Lackadaisical posted:

I can't keep popping vicodin and they don't seem to make those heating pads that stick to your undies anymore....

ann disaster posted:

Okay, question. I've got an appointment for Wednesday with my friendly neighborhood Planned Parenthood to start birth control for the very first time, because I'm in a relationship and we both like sex a lot and both hate condoms even more. Will starting the pill in the middle of my cycle throw my period off? It would be awesome if it did, because I'm due to start the day after the boy gets here to visit for the first time in three months, but this might be wishful thinking.

ann disaster posted:

How soon after starting the pill should I be expecting nasty side effects to kick in? Because I've been on Micronor for a week and if anything, my skin is clearer and my sex drive is higher than it's ever been. Is this confirmation bias, or what? I feel hungry more often than normal, but I can pretty much regulate what I put in my mouth so I'm not too worried about ridiculous weight gain.

Is the other shoe going to drop soon?

Lackadaisical posted:

On that note, does anyone know if they even still make those stick on heating pads? They used to be life savers when I had horrible cramps and now I can't find them anywhere.

Lackadaisical posted:

I guess the big question is how do I help minimize it? I'm afraid to eat food for 1/4th of the month. When I'm home, a heating pad helps but I'm not sure what to do for days when I'm supposed to be on campus for 9 hours.

Wastebasket posted:

I recently started on a POP BC pill. I normally have a cycle like clockwork, but I am about a week late. I am currently on the 4th pill of my second pack. I have used it perfectly, always taking the pill within 5 minutes of my normal time (10 PM). I am pretty much scared to death that I am pregnant, and honestly am dreading taking a pregnancy test.

My question is has anyone experienced these kind of side effects with POP birth control? I wasn't told about a cessation of my period when PP got me started. I am really freaking out. I know I should just bite the bullet and get the drat pregnancy test, but being pregnant right now would be just about the worst thing ever.

Edit: I also wanted to add that I did research and they do list it as a side effect, but it seemed to be rare based on their wording.

miss_chaos posted:

Yip, I skipped my placebo pills on advice by a doctor (low iron). Sigh. Looks like I can't skip placebos like I did when I was a teenager. I'm not on a triphasic (Levlen) but mostly I'm concerned that this might indicate the pills haven't worked and I might not be protected contraceptively. Maybe it's because I'm heavier than I was as a teenager? Ugh. I wish the implant was subsidised.

I'm probably going to be changing pills anyway at my next appointment, this one has made my skin blow up with acne since I went back on it. Stupid aging changing your hormones.

Lanthanum posted:

Am I the only one where PP said it doesnt matter when its inserted? I got mine put in a week after my period ended

Anne Whateley posted:

PS I'm getting mine redone I'm so glad this wasn't my first one or I would've thought it was supposed to hurt like crazy! It's not. Don't leave until it feels like the example they show you!

keseph posted:

You should never double up on BCs unless you've got some extremely clear instructions from a doctor to do so. The implant should be taking the place of the pills you normally take, so you are probably fine immediately, but backup methods are probably not a bad idea any time you're switching BCs.

Reformed Tomboy posted:

Stop taking your pills. Back-up method doesn't mean take extra hormones, it means to use non-hormonal back ups like condoms.

If you are covered or not depends on the type of pill you swapped from. When changing from combination pills you have to insert it at the end up the pack during the placebo week to be covered. For progestin-only pills, anytime you insert it will leave you covered. Since when you swapped you were already into your new pack, use a back up method for a week (unless you were on a progestin-only pill of course).

AbandonShip posted:

Hi girls. Just have a quick inquiry- is anyone else here familiar with Lo Loestrin Fe? I started on Nuvaring back in December since I was becoming sexually active again, but it made me tired, bitchy, all of those negative side effects and what not. So, my doctor gave me Lo Loestrin... it seems like it's pretty new on the market. Anyways, I'm on my 2nd pack, 2nd week and my period was nowhere to be found. Are missed periods normal on this type of pill? I'm not sure how I feel about it, so I might change to one that gives me a regular period. I guess i'll have to take a pregnancy test just to be sure.. but, not having a period is much more unsettling than I thought it'd be!

Kerfuffle posted:

Call and ask, I honestly can't imagine them saying no. Guys go with their partners for a lot of pregnancy related exams, why not just a gynecological visit? My SO used go to my GP with me when I was getting HPV shots because I was deathly afraid of needles, all he asked was that I was ok with him hearing anything that was said.

Kerfuffle posted:

Ha I wish, but that doesn't start at all until next August. But no one seems to be sure if you'll need a new policy after that or not to be eligible for it.

MsJoelBoxer posted:

This thread has been very enlightening.

I recently found a PP clinic that I am very comfortable with and they discussed some BC options with me. The pill is not ideal due to the fact that I have had gastric bypass and have had some malabsorption problems (I was on IV iron for a year because I couldn't get enough iron from food or pills). I was also forewarned that one of the medications I am on has a history of making BC pills less effective.

The options that they said were most ideal for my situation were either Implanon or an IUD. I am hesitant to move forward with an IUD for what might be a silly reason. I tense up so much at the gynecologist during regular exams and worry that it would make insertion difficult. On the other hand, the idea of not worrying about pregnancy for the next five years would be nice. Take a deep breath and deal with it or go for the less invasive Implanon?

The last few pages of painful IUD stories are freaking me out a little.

Kerfuffle posted:

Insurance covering or not cover isn't based on logic, it's based on "gently caress you".

