posted
Where did I put my birth control statistics sheets? Spermacide alone isn't very effective. Oh well, my house is in shambles, thank you finals week, so I'll have to find it later or just get another when I pick up my new Nuvaring. I'm lazy and tired and I just had to finish writing a really long paper and giving a ridiculous presentation about Wachovia and the financial services industry which made me want to kick people in the junk.
quote:248 posts is hardly the sort of post count you'd expect from a plant. Two years is a ridiculously long incubation period before trying to sell us something. I think your allegation is insulting, on top of being not that well thought out.
I was just throwing it out there, it set off my plant alarm and I thought I'd mention it. You'll note I apologized in the post in the event that I was wrong.
But that aside, everything everyone has mentioned here: the incubation period, 200 post count, etc doesn't mark it as not. That's exactly what really scares me about the way companies are using and implementing plants. It's not obvious. They are hiring teenagers and college students to just post on forums they already visit and are established on and put in a good word and do no more than that. That's what makes them different from bots, they don't just post on the topic they're paid to. Aside from the occational "Hey I heard great things about x product" they're no different from any other member.
quote:No I'm not a plant. I visit here almost everyday (ummm, HatCrack?). I've also read the Ender's Game/Shadow, the whole Speaker series, the Shadow series, First Meetings (haven't subscirbed to IGMS yet, though), Enchantment, Homebody, Lost Boys, Treasure Box, parts of Maps in a Mirror and the Worthing Saga.
I didn't really think you were, and you have my apologies again. I read the thread, remembered the threads about plants a while back and my alarm went off. So I figured I'd throw it out there so people could think about it and decide. Again, my apologies, carry on *bows out of the thread*
Posts: 3295 | Registered: Jun 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
ketchupqueen- sometime when you are not pregnant, get a laproscopy if they think endometriosis. (Easier said then done, I know). But it can be a life saver. While they are checking the diagnosis, they can get rid of scars and stuff, which relieves a lot of the pain. If you are lucky, it'll be for good. I was not so lucky and pain came back, but I had a year of feeling better. As far as bc- I loved the pill. I took seasonale so only four periods a year. Moodiness gone, pain limited, regular cycle, and no migraines! Going off it to try and get pregnant was one of the hardest things I ever did. So, when I have a kid on top of the painful labor guilt, it'll get to hear about migraines and endometriosis (esp since during the two weeks you don't know about pregnancy, no fun drugs).
Posts: 1001 | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
anyone ever use sponges for menstruation? not the birth control, but slices of natural sponge in place of a tampon? i have read a bit on it, but i don't know how much i would trust it when out and about. thanks for the info on the diva cup and the nuva ring.
i am honestly surprised at how many women are uncomfortable with touching their own vagina or sticking their fingers up there. i don't think it speaks well of our society and our views of women and sexuality. it's really not weird or gross, it's your body! please don't ever feel ashamed of taking care of yourself. there many slim fit tampons that are quite comfortable, but i still tend to lubricate tampons with bare cotton tips, because dry cotton feels horrible. i like the sounds of the diva cup simply because pulling out a dry tampon makes me want to vomit.
i hate plastic applicators with those star-split tips because i always end up getting stabbed, and playtex always seem to expand into a short wide shape that take me by surprise upon removal.
that's it, it's time to write my book about this stuff. women really need to feel more free to discuss these sorts of things.
and i, for one, really wish we still had menstrual huts. the idea used to strike me as chauvinistic but now i see the wisdom in not having to be a functioning member of society on at least the first few days of your period. The world would be a more peaceful, productive place.
Posts: 3936 | Registered: Jul 2000
| IP: Logged |
quote:One quick question, my roommate has an IUD and she doesn't have periods at all. Is that not normal?
She probably has Mirena; a lot of people have periods stop with Mirena. That's the effect of the hormones it releases. I read the other day that if you're using hormonal bc, you don't actually have a period; it's withdrawal bleeding, the lining of the uterus doesn't change the same way as when you're not on the pill. The gynecologist they interviewed for the article said she's been using the pill without a break for about ten years, and that that's often the prescribed usage for people with anemia and severe periods who are on the pill to stop them. She also said that when they came out with the new "4 periods a year" hormonal bc, they considered making it no periods, but decided that that's too big of a change for it to sell. As it is, women interviewed for the article were saying they'd feel weird about only having four a year and so they weren't going to use it!
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote:there many slim fit tampons that are quite comfortable,
Not for me! All tampons give me horrid cramps.
And yeah, I've not had health insurance except when pregnant pretty much since I was 18, so until I do, I won't be able to get checked out for endometriosis.
