Which family planning method is recommended for diabetic women on insulin.?

Question

I am 33 years old diabetic and using IUD and I often suffer from candidasis. What would you recommend? What are the side effects of using IUD.

Answer 1

At 33 years old, you're pushing the limits of healthy pregnancy even for non-diabetics, but definitely for a Type 1 woman.  Pregnancy in Type 1's is very risky, and all conditions have to be nearly perfect to avoid miscarriage or permanent damage to you or the baby.  Just get a tubal ligation (tubes tied) and be done with it, that's what I did.  

Answer 2

This is a question for you and your ob/gyn to discuss.

Everyone is different.

Answer 3

Many (most???) diabetics also suffer from high blood pressure.  Birth control pills tend to raise blood pressure, so birth control pills are usually NOT a good choice for a diabetic woman.

Generally speaking, the less "pharmaceutical" and more "mechanical" the method, the better it is for a diabetic woman.  That means condoms, diaphragms, IUDS and spermacides are preferable to pills and hormones. As you may know, though, the "mechanical" products often reduce spontaneity, and of cousre a condom is partially the responsibility of yout husband.

Are you planning a pregnancy at some time?  If not, you or your husband might consider  "having your tubes tied" -- either his or yours.  Generally speaking, both surgeries are not reversible (I don"t care what the doctors tell you . . . .)

If you ARE planning to get pregnant later, please take good care of yourself now!  Diabetes has been shown to have a statistical link to both miscarriages and birth defects.  But by keeping your sugars under TIGHT control, you can avoid both.