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My Birth Control Story

Anonymous
63

My Story

About 8 months after my second child was born, it became clear that I was overwhelmed trying to juggle everything and on top of the stress, my periods had started again - even though I had been breast feeding religiously (very different from what followed my first child's birth). At some point, I began bleeding and it didn't stop. I made an appointment with my GP because I didn't have a gyn (insurance issues). My GP completed an exam and then engaged me in a long conversation where she told me I seemed to have symptoms of depression and should do something about it (but didn't give me any referrals or suggestions). She also scheduled a D&C and tubal ligation but didn't really give me much information about what that was or what I should expect. My husband dropped me off at the surgery center at 8am and said he would pick me up 5pm and I was on my own. That was quite scary but to everyone else involved it seemed routine. The D&C partially took care of the worst of the bleeding but there was still constant spotting. Eventually, my doctor told me that the best way to deal with it was to take birth control pills until periods became more predictable. Even though I didn't need them for birth control, I continued to take them for the next 20 years to control my periods because every time I stopped, the continual periods returned. No doctor I saw along the way seemed to have any other suggestions since the pills were taking care of the problem.

If you could go back and tell your previous self something you know now about this health issue or journey what might that be?

Don't be afraid to ask questions of the doctors and other health care providers. Keep them in the room until you are satisfied with the answers. Be an advocate for yourself because you deserve the best care and explanations that are available. Health challenges are not weaknesses. Don't be afraid to talk to close friends about your health challenges. They may be more supportive than you think.

How did this event or journey impact your day-to-day life?

It left me feeling uncertain about my health and as if doctors really didn't care about me. My self esteem was never great but not understanding what was happening with my body and feeling powerless to do anything about it was difficult. It added to my self esteem challenges and likely also contributed to my staying in an abusive marriage for longer than was healthy. I also grew up in a context where both women's health and mental health were not discussed openly and so I didn't have any sense of what to do or even how to phrase my concerns to a doctor. It always seemed that doctors didn't have time to actually get to a point of comfortable conversation with me about my health. I see that it impacted my discussion of these topics with my children, although we have gotten to a better point of communication.

Can you share any strategies or support that aided you in overcoming this health issue or journey, or are helping you to work through it, in terms of physical and/or mental well-being?

I have learned that the health challenge that I outline above is part of a larger challenge I have with identifying my needs, communicating my needs and keeping the various pieces of my life in balance. Through love and support of my second partner, I have identified the value of counseling and have a person I talk with regularly. It helps me to see where I am failing to clearly communicate my needs but also helps me build methods for clearer communication.
Did you seek care from a doctor or healthcare professional for this issue?


Yes.
Was this health issue resolved?


No.
Anonymous
26

My Story

When my cycle was not on a espected time and I was worried about my health

If you could go back and tell your previous self something you know now about this health issue or journey what might that be?

Keep calm and go to doctor, observe your daily life in past few months and try to patterns and informations that might help the doctor.

How did this event or journey impact your day-to-day life?

Tired, worries, stressed

Can you share any strategies or support that aided you in overcoming this health issue or journey, or are helping you to work through it, in terms of physical and/or mental well-being?

I remembered that I had a consciousness raising group talk that a researcher invited us to and I heard that the other women in the group also had the same problem and I don't need to panic and I just need to follow up and seek help.
Did you seek care from a doctor or healthcare professional for this issue?


Yes.
Was this health issue resolved?


No.
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