geminigirl | Girly Stuff

I'm feeling good. I called the HMO tonight to ask about changing contraceptive methods. I'm not unhappy with my current method per se, but I'd like to consider something without estrogen. The side effects which have been not super-severe, are more noticable now that I've started wearing contacts again. It's been so long since I haven't been on estrogen containing contraception that I sort of wonder how I would feel without it.

I'm not comfortable going non-hormonal...not because I don't trust non-hormonal methods, but because I have menstrual issues which are treated by the hormones.

I won't do depo provera. I'm not comfortable risking three months of side effects to figure out if I do or don't like it, without the option of stopping in those three months. I'm going to seriously discuss the concept of an progestin IUD-despite not being in a monogamous relationship. I use condoms anyway, with or without the pill. I like the idea of not having to remember it daily, or think about it more than once a month. If that's a no-go, I'll push for the mini-pill. I'm already in the pill taking habit anyway, so that's not such a big deal.

So, it's time to do some more research, to really consider what I'd like for outcomes, and what I'm willing to do or not do.

But I feel good that I took the step to do it. I've got a consult scheduled for 11/5.

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IUD is my serious consideration, at this point. Let me know what the medical persons you talk to say? I'm very interested.

I will. Do you currently have insurance?

(I know several people on

vaginapagina who are not in monogamous relationships, nor have they had children yet and who have convinced health care practitioners to give them IUDs. I'm going to go in armed with information and see what she says. It's entirely possible that it may not be a great idea with the dysmenorrhea, but we'll have to see.)

I have time to respond to the COBRA letter, but it's over $300 per month. Kaiser Permanente tells me it's going to be $160 but requires medical underwriting (which geez, between my PCOS, my gastric bypass, and my leg, I will get rated massively), so I'll try that once I can scrape together the $160. Finally, there is coverage through NVCC but I have to wait until January to get it, thankfully it's only $760 per year but it's not as "fluffy" a plan as I'm used to. Does Planned Parenthood do IUD's up here?

I don't know...I haven't dealt with them as a patient since college. Mostly when I deal with them it's getting kids STD tested and getting the pill. There's also a women's clinic on Wilson Blvd. in Arlington (I think) that we've had good luck with, but that's for teens...I'm not sure how they do adults.

When I wasn't insured, I went to Whitman Walker, in Washington DC, not the NoVa clinic, for my gyn stuff, and had what I would call probably the best gyn experience ever. I had bruises from some enthusiastic biting on my chest and the doctor who did my exam was fantastic about them. She asked me if they were from sex play (her words) or something else, I answered her truthfully, she was very good about it, asking if I was looking for any more information or resources, and letting me know where I could find them if I needed them. And that was it.

I'm not thrilled with Kaiser Permanente, but I'm also not totally hating them. I could do worse.

How about that ring thing? I was given a sample once, but never got round to trying it. Seemed cool though.

I love the idea of the Nuva Ring, but it's still estrogen containing contraception. A year ago I'd have jumped on it, but now I'm less certain that it's what I want to do. If my HMO offers it as an option I might investigate it because it's locally delivered rather than systemic.

Since it's locally delivered it should have far fewer side effects. And you only need to deal with it 2x/month.

Did you go to the concert?

Once every four weeks actually.

And no, I had to work last night. I'm disappointed, but I've also seen them before, at least half a dozen times.

Aw :(
Sorry you couldn't make it; it was one of the few rock concerts I've been to. I had a blast.

Thought you had to leave it out for a week.
I.e.
Day 1 - put it in
Day 21 - take it out
Day 28/1 - put it in.

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