Uncharted Birth Control Territory

[Thirteen]

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

I suggest you consider a diaphram and/or condoms. Neither is ideal as the diaphram requires you to plan ahead or stop the action once things heat up as condoms do -- also, both have about a 20% failure rate. But if you are really adverse to hormones and you want to use something, you could look into barrier methods.

Thanks MrsK so much. Really, I mean that!! Sorry if I came off as whiny...
It's just that I feel so overwhelmed with all of the changes and plans I'm making. I had hoped that this one thing would go the way I wanted.
I did talk to DF tonight about the whole thing, and I feel a lot better - I remember why I like him on my side.
I think my future advice will be "don't try to finish your program early while planning a wedding with a 5-6 month window of time if your friends and family live out of state and cannot help you."

In other news, we're thinking about trying out NuvaRing and seeing how that suits my body's chemistry. (No need to have an IUC with hormones if you can control when something does or doesn't come out).

Thank you all for the advice and support you've been giving me!
I know I'm a total pill right now, but I promise to get over my pity party by tomorrow

[MrsK]

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

No apologies necessary! Family planning can be a very confusing and emotional issue as is evident from all of the numerous posts about birth control, trying to conceive, childbirth, etc. I wouldn't want to be on an IV or use hormones either if I didn't absolutely have to. We've all had to address this at one point or another.

[Michele]

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

I might find a new doc. I had a Paragard never having been pregnant b/c I didn't want hormones at the time. Mirena was on the market too. Had it placed in office with no anesthesia or anything. Maybe my doc was risky?? He was part of the dept at our med school.

[Vanquisher]

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

I agree with finding a new doc. Also, the nuvaring isn't that bad. I liked it. I can't do hormones very well either. Another hormonal option that is low-dose is implanon. I have one and love it. It's good for 3 years and is continuous low dose progesterone, but no estrogen, I think. It's just one small rod inserted underneath the skin in your arm. Really easy and instantly reversible without the estrogen side effects.

[Thirteen]

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

The saga continues: after deciding on NuvaRing, I found out it has the same systemic effects as an oral contraceptive, and I didn't like that. So, it looks like (with all the reading and consideration we've given this) we're going with Mirena.
Shorter life than a Paraguard, smaller, not systemic in hormonal output.

My GYN wants to do that outpatient, IV, scope to see and then insertion with chemical dilation thing. I talked to DF, and he went to a GYN that he respects at the hospital. This guy is way old school and told him "no way" is it a good idea.

Explain this to me: why are MEN telling me what's good for my uterus?

[Auspicious]

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

I'm still confused what the IV is for?

Can you get a different gyn?

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

I think they're saying that since she's never had a child, they want to knock her out and dialate her before placing the IUD.

I'd be searching for a new doc. I just don't like any of the experience you've described.

[oceanchild]

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

Well, I wouldn't just dismiss the gyn because he's male. They did, y'know, train in the subject matter.

I agree with everyone else that you should find a doctor that will treat your concerns as valid, but it doesn't make sense to me to dismiss offhand all the medical advice you've gotten just because you don't like it.

[Thirteen]

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

Oops! My bad, oceanchild -- Yeah, the "men" comment was meant to be a joke.
I wanted to make it more clear by using the stick-eye-gouging smilie, which is just plain hilarious!

P.S. DF talked with yet another GYN at the hospital today. He happens to be male, and he's so good at what he does that everyone says he must secretly have a vagina of his own. *eye roll* Anyway, this doctor said to DF: "Why is everyone telling her all of this conflicting information? There are risks, but there are always risks with any form of invasive procedures. Tell her to discuss her options with another GYN."

Onward towards the goal!

[HouseofWool]

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

So Adrianne - can you just go with the second gyn that DF talked to?

[Thirteen]

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

Hopefully, yes. The question is, since they work together and GYN knows DF, is that considered a "compromised situation for patient?" You know, where technically they shouldn't because the relational degrees of separation aren't far enough removed.

Anyone else go to a doctor that they know?

[MrsK]

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

Hopefully, yes. The question is, since they work together and GYN knows DF, is that considered a "compromised situation for patient?" You know, where technically they shouldn't because the relational degrees of separation aren't far enough removed.

Anyone else go to a doctor that they know?

I don't think this would apply if you are not actually related to the doctor. . . In my experience, a lot of people are friends with their doctors or go to doctors that are friends. That is, unless their friend is a psychiatrist. Then it's a big no-no.

[Michele]

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

My FAVORITE GP was a guy Russ used to work out with regularly (stadiums, 50 mile bike rides etc). It was his preceptor his first year of med school and the guy ended up being a mentor to Russ. They guy is AWESOME and one of few reasons moving back to Gainesville wouldn't suck. It doesn't help that he used to be a veterinarian. He never expressed a concern and neither did Russ....and he did routine paps and all.

I've also seen docs from UF when Russ was a med student there and I've seen docs at LSU where Russ is a resident...they aren't in his department, but no one ever expressed concern...in fact I always felt like I was getting better care because I was related to "one of their own."

[Cumberland]

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

DH's supervisor is my ob. She delivered DD3 and I am seeing her for a mirena next week. We also switch babysitting with our kids and hang out regularly. This is sounding very compromised to me....

[Pollyanna]

Re: Uncharted Birth Control Territory

...in fact I always felt like I was getting better care because I was related to "one of their own."

Yep!