My hormonal contraceptive story - why it isn't just "buying rubbers at 7/11 like the rest of us"

[Heddi]

So for the last 2ish years I have been dealing with a painful, ongoing problem which was just recently (finally!) definitively diagnosed as Adenomyosis. Adenomyosis is similar to endometriosis, except that the inflamed tissue is located within the walls of the uterus, causing pain, cramping, and bleeding within the muscle wall. This means that my uterus is pretty much a big bruise most of the time. That, coupled with my previous diagnosis of endometriosis and fibroids means a couple of things:

* I am in constant, unrelenting, unending pain which is akin to the worst menstrual cramps ever. Ever. All the time, every day

* I have constant periods. All the time, never-ending. Intense, heavy bleeding. Passing clots the size of a cow's liver multiple times a day. Bleeding through 2 - 3 pads an hour. All the time.

* Nausea-inducing pain during orgasm. Pain that brings tears to my eyes and makes me break out in a cold sweat for hours. All the time.

So there are a few treatments for adenomyosis:

- hormonal contraceptives (Birth control pills) that can stop the bleeding, and decrease the inflammation within and within the muscle wall of the uterus

- IUD in place of hormonal contraceptive or when hormonal contraceptives don't work

- Regular injections of a medication which brings on immediate, and temporary menopause. This medicine can only be given for a pre-determined amount of time because it basically turns my bones to glass. The good thing is that symptoms pretty much abate immediately. The bad thing is that the shot can't be given forever, and the symptoms come back after the shot stops. Plus, I'd have to deal with the side effects of menopause

- Uterine Ablation - this is where the burn off the inner lining of the uterus, which can stop or decrease the cramping. Downside is that I'll never be able to have a child, if I wanted to (which I"m not sure of yet)

- hysterectomy - surgical removal of the uterus. There's no need to take out the ovaries, so that wouldn't necessarily cause menopause but would ensure at least 12 weeks, possibly 16 weeks out of work because of the nature of my job, and that's not counting the frequent and practically expected complications that go with major abdominal surgery.

---

So, my MD and I have been diagnosing and fiddling with symptom management for quite some time. The BC I was on before wasn't fully covered by my health insurance (NuvaRing) and cost $100 a month---that's a lot of money every year.

Considering the beneficial effects of hormonal contraceptive, we tried one pill. That just ramped up the bleeding and cramps. So we tried another a few weeks later. Ditto on bleeding and cramps. We went to a third and finally decided, after even more weeks of bleeding a cramps, to do the IUD, which I had placed last week. Still bleeding, and still cramping, but fingers crossed.....

----

I know many of you are asking yourself 'Why the fuck is she telling complete strangers about her vaginal bleeding? No one gives a shit" and that's probably true, but here's why you SHOULD give a shit.

The next time some privileged male asshole defends the RCC's prohibition to birth control coverage by employers, realize that not all 'birth control" is the same. There isn't just one pill. There are hundreds.

Here are a few:
Altavera
Alyacen 1/35
Alyacen 7/7/7
Amethia
Amethia Lo
Apri
Aranelle
Aubra
Aviane
Azurette
Balziva
Briellyn
Camila
Camrese
Camrese Lo
Caziant
Chateal
Cryselle-28
Cyclafem 1/35
Cyclafem 7/7/7
Dasetta 1/35
Dasetta 7/7/7
Daysee
desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol
drospirenone/ethinyl
estradiol
Elinest
Emoquette
Enpresse-28
Enskyce
Errin
Estarylla
Falmina
Gianvi
Gildagia
Gildess 1.5/30
Gildess 1/20
Gildess FE 1.5/30
Gildess FE 1/20
Heather
Introvale
Jencycla
Jolessa
Jolivette
Junel 1.5/30
Junel 1/20
Junel FE 1.5/30
Junel FE 1/20
Kariva
Kurvelo
Larin 1/20
Larin FE 1.5/30
Larin FE 1/20
Leena
Lessina
Levonest
levonorgestrel
levonorgestrel and ethinyl
estradiol
levonorgestrel/ethinyl
estradiol
Levora 0.15/30-28
Loryna
Low-Ogestrel
Lutera
Lyza
Marlissa
medroxyprogesterone acetate
150 MG/ML
Microgestin 1.5/30
Microgestin 1/20
Microgestin FE
Microgestin FE 1.5/30
Mono-Linyah
Mononessa
Myzilra
Necon 0.5/35-28
Necon 1/35
Necon 7/7/7
Nora-Be
norethindrone
norgestimate/ethinyl
estradiol
norgestrel/ethinyl estradiol
Nortrel 0.5/35 (28)
Nortrel 1/35
Nortrel 7/7/7
Ocella
Orsythia
Philith
Pimtrea
Pirmella 1/35
Pirmella 7/7/7
Portia-28
Previfem
Quasense
Reclipsen
Sprintec 28
Sronyx
Syeda
Tilia FE
Tri-Estarylla
Tri-Legest FE
Tri-Linyah
Trinessa
Tri-Previfem
Tri-Sprintec
Trivora-28
Velivet
Vestura
Viorele
Vyfemla
Wera
Wymzya FE
Xulane
Zarah
Zenchent
Zenchent FE
Zeosa
Zovia 1/35E

