1. The Contraceptive Pill: I have taken the pill on and off since I was 16 years old. I never took a good look at the side effects, but there are plenty. I do know it's not a good idea to smoke after 35 if you are on the pill. I read a book on Candida. According to this following, the pill helps make the body more suitable for yeast overgrowth. This may explain why some women experience increased amount of yeast infections while taking the pill. I know this was true for me during my youth, but at the time I just thought something was wrong with me! I recently returned to the pill after a bout with an IUD. The first type I took made me have terrible headaches. I was having them on a daily basis. And during my period I would have a headache that began a few days before and last until a few days after--nonstop. So, the doctor switched me to another type. This helped, but the headaches were still present. I went to the doctor in February about my headaches. Now, mind you, I was diagnosed with cluster headaches in '99, but this was getting ridiculous. I read a pamphlet about migraines. Guess who was a culprit in some cases. You bet---the pill. So last month I stopped. I just wanted to quit. I didn't like the side effects--proven or not--that could happen to me. And guess what, folks. No more headaches. I had a tiny one on the first day of my period. I've read that headaches are a PMS symptom for a lot of women. I can accept that, as long as it is not everyday! A side bonus was clear skin. I had been suffering from some red little bumps on my face. Gone! People have actually asked me if I am wearing foundation or been tanning. Nope--just the way my skin is supposed to look. So, I tasted pills. Verdict: No Thank You.
2. IUD: Oh, the IUD, how lovely it seemed at first. I got the thing put in when my second child was 3 months old. The IUD keeps you from getting pregnant by making the uterus inhabitable for conception. I had the copper IUD. So no hormone control there. There is a plastic one out alos--I believe this one uses some hormone control. Research it yourself if you are curious ;). After about a year, I started experiencing pain after my period. It felt like I was going to start again. And I also had some after bleeding too--spotting, whatever you want to call it. I finally went to the doc about it. Last January he decided to put me on the pill while I still had the IUD. He's not crazy--there was some logic behind this madness. He wanted to see if it was my body trying to regulate itself--I had not had a period in a while from breast feeding--or if the IUD was the problem. I had my period for 5 weeks! I went to the doctor and said, "No more IUD, no more pill!" He listened because well, I was a bit bitchy after 5 weeks of bleeding and a raw cooch. Plus, when he took it out I thought, "If my uterus is as small as they say it is, then that thing is stretching it out." But now, in hindsight, I think I was experiencing these problems because of my Keeper (the innovative feminine hygiene product). After taking the IUD out, I read the Keeper package and it said NOT to use the Keeper if you have an IUD. Oh well, lesson learned: read labels first. Which sucks, because the IUD worked for me. I'm too scared to retry it because of 5 weeks, ya know? One of my best friends used it and she got pregnant. She had a miscarriage and bled for several weeks before she found out. I tasted the IUD. Verdict: No Thank You.
3. Condoms: I know you're thinking that this is a no brainer. Not if you are allergic to latex. But I just found out that the Keeper is latex! Which explains a few things. A little irritation. And here I thought I was being too rough with myself. No wonder it was on sale! LOL. But, no fear, I can get the Moon cup or the Diva cup instead. I have only known of my allergy for a little while. Which is the reason I went back onto the pill. Coincidentally, I have not used the Keeper in a while because I could not find it! If you knew me, this would not be a big surprise. There are several kinds of condoms on the market, besides latex. I'll have to look into them. This option is not deterring me from a calendar-based method. I may use condoms in conjunction with the method. Verdict: Maybe for me and a definite yes for others who want to use condoms. I'm posting a site about condoms. I want to note that my doctor said not to use lambskin condoms to prevent pregnancy. Condom Site.
Now to the calendar-based methods
1. The Rhythm Method (Knaus-Ogino Method): Subtract 19 from a woman's shortest cycle and 10 from her longest. OK, this seems to be a lengthy process of figuring out when my fertile and infertile days exist. And confusing. Perfect-use failure rate of 9%. My oldest uncle is a rhythm baby. Not looking good.
2. Standard Days Method: First of all, this method may only be used by women whose cycle is between 26 and 32 days in length. Before, I had a 32 day cycle. Also, women in their late 30's and early 40's tend to have shorter cycles, so this method would not be effective. The SD method says that days 1-7 are infertile, days 8-19 are fertile, and days 20 on are infertile again. A product called Cycle Beads is commonly used with SD method.
The only thing about calendar methods is their high failure rate compared to other birth control methods. I plan on using a calendar method along with "pull-out." I know this may seem a bit personal to discuss, but I'm willing to put myself out there. My blog is about life. And life is not pure and perfect. SO, if this is offensive, your best bet is to read another blog.
I'm not saying this is going to work. I MAY GET PREGNANT. But, I am tired of the unnatural ways I am expected to treat my body--as a woman. Birth control, hormone replacement, Norplant (that puts up a mucus lining to keep the sperm out and your period in), spermicide, diets, skinny jeans, breast implants, liposuction, lip enhancement, stilettos, hair dye, make-up, skin creams,.....do you get the point? I'm rebelling. I've had enough of head aches, bad skin, and yeast problems. I want to be me. So, hate me.
You can check out these sites:
Signs of Ovulation
www.fertilityfriend.com
GladRags--a great site to see all alternatives for feminine hygiene
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