Going on the Pill

[Goddess of Green]

Hey ladies! I'm planning to go on birth control, specifically the Pill, very soon and I'm wondering about the doctor's visit. If any of you are on the pill, could you share any information about what questions you get asked at the doctor's? What kind of questions do they ask? And any about drugs? This would be a great help.

[dutch.lover]

They ask you if you smoke, or if your family has any history of things like stroke or heart disease...I think that's about it. From my experience, the docs have never asked too many questions. If you have any particular concerns that BC could address, such as acne, bad cramping, heavy bleeding make sure you mention that to ur doc. She could prescribe you one specifically for your needs. Be sure to tell her things like that though, because they don't tend to ask specifics (other than the health risks like strokes).

Also, most pills come with a huge list of side-effects but most of them say those effects should be gone within the first 2 months of using the BC. Definitely don't be afraid to go back to the doctor within that time, if something is really bothering you. I got severe mood swings to the point of being depressed often for no reason, that i only used that specific pill for only one month. I also tried the patch, but I didn't feel it was adhering to me as it should, so I went back to the doc 4 days later cause I was freaked that it wasn't protecting me.

Last thing, have you brought up sex-related stuff with your doctor before? I don't know where you are in the states, but doctors in many areas have to right to refuse to write you a prescription for BC if they feel like it's "immoral" in their eyes. In other words, if you are a single female they might feel it is "wrong" for you to be having sex, and therefore refuse your prescription. Also, pharmacists can refuse to fill your prescription on moral grounds as well. If this happens to you (im not saying it will, it's just something to keep in mind) go to a Planned Parenthood clinic. They can get you birth control for free I believe.

[Goddess of Green]

thank you so much! I have a boyfriend so I'm guessing they can't turn me down for moral reasons. But I'm scared because I've never talked to the doctor about me having sex.

[Mean Green Charlene]

I'm just curious, how old are you and have you had sex before?

[dutch.lover]

Goddess, I wouldnt worry about it, Im sure you will be fine. Talking about sex with a doctor really isnt a big deal, in fact, it's my favorite thing to talk to my doctor about lol. I took a sexuality/psychology class in the summer, and when I went to the doctors I baffled her with my knowledge. lol. One of the doctors I saw noticed my inference of having a low libido, and actually gave me sex/relationship advice!

If u dont feel comfortable talking to the doc about sex, go to a planned parenthood clinic instead.

[Coelho]

I don't know where you are in the states, but doctors in many areas have to right to refuse to write you a prescription for BC if they feel like it's "immoral" in their eyes. In other words, if you are a single female they might feel it is "wrong" for you to be having sex, and therefore refuse your prescription. Also, pharmacists can refuse to fill your prescription on moral grounds as well.

for me it sounds revolting... who the doctors think they are to wish decide what is right or wrong for you to do?

[dutch.lover]

^^ I KNOW!!! I could go on about this for ages...luckily I live in Canada, not the US so I don't need to worry about it as much (altho i almost wish i live in the US so I could go on intense rampage and protests). I'm currently reading a book called America's War on Sex, by Marty Klein and it never fails to anger me. The US has gone completely insane when it comes to their fear of sex, and their resulting censorship of it. Here's a mild example: New York City has been trying to ban all sorts of erotic places...strip bars, bookstores, you name it. Of all places, I never thought NYC a huge metropolis, would want that.

Don't even get me started on their abstinance-only sex education programs (those are the only 'sex-ed' programs in the US that receive government funding...if you want to tell teens about condoms, you will have to do it outta ur own pocket), or the religious-right's agenda to ban ALL sexual content on TV....

[birdgirl73]

It's been my experience that most American doctors, particularly obstetrician-gynecologists, are still very open to discussion about sex and sexuality and to prescribing birth control. The ones who have very strong anti-birth control feelings in U.S. medical programs are quickly weeded out of ob-gyn residency programs and encouraged to go into other specialities. That's the day-to-day work of ob-gyns. What's much harder for people to find in the U.S. are mainstream physicians who still provide abortion services (they've been targeted by the religious right all over the country and fewer and fewer offer that service every week). And nearly every week there's an instance of U.S. pharmacists who refuse to fill certain prescriptions, usually for the morning-after pill but sometimes also for regular birth control.

There is an appallingly judgmental attitude toward frank discussion about sex and sexuality here in the U.S., but I've been pleased to find that obstetrician-gynecologists are still some of the most open-minded about that subject. Probably because they deal with sex and its consequences, whether they be pregnancy or disease, every single day.

