Women's Health Issues: LadyGardening for Dummies

Stheno

spurious wrote: »

You are essentially equal to a clump of 16 cells. Not 'in certain cases' or 'with all due regard', but EQUAL TO.
Getting rid of the 8th amendment is almost a trick question.

Now that I have advanced in years, my gynae (who deals with my contraceptive health) has advised that I can have an elective procedure to have a tubal ligation if I wish and she can arrange it, albeit privately.

NamelessPhil

I'm onto my second Mirena coil. I have endometriosis and one child. I had the first Mirena inserted 5 years ago. As I had given birth the insertion was uncomfortable but no worse than a smear. I took some ibuprofen and was fine after a few hours.There was some spotting for the first six weeks and painful boobs as if I was getting my period (prior to this I had a horrible cycle every 24 days, heavy and sore (Mooncup FTW)). My GP said give it six months to settle down. I did not have any weight gain or mood swings.

After six months I had no further symptoms or periods and I felt great. This continued for the next three years. It was brilliant to feel normal and not totally controlled by my hormones i.e. feeling crap for a week of my period, then fine for a week, then crap again in the run up to the next period. The only other times I felt like that was when I was pregnant and pre-puberty!

Over the last year the spotting and discomfort increased as if my cycle was trying to re-assert itself. I decide to get a new Mirena put in slightly earlier than the five year schedule. I don't intend getting pregnant again and I'm not going through the pain and discomfort of endometriosis symptoms if I don't have to. Again the procedure was very straight forward and done by the same GP. I had to use two tablets inserted vaginally to open up the cervix about four hours prior to the procedure. I took some painkillers to take the edge off. The removal of the old coil was a slight tug and then it was out. The re-insertion was slightly more uncomfortable. It felt like someone was rummaging around inside me! I think I used the expression "toe-curling" to my doctor. The whole procedure took less than five minutes. I had no further pain or discomfort after 24 hours. That was last November and I haven't had any symptoms since.

If you are considering long term contraception, then the Mirena can be a good choice. I'm going to keep getting mine re-inserted until I'm through the menopause. I'm too old to take the pill and I don't want another child. My endometriosis made my life hell through my twenties and thirties and the Mirena controls the symptoms perfectly. I don't have to worry about getting my period and my weight is stable. For me it is the best contraceptive choice and I have used the pill (Yasmin) in the past.

I hope this helps anyone else considering getting the Mirena.

Pinky16

Hi I've been on microlite over a year now and I recently changed my time of pill from 9 to 12/1 after this I've had breakthrough bleeding for about 8 days straight yet been still taking my pill everyday I've 3 days pills left before my 7 day break do I continue to take that break and hope bleeding stops or shud i do a back to back pack advice please kind of frustrated at this point.

IvyTheTerrible

Pinky16 wrote: »

Hi I've been on microlite over a year now and I recently changed my time of pill from 9 to 12/1 after this I've had breakthrough bleeding for about 8 days straight yet been still taking my pill everyday I've 3 days pills left before my 7 day break do I continue to take that break and hope bleeding stops or shud i do a back to back pack advice please kind of frustrated at this point.

MOD I would advise you to consult your GP or Pharmacist. Note that medical advice is not allowed on Boards. Thanks.

madmaggie

I can't believe this attitude still prevails. 15 years ago I begged my consultant to do a hysterectomy due to endometriosis, she refused, and I was a private patient. Not an issue anymore, I'm an ould one now!

Faith

Ladies, I'm having the most vicious cramps. I have the mirena and it's 99% plain sailing, but when I get cramps, they're way worse than anything I had on the pill and I have no idea how to deal with them . I'm in work, it's not even 9am yet, I have only got access to nurofen and I have an empty stomach so I'd prefer not to take them until after lunch. What do you do for cramps?! I've tried waiting them out, massaging the area, walking them off... God, I forgot how nasty these can be! Any tips at all?

I know they'll pass again in a few hours, but it's excruciating for now

Ilyana 2.0

Faith wrote: »

Ladies, I'm having the most vicious cramps. I have the mirena and it's 99% plain sailing, but when I get cramps, they're way worse than anything I had on the pill and I have no idea how to deal with them . I'm in work, it's not even 9am yet, I have only got access to nurofen and I have an empty stomach so I'd prefer not to take them until after lunch. What do you do for cramps?! I've tried waiting them out, massaging the area, walking them off... God, I forgot how nasty these can be! Any tips at all?

