birth control

[Ariel]

I was just wondering if any of you have tried the type of birth control that blocks menstration except for four times a year? I'm just wondering if anyone has had success with it, though I believe it is still fairly new. Any input would be great.
I figured I'd ask here because if it's out there, a wench somewhere has tried it. :D

[In Hiding]

Yes! I tried it! It was Seasonale. However, I didn't get through the first two months when I found out I had some abnormal cells on my cervix and needed an outpatient surgery to remove them or it could get bad. After thinking about it for a while...I can't see how it can be a good idea to stop up your womanly system for that long. Just the idea of it made mee feel icky so I stopped taking it.

However, I DO know a couple of people who use it and like it... so really it's whatever you and your doc feel comfortable with.

[In Hiding]

Yes! I tried it! It was Seasonale. However, I didn't get through the first two months when I found out I had some abnormal cells on my cervix and needed an outpatient surgery to remove them or it could get bad. After thinking about it for a while...I can't see how it can be a good idea to stop up your womanly system for that long. Just the idea of it made mee feel icky so I stopped taking it.

However, I DO know a couple of people who use it and like it... so really it's whatever you and your doc feel comfortable with.

[emalia]

Yes! I tried it! It was Seasonale. However, I didn't get through the first two months when I found out I had some abnormal cells on my cervix and needed an outpatient surgery to remove them or it could get bad. After thinking about it for a while...I can't see how it can be a good idea to stop up your womanly system for that long. Just the idea of it made mee feel icky so I stopped taking it.

However, I DO know a couple of people who use it and like it... so really it's whatever you and your doc feel comfortable with.


Well the rationale behind it is twofold.
The first is convienence.
Secondly, they have also done alot of research and found that incerased menstration is linked to higher frequency of female cancers. They figured that more women are chooseing to be childless, and are starting their cycles earlier and earlier in life. They figure that if they can stop a few a year, that the chances of cancer are lowered.

[emalia]

Yes! I tried it! It was Seasonale. However, I didn't get through the first two months when I found out I had some abnormal cells on my cervix and needed an outpatient surgery to remove them or it could get bad. After thinking about it for a while...I can't see how it can be a good idea to stop up your womanly system for that long. Just the idea of it made mee feel icky so I stopped taking it.

However, I DO know a couple of people who use it and like it... so really it's whatever you and your doc feel comfortable with.


Well the rationale behind it is twofold.
The first is convienence.
Secondly, they have also done alot of research and found that incerased menstration is linked to higher frequency of female cancers. They figured that more women are chooseing to be childless, and are starting their cycles earlier and earlier in life. They figure that if they can stop a few a year, that the chances of cancer are lowered.

[Annabella St. Clair]

I've been taking it for two months now and I love it. It's true about the earlier starting age + less babies + less time pregnant + longer life span = we don't need to have a period every month. I had some breakthrough bleeding the first 1/2 month but that went away. I am 33 so I look at it as saving my eggs while at the same time not being anemic all the time. Plus, no PMSish type symptoms like craving salt and chocolate. I feel so much more balanced and even tempered. Shhh! don't tell the men that or they'll use it against us.

However, my insurance company and the pharmacy gave me a hassle because of the three months at a time 'script. Call your insurance and pharmacy first. You may have to order it through your insurance plans mail order system or get a waiver. Call way ahead. It took over a week for me to get mine in the mail.

Annabella

[Annabella St. Clair]

I've been taking it for two months now and I love it. It's true about the earlier starting age + less babies + less time pregnant + longer life span = we don't need to have a period every month. I had some breakthrough bleeding the first 1/2 month but that went away. I am 33 so I look at it as saving my eggs while at the same time not being anemic all the time. Plus, no PMSish type symptoms like craving salt and chocolate. I feel so much more balanced and even tempered. Shhh! don't tell the men that or they'll use it against us.

However, my insurance company and the pharmacy gave me a hassle because of the three months at a time 'script. Call your insurance and pharmacy first. You may have to order it through your insurance plans mail order system or get a waiver. Call way ahead. It took over a week for me to get mine in the mail.

Annabella

[Nitestar]

One thing my gyno mentioned was to try out my current pill on a continuous cycle to see how my body reacted to it before getting the prescription for Seasonale. I take Lo Ovral, and they said it was similar to the dosage in Seasonale. So far, in month 2, no problems.

[Nitestar]

One thing my gyno mentioned was to try out my current pill on a continuous cycle to see how my body reacted to it before getting the prescription for Seasonale. I take Lo Ovral, and they said it was similar to the dosage in Seasonale. So far, in month 2, no problems.

[Ysobelle]

The other reasoning behind it is that our foremothers spent far more time than we do now pregnant or nursing, had many fewer periods, and lower rates of cancer.

I only get my period four or five times a year naturally, so if I did have to go on the pill, I'd want to stick as close to that as possible.

[Ysobelle]

The other reasoning behind it is that our foremothers spent far more time than we do now pregnant or nursing, had many fewer periods, and lower rates of cancer.

I only get my period four or five times a year naturally, so if I did have to go on the pill, I'd want to stick as close to that as possible.

[In Hiding]

Well thanks for all the insight ladies! It prompted me to REALLY research it and see about the pros and cons....

So I'm going to give it a try again! :o) Which makes me terribly happy because I HATE not knowing when I'm going to start. :x

[In Hiding]

Well thanks for all the insight ladies! It prompted me to REALLY research it and see about the pros and cons....