And I agree, being a plant sounds like easy money to me. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm on the pill continuously due to endometriosis. I tried it with the placebo every four weeks, but that didn't relieve the pain, so I just stopped having periods altogether. Not only is it wonderful to avoid the incapacitating pain every month, but it's quite convenient not to bleed at all. It's nice that I don't have to pack anything or deal with the mess or get PMS.
I've gained a little weight, I think, and I suspect my breasts may have grown some. It's totally worth the inconvenience though. I don't seem to have any other side effects, so I guess I'm lucky in that respect. I don't seem to have had any problems relating to the lack of periods, and my gynecologist says that as far as she knows, it is safe to have no periods.
Posts: 3546 | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'd love to have my period only four times a year. I think part of the reason I have a hard time remembering because in the off week, my pill package has iron pills, which does unpleasant things to me, so I don't take them. I try to remember to pop the pill out and toss at the same time every day, but it seems much less urgent.
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
My husband pointed out this story to me this morning - it talks about continuous contraception. It's something that I am very interested in (since my migraines coincide with the withdrawal bleeding and lack of hormones during the "off" week) - I've been skipping that "off" week usually every other month to lessen the unpleasant headaches and cramping. I'd always been concerned about skipping more than that - since earlier in my life I'd had to have periods chemically induced because I'd gone too long between them and the doctor was concerned about damage - but since you're not actively building uterine lining while on bc there isn't that same concern. I'll have to talk with my doctor and see if I can do continuous contraception with my Nuvaring.
quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: We already do the knee-bending, but thanks. And it's actually rapid bowel movement (green poop) as well as flatulence. I know Emsie has my IBS bowel patterns and has since she was born, it's beginning to look like Bridey has them too.
Well... good luck!
Posts: 262 | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Periods flush bacteria out of the womb, I think. That's why I want to keep having them every month, when it comes time for me to go on hormones for menopause. I am so prone to various infections, and though I sometimes feel grumpy and a little more vulnerable the last couple of days before my period, I actually feel great once it starts. I don't want to go to four a year. I'll stick with the regular program, I think. I know that I'm lucky that mine have never been a bother. That whole system just seems to work really well for me.
Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Well ladies, here's the spiel from the people who test your Paps and do other girly "down there" testing to keep you healthy:
Regarding IUD's: they can be a horrendous mess for some people, and no issue at all for others. (Nomadic tribes inserted pebbles into camel uteri for centuries to control herd populations.) I also have patients who have needed to be basically "gutted" of pelvic organs due to uncontrollable, life-threatening PID.
The important thing about IUD's--you cannot discount symptoms. Most of us tolerate a very broad range of significant symptoms as a variant of "normal", but you have to note changes FOR YOU.
Most women do have heavier periods, and some spot between periods. Some expel their IUD's with very strong menstrual cramps, so you need to be a little more observant before you flush than you perhaps like to.
But absolutely do not blow off symptoms such as unexplained low grade fevers, pelvic discomfort and fullness unlike your usual PMS, "getting the flu"-like achiness, excessive unexplained tiredness etc. Anything resembling UTI symptoms need to be investigated. These infections can get bad fast, so don't wait past the typical timeframe for you for getting over minor virus's before you see your doctor.
IUD's may not be a good option for endometriosis patients, but a good OB/GYN doc will determine if you are a bad candidate. This part of chick health is one you want a specialist for.
IUD's are muuuuuch better than they were in the past, and are reasonable alternatives for many women.
You can expect a random abnormal Pap test result because the string attached to the device chronically abrades the cells we check at Pap testing. When we have the history of IUD use we can usually determine if the changes are attributable to that, sometimes not. But IUD's DO NOT cause cervical cancer--just changes that can mimic it microscopically.
Likewise, IUD's do not protect from cancer. You are at the same risk for cervical cancer with or without them, so GET YOUR PAP. If you are sexually active, you need a Pap and pelvic exam, period. HPV causes cervical cancer, and anyone with sexual contact currently or in the past needs regular Paps. The virus stays in your epithelium for decades and in most people it stays dormant.
But, the cofactors that set it off and move toward cancer can come at anytime in your life, 20 days or even 20 years after you were exposed. They include: smoking, low folic acid and poor nutrition, UV sun (tanning/sunburn), physical and emotional stress, lack of appropriate rest or exercize.
You tell me who the high risk population is, and you will see why you are required to get a pap when you want birth control.
Posts: 49 | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
..and Ketchupqueen...please check your symptoms against those you can read about for Celiac Disease. Took 20 years for my diagnosis, and then it resulted in over 10 family members also getting correctly diagnosed. I dont think everyone with IBS has it, but just want to make sure you can rule it out.
Posts: 49 | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
No one in my family has Celiac disease; however, IBS does run in the family. But thanks for the concern.
I'll definitely bring up the period issue with my doctor before we discuss the IUD any more, thanks!
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
