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.

Goddess of Green Reviewed by Goddess of Green on 03-14-2007. Going on the Pill 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. Rating: 5

[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!