----

So as you can see, the list of contraceptives that a woman can take are quite numerous, and they all have different properties, different mixes of hormones (more estrogen than progesterone? Progesterone only? How about low dose? 28 day vs 21 day. Continuous or 1 week off?)

Some of these cause breakthrough bleeding. Some, as in my case, cause continuous bleeding. Some cause serious mood swings.

So to tell a woman 'Oh, just go to the store and buy rubbers like the rest of us" is missing the entire point. So is the excuse "Oh, well they would be covered in your case, because it's not for contraception!" AH, true, but you see, that would mean having a discussion with my EMPLOYER about my private medical issues. The only person that should be involved in the medication I receive and the reasons why I receive it is my PHYSICIAN --- the one with years of specialized medical training. The one who has published research studies on the exact disease I'm dealing with. Not my boss. Not my HR person. Not my supervisor. MY DOCTOR.

---
Had my health insurance denied BC coverage, I would not only have had to pay more than $100 a month for Nuvaring, I would have had to pay out of pocket for each trial of hormonal contraception to abate my symptoms. I would have had to pay out of pocket for my IUD insertion (close to $1500 for insertion, $2500 to take it out if it doesn't work right). Not because I need birth control, but because I need symptom control.

But privileged assholes who support the RCC (and other oppressive religious groups)'s intrusion into my private life and private medical decisions don't just NOT understand. They don't care. In their eyes, birth control is fucking control, and if you can't control your fucking long enough to buy rubbers at 7/11 like the rest of us, then you (women) deserve whatever heartbreak comes your way.

They don't care that hormonal birth control and other birth control methods are used for reasons beyond contraception. They don't care.

But you should. That's why I'm telling you.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

1. K&R and glad to be the first to ask

WHY THE FUCK DO PROGRESSIVES SUPPORT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WHEN IT PROPAGATES SO MANY REGRESSIVE POLICIES?

Sorry for the shouting, but it's become increasingly obvious that there are certain Progressives that put their church about human rights. And in my eyes that makes them a not-Progressive.

[Heddi]

3. I think because many of them really *aren't* progressive.

You'll see the arguments here, by otherwise SOLID DEMOCRAT LIBERAL LEFTIST MORE PROGRESSIVER THAN YOU! posters. Yeah, abortion rights are important but really, what's the harm in someregulation and really who can go four months without realizing they're pregnant and is it that much of a hassle to not have an abortion provider in your town and besides it's really easy to use condoms I mean I used condoms and I never got pregnant so I really don't see what the big deal is.

You see the arguments with birth control being covered by insurance---well just go elsewhere to get it and anyways planned parenthood is free and what's the big deal I went to the free clinic when I was 17 in 1969 so what's the big deal?

I see this with many people I work with who are older, like baby-boomer age, past menopause, past the age of being willing to father a child and it's the "Oh, well back in MY day you had to be careful and think about these things and these free clinics and abortions on demand I mean it just perpetuates this notion that you don't have to THINK about things so while *I*was able to get free birth control and abortion on demand THINGS ARE DIFFERENT NOW THAT I'M 60 and I just don't think that young people should have reproductive freedom because they haven't earned the right to fuck without consequence because back when *I* was a young person the worst thing you got was Herpes and now there's the AIDS and the Warts and young people just need to think about their future more than I did."

It's this ridiculous circular argument. THEY had it, but they don't want anyone ELSE to have it. When THEY needed it, it was because it was needed. When someone needs it now it's because they're being UNCAREFUL and WANTON and NO PLANNING and all this ridiculous shit. I have to take birth control whether I fuck my husband once a year or once an hour. The frequency of fornication does not determine the amount of birth control I have to take. I don't take 1 pill a day and a prostitute takes 18.

