birth control

[VandalSquirrel]

I like the Nuvaring, a lot. I'd never be able to do any of the field work I do without it. I was down to very few options that didn't involve endometrial ablation, which would have left me unable to have children, and I want to try and do someday.

[PhoenixAzul]

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

Are we behind the curve in reproductive medicine?

No, not really. It is a difference of perspective, I think. The review process for drugs is quite different in Britain because of the NHS. (Greatest good for the greatest number with the lowest cost). The doctor explained it as they found fewer side effects and better coverage with single cycle pills. Fewer complications= fewer hospital admissions= lesser costs. Also, on the whole, the British smoke more than Americans so that is yet another layer of concern (not that monocyclic pills are exempt from that). Plus, birth control in all forms is exempt from the standard prescription fee (in Scotland, that is 5.25 british pounds, about 6 dollars or less with current exchange, in Northern Ireland, all scripts are free).

There's also less of a stigma attached to birth control and family planning in Britain (in the ROI, this is changing). Again, because of the NHS, there is a vested (monetary and social) interest in keeping the population under control. Not in a creepy way, but in a "hey we've got limited resources!" way.

[AGDee]

I got pregnant on a trycyclic and miscarried. Turns out I ovulate twice a month and the fluctuation of hormones in the trycyclic didn't cover me for both times effectively.

I have a co-worker who is 38 and having huge issues with fibroids and hemorrhaging and they won't do a hysterectomy on her even though she's a grandma three times over and a two time breast cancer survivor (the type that is exacerbated by hormones). She keeps begging them to just take everything since she's already had early menopause from the breast cancer chemo and drugs. She's going through a miserable time

[PM_Mama00]

I knew someone going through early menopause around that age and she was having a HORRIBLE time. They wouldn't do anything for her till 39 or 40. I can't believe they can dictate that. My sister in law had her tubes tied at 34ish after their second child. I don't get it.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by libramunoz

The ovaries end up getting cancerous and the cancer for some reason, quickly seems to spread to the entire cervix. This is generally done where there is a family hx of fibroid tumors or cervical cancer.
The cysts can and cannot be benign, and the problem is that one cysts becomes another, and another, ect until the woman has PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome).
The real problem is when those cysts burst, it is very horrendous for the woman because they can quickly and easily cause the woman to become anemic.
A lot depends on the doctor if they feel that the woman needs to have such an invasive procedure or not. The reason why they don't want her to do this is because they go into your uterus through either under your stomach or the area above your pelvic bone. Either way, the stitches remain there for 6 weeks and you may/may not continue to bleed and it's a constant thing of making sure that the area is clean, yadda, yadda, yadda. Not to mention the pain and the inability to bend down, over, around, you know, no swinging from chandliers (?) or vacuuming or picking up children, etc. It does pretty much slow you down.

I know what PCOS is and have had ovarian cysts with both pregnancies. I believe the dermiod cyst that was diagnosed during my last pregnancy is still there. It didn't seem to be an issue with my OB and I can only kind of feel it every once in a while. I was under the impression that if my OB felt it needed to be removed, it would be done laparascopically with no lasting effects to me or my ovary. My question was more of a rhetorical, thinking out loud thing...

[WCsweet<3]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

I like the Nuvaring, a lot. I'd never be able to do any of the field work I do without it. I was down to very few options that didn't involve endometrial ablation, which would have left me unable to have children, and I want to try and do someday.

My friend just got pregnant on the Nuvaring.

I was on ortho tri-cyclin, but it still gave me cramps and I still had those cramps at the two week mark like I had when I was ovulating. It freaked me out. Now I'm on Yaz and I like it so far. I have almost no cramps (I use to throw up from the pain) and I just feel better all over.

[libramunoz]

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

I know what PCOS is and have had ovarian cysts with both pregnancies. I believe the dermiod cyst that was diagnosed during my last pregnancy is still there. It didn't seem to be an issue with my OB and I can only kind of feel it every once in a while. I was under the impression that if my OB felt it needed to be removed, it would be done laparascopically with no lasting effects to me or my ovary. My question was more of a rhetorical, thinking out loud thing...

