Raftissimo,
As an unlikely blogger you've set up some nice space here. Well done, and timely.
I just made an appointment with my doc to talk about The Pill. I was on it for about 10 years and have been off it for about 4 years- I'm reluctant to start back up but am going to. Condoms suck. Babies are for the future.
Who has experimented with different doses/brands of the pill? Who has anything to red flag or green flag?
thanks gang!
Red flagging Depo Provera. Its the injection birth control. Average weight gain is 5lbs per year. I found out 3 years and 15lbs later - when my doctor told me that was 'normal' weight gain for that contraceptive. Oi!
ReplyDeleteI second Helene.
ReplyDeleteBefore I go on, how about an IUD? I can't bear the thought of it (metal plus uterus seems wrong), but I know it's worked out for a tonne of people and it doesn't F with your hormones.
As for the Pill - my track record is this: 6 months Diane 35 (I don't even think it's on the market anymore it was so brutal), 3 months on tri- something (anything with "tri" means that it contains a different dose of hormones each week to mimic your body's natural increase/decrease of certain hormones throughout your cycle - only thing is - the fluxuation makes you crazy b/c you are hit with the highest dose before your period, and then cold turkey. ouch). And finally - 10 years Alesse with two 6 month breaks throughout and just recently, a 2 year break. So - I went back on that one about 5 months ago now and I have noticed virtually NO change - which was always the case with this Pill for me - and that's why I like it, but unfortunately (in this case), everyone is different. Alesse is one of the LOWEST dose pills you can get - which is great for some side effects, although I know some people get spotting on it b/c it's not storng enough. I have never experienced this.
My point after this rant? (It's too late at night to be blogging - but alas - I still have homework to do and need a distraction)...I feel your pain going back to the dark side - but I expected it to be way worse, and am personally happy with this pill, always have been. Good luck - and fill me in on what you learn at the Dr. since it's been years since I've actually discussed any of the new guys on the market.
~Raftis
i'm in the same boat. just stopped taking the pill (it's been 10 years) because i wanted to feel emotions again. funnily enough, Lindsay was the first person i thought of when i started to meet myself again. it's amazing how much more engaged i am. i'm getting an IUD next week, which only gives out a small amount of local hormones (i've got really bad cramps so i need a little bit of help) and it's at least $550 less than pill over the same 5 year period. the IUD without hormones goes for a cool $80 for 5 years ($820 less than pills), but because heavier periods and cramping are often side effects, so i couldn't do it.
ReplyDeleteas for pills, go low estrogen...that's what i've heard...
and also, check out the "nuvo ring" (i don't know if that's how you spell it) but it's seemed to work for many a friend of mine and it's removable.
anyways,
good luck!
morgs
I second Raftis - Alesse is really the only pill that worked for me, after about 5 years on Diane (ouch), Tricyclen, and Alesse each. Last year I went off the pill for an IUD, which I have mixed feelings about. I will post about my experience with an IUD on the main blog since it's too long for the comments section....
ReplyDelete