Caution: Girl Stuff

[blueerica]

CP, interesting that you've brought this up.

While I'm lucky (read: blessed beyond belief) that, aside from maybe a little crankiness a week or so before my period, I have few issues with my period. For that reason, I go ahead and do "the period."

However, once upon a time, a few years ago, I decided to get on the Nuvaring. Virtually eliminating user error seemed like a great plan for me. I loved it. Additionally, it was good for 4-week dosage, according to my doctor, so that should I want to go "period-less" I could do so very easily. Once my insurance changed my coverage for the non-generic brand, I switched back to the pill. Happy enough, though not as happy as not having to think about the pill, I kept on with it.

A couple of years ago, I lost my insurance entirely, and realized that even the generic wasn't exactly cheap, either. I kept on with the pill, since I didn't want to pay for another appointment right out of my pocket, but once I was due for another pap, I decided it was time to get back on the more-expensive Nuvaring. (trust me, it's awesome!) I went to the clinic, since I'd heard great things about them, and talked with the doctor who was treating me. She re-affirmed what the previous doctor said about "not needing to have my period" - almost to the point of promoting it since many women have major issues with that time of the month. Heck, I've gone "period-less" just because I have stuff going on that weekend, and I didn't want my period. It's worked out nicely!

To be noted, both doctors who said it was okay were women. Nothing against male doctors, but oftentimes they literally can't understand how problematic a period can be for some women, and archaically suggest that the period is all-important.

On the other hand, I'm surprised that he didn't look into alternate reasons you could be having the discharge. From my own experience, I would suggest stress (you did just recently move and started a new job), or any number of alternate causes.

Anyway, let me know what happens. And yeah - get a new doctor.

[Stan4dSteph]

I've done the back to back pills before, but not for more than a few months. Maybe you could ask about the one that gives you only 4 periods a year.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

You couldn't pay me to mess with my hormones now - not after what's happened to my body as it has gotten older.

Originally Posted by 3894

That's my reaction, too.

The fact that both of you say this catches my attention. I've talked to many women with menopause and other things going on and I do wonder if this would affect that.

I have to say that I would never, ever get breast augmentation, barring a replacement for a mastectomy. The idea of inserting bags of liquid in my body to make me look prettier repulses me. I'm not judging anyone else's decision - I just know it's not for me.

That's why this is such a weird thing for me. If it didn't mean the end of my periods, I wouldn't be pursuing the concept at all. It'll be interesting to see how I react when I start going gray...

Erica - thanks for the detail on your experience. The Nuvaring is inserted and left inside, right? That weirds me out big time. I would love to hear more about that from someone that's experienced it - perhaps it would be a good option for me, if I can get past my initial reaction.

Originally Posted by blueerica

To be noted, both doctors who said it was okay were women. Nothing against male doctors, but oftentimes they literally can't understand how problematic a period can be for some women, and archaically suggest that the period is all-important.

I didn't even think of that. Good point.

Originally Posted by blueerica

On the other hand, I'm surprised that he didn't look into alternate reasons you could be having the discharge. From my own experience, I would suggest stress (you did just recently move and started a new job), or any number of alternate causes.

I don't think I spoke to him about the discharge. As soon as I mentioned what I had done, he turned on the condescending attitude and began lecturing me with a half-smile on his face. I could almost hear him thinking about how stupid I was. I think I get more discharge than most women do on a daily basis anyway, on the normal pills. The discharge I got during my no-period phase was reddish, thinner than usual, and totally required a pantiliner or light tampon.

Originally Posted by Stan4dSteph

I've done the back to back pills before, but not for more than a few months. Maybe you could ask about the one that gives you only 4 periods a year.

I think I will. I may wait until my next pap for a change. We'll see.

[MouseWife]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

The fact that both of you say this catches my attention. I've talked to many women with menopause and other things going on and I do wonder if this would affect that.

I have heard of the non-period from taking the bc pills but, yes, I worried about what it would do to me. I've been regular {even with the all of the crap that comes with it} and don't want to jack it up.