But that's the notion. Sex is dirty, especially the older you get. Young people shouldn't have sex because the old people had all the young people sex that needed to be had when they were young. We have to learn from their sexual freedom, and just keep our legs crossed and don't let that aspirin fall from between your knees and that's all the Birth Control you need.

Oh yeah! And GOTV! Even though we don't give a shit about your reproductive freedoms except in some vague, esoteric "democrats are for it, and I'm for regulation" way, but when butter hits the bread, only whores get abortions and only sluts take the pill, so think about that, you young whippersnappers.

Long rambling story short---they support the church because they really do, deep down inside, voting D at the booth aside, agree with the church on these matters.

[Rainforestgoddess]

6. RACIST!

When someone needs it now it's because they're being UNCAREFUL and WONTON . They are called Asian Americans!


(disclaimer - this is a joke about a typo)

[Heddi]

8. Sorry...just made homemade Crab Rangoon

had wonton wrappers on the mind.

Corrected, and now it's snack time

[progressoid]

11. I actually heard a Democrat, a female Democrat, say she was happy about the SCOTUS decision

about Hobby Lobby.

I was like WTF lady! Up to this point I thought she was fairly sensible. But then she blabbered on about religious freedumb and I wanted to take up heavy drinking.

[deucemagnet]

2. I agree 100%,

and although I know that you didn't post this for sympathy, I want you to know that I'm very sorry that you had to go through this.

[Heddi]

4. Thanks. I'm ready to be over with it

I'm only 38, so I'm not ready for the old hysterectomy. And while I'm not yet sure if I want kids (husband isn't either), I like the idea of preserving my fertility as long as I can, so I'm really trying to put off the ablation thing.

But goddamn, maxi-pads are expensive. Even at Costo. And I'm going through 36+a week.....

I should have bought stock in Kotex.

Oh--here's a joke

What do you do when your kotex catches on fire?





















throw it on the floor and tampon it.



get it?

tampon it?

stamp on it??

???????????????????????

tap
tap
tap

is this thing on?

[deucemagnet]

17. That joke should be on a Kotex wrapper.

They should all have jokes or fun facts, like Bazooka bubblegum or Snapple.

[Rainforestgoddess]

5. I hope your story will not fall on only deaf ears

inevitably it will, but hopefully not all, and you will be able to change some minds.

[Heddi]

7. The sad thing is that many of the "buy rubbers" people are married to a woman.

Last edited Mon Nov 17, 2014, 08:13 PM - Edit history (1)

they tend to have a wife with a vagina, and a uterus and ovaries.
They tend to have an adult daughter. A daughter with a vagina and a uterus and ovaries.

Which goes back to the feeling that it's not an issue of not knowing. It's an issue of NOT CARING.

It's about having deeply held beliefs that dirty girls use birth control. Clean girls don't. Birth control is for fucking, and good girls don't fuck. Therefore, who cares what pills a whore needs, because who cares about whores and their needs?

That's the only explanation. Callous disregard for the needs of 52% of the population. He was born from one (ew yucky! vagina!), and is married to one, and has participated in the creation of one. But he doesn't care about them. Not one whit. Otherwise, he wouldn't have THOUGHT (much less said, and defended repeatedly) the 'go to the 7/11 and buy rubbers" comment.

People who say that are like Rush Limbaugh. Women "problems" means vagina "problems" and we all know the only problem a vagina has is not getting enough winkie. heh heh heh. Chuckle chuckle chuckle.

[trotsky]

9. You are awesome.

The fuckwad who made the 7-11 remark can go fuck his bigoted, sexist, homophobic self.

So can all the fuckwads who support him over us horrible, terrible "anti-theists" who have the NERVE to criticize religious institutions that fight against the rights of others.

[RussBLib]

10. damn, you have been through a lot

It's hard to imagine that level of pain, and bleeding, and inconvenience.

I hope you can find something that works for you so you can have some peace and enjoy life a little.

[kdmorris]

12. This has left me gobsmacked for years...decades

The IUD is, of course, is one of the "birth control" methods covered under the Hobby Lobby decision. Because an IUD doesn't keep your from ovulating, so a fertilized egg could find itself in hostile terrain and it's our duty as women to provide the most welcoming environment in our uterus to whatever little zygote finds its way down the tube.

