I (26) have been on birth control since 16. I had a benign (9cm) cyst on my fallopian tube and had the tube and ovary removed due to the growth. My Gyn put me on the Patch to regulate my cycle as the cyst was caused by an escaped unfertilized egg (how it was explained to me) and I told her I have a fear of taking pills. In my experience, the Patch has been great for me with minimal to no side effects that I know of. I did not balloon in weight, have acne, or mental health issues. I am interested however in how my body would feel without the hormones. I have had low libido for as long as I can remember but I was put on BC at the prime teenage horny age so I have no idea how my adult body would feel.
Fast forward and I have been with my husband for 8 years. At 23 I started to ask my gyn at my yearly appointments about more long term birth control options as my husband and I have no desire to have children. I specifically asked about an IUD and she explained to me that IUDs can cause cysts and that she wants to protect my remaining ovary as much as possible. I've been going to the same Gyn for so long as she was the one that did my surgery. I highly doubt she would even entertain a request for a tubal.
I have discussed a vasectomy with my husband and he agrees that due to not wanting children he should have it done. Unfortunately, he has severe medical anxiety and I would never force him to have a surgery he doesn't want. His friends have done it and have positive recovery stories so I think its a matter of mustering up the courage.
With all of that being said these are my questions:
Should I shop around for a new OBGYN and get a second opinion on an IUD? What is your experience with IUDs, hormonal or not? What is your experience of stopping birth control cold turkey after a decade?
Thank you all in advance! I did some searching on this sub about the topic but it seems like the most replied convos are 2+yrs old and have slightly different circumstances about what I am asking.