birth control question?

poet_kelly
on 7/22/12 12:55 pm - OH

I hate that I even have to think about this now. But it suddenly occurred to me this evening that I am single now and I might possibly some day be interested in dating again and if so, I will have to decide what to do about birth control. My partner had a vasectomy several years ago so that is not something we've had to worry about in a long time. But I'm guessing I can't ask a guy to go get a vasectomy before we go on a date, huh? I mean, not that I'm going to do anything on a first date that could lead to pregnancy. But you know what I mean.

Initially I would use condoms because I don't want diseases, but condoms are not the most effective way to prevent pregnancy. I know since I got pregnant when I was 16 and using condoms. And I feel like it's super important that I do not get pregnant due to my depression and medications and stuff. I'm concerned about side effects of any method involving hormones.

Blah. Abstinence sounds pretty good right now. But I wonder if I should consider a tubal ligation at some point? Are you sure I can't just ask a guy to get a vasectomy before we go out?

Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.

GraceGirl
on 7/22/12 1:02 pm

Hahahaha probably not, that might be a bit much. But can you imagine? hillarious. But seriosuly yea you need to have a plan.I am on the Depo shot. I have had no problems at all with it, but some people have constant bleeding etc. Perhaps call your gyn and ask for some suggestions that you could give some though to. Its too bad you have to add one more thing to worry about right now.

"If you're interested in achieving success, you'll do what's convenient. When you are committed to success, you'll do whatever it takes."

poet_kelly
on 7/22/12 1:14 pm - OH

RNY on 11/04/08

Yeah, I don't need another thing to worry about right now. But I'm not real worried about it at this moment, really. I am in no hurry to get into bed with anyone any time soon. But I imagine it's possible down the road and I don't think waiting until the last minute to think about it is a good plan.

I have an appt with my PCP in a couple weeks and I'll ask what she thinks.

Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.

JJ_
on 7/22/12 1:04 pm

Hi Kelly,

If you are sure you no longer wish to have children, then a tubal ligation is a God send. Then you only need to worry about preventing infection through STDs.

Good luck in finding an aswer that works for YOU!

Judy

poet_kelly
on 7/22/12 1:09 pm - OH

RNY on 11/04/08

I am absolutely sure I do not want children. I think getting pregnant would be disastrous for me. I am on medications for depression that are not safe to take during pregnancy, but it would not be safe for me to be unmedicated for nine months, either. I would have to choose between very serious risks to myself or very serious risks to the baby, or choose to terminate the pregnancy. I think I would choose to terminate but I also think that would be difficult for me emotionally.

Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.

Turtle Lynn
on 7/22/12 1:09 pm - New Castle, DE

RNY on 05/29/12 with

LoL, well you can always ASK but I don't know if the dude would agree

I use the Depo shot too. The only side effect I have had is a LESSENING in cramping, frequency, and duration of my periods. The longer you stay on the Depo, the lighter your period is supposed to become. Eventually, you may not have one at all, which totally works for me

I had one issue of spotting for 4 weeks that started 3 days postop, but other than that, it has been great. I go every 3 months, get my shot, and I don't have to worry about malabsorping pills or remembering to take ANOTHER pill every day.

I would definitely talk to your GYN, if you decide against a tubal, there are always IUDs if you want to stay away from hormones. I believe there are 2 main ones that are currently used, one with hormones and one without. One you can keep in longer, and the other one has a shorter "life span" for lack of a better way of saying it.

HW 287, GW 150, CW 168 ** Band to RNY 05/29/12 **

Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish? Join us-Lightweights Board!

poet_kelly
on 7/22/12 1:12 pm - OH

RNY on 11/04/08

I have an appt with my PCP in a couple weeks for a pap test and all that fun stuff so I will ask her what she thinks. I would have to go see a surgeon for a tubal ligation, she wouldn't do it, but she could still advise me. I don't feel like I'm in a big rush to figure it out because I am in no hurry to get into bed with someone but I don't suppose it's realistic to think I will be celibate for the rest of my life, either.

Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.

Lady Lithia
on 7/22/12 1:17 pm

I don't know your age. Do you ever plan to have children? If you're pushing 40 and children are just not on the menu, you might consider a tubal ligation as the best plan. I know condoms are a good choice, particularly if you want to avoid any disease, but logical thoughts and passsionate moments aren't always compatible.

~Lady Lithia~ 200 lbs lost!
March 9, 2011 - Coccygectomy!
I chased my dreams, and my dreams, they caught me!

poet_kelly
on 7/22/12 1:21 pm - OH

RNY on 11/04/08

I would use condoms, at least initially, with someone because I do not want STD's. I used to work for a hospice and I saw people dying of AIDS and I would never risk that. If I am in a monogamous relationship with someone and I know they are disease-free (yeah, I have asked partner's to go get tested and show me their test results; I show them mine, as well), then I don't worry about condoms anymore.

But condoms aren't the most effective way to prevent pregnancy. And I really, really want to avoid pregnancy.

I am 40 and no, I do not plan to have children.

Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.

Lady Lithia
on 7/22/12 2:31 pm

I agree it's very important to act in a way that is responsible as regards STD's (or whatever the latest politically correct acronym is).

As you plan, you should determine if a tubal-ligation or one of the other longer-acting methods of birth control is the right course for you, in addition to the condoms.

Once hubby and I realized that the economics of having a child just didn't seem viable, I elected to get a tubal-ligation.

Good luck figuring out the best course of action. It might be that a Tubal might be the best bet so as not to mess with your hormones and the anti-depressants you've been taking.

It's a responsible position to start thinking ahead.

I remember I decided I'd had it with men, wrote them out of my life-equation, and then immediately met hubby. I knew him but only on a handshake basis, but when I met him socially, well, it was magic. After that first social meeting (at a staff party), I had a big self-argument over whether I wanted to risk my heart to him or any man, because I'd had it. I decided he was worth it. That was the year 2000.

~Lady Lithia~ 200 lbs lost!
March 9, 2011 - Coccygectomy!
I chased my dreams, and my dreams, they caught me!

birth control question?

"If you're interested in achieving success, you'll do what's convenient. When you are committed to success, you'll do whatever it takes."

Our Mission

Follow us

Links

Select Photos

birth control question?

"If you're interested in achieving success, you'll do what's convenient. When you are committed to success, you'll do whatever it takes."