I think it just depends on the person and the case. Like you, I have PCOS too and there is a hx of fibroid tumors in my family. All of my mom's sisters (2) had a hysterectomy (?) by the time they were 35 due to the fibroid tumors. It just depends on the case. I understand the thinking out loud, I just thought I'd throw in an answer. (sorry)

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

I have a friend who got pregnant on the birth control patch a couple years ago. I know they did research and found out the patch had a higher rate of unplanned pregnancy, but I'm kind of surprised they didn't revamp it and rerelease it. I used to see commercials for the patch all the time on TV and it's been a long, long time before I've seen anything like that.

[nikki1920]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I got pregnant on a trycyclic and miscarried. Turns out I ovulate twice a month and the fluctuation of hormones in the trycyclic didn't cover me for both times effectively.

I have a co-worker who is 38 and having huge issues with fibroids and hemorrhaging and they won't do a hysterectomy on her even though she's a grandma three times over and a two time breast cancer survivor (the type that is exacerbated by hormones). She keeps begging them to just take everything since she's already had early menopause from the breast cancer chemo and drugs. She's going through a miserable time

She needs to find another doctor, then.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

No kidding. A more progressive one, maybe.

Women don't talk about their OB/GYNs the same way they'll share info about a primary care physician or a pediatrician. It's kind of a shame when you think about it.

[SydneyK]

When I first moved here, I saw a doctor who had been recommended by a friend. During my first appointment, I indicated that I would need to schedule an exam soon in order to refill my bc pill prescription. The doctor (a woman) said, "I don't prescribe birth control pills." I thought she would follow up with another suggestion for pregnancy prevention, but she didn't. So, after a long pause and a blank stare I said, "Oh? Why not?"

"Because God, not science, should dictate when a pregnancy should or shouldn't happen."

That was the last time I ever saw that doctor. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a professional lets his/her own religious beliefs interfere with performing the services they are paid to perform.

Ever since then, I have been extremely open when someone asks for suggestions regarding area doctors. She was nice, and she was probably very good at what she does, but I draw the line at her holding ME to HER religious beliefs.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

Holy smokes.

When I was initially looking for an OB/GYN and I was calling around, I accidentally called a conservative Catholic-run practice. But luckily one of the first things the receptionist told me over the phone was "We don't prescribe birth control pills or do abortions." Which I appreciated. Hey, why waste your time and mine?

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

Women don't talk about their OB/GYNs the same way they'll share info about a primary care physician or a pediatrician. It's kind of a shame when you think about it.

Most of my friends have had no problem recommending OB/GYNs to me, and I'll recommend mine in a heartbeat. I think unless a doctor does something completely egregious (see above), most women will stick with a doctor for years, especially considering you ideally see them once a year.

[aephi alum]

SydneyK, wow... just wow. She should have told you that up front, so that you wouldn't waste your time.

My parents are retired doctors, and they are vehemently pro-life. Not only would they not participate in abortions, they would not participate in permanent sterilization surgery either. (They'd probably strangle me if they knew I was using birth control. Still, I've been married for nearly ten years and haven't had a baby - they must suspect.) In their cases, it wasn't an issue, because there were plenty of doctors on staff who would do these procedures (big city hospitals).

But I feel sorry for those women who live in parts of the world where they can't get an abortion, can't get a tubal, can't even get the pill, because of religious factors - especially if those factors come from a religion they don't even follow.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by WCsweet<3

My friend just got pregnant on the Nuvaring.

I was on ortho tri-cyclin, but it still gave me cramps and I still had those cramps at the two week mark like I had when I was ovulating. It freaked me out. Now I'm on Yaz and I like it so far. I have almost no cramps (I use to throw up from the pain) and I just feel better all over.

I'm not currently in a committed relationship, so I'm not taking Nuvaring for birth control. I take it so I can leave my house and have a normal life. I was planing to go off of it this year to have kids, but that is not going to happen. I kind of don't know what I'll do when I plan to get pregnant because I will likely have some miserable months.