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Family Matters:  Something I've never heard anyone talk about  |
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citygoatlady
True Blue Farmgirl
82 Posts
82 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 26 2005 : 9:59:11 PM
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"Side Effects"
Another thing about the Pill, or any medication, is that "side" effects are simply effects. Any med has lots of effects. The effect you want is the reason you take that med, but the other effects are there to some extent. Hopefully, the effect you want is the main effect of the drug, and the others hardly ever happen or make you sick in a different way.
One effect of the Pill is that many women don't get preg when they use it. However, in every Natural Family Planning class I have given, there will be about 1 or 30 women who did get pregnant while on the pill. At first this surprised me. Not anymore.
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Fulminous
Farmgirl in Training
40 Posts
Deb
Maine
40 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2005 : 06:23:12 AM
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I think that (personally for me) taking the pill prooves to be a challenge because in order to reduce side effects, it must be taken on a regular schedule (same time everyday). This is possibly why some people get pregnant while on the pill, irregular intake schedule.
Some women (few I suspect) even become more fertile while using the hormones to regulate their system, this I must say both scares me and gives me a positive outlook. I have for the longest time been strongly opposed to ever having my own children (mostly because I work with children every day), and the idea of being infertile had never been a bother to me. I'm at a new point in my life where I am seeing that maybe in within ten years something might change about my thoughts (not saying I want children yet, just that I am begining to have those "I could do this if I wanted to" thoughts).
I just also wanted to add, while catching up on the responses, I couldn't help but feel that great farmgirl connection of a heated debate...I can just visualize us all sitting around a large quilt having this same discussion. I love how open we all can be and non-judgemental, yet have our individual time on our seperate (long-distance) soapboxes. |
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LifeSmiles
Farmgirl in Training
37 Posts
Kathy
DeKalb
IL
USA
37 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2005 : 6:42:58 PM
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Just throwing my hat into the ring... I'm 25 and have been on the Pill since I was 18 (with a few "off" times during dry spells). Seven years. Yes, I'm concerned about my future fertility. However, the Pill is the only option available to my fiance and me; condoms do not work for us (strong emotional aversion leading to strong physical reactions), my finace is completely opposed to even discussing NFP as a viable method, and I've been told by my midwife preceptor that IUDs are only for women who have already had a child.
I feel I have no other options and it kind of torques me off a bit. I don't want to have the chemicals, but there doesn't seem to be another way to keep babies at bay until we're ready for them (hopefully just another 3 years!) But by then, will the synthetic hormones have disrupted my own so much so that I won't be able to get pregnant for *another* 3 years after that?! Argh, ack, grumble grumble. And I'm not really ready to give up sex.
Good topic. Deb, I can totally see us all around a quilt or in the kitchen. I love it!
i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
-- e.e. cummings |
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showmemom
True Blue Farmgirl
166 Posts
karen
carthage
mo
USA
166 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2005 : 7:04:26 PM
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First, great topic. Talking about things is an awesome way to educate each other.
Second, aren't what we talking about is authenticity-bringing what we say we are and what we really are into alignment? And isn't balance what many of us are truly seeking?
And last, I live and work in an area where elective abortions are not easily obtainable (and i'm not necessarily saying they should be). But as a L&D nurse, i've seen lots of babies born to women who felt like they had no choices-their bc either failed or their partner didn't (wouldn't) use it and so they were pregnant. Sweet babies born to grudging mothers-too many. I'm sure many of them warmed up to the idea after a few hours of that sweet baby in their arms but too many don't.
We need to do better for our daughters and grand-daughters and for each other.
just my thoughts.
talk to you soon.