But, I am older {I don't know when the women in our family hit menopause, no one is quite chatty about it...I guess it makes them feel old? So wrong...} and finished having kids. I don't have to use anything at this point. The Hubster took care of that. So, like your issue of the boobage my reason would solely be for ending the monthlies. And, is that enough to mess with my body? Especially when I've had no problems with it and really waiting to see what will happen. {and, I'm probably too old anyways? Especially if I've never been on the pill?}

Does anyone use Deprovera? I know someone who did and found out, after a few years, it wasn't good.

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

It'll be interesting to see how I react when I start going gray...

Ugh. I found my first gray hairs when I was 22. I had just gone through a bout of pneumonia with my son who was only about 5 months at the time. One of the most scary times of my life.

I was never one of those {like my sisters} who colored their hair for fun. Too much trouble. So, it really does have to get to me to make me color my hair. I let it go...until I look at myself and say 'Oh my gawd, do not leave the house again until you fix that!!!!' It really makes a difference to fix the roots. When you finally do it {after having gray} you'll feel great. So, to me, it does make a difference to do it. Even though I hate it.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

The fact that both of you say this catches my attention. I've talked to many women with menopause and other things going on and I do wonder if this would affect that.

I'm not menopausel. I'm not even pre-menopausel. I probably have another 10 years of this. My body does what ever other woman'tbody does every 28 days - like clockwork. And, since I haven't been taking ANY hormones for about 10 years now, my periods are easier and less problem-imposing than they've ver been. With a few month of bandess when I was taking tamoxifen and also before the thyroid dosage was adjested - one is a hormone one effect hormone production.)

The fact that I got breast cancer at a young age probably has to do with 4 things:
-I messed with my hormones by taking the pill for a very long time
-I drank heavily for a good 10 years
-I have a family history of POST-menopausel breast cancer
-I got pregnant late (at 32) and I wasn't only pregnant for 5 1/2 months, so it didn't really cancel out the other bd hormone abuse.

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

I have to say that I would never, ever get breast augmentation, barring a replacement for a mastectomy. The idea of inserting bags of liquid in my body to make me look prettier repulses me. I'm not judging anyone else's decision - I just know it's not for me.

So, inserting a bag of liquid repulses you, but ingesting hormones daily to augment your breasts does not? I don't see what the difference is.

Augementation is probably a LOT safer.

Oh, and the most wonderful gyno I ever had was a male and the 3 horrid ones were all female. Today, I just go with good regardless of gender.

[MouseWife]

As I've said, the women in my family aren't very talkative about this. I guess it makes them feel older? They are all older than I am and damnit, it would be nice to have some advice. But, also, 3 of my 6 older sisters are from my mother, not my father. So, whatever they tell me could be hit or miss.

NA, we are about the same age. Are you going by family history or general cases?

Hit or miss with the OB/Gyn also. Some times it seems the female ones expect me to know things I don't and then sometimes the males figure I don't know what I do.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by MouseWife

NA, we are about the same age. Are you going by family history or general cases?

Family history. I have 2 older sisters and my Mom to go by. All three were over 55 when they stopped having regular periods. My one sister even got pregnant naturally at 49 (but miscarried). I haven't had ANY signs of menopause yet as 44 wanes. Yes, folks, I could still get preggers. God help us.

[3894]

Hey, well I'm in menopause. Had a little perimenopause and then a hysterectomy and both ovaries removed. My mother died when I was in my mid-30s so I never asked her about this stage of life.

[lashbear]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Yes, folks, I could still get preggers. God help us.

But would you call the child €urofraid or Notmeinke ?

[MouseWife]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Family history. I have 2 older sisters and my Mom to go by. All three were over 55 when they stopped having regular periods. My one sister even got pregnant naturally at 49 (but miscarried). I haven't had ANY signs of menopause yet as 44 wanes. Yes, folks, I could still get preggers. God help us.

Oh God. My mother can't remember if she had breakfast........

Aw, NA, you wouldn't need any help.