Thanks Bri!

HillarysMe · 08-03-2003, 01:03 AM

Thanks for the suggestions Bri!
The thought of all of those hormonal BC methods is not very appealing. Have you taken any of them? I don't think I would ever try the shot; I've heard too many bad things about it. Part of my problem is that I have chronic depression, for which I take antidepressants, and I'm always dealing with weight issues. I think most of the hormonal methods would be a bad match with my system. I had someone else recommend Nuvaring the other day -- I'm going to look into it. How do the hormones mix with PCOS? I heard Nuvaring has a low level of hormones.

I'm scared of IUDs. My friend had a ruptured ectopic right after she got an IUD, lost her tube and almost died. Granted, this was 15-20 years ago, so maybe it was one of the bad older brands, but it still scares me. Plus, I haven't had kids yet, so I don't want to risk perforation, scarring, etc.

Thanks so much for the suggestsions!

Hillary

HillarysMe · 08-03-2003, 01:04 AM

Sorry, I meant to post this as a reply to my post below!

DarlingBri · 08-03-2003, 04:21 AM

Hey, I'm a fount of information about sex, I'm glad it's of use to someone

I understand about hormonal birth control, mood disorders, and the scary relationship between the two all too well. I myself am considering BCPs (primarily Yasmin) for the first time in over a decade; I've avoided them because of the same concerns.

So, rather than just give you a list of viable birth control options, (which I already did, here, for anyone else's reference: Woo! Hoo! One Month Without Aldactone... I've made it this far. ) I'll tell you what my personal opinion is these days:

If spontenaity was the most important factor and I was unwilling to consider 4th generation BCPs, I would be willing to try Nuvaring because it's not like Depo -- you can pull it out and discontinue if it makes you nuts, and it's low-dose so it *should* be out of your system PDQ.

I would also not really be willing to try an IUD because of older IUD horror stories, and because I've never had a live birth.

In your situation, though, I'd be using a diaphragm or contraceptive sponge and condoms because, hey, you're a training nurse, you know that you and your new partner should not be fluid-bonded until you've been sexually exclusive and had two complete STD/STI screens six months apart.

And honestly, if you're as worried about possible PG as your posts indicate you are, you really should be using condoms anyway. They're very effective, and if one splits, tears, or their is spillage, you know right away and can take emergancy contraception.

The new BF may not be thrilled about this, but your mental and physical health should really be a bigger concern for him than bareback booty at this point.

OK, I'm getting off my safer sex soapbox now. But I would talk to your dr about Nuvaring, Yasmin, and a diaphragm combined with condoms as good options for you.

Hope this helps

HillarysMe · 08-03-2003, 02:30 PM

Thanks Bri!
I know I'm not being as responsible as I should. It's one thing to know the smart thing -- another to do the smart thing. I know it's risky for me not to require condoms. In the beginning I did, but they were coming off and getting in the way. I bought sponges from birthcontrol.com, so I've used those the last three times. I have a very good feeling about this guy and I believe him when he says he hadn't had sex for 2 years, and he just got tested for HIV so he could get life insurance. Hopefully my gut feeling isn't wrong. I know how dumb I must sound -- if a friend was saying what I'm saying, I'd probably want to slap her. I shouldn't be taking a risk like this. I'm actually working in therapy right now to figure out why I'm being so risky. I think part of it is that I got used to thinking of my self as infertile because of the PCOS. The thing is, since I've been on Glucophage (2+ years), I've had pretty normal cycles, and I probably am fertile (and 25 is a pretty fertile time in one's life).

The really dumb thing is that there were several times in the middle of the month in which we kind of used the withdrawal method -- which I realize, of course, is VERY STUPID! Neither of us was thinking responsibly. I didn't want to take the morning after pill because I took it once before, and it messed with my mood big time for days. I guess I figured the risk was minimal, and a tiny part of me might be curious to see if I really could get pregnant. I must sound like such an idiot!

Thanks for all the info. I've taken FIVE pregnancy tests and they've all been negative. I think I might finally be getting my period today (31 days, compared to last cycle's 24). This might be the pregnancy scare I needed to make me be more responsible. When I really think about being pregnant, it terrifies me! I'm pretty sure I would not have an abortion, especially having seen how hard so many cysters have to work to get pregnant. It would also be horrible timing -- I'd be having a baby a month before finishing school!

Thanks for all your help!

Hillary

DarlingBri · 08-03-2003, 02:50 PM

Well, just so you know, your behaviour pattern is pretty typical for women who have, shall we say, fertility concerns. You're not at all alone in struggling with this. (Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt.)

The number of follow-on pregnancies for women who have had abortions, for example, is suprisingly high (I don't have a current statistic for that, sorry) because on some level, some women are convinced they'll now be infertile (highly unlikely) or just need to know that they can fall pregnant again. Even if none of that is particularly concious.

If you've had five - HPTs, I think you can really relax and determine that you are not pregnant. Your period may be delayed because of the stress of dealing with this, on top of standard long-cycle PCOS craziness.

I'm confident you'll get yourself sorted with relaible birth control now that you've managed to scare yourself to death. I know it's not a nice way to get there, but it worked for me

Do yourselves a favour, though, and get a full STD/STI check in a few months when this is sorted. Things like chlamydia and HPV can be passed M > F with no symptoms for years, and the last thing you need is anything else that could jeopardise your fertility. I understand your logic system (I dwelled in that house, too) but do the educated thing -- because you know how, and that makes you smart and lucky.

Good luck to you and AF. I really wish the best for you both. And congrats on nearing your degree!