I know they'll pass again in a few hours, but it's excruciating for now

I'm not sure if it's an option for you, but I find a hot water bottle great for taking the edge off cramping. Perhaps if you're near a pharmacy you might be able to get hold of some heat patches?

Sorry it's not brilliant advice but heat, painkillers and eating small amounts regularly are the main things that help me. Those and chocolate, but that's probably a placebo effect

liquoriceall

Hi ladies not looking for medical advice just any tips anyone might have
I got strep throat back in June and was on a course of antiobiotics for a week at a double dose....I got thrush afterwards and basically since then it has been continuous! I have had pessaries, cream, oral canestan. I stopped using shower gels etc down there and am using emulsfying ointment for washing but it's relentless....I might get a few days or possibly a weeks relief before it's back. It is only external thrush btw not internal at all
Does anyone have any advice???? It is driving me insane

Faith

Ilyana 2.0 wrote: »

I'm not sure if it's an option for you, but I find a hot water bottle great for taking the edge off cramping. Perhaps if you're near a pharmacy you might be able to get hold of some heat patches?

Sorry it's not brilliant advice but heat, painkillers and eating small amounts regularly are the main things that help me. Those and chocolate, but that's probably a placebo effect

Thanks . Sadly, I work in the middle of nowhere with no facilities. I miss the days of working in a hospital at times like this! :pac:

liquoriceall wrote: »

Hi ladies not looking for medical advice just any tips anyone might have
I got strep throat back in June and was on a course of antiobiotics for a week at a double dose....I got thrush afterwards and basically since then it has been continuous! I have had pessaries, cream, oral canestan. I stopped using shower gels etc down there and am using emulsfying ointment for washing but it's relentless....I might get a few days or possibly a weeks relief before it's back. It is only external thrush btw not internal at all
Does anyone have any advice???? It is driving me insane

Ugh, I feel your pain. I suffer from chronic thrush, and the only thing that works for me is diflucan (or generic). Let your GP know about it being recurrent and they can prescribe a longer duration of diflucan that should clear it up. If you have a partner, make sure they get treated too, even if they have no symptoms, and abstain from sex until you're clear. You have my sympathies! I've been trying to shake a recurrent bout since June too :mad:.

liquoriceall

Thanks Faith hope your cramps gave settled ☺

angeldelight

I know a few people who have had some success using Relctagel for recurrent thrush. It's marketed for something else but it adjusts the pH back to normal so could be worth a try

litlcookie1997

Hey,
I'm curious I want to get the implanon in but I've never been on an form of contraceptive before. I was just wondering if people think it's a good idea? Also how much it costs? I have a medical card! Thanks in advance

Midnight Sundance

liquoriceall wrote: »

Hi ladies not looking for medical advice just any tips anyone might have
I got strep throat back in June and was on a course of antiobiotics for a week at a double dose....I got thrush afterwards and basically since then it has been continuous! I have had pessaries, cream, oral canestan. I stopped using shower gels etc down there and am using emulsfying ointment for washing but it's relentless....I might get a few days or possibly a weeks relief before it's back. It is only external thrush btw not internal at all
Does anyone have any advice???? It is driving me insane

Any time I'm prescribed antibiotics I always get a jar of Super8s from pharmacist too. Have never gotten thrush since I started that.
They are expensive (bout 30e I think) but well worth it.
Maybe give them a go? They neutralise things down there I THINK, mightn't do any harm to ask the pharmacist if they think they'd be any use to you.
I feel your pain

Dial Hard

litlcookie1997 wrote: »

Hey,
I'm curious I want to get the implanon in but I've never been on an form of contraceptive before. I was just wondering if people think it's a good idea? Also how much it costs? I have a medical card! Thanks in advance

Tbh, if you've never used a hormonal contraception before then I'd start with one that can be stopped/changed a lot easier if you find it doesn't agree with you. You should go and speak to your doctor but I think you should be leaning more in the direction of the Pill/Nuvaring/patch. Hormonal contraception doesn't agree with everyone and if you find this is the case with you, you can just stop taking these whereas you'd need to go and have the Implanon removed.

As far costs, I have absolutely no idea, I've never had a medical card. My Pill costs me €25 for the prescription from an online doctor and about €12 a pack for the Pill itself.

mahamageehad

I was on Microlite for about 9 years, never had an issues with it. I was on it from quite young actually, it really helped reduce period cramps.

