I was on birth control for almost 12 years, so I just never took the time to actually figure that out because I didn't necessarily "need" to. I knew the basics about ovulation and stuff, but not all the details about the different hormones and the signs your body can give. But I got off bc about 4 months before TTC and started charting to prevent, and I read a huge book about everything and learned SO much. I got really into it, because I thought it was so neat (nerd). Now a couple of my friends are doing the same thing and I gave them my book and I'm like "Oh my gosh, let's talk about it!"
@knottieamusements thats because @izza2 was on TTGP for a while and that board is all about TCOYF, understanding tracking etc... 'Fertility apps' are laughed out of that place.
@pumpkinpancake - To be fair- the OP doesn’t quite say it that directly, but that is totally the impression I got. Period late = pregnant, just hasn’t tested positive yet.
It should also be noted that the OP doesn’t have super regular periods- they range from 28-33 days tracked over one year. So, having a cycle of 37+ days isn’t outside the realm of possibility.
It blows my brain hole that not everyone learns about the female cycle in detail in high school. Get it together, sex education programs of the United States and Canada.
@jemmerjams I saw the apology and it totally may turn into nothing! Just when one called her out on kinda ignoring the advice, I thought might, maybe turn up a notch. I can kinda get her being ignorant on the matter, cuz I was totally clueless about when I ovulated and such. But seriously, get a book... Read on TheBump... There's info out there if you just look!
@dunkindecaf don’t get me started on sex-ed! I could go on all day, especially since my family is super conservative and basically believes in abstinence. I mean it’s fine if that’s your belief. I’ve actually never taken BC and didn’t have sex with my H prior to marriage, but that was my choice. They think BC should be illegal and refuse to encourage sex education because they think it promotes sex. My sister and a bunch of her friends lead a huge protest because some lady wanted to offer free sex ed classes at the PUBLIC library. Their beef? This womens personally sexual preferences.
@cdepperschmidt see, I don't get that. Studies have shown that access to sex ed does not promote sex at all, it simply decreases the risk of unwanted pregnancy and STIs. Rates of teenage sex are similar between abstinence only programs and actual sex ed.
I thank god every day for my HS- we learned about the biological as well as social aspects of sex starting real young and covered all topics from STIs to blowjobs, BC to anal, LGBTQ and other non-traditional sexual lifestyles all in this very open class. It was amazing.
@DunkinDecaf - for me, my high school just had its 20yr reunion. Even if they did teach it, I have had another 8yrs of non-biology education jammed into my head since them.
If I was just starting out TTC with a partner, I probably wouldn’t have done any more research than that OP did (although I hope I wouldn’t assume I’d get pregnant on the first try).
@dunkindecaf don’t get me started on sex-ed! I could go on all day, especially since my family is super conservative and basically believes in abstinence. I mean it’s fine if that’s your belief. I’ve actually never taken BC and didn’t have sex with my H prior to marriage, but that was my choice. They think BC should be illegal and refuse to encourage sex education because they think it promotes sex. My sister and a bunch of her friends lead a huge protest because some lady wanted to offer free sex ed classes at the PUBLIC library. Their beef? This womens personally sexual preferences.
@knottieamusements fair enough. Most of what I learned from high school has leaked out my ear too. I firmly believe every girl should be taught to chart their cycle in HS. If you did that, even once, you’d remember at least the important points. Would be wicked hard to teach without immediately riling up the puritanical crazy hiding in pretty much every community though.
I was pretty clueless about fertility well into my adult life (like late 20s). I don't think I really understood ovulation windows until my friend told me about how she used the family planning method. Maybe that OP lived in uber conservative/religious-land like me, and was completely oblivious to her own body's workings. It really is a shame that this stuff isn't taught to women earlier. *Makes mental note to teach future child about their body properly*
I get really frustrated when talking to people who are either against BC or don't agree in it being free via insurance. My husband had a vascetomy, I was still taking BC. With PCOS it's necessary to regulate my cycle and keep me from being miserable. People don't understand that there's more to it than just preventing babies.