karen
living' large in MO |
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Fulminous
Farmgirl in Training
40 Posts
Deb
Maine
40 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2005 : 5:31:45 PM
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| Kathy, I do have a friend who was pretty allergic to every type of hormone she tried as method of birth control, she ended up going with the copper IUD, which got a bad name back in the day I guess, but a lot has been learned about it now and it is much safer (she says). So, anyway, she has seince had it removed and is due any day for her first baby! |
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CityCat
True Blue Farmgirl
198 Posts
Catherine
Toronto
Ontario
Canada
198 Posts |
Posted - Aug 17 2005 : 9:59:26 PM
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Hi everyone,
I've been reading this topic for a while, and I finally decided to add my own 2 cents. I don't like the idea of introducing chemicals into my body either, but in this case, it has become a necessary evil. Before I got on the particular birth control that I am currently using, I had very bad ovarian cysts (imagine orange sized). Bad enough that 2 surgeries later, I'm down to one sad little ovary. And if I have any hope of having children, I have to preserve what little egg production that lone ovary might have. I'm on Depo-provera. It's an injection every 12 weeks, and it stops my period. And most importantly, it stops ovulation. If I don't make eggs, less chance of cysts; less chance of cysts, better chance for a future pregnancy.
I'm gambling big time here. I generally react poorly to most medication. There have been some side-effects, but a lot less than oral birth control. And the preverbial clock is ticking (I'm 30 now) and I'm currently without a SO. But ovarian cysts run in the family, and I got them early: first diagnosed when I was 20. So, do I just live with the "natural" feminine cycle, and risk the reoccurence of cysts, or do I take birth control, stop the cycle, and hold the ovary in a form of suspended animation until I'm ready to have children? I went with the later. The surgeries were awful. I can't go through with another one. And the thought of losing that lone ovary... I don't even want to contemplate that! Losing the one was hard, and it's not all that big, but it's the idea of it all... Losing the power of giving life! And there was talk of a possible hysterectomy if the cysts recur. Now that's TOO much.
So, that's my story. Just wanted to add another dimension to discussion.
Cat |
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greyghost
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
Lynn
Summerville
Georgia
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 07:02:01 AM
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I'll add my 2 cents too.
I too would love to find balance and live a simpler life. Seeing how much garbage we throw away in a week sickens me. At the moment, there is little I can do but keep pushing for us to buy our little farm where we can raise our own chickens instead of eating the poor mistreated ones you buy all processed in styrofoam containers at the store. Nevermind all the chemicals and who knows what else those poor chickens have been fed and what eating them or their eggs does to us. I already grow as many of our own vegetables as I can, this year my garden is tiny since we just moved here and remodeling takes up most of our time. I am very concerned about all the processed foods we eat, very interested in learning herbal remedies and cures, and very worried about my husband, who is fully aware he has high blood pressure at 32 - especially considering his dad dropped dead of a heart attack at 56. History could repeat itself, yet since my back is hurt I cannot do the grocery shopping, and these last weeks he comes home with more Doritos and Pringles and yucky boxed cookies (UGH!) than food. And I cannot make him go to a doctor - I think it would be a wake-up call he needs, but I think he also knows what bad shape he is in and doesn't want to hear it for fact.
On my own health: I've tried five different brands of birth control pills. Only one of them didn't give me headaches, migranes, constant bleeding, bad mood swings or other disruptions. I like to think the one I am on now disrupts my body in the least way possible - it certainly seems so, anyway. If I could hear tell of an herb that does the trick I'd be happy for it, but herbs can have their side-effects too. Personally, I skip my periods. I've had enough pain and discomfort from them to last me a lifetime. Ovarian cysts also run in my family. I hope I never have troubles with blood clots - I stay active for that reason as that is supposed to help keep that at bay. Liver problems don't run in the family but I keep my alcohol consumption minimal anyway. As for infertility - I really don't care if I never carry a child. There are too many in this world left unclaimed and unloved, and should maternal & paternal insticts rise in myself and my husband, we would accept these unfortunates into our lives. |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 07:09:47 AM
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Lynn, buy your husband a home blood pressure testing kit. Make him use it daily. And while you're down, send him to the grocery store with a list and tell him to stick to it!!! As far as hormones in meats.. my grocery does offer natural choices of meat and chicken - no growth hormones or antibiotics used, which is a better choice if you don't have access to direct purchase the same type from a farmer.
**** Love is the great work - though every heart is first an apprentice. - Hafiz
Set a high value on spontaneous kindness. - Samuel Johnson****
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greyghost
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
Lynn
Summerville
Georgia
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 07:26:43 AM
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Claire, I will get one of those testing kits. I didn't know they had home kits!