[rebgirl420]

My doctor never asked me any questions except for my medical history, whether I smoke cigs, and if my periods have been normal. I love my pill. Go on seasonel. It lasts for 3 months and you only have your period 4 times a year.

[Goddess of Green]

My doctor never asked me any questions except for my medical history, whether I smoke cigs, and if my periods have been normal. I love my pill. Go on seasonel. It lasts for 3 months and you only have your period 4 times a year.

this gives me relief. Thanks so much!:)

[Goddess of Green]

I'm just curious, how old are you and have you had sex before?

I'm 16 and i do have sex, with my boyfriend

[missybit]

seasonale is the best invention ever. i couldn't deal at all with cramps and mood swings every three weeks. because you only get your period every three months, you may have some spotting, but it's normal.

the doctor may ask about smoking because estrogen can increase your chances of blood clots (hence the risk of stroke and heart attack), and smoking increases this risk.

the most important things about using the pill as birth control: try to take it at the same time every day, and don't skip doses. if you do skip a dose, take 2 at once (it says this in the drug info. ask your doc for a sample and you'll get one of these. be sure to read it.) ALSO antibiotics can reduce efficacy, so when you get sick and have to take them, be sure to also use a condom. a lot of people end up pregnant that way.

[dutch.lover]

^^I don't think all birth control pills follow the take 2 pills if you skip one, thing. I used allesse for a long time and im pretty sure it just said that if you forget to take the pill, take the next one as soon as you remember but DON'T take 2 at once. But yea, just read the pamphlet that comes with it front to back anyways.

I have a question about Seasonale and spotting...how bad is the spotting? I think it would be gross to get a mini-period out of the blue, and if you're sexually active i wouldn't want to be in a situation where i pull down my panties and see blood...ew not hot. So, is the spotting bad? Or is it really minor?

[missybit]

i haven't had much of a problem with spotting - when it does happen, it's like the last day of my period; very light and brown. i took seasonale for over a year before i had any spotting, though.

[rebgirl420]

yeah i got seasonel, its awsome

[Spanish Leather]

Question ladies: I've heard that the pill makes girls a lot LESS horny. Anyone have anecdotal evidence to support this?

SL

[rebgirl420]

nope, im still as nympho

[Prunedale]

nope, im still as nympho

I'm sure thats a born trait hon, your 5th or even 6th sense/special power?


To the creator of this thread...

Good for you, you go get your some and you go on and have a future. I come from a poorer family than most and it seems the girls in our families get pregnant young. Stupid.. They don't go on to be much. They'll live in the same town and struggle most their life till the kid is old enough to help out. The guys too, my brother has 3 kids and he's 27. Not to say thats bad, but his situation is bad. The kids didn't help, but we love em. And my brother gets to take care of em. Not the best start for a young new life. Rep points for you being responsible. If you feel wierd talking to the doctor about your parts you shouldn't they really need to know as much as possible so they can make sure they give you the correct things needed. I don't think its too much for them to ask if you've had sex up protected yadda yadda, it gives them a sense of how you are sexually starting and gives them a chance to give you pointers since you are of course new to the deal. AND to protect yourself. NEVER let a guy inside you without covering him first. If you need to be the one to stop em and put it on so be it. Don't mix juices early hon =). I guess thats my 99 cents for today. Safe sex everyone =D..

[dutch.lover]

Question ladies: I've heard that the pill makes girls a lot LESS horny. Anyone have anecdotal evidence to support this?

SL

It did for me :( But not for everyone. Certain pills work better on certain people, but also non-oral contraceptives are supposed to have the smallest effect on sex-drive (like the patch, or nuvaring).

[Goddess of Green]

I'm sure thats a born trait hon, your 5th or even 6th sense/special power?


To the creator of this thread...

Good for you, you go get your some and you go on and have a future. I come from a poorer family than most and it seems the girls in our families get pregnant young. Stupid.. They don't go on to be much. They'll live in the same town and struggle most their life till the kid is old enough to help out. The guys too, my brother has 3 kids and he's 27. Not to say thats bad, but his situation is bad. The kids didn't help, but we love em. And my brother gets to take care of em. Not the best start for a young new life. Rep points for you being responsible. If you feel wierd talking to the doctor about your parts you shouldn't they really need to know as much as possible so they can make sure they give you the correct things needed. I don't think its too much for them to ask if you've had sex up protected yadda yadda, it gives them a sense of how you are sexually starting and gives them a chance to give you pointers since you are of course new to the deal. AND to protect yourself. NEVER let a guy inside you without covering him first. If you need to be the one to stop em and put it on so be it. Don't mix juices early hon =). I guess thats my 99 cents for today. Safe sex everyone =D..


Aww thanks girlie