posted
I'm debating whether I should go on the pill. The pros would be that it will regulate my periods and it will be extra protection against pregnancy. The cons would be the side effects, as minimal as it may be, I have to keep it from my parents and I have to pay out of pocket for it because I’m afraid that if I use my insurance a bill or something will be sent home and they will find out.
The reason I’m thinking about going on the pill now is because my boyfriend and I were talking about how we can be safe when we do have sex and he said he would prefer I was an birth control so that if the condom fails we would be ok. We are a long way off from intercourse though, as of right now the only type of sex we are having is manual.
I’ve been considering going on the pill for a while for helping with my menstrual cycle so I’m not considering just going on the pill for my boyfriend. I’m going to planned parenthood to get them if I do. I just don’t know whether I should get them though.
posted
I'm going to answer these questions, but when I'm done, I'd also really like to be able to talk with you about what feels like continued focus on sex from this boyfriend that I understand you have now and clear, several times, is NOT a focus you are ready for. But that's up to you: it's not what you asked about, so I'm not going to push a conversation on you you don't want to have.
So, with the pill, just to first be clear, the pill doesn't actually "regulate periods." People on the pill stop having menstrual periods, and instead have withdrawal bleeds. Way more often than not, then, cyclical vaginal bleeding happens during or around the placebo period, so if a person finds that with periods, they were all over the place, rather than happening somewhere around once every 25-35 days, then yes, people will usually see a change.
In terms of payment, you have the option of using a clinic with sliding scale fees so it may cost you very little. Those clinics also absolutely will not bill your home: you pay cash when you're there.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63263 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
I knew that about the pill, bad choice of words, considering I browse the message boards a lot.
Sex was brought up because I printed the sexual inventory checklist and we filled it out together so that he knows what my boundaries are and what triggers me, etc. when we, or more specifically I am, ready to get more intimate which won't be for a while like at least for another 4 months, probably longer.
I know planned parenthood has sliding scale fees, it will be cheaper than making an appt. with my gyn. I just have to call them tomorrow to ask what the costs would be. Thanks for clarifying the whole bill thing.
And if you want to talk about the concerns I voiced -- especially since last we talked, I had understood you set a firm boundary with him about not bringing sex up again, period, for some time, and obviously it's come up and some kinds of sex have also been going on -- I'm around.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63263 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
I called planned parenthood to ask about pricing, they told me that they can't give me the price until they see me. I'm thinking about just going to my gyn. since its closer even though I have to pay a copay. I called the insurance to ask about the pricing of the pills and the guy said it could range from $5-50 depending whether it was generic or not.
Second thought, going to PP. I checked online to see what type of pills were covered and most of them cost $50.
posted
But PP has a sliding scale, so that doesn't mean that's what they'd cost you. What you pay them is based on your income.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63263 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
I meant I went on my insurance website to check prices and most cost $50.
So which would be cheaper PP or my gyn.? The closest PP is 30 min. away while my gyn is 10 min but copay is $25 so it evens out, ugh it's so hard deciding where to go.
posted
It sounds to me like what this really boils down to is if you're able to disclose to your Mother, since if you use your insurance, she is going to know.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63263 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
I have a question, the nurse told me to start my first pack the Sunday of the week I get my period but the doctor told me to start it on the day of my period. I read the info sheet that came with it and it says to start on the Sunday of my period. I also checked online and it says I can either start it on the day of my period or on the Sunday of my period. Now I'm confused, when do I start my first pack?
posted
You can start either way, whichever you prefer.
The only real difference with that Sunday start, as opposed to the first day start is that people who start that way are usually less likely to have withdrawal bleeding on the weekends, which some folks appreciate, while others could give a hoot.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63263 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
Ok thanks, I don't really care when I get the withdrawal bleeds so I'll start when I get my period then. Btw, I replied to my other post on friday and added some more to it yesterday.
posted
Oh, I didn't see! I'll take a look in a little bit.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63263 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
I started my pack on monday, I have to go somehwere tomorrow and I might not be able to take the pill on time. Is it ok if I take it an hour late/early? I'm sure it is but just checking.
posted
An hour either way is totally fine. Generally you just want to aim for the same time of day - morning, afternoon, or evening.