This may belong in UO....but I'm going to say it anyway. @sammierose464 I was on the pill off and on through high school and college for acne, and what they thought at the time was PCOS, and then another time they thought I had endometriosis. So yes I agree, there is definitely a use for BC besides preventing pregnancy, and I think more people need to understand that. I had TERRIBLE cramps (Rx strength Naproxen was needed) and super heavy flows and my cycles were like 21 days apart, so we kept trying the pill to regulate my cycles and make my teenage years a little less miserable.
In the end, it kind of did more harm than good for me, I'm one of the people who have bad side effects to the pill (lost my period for 9 months after I went off in high school, severe bloating, didn't actually help acne all that much). I then spent years on bio-identical hormones to try to get my cycles all back to normal, and got the Paragard put in because my doc and I agreed it was the best option for me, despite the fact I hadn't had kids yet. I really loved it (until it failed, lol), and I'm fortunate that my insurance covered the IUD itself, and part of the insertion, and the removal! Still think that was one of the best decisions I made, because it was SO NICE not being beholden to the 9 pm pill time. Would have been even better if insurances covered the hormones to regulate my cycles (which is the exact same thing the pill would do...except that it's not mass produced by big-pharma), so that was annoying.
So here comes my UO...While I think the pill (and other forms of BC) should be covered by insurance, I'm having a really hard time not going "rage mode" on the movements made to make BC pills OTC. There are a lot of dangerous side effects to the pill (blood clots, being a big one, *TMI* I also ended up building up a really thick endometrial lining and HOLY SHIT that transvag US hurt so bad to diagnose that) and I don't think the decision to go on one should be made without a doctor's input. I'm all for providing BC to young women, but I also kind of get all "mother hen" about the dangers of being on medicine without doctor supervision. It's quite an internal dilemma, because I want women to be safe, but again, it's their body, their choice. I know just because it didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for millions of other women. I just think, like any other medicine, it should be a medically thought out decision.
@jemmerjams I completely agree with you! There are so many types of BC and not everything works for everyone. If you have heart or blood issues you have to be careful. There's no one size fits all for BC. There's no reason for it to be OTC. I get not everyone has access to a Dr, but there are other ways.
I can't take the pill. It makes me extremely ill. In college I would have to take it and go to bed right away. Tell me what college students go to bed at try same time every night? I was on the nuvaring since about 18 until we started TTC. I will go back on it after baby.
@sammierose464 I'm thinking of trying the arm implant next time. I didn't even know such a thing existed until the last year, but it seems fantastically easy. Not that I ever found the pill difficult, it'd just be nice to lose the period and the daily pill!
@sliztee I had a bunch of friends on that in college and they loved it! But I'm also hearing it's linked to weight gain? Which makes me nervous when I'll be trying to lose weight after baby. We shall see!
@jemmerjams People want BC to be OTC??? Ugh. It’s necessary and should be available/affordable.... but it’s not aspirin for god sakes.
I consider myself to be fairly moderate, but I can’t stand talking to most people (from either side) about issues.... even if they agree with me. Most people take things WAY to far or are completely uneducated about what their hollering about.
I have very mixed views on the arm implant. I know that there are issues with any BC, however I know someone who had a bad experience with the removal process. But really, I think it all comes down to personal preference. I know people who can't stand the idea of putting a plastic ring in their vagina and it grosses them out having to get so intimate with themselves. Where as I don't care.
@sammierose464 - I was on the NuvaRing about fifteen years ago. I didn’t mind putting it in/ taking it out. The only problem I had was that I lost a couple in the toilet during bowel movements. I didn’t realize it until I went to change it!
I will never forget the night with my first boyfriend when it came off during sex and played "ring around the penis". I didn't have my glasses on or contacts in, and my bf was confused when he looked down. (Because there was also a condom) I had to get close to see it (I'm blind) and realized it was my ring... We laughed pretty hard.
