Just bringing some people back into reality. If you do not have health insurance, you need to figure out how to access this stuff.

Just joining in this thread. Read a little bit, but not a whole lot since there are 38 pages, but does anyone else use spermicide? I am on the pill and recently started using conceptrol as well since condoms simply aren't working out with my boyfriend (it's not that he doesn't want to wear them, it's that we break 1/3 of the condoms we use).

I dunno, I'm just a bit nervous about it since I have never not used condoms before, and I always like to double up on birth control. I know I am protected, but it's still a bit nerve-wracking!

Buy a better condom. 1/3 break rate is way too high!

Use lube. A lot of it.

Good point.

This.
And this!

Have you tried using polyurethane condoms instead of latex ones?

Well he needs large size condoms which sorta limits our choices. We have tried a few different kinds, and lube. Still 1/3 breakage :-/

And noooo, I don't even know anything about polyurethane condoms.

Hmmm...there are a lot of different large or modified condoms out there. There are stores, depending on where you live, where you can buy condoms individually, and they have all sorts of sizes.

My experience with spermicide was that I got really irritated. Later on, I read that irritation can lead to increased rates of different infections since the skin is irritated and open. That said, I have really sensitive skin and probably shouldn't use spermicidally-treated condoms, let alone spermicidal suppositories. Also, your partner can develop a sensitivity to spermicides.

Open enrollment time at work has raised some questions.

My birth control did not become free on August 1st because I was under and already existing plan. Based on everything I have read though, it SHOULD be free starting January 1 because I will be re-electing my insurance for 2013 next week. Does anyone know if I am understanding this correct?

I could, you know, probably just HR, but they aren't in our office and won't be hear for the presentation til tomorrow. And I'm impatient.

I'm on depo-provera and I love it! I only gained about five pounds from it.

This is how I understand it. My birth control became free in October since that's when my mom's insurance renewed. You could always contact your insurance company to double check though.

That is how it should work, lovespink.

SWEET!

Now comes the dilemma of how much I should contribute to my HSA (or if I should at all!) but that's another story...

Keep in mind that an HSA can also be a good investment tool. And it gives you tax breaks too, doesn't it?