-------------------- "Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." -Arundhati Roy Posts: 5312 | From: Canada/Australia | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
I'm on my second week of my first pack and the spotting is getting annoying. I've been spotting ever since friday when I had sex with my boyfriend. I'm wondering if this is caused because I just started the pill or the sex? I mastubated a while ago and now I'm spotting a little heavier.
posted
Could be either, but spotting is a very common side effect when starting the pill. Generally, you want to give your body about three months to adjust, and then if you're still having side effects after that, look into a different brand or different method.
-------------------- "Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." -Arundhati Roy Posts: 5312 | From: Canada/Australia | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
My mom knows that I'm on the pill now and like I predicted she is against it. She thinks it's going to give me a blood clot, make me infertile, etc and I'm going to die.
She says she was on the pill after my brother was born for eight years and hears stories from her clients so she knows whats she is talking about.
Honestly, I think all of this is over exaggerated. Is it possible for me to get a blood clot, yes but hightly unlikely considering I have the lowest dose of of hormones in the pill. As for the other things, it's possible it could happen but again highly unlikely.
posted
Maternal mortality rates are much higher every single year than deaths from hormonal contraceptives are. In other words, far, FAR more women die due to pregnancy than from methods of contraception.
The other thing to know, and maybe pass on, is that when you get a prescription method, the doctor who prescribes it checks your health history to be sure you're low-risk for things like blood clots. If you're not, they won't prescribe a method for you that poses big risks to your health.
The pill is also not associated with causing infertility, save temporarily (obviously).
Is your Mom saying that when she used the pill, she wound up having health issues because of it?
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63263 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
No she didn't but she still says that I could wound up with them. Then again she is against abortion, people having sex and planned parenthood so you can see the angle where she's coming from.
posted
By all means, they are one risk of birth control pills. They're also a risk with pregnancy, inactivity, diabetes, being overweight, smoking, and eating lots of red meat or fatty foods and a host of other things.
So yes, blood clots are a risk, but they're a very small one when you don't have other health conditions (like being pregnant or diabetic) and habits (like smoking, being inactive and eating red meat) that make them more likely.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63263 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
Probably there isn't anything you can do. You do have the right to use that medication if you want to, and you may just have to accept she's unaccepting for now.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63263 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
Yeah I know, but I feel bad about that because she says that I'm going behind her back, lying to her and betraying her which I'm not know that she knows and knows why I'm on the pill. Hopefully she comes around soon.
posted
But she knows you're on the pill now, right? So, it's all out in the open.
Or, is there something else she thinks you're not being honest about? Whatever it is, are you being honest about that with her or not?
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63263 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
Then you're not lying or betraying her, and you know that, even if she's claiming that you are.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63263 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
Hi guys, quick update and a question. I have found a wonderful boyfriend who cares about me. He is protective, nice, smart, and his family likes me. I've relapsed into my eating disorder, but I'm doing ok now and my depression has gotten slightly worse. But in all, I'm doing well and am mostly happy.
Here's my question, my boyfriend is concerned that I might be pregnant. We had unprotected sex yesterday. I just started the pill last Sunday and theoretically I should be protected after I am on it for a week. The week before I started the pill I got my period, so basically, I started taking the pill the day my period ended. I am fairly sure I'm not pregnant, but I wanted to post this to ease my boyfriends worries.
If you start the pill on the first day of your period, or the first Sunday after the start of your period, you can generally rely on the full protection of the pill after the first week.
So, if you have been taking the pill as directed (same time every day, no late or missed pills), you should not have any reason to worry.
(Also, just a reminder: as the pill does not protected from STIs, it's a good idea for both you and your partner to get checked before ditching condoms. So if you haven't done that yet, now is a great time to get caught up on that.)
-------------------- -joey Scarleteen Volunteer
"The question is not who will let me, but who is going to stop me." -Ayn Rand Posts: 8422 | From: Cologne, Germany | Registered: Sep 2005
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