Grew up conservative but had access to information about my body, cycles etc. Abstained until marriage and I am happy I did. I started charting when I was 18 I think as I had no desire to go on the pill and knew there were ways to prevent pregnancy from previous learning. i have no issues with birth control as there are many other things that it is used to treat. I wish all kids were taught about charting and learning their body and how it works more than what is taught in schools. When I was dating dh I told him about how I was charting and how the female body worked in that aspect and he was amazed learning about it and he had been though health class. He said I want our kids to learn this too and we will gladly teach them
I agree that charting is something every girl/woman should know how to do. It's important to take control of your body and know how it works. I didn't abstain, but I refused to let a guy finish inside me until I was engaged. I wanted to save something for my husband. Lol. DH thought I was funny (but he totally understood) because I was on BC, he was fixed, and we used condoms. Can't be too safe! My mom had me at 17 though, so I think I may have been a little paranoid.
Probably a UO, but I don’t think BC should be free. Like some other ladies on here, I had a lot of issues when I was on the pill and can’t take it. Some women have long term side effects that last long after they stop taking the pill. I feel like making the pill free encourages that specific form of birth control over others and it can be harmful to a lot of women. I have since found it I have the MTHFR gene mutation and never should have been on the pill because of that and any daughters I have should not go on it either (I’m homozygous for it, so all my children have at least one copy). I’ve read that about 50% of the population has the mutation and most don’t know it, meaning 50% should not take the pill or other hormonal birth control. It also doesn’t protect against STIs. If you want a free birth control, make condoms free instead of encouraging medicating women.
@halfanewt Increased risks for blood clots. The mutation can reduce homocysteine levels and something about B vitamin levels and if those levels are off it can lead to clots and stroke/heart attacks. Hormonal BC also increases the risk for clotting, even in people without the mutation. My kid’s pediatrician told me that any daughters I have can’t go on the pill because of it.
Probably a UO, but I don’t think BC should be free. Like some other ladies on here, I had a lot of issues when I was on the pill and can’t take it. Some women have long term side effects that last long after they stop taking the pill. I feel like making the pill free encourages that specific form of birth control over others and it can be harmful to a lot of women. I have since found it I have the MTHFR gene mutation and never should have been on the pill because of that and any daughters I have should not go on it either (I’m homozygous for it, so all my children have at least one copy). I’ve read that about 50% of the population has the mutation and most don’t know it, meaning 50% should not take the pill or other hormonal birth control. It also doesn’t protect against STIs. If you want a free birth control, make condoms free instead of encouraging medicating women.
It's not just the pill that's free though. Nuvaring is free. WIthout insurance it's about $500 for 3 months. Before it was mandatory to be covered by insurance it would cost $50-100/month for it.
I do agree that condoms should be free though, at least basic ones.
Probably a UO, but I don’t think BC should be free. Like some other ladies on here, I had a lot of issues when I was on the pill and can’t take it. Some women have long term side effects that last long after they stop taking the pill. I feel like making the pill free encourages that specific form of birth control over others and it can be harmful to a lot of women. I have since found it I have the MTHFR gene mutation and never should have been on the pill because of that and any daughters I have should not go on it either (I’m homozygous for it, so all my children have at least one copy). I’ve read that about 50% of the population has the mutation and most don’t know it, meaning 50% should not take the pill or other hormonal birth control. It also doesn’t protect against STIs. If you want a free birth control, make condoms free instead of encouraging medicating women.
It's not just the pill that's free though. Nuvaring is free. WIthout insurance it's about $500 for 3 months. Before it was mandatory to be covered by insurance it would cost $50-100/month for it.
I do agree that condoms should be free though, at least basic ones.
Nuvaring is also hormonal though and comes with similar risks (although clotting risks are higher with it than with the pill). I also feel like it gives women a false sense of security since they can fall out and you may not know it until you need to change it, meaning you could go a month without BC and not even know it (depending on when it falls out). My SIL had it fall out a few times before she changed to something else.
ETA: being covered by insurance is not the same as free. When I was on the pill, it was covered by insurance but I still had to pay something for it. I’m not saying it shouldn’t be covered by insurance - I have no problem with that. It’s giving hormonal birth control in any form for free that bothers me.
@purplegoldfish2 huh. Thanks for the info! I was on the pill for almost 10 years and found out I have one mutated version after I went off the pill. Oops. My doc didn’t mention the connection at all, though!