I came off it about 6 months ago (I was getting really bad at taking it and I also really wanted to give my body a break) but I recently had Jaydess inserted so happy to answer any questions if anyone has any! By chance a cousin of mine had a serious problem with her Mirena (coz it moved!! :eek:) that requires an op which she posted about on Facebook the day before I was due to go in, but I don't believe in signs like that! :cool:

I'm 26, no kids. Jaydess is like a junior version of Mirena for those of you that don't know it- less hormones, smaller and lasts only 3 years. I won't lie, insertion was pretty painful! They asked me to come in when I was on my period as apparently it's easier then but I think the embarrassment of that added to my discomfort tbh! Dilation was an issue and they actually gave me a local anesthetic into my cervix. The whole thing took about 20 mins and included an ultrasound before and after. (That might just be a German thing though!)

The procedure was done in the evening and I had no pain that evening. Had quite a bit of cramping the next day, had a hot water bottle on for the evening. Now it's day 3, all seems ok.

mahamageehad

litlcookie1997 wrote: »

Hey,
I'm curious I want to get the implanon in but I've never been on an form of contraceptive before. I was just wondering if people think it's a good idea? Also how much it costs? I have a medical card! Thanks in advance

When I asked about implanon previously, my doctor told me that they don't give it out to newbies as they don't know how you'll handle the hormones. He told me that I'd need to get the injection first (lasts 12 weeks) so that they know how I'd react.

I went off it after that once I saw the size of it and ended up opting for the coil instead (see previous post).

I'm not sure about the medical part of your question but I imagine you'd have to pay for Implanon? With the pill I know you'll only pay the dispersal charge (think that's about €1.50 a month).

anothernight

mahamageehad wrote: »

When I asked about implanon previously, my doctor told me that they don't give it out to newbies as they don't know how you'll handle the hormones.

That wasn't my experience at all. I was prescribed an Implanon without having ever taking hormonal contraception, no questions asked. The doctor was more interested on whether I'd continue to use condoms while on it. She didn't even think to ask me if I'd like to try anything else first!

mahamageehad

anothernight wrote: »

That wasn't my experience at all. I was prescribed an Implanon without having ever taking hormonal contraception, no questions asked. The doctor was more interested on whether I'd continue to use condoms while on it. She didn't even think to ask me if I'd like to try anything else first!

Strange how doctors can give such different advice! I actually had been on the pill at the time for years but he still said I might react differently to the Implanon and that I should get the injection first once to be sure.

anothernight

mahamageehad wrote: »

Strange how doctors can give such different advice! I actually had been on the pill at the time for years but he still said I might react differently to the Implanon and that I should get the injection first once to be sure.

Yeah, I think a lot of it comes down to their personal opinions and biases. They are people, after all!
I ended up not getting the Implanon inserted, but now that I've been on the pill for years, I asked my current doctor if I could get a Mirena and she said I'll need to go on a progestogen-only pill first to check that my agrees with it (as opposed to the combined one). It might come down to finances too though: when I wanted the Implanon I didn't have a medical card so I would've had to pay for it myself, whereas this time the Mirena would be covered in full by the NHS, which I guess incentivises them to make sure it's the right choice.

Faith

anothernight wrote: »

I asked my current doctor if I could get a Mirena and she said I'll need to go on a progestogen-only pill first to check that my agrees with it (as opposed to the combined one).

My Irish GP told me that once upon a time too, and it turns out its utter, utter bollox. I went on the POP (cerazette) and it was horrific. I was damn near suicidal, lost any sex drive, gained weight and had 2 months of solid spotting until I came off it again.

Now I have a Mirena, and it's delightful. I've had it for about 5 months. I had spotting for the first few weeks with mild cramping, then a period, and now I get a day of cramping maybe once a month, followed by a day of very light spotting. I expect that to stop soon also. My mood is great, I have a totally normal sex drive, I didn't gain any weight, and I have had essentially no considerable side effects.

The localised hormone release with a Mirena means the side effects are very minimised, along with a much lower dose of hormones in the first place, and things like mood swings shouldn't be a factor with the mirena.

Unfortunately, many doctors don't have a complete understanding of hormonal contraception. Someone who specialises in the area (eg a gynaecologist or someone working in a women's clinic etc) is often much better to speak to for more specific details of different contraception options.

anothernight

I was actually told to go to a contraception/sexual health clinic for it because my GP doesn't do them at all, and it sounded like she was just speculating tbh.

