. After she was born I wanted something more convenient so I switched to the Patch. I think it's easier to remember to change my patch once a week than to take a pill every day. I will probably stay on the Patch until the day my boyfriend and I decide to have another child." |
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~ Mari, 26 years old, mother of one
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