birth control

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by frangiblefacade

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.

[lovespink88]

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.

[joliebelle]

Originally Posted by lovespink88

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.

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.

[adpimiz]

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

[AGDee]

That is how it should work, lovespink.

[lovespink88]

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...

[AGDee]

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

[lovespink88]

Originally Posted by AGDee

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

It apparently does! I really did not realize that this year, but someone pointed that out when I mentioned that I was thinking about not paying into it. I decided definitely going to pay enough to cover my contacts and then a little extra for safety. Between me and my husband, our medical expenses have been minimal the past few years and we it wouldn't hurt to have a little extra cash back in our pockets!

[AGDee]

It also rolls over from year to year and you don't have to use it that year. They also pay interest, although it's not a lot for most accounts. Although your expenses have been minimal the last few years, this could be a good time to save up for a rainy day... or kids/pregnancy health expenses (which can add up quickly!). It is tax free if you use for it medical expenses or if you withdraw it when you retire. If they were an option when I was younger, before kids, I would have considered putting the maximum annual amount. I would want the equivalent of my maximum annual deductible in there, just in case.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by AGDee

It also rolls over from year to year and you don't have to use it that year.

The specifics for this likely vary from employer to employer. While mine allows you to carry over from year to year, there is a cap. If the cap is $2000, and you elect $1500 for this year and plan to carry over $1000 from last year, you're essentially losing $500. There's also a date by which the $ has to be used (at my university, anyway), so it's wise to familiarize yourself with the specific limitations of your HRA.

[AGDee]

Yours sounds more like an FSA (flexible spending account). HSA's aren't supposed to have those limitations.

I'd actually go so far as to suggest consulting a financial planner, especially as newlyweds, to discuss HSA contributions, retirement contributions, education funds for future children, etc. I'd start a strategy young for all that.

[Chrysanthemum17]

I have no idea if anybody can answer this (beyond "go to the doctor", which i know I need to), but can birth control make existing anxiety worse? When I went to refill my prescription this round, they gave me a different generic than I had been receiving - I have never had a reaction to medication EVER, beyond some mild side effects with other types of the pill, but it seems like since I started on this round, my anxiety has been so much worse than prior, as well as having a weird effect on my periods.. (i'm on the 3 months-at-a-time type). I know I need to go to the doctor, but I've never had a doctor that seemed to actually care, so I thought i'd ask around for anecdotal evidence as well.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by Chrysanthemum17

I have no idea if anybody can answer this (beyond "go to the doctor", which i know I need to), but can birth control make existing anxiety worse? When I went to refill my prescription this round, they gave me a different generic than I had been receiving - I have never had a reaction to medication EVER, beyond some mild side effects with other types of the pill, but it seems like since I started on this round, my anxiety has been so much worse than prior, as well as having a weird effect on my periods.. (i'm on the 3 months-at-a-time type). I know I need to go to the doctor, but I've never had a doctor that seemed to actually care, so I thought i'd ask around for anecdotal evidence as well.

You probably won't find much anecdotal evidence for this type of complaint, especially with Seasonale/seasonique since they are newer and their generics haven't been around very long. Talk to your doctor. Depending on how long you have been taking this pack of pills, they may just recommend that you continue with the pills to see if your symptoms resolve. They may give you the name brand drug, but you would likely have to pay more. You also may be able to find the other generic at a different pharmacy, but your pharmacy has likely changed to this type generic. They usually dont switch back and forth.

[lovespink88]

Apparently my BC is on my insurance's third tier, thus, it is ineligible to be free. Because I don't want to pay $100 a month anymore, I need a new option.

The shot & NuvaRing are just as expensive and I am terrified of an IUD because I always hear of women passing out after they get put in. (I know, it's a very specific fear lol)

I'm going to see if I can switch to another pill (mine does not have a generic) but I was also considering the patch. Anyone ever been on the patch? Feedback?

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by lovespink88

Apparently my BC is on my insurance's third tier, thus, it is ineligible to be free. Because I don't want to pay $100 a month anymore, I need a new option.

The shot & NuvaRing are just as expensive and I am terrified of an IUD because I always hear of women passing out after they get put in. (I know, it's a very specific fear lol)

I'm going to see if I can switch to another pill (mine does not have a generic) but I was also considering the patch. Anyone ever been on the patch? Feedback?

Canadian pharmacy. NuvaRing is fabulous. I have been on the patch, and it's kinda annoying, but other than that, few side effects for me.