I really should make that appointment... They're so close to where I live and yet I keep putting it off.

Did you have to take a few days off work or anything after it?

Faith

anothernight wrote: »

I was actually told to go to a contraception/sexual health clinic for it because my GP doesn't do them at all, and it sounded like she was just speculating tbh.

I really should make that appointment... They're so close to where I live and yet I keep putting it off.

Did you have to take a few days off work or anything after it?

I got it done on a Friday afternoon, because I'm a delicate flower (read: wuss) and I wanted recovery time. But I would have been fine to go in the next day. I did have cramping, but it would have been manageable with pain killers

mahamageehad

I had mine done in the evening too but on a Monday. I was at work the next day! Took some ibuprofen for the first two days for the cramps. Can't say how much of that was cramps from the coil or just general period cramps.

Lady is a tramp

Hi,

Before anyone else gets in there, I'm just going to comment how apt my username is for this post.

I always thought the morning-after pill was only effective if you get it within 48 hours. I had reason to go to the GP today about other matters, and mentioned that I'd sex without a condom Saturday night. The risk is pretty low as he didn't come, but I was offered the MAP anyways just in case. I asked if there was any point as it's 4 days later, but it turns out there's one called EllaOne that can be used for up to 5 days after sex.

Just thought I'd post it here, so others are aware, in case like me they thought you could only get it within two days. Obviously it's more effective the sooner you take it, but it's still worth taking within the five days if you're worried, and didn't get a chance to take it within the two days.

Dial Hard

It's 72 hours for the "regular" one, not 48. But the earlier you take it, the more likely it is to be effective.

Lady is a tramp

Dial Hard wrote: »

It's 72 hours for the "regular" one, not 48. But the earlier you take it, the more likely it is to be effective.

As a matter of interest, what are the advantages/disadvantages of the 3-day one as opposed to the 5-day one? Say if you were going to take it 24 hours later, is there any reason to go for the usual 3-day one instead of the 5-day?

Is one more effective? Is there a difference in cost? Is it to do with the BMI thing that one would be recommended over the other?

As far as I remember (from the one other time I had to take the MAP, a million years ago) it was two pills, not one, and I was much sicker with it.

I'm certainly not planning on ever having to take the MAP again, but just curious if I do, what the different types are.

By the way I'm not asking you specifically Dial Hard, although I quoted you! Just curious, for anyone who might know?

intheclouds

Just to be clear - I am not looking for medical advice.

I would like an easy permanent method of contraception but there seems to be no magic bullet.

Im currently on the mini pill, had to come off the combined pill for medical reasons and for same reasons would not be suitable for the patch, implant and possibly nuva ring. I also have a latex allergy.

I am planning an appointment to discuss alternatives in a womens health clinic but just thought Id get peoples experiences first.

I would prefer not to get a coil. I feel squeamish about it, its still hormones (the mirena anyway) and the outlay is 500+ euro so if it doesnt suit me, thats a lot of money to lose.

I am considering trying a diaphragm. I would like to get off hormonal contraception altogether if possible so this might be a sound alternative.

Anyone any experiences or other suggestions?

fits

Buy the book 'taking control of your fertility'. Get a diaphragm and spermicide gel from your doctor (they might be reluctant to prescribe it). Proceed with absolute caution, and its probably not a suitable approach if you are in anyway irregular.

rainbow kirby

I know you said you'd prefer not to get a coil, but the copper coil is a lot cheaper than the Mirena and contains no hormones. It also lasts a very long time.

intheclouds

fits wrote: »

Buy the book 'taking control of your fertility'. Get a diaphragm and spermicide gel from your doctor (they might be reluctant to prescribe it). Proceed with absolute caution, and its probably not a suitable approach if you are in anyway irregular.

Why would they be reluctant to prescribe it?

Since I have posted I have made an appointment with a womens health clinic and one of their advertised contraceptive options is a diaphragm.

Why would being irregular affect diaphragm use? I didnt know that.

I havent had a period in over 4 years due to the mini pill and was on the combined pill for 16+ years before that so I have absolutely no idea if I am regular or not.

Im more interested in practical aspects, is it easy to put a diaphragm in and out? I struggle with the idea of going looking for it later on!!

Because of my age my fertility is probably on the decline anyway (early 40s).