@halfanewt The diagnosing dr never mentioned it to me either. I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t been diagnosed shortly before my kids’ dr appointment and I had seen a lot of misinformation about the mutation but hadn’t had time to figure out what was real and what was panic, so I asked her about the mutation and the vaccines my kids were getting and that’s when she told me about the pill.
Do you know which version you have? Both of my copies are the A version, which is less risky than the C version (I can’t remember the full names of them) and all my levels are fine. They don’t even have me on extra folic acid & my issues with the pill were not clot related, but that doesn’t mean any daughters I have won’t have those issues because gene expression is really hard to predict. Thankful my mutations don’t seem to be expressing themselves though.
I don't think it should be OTC, but I think free or very reasonable via insurance is important. I don't take it to protect myself from unwanted pregnancy. It's something I'll have to take most of my life to manage my PCOS.
Although, medicine in general is so expensive in the US. I'm thankful that my two daily meds are offered on Walmart's $4 Rx list.
If you know where to go, you can find free condoms. There are at least two coffee shops in St Louis that provide them. (Yes- coffee shops.) The problem with that model though is that the distribution isn’t particularly broad...
@purplegoldfish2 I'm heterozygous for the C677T mutation, my mom is homozygous for at least one of them (side note, need to run my husbands 23&me data and check his status...). My lady doc is a naturopath so she told me when I found out a few years ago to take folate instead of folic acid (I think it's because your body doesn't process it as well as folate). . I had to get my prenatals through her, because it's almost impossible to find one with folate! (FYI if people want an easy to find one, smartypants prenatals have folate! but no iron. )
I don't think that was the reason I got off hormonal birth control specifically, it was more of a decision that the synthetic hormones just weren't a good option due to side effects I noticed. I'm glad I did though, I didn't realize I had an increased risk for clots!! Scary!
Why isn’t there a store that carries petite plus maternity clothes?! We need maternity clothes too. I ended up buying a pair of pants, but they’re a good 4 or 5 inches too long.
@jemmerjams Yes, the mutation makes it harder to process folic acid, so instead of using it, it floats around in your blood and can cause other problems. I don’t remember the % reduction, but I know the C677T mutation reduces your ability to process it more than the A mutation. Of everything reputable I could find on it, most of the info/studies were on the effects of C677T. One dr made it sound like most of the drs and researchers dismissed the effects of the A mutation, but he said there were still some effects.
Your mom could have 2 copies of C or 1 copy of C and 1 of A. Either way, if she found out from 23 & me, she should talk to her dr about it. They can test her homocysteine and b vitamin levels and make sure they are in the normal range to reduce her chances of clots (if she hasn’t already).
@purplegoldfish2 mine is the C version, I think heterozygous, but don’t remember off the top of my head. Like @jemmerjams, they switched me to a prenatal with folate and told me to stay away from enriched flour since it’s enriched with folic acid. Seriously, that stuff is in everything. Luckily I like to bake, ‘cause I’m not willing to go gluten free to avoid it!
@halfanewt gluten free since 2005! (would totally be better if that rhymed) I have celiac disease so it's a must.
@purplegoldfish2 my mom's dr knows, so I think we're all in good shape I think she has both mutations, but only homozygous for one. Idk. Also i think the heterozygous is down to 65% efficiency, and the homozygous is like 30%.
Free condoms are obviously a good thing but that doesn’t allow the woman to have any control - she still has to get the partner to use it. It many cultures that’s not how it realistically works. The pill, or nuvaring, or in certain countries even a female condom, are critical tools in women controlling their own bodies and fertility. I’m 100% for free and over the counter birth control, coupled with educational efforts. The risks of the pill pale in comparison with the medical risks of pregnancy not to mention the societal costs of unwanted pregnancies.
Re: Randoms 4/19!
It should also be noted that the OP doesn’t have super regular periods- they range from 28-33 days tracked over one year. So, having a cycle of 37+ days isn’t outside the realm of possibility.