I do write a grocery list... he just can't avoid the temptation! After work he wants to sit down and have a snack, and before we moved and still had a kitchen, I had fresh bread or from-scratch oatmeal cookies, or white peaches, grapes or SOMETHING for him so he wouldn't be so tempted by Little Debbie cakes and potato chips. Currently we lack the fridge space (on a little dorm-size fridge at the moment) and no kitchen, so it's bad right now.
I am looking for a farmer to supply natural meats, eggs and poultry. We go through a lot of meat since I feed our dogs a raw diet (see? I got them all healthy - all the way down to shots and meds to avoid/reduce - now I need to fix US!!!)I really hope to find one soon. |
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jillofalltrades
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
Nicole
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 4:30:21 PM
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I too take birth control. I HAVE to, yes have to. 5 years ago I stopped taking birth control without notifying my Dr because we wanted to start a family. After 2 years of irregular cycyles and no pregnancy I started seeking help. After 3 MDs and 2 NDs they finally figured out what was wrong. I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and by stopping the birth control I almost destroyed my ovaries not to mention developed other life long symptoms(male pattern hair growth, skin tags, insulin resistant). I have tried natural approaches with 2 different NDs and we live 96% organically but nothing else keeps my symptoms at bay. I do not like the medication but I'm much healthier when I'm on it than when I'm not. Luckily we were able to have that child but it was by far UN-natural..but that's a whole other can of worms. I just wanted to throw my situation out there because there are some of us that rely on birth control for our overall health.
For those of you that practice natural family planning I LOVE the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. I used her methods trying to get pregnant.
~Nicole
www.thelazydeaux.com
http://farmgirlsoflouisiana.blogspot.com |
Edited by - jillofalltrades on Aug 18 2005 4:34:00 PM |
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Whimsy_girl
True Blue Farmgirl
576 Posts
USA
576 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 11:55:40 PM
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My childhood best friend ended up with that disease as well. She forgot her pill often and was really bad at managing her problems and she got a lot of the male hair growth... she was totally miserable until she started taking it seriously... so I totally get you there.
you can be oh so smart, or you can be oh so positive. I wasted a lot of time being smart I prefer being positive. |
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hapyhrt
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2005 : 05:35:03 AM
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I was diagnosed with PCOS, some 20+ years ago. To this day I find it most heartwrenching. Aside from the physical issues of PCOS, yes the male hair pattern growth, weight, high cholesterol, etc. it also severly affects my emotional state of mind. I struggle with the painful fact that I could never have a child of my own or the large family that I had always dreamed about. The isolation of being "different" from the women around me and never quite knowing the true feelings of their childbearing experiences which adds to the depression and anxiety that I deal with as well.
As far as prescription drugs, I hate taking anything that's not 100% natural but sometimes the choices we are faced with are not our choice at all. To not take the Provera atleast every other month would bring on months of heavy bleeding, cramping, more D&C's, and a hysterectomy which I refused after the last scare of profuse bleeding that put me in the hospital. I've heard stories from other woman who say having a hysterectomy was either a blessing or a curse, guess I'm too afraid to take the risk and have it done only to find out that it was worse than living with the PCOS.
I support the right of woman everywhere to make their own decisions and choices concerning their bodies. For me, it is whatever makes my life liveable and if that means synthetic drugs where nothing else has worked then I'm glad to have such a choice.
Interesting topic and one that I'm happy can be discussed openly and honestly here.
"Think HAPPY Thoughts...any others aren't worth your time!" Ü |
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jillofalltrades
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
Nicole
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2005 : 10:37:49 AM
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I've very sorry to hear you too are plauged by PCOS. It is terrible! My main conerns at this point are cosmetic. There is a new reasearch out about NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine) that sounds promising for the hair issues and other issues as well. I'm still researching it though. You can read about it here http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php?t=135032
I take Omega 3 which has helped my cholesterol levels a great deal. I am trying to decide if I want to stop my birth control because it is causing Melasma on my face. I'm in the process of researching the side effects of Vitex because it has been shown to regulate cycles. Anyway...we will see how this journey goes. Blessings to you,hapyhrt!
~Nicole
www.thelazydeaux.com
http://farmgirlsoflouisiana.blogspot.com |
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Family Matters: Something I've never heard anyone talk about |
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Something I've never heard anyone talk about
