Caution: Girl Stuff

[bewitched]

CP, when I was younger I was put on BC pills continuously for endometriosis. I didn't get a period for several years. After my endometriosis went into remission, I stayed on BC pills full time for several years thereafter (I would say in the neighborhood of 10 years in total). It wasn't even because my periods were bad (they have always been like clockwork and only last 2 days), just for the convenience. My gyno at the time (early 80s) told me then that endometriosis had been treated in that way for years and it was perfectly safe.

I haven't been on BC pills for about 8 years, but after I stopped taking them full time, I would still manipulate my period just for convienience sake, say taking an extra week because I was going on vacation.

IMO, the hormones in BC pills have been used safely for decades. Some people do have problems with them but if you want bigger breasts, the pill seems the easiest and safest (elective surgery is by no means "safe") route.

Just my $.02.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by bewitched

IMO, the hormones in BC pills have been used safely for decades. Some people do have problems with them but if you want bigger breasts, the pill seems the easiest and safest (elective surgery is by no means "safe") route.

Just my $.02.

This is based on my own personal experience (and I've had my share of medical fun) but most surgery now is such a piece of cake and had so few side effects that I don't see it as being unsafe at all. But, I've also had some pretty terrible experiences with hormone manipulation, so give me a one time surgery over a something that has caused some awful effects to my body.

But, I also come from a place where boobs are not enough for me to choose any of the options CP has brought up. I had a partial mastectomy 3 years ago and haven't done a damn thing to "correct it". There are parts of my body I'm not especially thrilled with, but I can deal with whatever the boobage gods have to dole out - as I can deal with the rest of my body.

And, regarding the doctor - if you're NOT seeing an ON/GYN then don't even make a decision until you do.

[Stan4dSteph]

Considering all of the potential side effects of hormone therapy, especially all of the various cancers, I wouldn't take birth control just to get bigger breasts.

I get to have my annual exam this week. My current gyn is a man, the first I've had, and I'm actually fine with it. I always picked women before, but this time around I just went with geographical convenience -- he's in my current physician network. The only thing that was new to me was that there's always a nurse in the room during the exam.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Stan4dSteph

Considering all of the potential side effects of hormone therapy, especially all of the various cancers, I wouldn't take birth control just to get bigger breasts.

Yeah. This is what one side of my inner conversation keeps saying. Avoiding having a period would be fantastic though.

Originally Posted by Stan4dSteph

I get to have my annual exam this week. My current gyn is a man, the first I've had, and I'm actually fine with it. I always picked women before, but this time around I just went with geographical convenience -- he's in my current physician network. The only thing that was new to me was that there's always a nurse in the room during the exam.

I got over my ban on men rather quickly, mostly because I never really cared to visit the same doctor twice, and it was more like "give me whoever's available on this day at this time because that's when I have time for an appointment."

My last doctor, who I actually saw more than twice, was a really weird looking older man. When I first saw him I kinda freaked. His eyes are nearly shut all the time, and sometimes he does close his eyes while he's talking to you. Weird. But the pap itself was quick and no prob. Next time I needed an appointment, I discovered that this guy was much more readily available than any other doctor I'd seen. Having a homely man for a doctor has it's perks.

Another out of the blue squeamish question - sex during your period?

[CoasterMatt]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Another out of the blue squeamish question - sex during your period?

Time for Greg to earn his Red Wings...

[bewitched]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

This is based on my own personal experience (and I've had my share of medical fun) but most surgery now is such a piece of cake and had so few side effects that I don't see it as being unsafe at all.

I agree that surgery itself is so much better now. My husband is a med-mal defense lawyer, mostly dealing with hospital infection cases. Unfortunately, these days, the infections you get in hospitals can be, and more often than you would expect are, extremely deadly. So that is more where I'm coming from.

I know there are a lot of people out there who have horrible experiences with hormones; that aside I totally applaude your acceptance of your body as it is. I like to think I would be that brave, but I honestly don't know if I could.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by bewitched

I agree that surgery itself is so much better now. My husband is a med-mal defense lawyer, mostly dealing with hospital infection cases. Unfortunately, these days, the infections you get in hospitals can be, and more often than you would expect are, extremely deadly. So that is more where I'm coming from.

Yes, hospitals can be nasty places, however, who does surgery in a hospital anymore? How old fashioned! My partial mastectomy and my appendectomy were both "drive-thru" surgeries. I wasn't even in a hospital but in an outpatient surgery center and was home within 4 hours. If I chose to have reconstruction/augmentation/reduction that would be done in the same setting.

I first thought that was unreasonable, but I see the benefits of "drive thru" surgery now.


On another note, I sure as hell hope I stay within my family tradition of easy menopause because I cannot take estrogen because the cancer I had thrives on it. Sigh.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Yes, hospitals can be nasty places, however, who does surgery in a hospital anymore? How old fashioned!

As he was about to dig in for my vasectomy, my urologist said, "Relax. They do this on street corners in China." La, la, la.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by MouseWife

I don't know a lot about this as my daughter is older and I wasn't privy to chosing her BC.

I'll post for MS - Brandy is a special needs sweetie.

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

No ick factor, just a mess factor that frequently isn't worth the trouble.

But then that's why showers are generally large enough for two.

Funny, just say the word sex and all the men show up. Why they were reading this thread, I'll never guess.

Anyway - What Alex said is right on the money.

Originally Posted by NM

Eww, but mad props for it.

You've never had sex during a woman's period? I'm surprised.

Originally Posted by iSm

There was some damn pheromone that always got me incredibly horny when my last girlfriend was on her period.

Actually, the same thing happens to me. Another good reason to not have periods...though I don't know if I actually retained the drive while ditching the period...hmm.

[MouseWife]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

I'll post for MS - Brandy is a special needs sweetie.

Oh, I know Brandy!!! I know ~MS~ put a lot in to choosing what she did but I wasn't as fortunate to participate {have a clue?} in what mine did. I just wanted to share what I now know from what she has experienced. It was rather scary. Luckily her tests came back safe.

I do believe it is the same kind and I am curious~ was my daughters doctor misinformed?