I can kinda get her being ignorant on the matter, cuz I was totally clueless about when I ovulated and such. But seriously, get a book... Read on TheBump... There's info out there if you just look!
DD 3/15/12
DD 6/3/14
#4 Due 10/26/18!
I thank god every day for my HS- we learned about the biological as well as social aspects of sex starting real young and covered all topics from STIs to blowjobs, BC to anal, LGBTQ and other non-traditional sexual lifestyles all in this very open class. It was amazing.
If I was just starting out TTC with a partner, I probably wouldn’t have done any more research than that OP did (although I hope I wouldn’t assume I’d get pregnant on the first try).
I was pretty clueless about fertility well into my adult life (like late 20s). I don't think I really understood ovulation windows until my friend told me about how she used the family planning method. Maybe that OP lived in uber conservative/religious-land like me, and was completely oblivious to her own body's workings. It really is a shame that this stuff isn't taught to women earlier. *Makes mental note to teach future child about their body properly*
In the end, it kind of did more harm than good for me, I'm one of the people who have bad side effects to the pill (lost my period for 9 months after I went off in high school, severe bloating, didn't actually help acne all that much). I then spent years on bio-identical hormones to try to get my cycles all back to normal, and got the Paragard put in because my doc and I agreed it was the best option for me, despite the fact I hadn't had kids yet. I really loved it (until it failed, lol), and I'm fortunate that my insurance covered the IUD itself, and part of the insertion, and the removal! Still think that was one of the best decisions I made, because it was SO NICE not being beholden to the 9 pm pill time. Would have been even better if insurances covered the hormones to regulate my cycles (which is the exact same thing the pill would do...except that it's not mass produced by big-pharma), so that was annoying.
So here comes my UO...While I think the pill (and other forms of BC) should be covered by insurance, I'm having a really hard time not going "rage mode" on the movements made to make BC pills OTC. There are a lot of dangerous side effects to the pill (blood clots, being a big one, *TMI* I also ended up building up a really thick endometrial lining and HOLY SHIT that transvag US hurt so bad to diagnose that) and I don't think the decision to go on one should be made without a doctor's input. I'm all for providing BC to young women, but I also kind of get all "mother hen" about the dangers of being on medicine without doctor supervision. It's quite an internal dilemma, because I want women to be safe, but again, it's their body, their choice. I know just because it didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for millions of other women. I just think, like any other medicine, it should be a medically thought out decision.
I can't take the pill. It makes me extremely ill. In college I would have to take it and go to bed right away. Tell me what college students go to bed at try same time every night? I was on the nuvaring since about 18 until we started TTC. I will go back on it after baby.
I consider myself to be fairly moderate, but I can’t stand talking to most people (from either side) about issues.... even if they agree with me. Most people take things WAY to far or are completely uneducated about what their hollering about.
I do agree that condoms should be free though, at least basic ones.
ETA: being covered by insurance is not the same as free. When I was on the pill, it was covered by insurance but I still had to pay something for it. I’m not saying it shouldn’t be covered by insurance - I have no problem with that. It’s giving hormonal birth control in any form for free that bothers me.
Do you know which version you have? Both of my copies are the A version, which is less risky than the C version (I can’t remember the full names of them) and all my levels are fine. They don’t even have me on extra folic acid & my issues with the pill were not clot related, but that doesn’t mean any daughters I have won’t have those issues because gene expression is really hard to predict. Thankful my mutations don’t seem to be expressing themselves though.
Although, medicine in general is so expensive in the US. I'm thankful that my two daily meds are offered on Walmart's $4 Rx list.
I don't think that was the reason I got off hormonal birth control specifically, it was more of a decision that the synthetic hormones just weren't a good option due to side effects I noticed. I'm glad I did though, I didn't realize I had an increased risk for clots!! Scary!
Your mom could have 2 copies of C or 1 copy of C and 1 of A. Either way, if she found out from 23 & me, she should talk to her dr about it. They can test her homocysteine and b vitamin levels and make sure they are in the normal range to reduce her chances of clots (if she hasn’t already).
@purplegoldfish2 my mom's dr knows, so I think we're all in good shape