Birth control confusion

Ohh I see, so it's not something that's going to be difficult to insert. Is your period any better or worse with it or not much change?

(No worries, I haven't heard anything re: a reported post of mine lol)

To be honest, I use my rings back to back so I don't get a period (use the ring for 3 weeks, remove, then instead of waiting a week I just put a new one in for another 3 weeks). Once or twice a year I don't skip and my period is fairly light but I've been doing this for over a decade. Generally speaking, with any hormonal birth control your periods are going to be lighter and easier and any PMS symptoms are better as well because you have a steady, controlled stream of hormones.

I see, that makes sense. I think that's what I'd be doing too, assuming I went with the Nuvaring. I forgot to answer your question about why my doc won't diagnose me with PMDD - I have a history of anxiety/depression and he wants a psychiatrist to diagnose it, because he feels I still suffer regular old depression symptoms. Even though I've been keeping a mood chart for the last year and there is a very clear pattern of my moods becoming worse about seven-nine days before my period starts. It seems to go in three month cycles where the first month isn't too bad, second is a little worse, and by the third I can barely make it to work. He just isn't convinced it's PMDD. And of course the psych says go to your gyno and get them to prescribe something. Antidepressants have never really worked for me which is a long story, the only thing that helped it was Yaz. I was a bit of a zombie on it, but at least I could function and I didn't develop any of the horrible health issues that it was taken off the market for. Regular old birth control pills have never done much to help my PMS, but at this point I need to be on it for pregnancy prevention so I need to get on something!

I hope you get some relief from your symptoms. It can be hard. And I swear, many male doctors still believe in hysteria. I hope you can find the BC option that's best for you. 

Katie,

My daughter has used Nuvaring for the last couple years and thinks it's great.  She inserts it herself and removes it herself - says it's very easy.  She has esophagus issues and can't swallow pills so she tried this and is very happy with her choice.

Hoo-ha? Such language!

You know, my clinic - Guelph, never even mentioned malabsorption of my BCP (I'm on tricyclen). The pharmacist in the hospital after my surgery actually was the first to mention it to me. I'm on it for birth control as well as cycle control. How long after surgery do they recommend 2 forms of birth control? I can't remember what the pharmacist said, I was half asleep. Or is the malabsorption on meds a forever type thing? 

I know my step sister uses the uncaring, I just don't know I could shove something that far up there lol may mention it to my doc though. 

Malabsorption lasts forever with RNY. Malabsorption of medication is not very well studied in bariatric patients, that's why we have to be careful on our own watch. There is no study I'm aware of that says BCP is not absorbed that well but it's a risk I am certainly not taking! They recommend you do not get pregnant for 2 years post-op, so it's up to you how long you want to use 2 forms of birth control but I would think for your rapid weight loss period at least (the first year). That's what I did anyway.

The Nuvaring is super easy to use. It's not like an IUD, it doesn't sit in your cervix, you insert it a lot like a tampon. Where do you want to shove it to? China? LOL

I haven't had children and had an IUD (Mirena) inserted back in the beginning of May. It was covered 100% by my benefits and while some experience pain having it inserted, I experienced none. HOWEVER, I had moderate cramping for a week or so and mild cramping for another week after. Killer acne and spotting going on for the last six weeks.  Who am I kidding, it's more like a light period.  I gained about 5 lbs (maybe I was just soothing my discomfort with crap food?) but have since lost it. My doctor has an ultrasound performed 2 weeks after insertion to make sure it's placed properly. I intend on dealing with the current side effects for three months and if the continual spotting and acne are an issue I'll have it removed. The one good thing... My deflated boobs have suddenly inflated!

Patricia