Budget Bears posted:

What can you guys tell me about your experiences with the depo shot? I just now started having sex again after not having regular sex for around 7 or 8 months, so I need to get back on birth control.

I used to be on the patch, but it made me constantly nauseous.

I can't remember to take a pill and I'm too squeamish for an IUD. I like that the depo shot lasts for three months, it seems relatively low-hassle and from what I've read it's about as effective as my previous birth control.

Have any of you ladies had bad experiences with the shot? lovely side effects, etc?

Bagleworm posted:

I've relied on "just" my IUD for almost four years now, and I'm completely comfortable with that. My boyfriend and I know what we will do if I do somehow end up pregnant (while the chances are extremely small, no contraception is 100% effective), and having a plan really helps any anxiety I might feel.

That might not help you decide, but no one can tell you if you should or shouldn't - that depends on your comfort level (and your girlfriend's, obviously) and current situation.

nixar55 posted:

I'm freaking out here. I got home from my pharmacy and found Junel in my bag instead of Microgestin. I immediately called and the pharmacist (male) was super nasty and said Microgestin has been on back order since November and Junel is the same exact thing. I've never switched pills before and everything was okay on Microgestin, which I've taken for 5 years. Now I'm terrified to try a new pill and get side effects, which I didn't have before. Of course Googling the two drugs leads to all of these other forums with unhappy, acne-ridden, balding women. You guys are more measured in responses.

Has anyone had issue with back ordered pills? Will my pharmacy switch me back when the drug is back in stock? Any one else go from Microgestin to Junel? Should I ask my doc for Loestrin, even though it's more expensive? I've just never heard of this pill before ever.

Honestly, I'm in a long distance relationship and wondering if I just shouldn't stop taking birth control entirely and avoid the whole switching issue. The only benefit of the pill, aside from preventing pregnancy, is I can schedule my periods so that they don't come when he's in town.

ETA: Of course I will call my doctor about this, too. Wish it holiday weekend though.

Tigntink posted:

How do you have sex if its that sensitive? Unless it's weird that my fiancee smacks the poo poo of of my cervix when we have sex.

Geolicious posted:

I think it's totally OK to whine about basic loving healthcare being so damned expensive.

Eggplant Wizard posted:

Lanthanum posted:

I'm sure this is nothing to be alarmed about, but I'm just wondering why this happened. I've been on the pill for a few months now, and in the past I've gotten cramps on the off week, as well as a period. This time though, I have no cramps at all, and my period came a day later than normal. It's usually been the same for every single cycle, and suddenly it has changed! What happened?

Its worth noting I have lost a couple pounds, but it's nothing significant. (125 down to 120) That's the only thing I can think of thats changed within the last month

uberwekkness posted:

drat. My pills must have been taking care of acne stuff. I've been breaking out the past few days. Hopefully this is just "new birth control" stuff, and it'll go away soon.

Bagleworm posted:

I use Ovuview on Android, and I really like it. there's a free version and a paid version. The free version tracks the same data, but it doesn't let you see some of it. The paid version also has a widget! (My boyfriend is a data addict, and he bought the paid version, while I use the free version on my phone.)

It takes all previous cycles into account when predicting both your ovulation and your period. You can even select to exclude certain cycles, if your body freaked out one month for no reason. If you're tracking other things like cervical mucous/discharge, cervix position, and basal temperature, it takes those into account too! It uses a combination of different methods, depending what info you give it. It's very comprehensive, easy to use, and it's also quite pretty to look at!

gabi posted:

Warning! Incoming stressed out word vomit!

Anne Whateley posted:

Where do you guys live who had Implanon inserted via slits? I thought the norm was to use a big needle (with Implanon inside the barrel) to puncture and insert, then withdraw the needle and leave the implant behind. Doctors have to be trained before they can insert Implanon, so I figured it would be a standardized procedure.

Anne Whateley posted:

There are a number of other progesterone-only methods of birth control besides Implanon. That said, I have Implanon and I love it; click the ? under my name for my other posts itt. As long as you can feel that it's in your arm after insertion, you're fine. Iirc, the trouble was that sometimes it would fall on the floor and nobody would realize As long as it's in there, you should be very well protected.

Candygram posted:

So it has been four months since my Implanon has been inserted.

I had a period right away, then no period for 6 weeks, then a normal period every 3 weeks, and now I am having a 2 day period about once every week or two. The irregular bleeding is still a fair tradeoff for the peace of mind. When have you other Implanon users experienced some regularity?

My main problem is this though. For the last couple of days the implant has been itching and driving me insane. It has not moved at all and looks fine, so why the irritation? Anyone have this problem? It hasn't itched for the last four months until now.

fork bomb posted:

I never had mood swings with Implanon. It's been way more stable than Depo or the pill for me.

Anne Whateley posted:

It does make it easier for me to tear up, though. I used to only cry when something was really upsetting, and now a Hallmark commercial will do it (that drat "tell me you love me" Christmas one). I'm not more upset than I would've been before, there are just suddenly tears appearing.

Anne Whateley posted:

Can you still think/talk normally and everything? My then-boyfriend was concerned before I figured out what was going on, but eventually I wound up being like "I'm not upset, just ignore this bullshit water on my face" and it was fine. I think he just had to realize that instead of being upset, I was just exasperated by the bullshit water, too.

Reformed Tomboy posted:

I got a card that stated I had an Implanon and how to find it to put in my wallet. They even specifically told me to keep it on me at all times, for emergencies. It was really nice too, like a credit card, not some laminated paper bs. Did you guys not get one too? I wonder if I still have it somewhere..