I have tried telling some of these assholes that "birth control" pills and patches and rings and IUDS are not just for birth control. And NO ONE should get a say in which medications I take except for me and my doctor. Not my employer, not my health insurance company, not the government.

I'm absolutely floored when I see a Democratic (well, they claim to be) say that they are OK with the RCC imposing these restrictions on "birth control". There have been several times in my life that I have had to be on "birth control" to control something other than birth - PCOS, irregular periods, heavy, painful periods, etc. My oldest daughter also has PCOS and has had to use "birth control" to help regulate the side effects of too much testosterone.

(On a side note... I am sorry you are dealing with this. I really hope that the IUD works for you so that you do have some choices. Having all choice taken away from you is really tough. Even if you choose not to have a child... at least that will be your choice and not something that happened to you. {hugs})

[AtheistCrusader]

13. I'm sure there's a litany of stupid excuses how none of this is actually the fault of religion.

It's all just a merry coincidence.

[trotsky]

14. And if we would just stop being such bigoted atheists...

(by pointing out the misogyny and homophobia in religion, natch) and just take the "tolerant" approach of "It doesn't affect me personally, so why should I care?" then all would be great!

[AlbertCat]

15. As usual..... it comes down to simplification...

Y'see it's just a pill you take.... or something. Like aspirin!

People who don't seem to come away with a general view of what science....all science.... shows us just think it's as easy as taking a pill. Kinda like anti-choice people who just think that the egg gets fertilized (somehow....) and then it's just a "baby"!

Science shows us that EVERYTHING is way more complex than you can imagine, and way more interconnected than you can POSSIBLY imagine. People who don't "do" science never think things thru. After taking some pill.... it just works. Right? Kinda like saying "god did it" when it comes to complex and mind boggling things.... like evolution or sex.

[AtheistCrusader]

16. I care.

The callousness by which situations like yours are overlooked, compound my outrage. Bad enough that in this day and age, churches with religious proscription against contraceptives are working to undermine the ACA in the courts, based on their religious faith, bad enough that...


But in doing so, they actually go one worse, because they completely pretend you don't exist. Or, perhaps, to them, you are acceptable collateral damage. Whichever it is, it's vile.

[theHandpuppet]

18. Thank you so much for this amazing post

I hope you'll consider cross posting this for a wider audience. It's a damn shame that on a supposedly progressive forum we still have to explain these issues. Not only that, but be made to feel as if we have to give a kindly pat on the head to those who oppose choice and/or contraception, all in the name of providing a "big tent". Fuck that. If you don't support a woman's right to the autonomy of her own body, there's another tent for you -- it's called the Republican Party.

Thanks again for sharing your experience with us.

[Heather MC]

19. Hey sweetie, thanks for sharing your story

I am not completely familar with your medical issue, basically it's my first time hearing about. This issue.

So forgive my suggestion, but
3 years ago I switched from using tampons and pads to the Diva Cup. I notice after about a year of using it, I didn't get cramps anymore. I have discovered many users of the Diva cup say their cramps stopped after using the cup for a while.

The best one to get is the larger volume cup. And I know a blood collection cup sounds gross, I have found it to be a much cleaner and more sanitary option over using pads and tampons

The chemicals they use in those pads and tampons could be making your issue worse TSS is a proven side effect of Tampon useage who knows maybe the pads are also causing you more of a problem than they are helping.

Good luck Dear, girlie issues suck ass!

[onager]

20. Thanks, and why I care...

For newbies who haven't heard this - a woman who helped raise me had an abortion when she was very young.

If you're a younger person who takes reproductive rights for granted, you might want to ponder the rest of her story: this happened in the Deep South, a long time ago. When not only doctors who did abortions could be prosecuted, but any doctor who helped a woman after an abortion could also go to jail.

So my relative, young. scared and bleeding out in a taxi, was turned away by several doctors. She finally found one brave and sympathetic doctor who saved her life. At the risk of his own career and possibly his life, in that time and place. The relative who told me this story charmingly referred to him as "that n-----r doctor."

That's why I won't budge on this issue. Just like the famous liberal who said: &quot Abortion is) a decision that’s up to the pregnant woman, not up to the Pope or some do-gooders or the Religious Right."

Oh sorry. That weren't no Progressive Lib'rul Xian who said that. That was Barry Goldwater, formerly known as "Mr. Conservative."