So I'm going to give it a try again! :o) Which makes me terribly happy because I HATE not knowing when I'm going to start. :x

[Ariel]

Thanks for the answers. This helps me get some idea of what to bug my doc about when I see him next, always a fun time (insert sarcasm here). :D

[Ariel]

Thanks for the answers. This helps me get some idea of what to bug my doc about when I see him next, always a fun time (insert sarcasm here). :D

[Tink]

Here's the ONE thing that makes me not want to try this.....getting my period every month tells me the pill is working to prevent pregnancy.

I'd hate to think that if for *some* reason it failed (which the pill can do although extremely rare) I wouldn't know until 3 months in, when my period didn't come. :shock:

Otherwise I'd be THRILLED to only have a period 4 times a year. Heck I'd love to not get it at all. Like Nikki said....women years ago never menstruated as much as women nowadays. It is *more* natural for us to have less periods, than monthly ones.

Oh and sorry I am replying almost a month after this originally was posted. :lol:

[Mistress Kristi]

Ok, since this post got bumped up again, I have a question. I can't take any hormonal birth control or I'll die (long story), I can't use a diaphram because I'm losing weight. Is there any birth control out there that is non hormonal, not a diaphram, and is convenient (besides condoms that is, which is all I use right now)? Any input would be great, oh and sorry if I brought you further into TMI land than you wanted to be LOL

[vanessa]

Is there any birth control out there that is non hormonal, not a diaphram, and is convenient (besides condoms that is, which is all I use right now)?

I use the IUD (IntraUterine Device). It's good for 7 years, does not interfere with periods (i get them either regularly or irregularly as my body dictaces, not the IUD) and is non-hormonal. Basically, it is sort of shaped like a T and is inserted with two strings hanging out that get snipped (they are there for when the doctor goes to remove). I have had mine for over 3 years now.

It works by causing a sort of vibration so that even if an egg *does* get fertilized, the minivibrations (which I can never feel, they are that mini) don't allow the egg to attach itself to the uterine wall so pregnancy almost never occurs. I believe it has a similar success rate to the pill.

Side effects that I have noticed:
My flow is quite a bit heavier than it used to be
I get slightly sharper cramps than I used to
Between periods I tend to get a bit more discharge
Doctor says this is all normal side effects of the IUD.

Here is what Planned Parenthood has to say about the IUD:(mine is the copper one)
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/iud.html

Good luck in your quest! :)

[emalia]

Ok, since this post got bumped up again, I have a question. I can't take any hormonal birth control or I'll die (long story), I can't use a diaphram because I'm losing weight. Is there any birth control out there that is non hormonal, not a diaphram, and is convenient (besides condoms that is, which is all I use right now)? Any input would be great, oh and sorry if I brought you further into TMI land than you wanted to be LOL

Ok.. Note to self, No diaphram when loosing weight.. I did not know that.. I don't have one, but that is still good info.. ;)

[Mistress Kristi]

Ok.. Note to self, No diaphram when loosing weight.. I did not know that.. I don't have one, but that is still good info.. ;)

Well from what I understand, you have to get a new diaphram if you gain or lose 10 pounds. I could be wrong, what the heck do I know LOL

I've thought about an IUD but I don't have insurance and my school doesn't have them. Maybe I just need to go to a real doctor and figure it out. And pay cash... hmmm....

edited: oh yeah and I pity any man who stumbles into this thread MWAHAHAHAHA!!

[Dragonfly]

Well, I used to be on the shots that kept you from having a period back when they were first developed. I thought they were great. Until I discovered what a pain in the ass they can be to try and 1.) Get and 2.) get it paid. Scuse the pun.
I had to run to a pharmacy to get the drugs on my own, then bring it back and THEN they would shoot me up with them.
I also found out that I've got hypermenorrhea, so it's no longer a good idea for me to stop it for such a long period of time. The pill is the only way I have to regulate my monthlies.
But hey, while i was on it, it was great stuff...
:)

[emalia]

Well from what I understand, you have to get a new diaphram if you gain or lose 10 pounds. I could be wrong, what the heck do I know LOL

I've thought about an IUD but I don't have insurance and my school doesn't have them. Maybe I just need to go to a real doctor and figure it out. And pay cash... hmmm....

edited: oh yeah and I pity any man who stumbles into this thread MWAHAHAHAHA!!

Planned Parenthood is a savior for Students.. They have student rates.

[Isabelle Warwicke]

My cousin was in one fo the major studies for Seasonal that was done by UNC. SHe loved it and have few side effects, besides getting her period the week of her honeymoon. I think there was a major thread on this a few months back. Check the past forums or archives. There is a ton of stuff in there.
If my damn insurance would cover it, I'd get Seasonal but I"m on a state plan and I get only two options. Ortho-tri-cyclen or Ortho cept. Until they add Seasonal or I get salaried with a nice heft paycheck, it's the monthly for me. (Although I do tend to skip a period by taking it straight through with NO issue.)

[emalia]

My cousin was in one fo the major studies for Seasonal that was done by UNC. SHe loved it and have few side effects, besides getting her period the week of her honeymoon. I think there was a major thread on this a few months back. Check the past forums or archives. There is a ton of stuff in there.
If my damn insurance would cover it, I'd get Seasonal but I"m on a state plan and I get only two options. Ortho-tri-cyclen or Ortho cept. Until they add Seasonal or I get salaried with a nice heft paycheck, it's the monthly for me. (Although I do tend to skip a period by taking it straight through with NO issue.)


That is all Seasonale is.. Just a last week of pills.. Nothing special really. you can do that with any BCP