Zoe
Member
gamerecks said:Has she looked into depo or an IUD?
Inserting the IUD can be really painful. I don't think it's recommended for people their age.
gamerecks said:Has she looked into depo or an IUD?
hey_monkey said:Wait, what? He doesn't want to try "pulling out" and wants to help her find a better birth control pill and that's selfish? He's considering a vasectomy and that's selfish? Eh?
Man, if I was having this problem and my husband came in with suggestions and research, I'd... be really pleased. Birth control IS a joint decision in a committed relationship... or at least, it is in mine. It sounds to me like they're both trying to find some options. I say more power.
OP:
Try researching the pill that she was on and just start cross checking side effects. Talk to her about this stuff, too, as you research. If she's on other meds, too, it can be a drug interaction. You never know. Her doctor may be talking to her about stopping one pill without considering other options. I have to remind my doctor (who is otherwise great) about my scripts and why I have them. There may be factors that aren't being considered.
JavaMava said:She takes a pill for depression and a pill for anxiety. She's mentioned to me that her doctor is very dismissive about her opinion on how medication is effecting her, and she's to shy to assert herself.
JavaMava said:She told me one day that her doctor suggests she go off birth control, due to migraines and mood swings made worse by her depression. I told her she should get a new doctor.
viciouskillersquirrel said:OP, that sounds like you're willing to put your girlfriend's health at risk so you don't have to wrap up mini-JavaMava. Damn, you sound like such a douchebag.
Get a second opinion or just go talk to the doctor yourself, its no big deal really.JavaMava said:She takes a pill for depression and a pill for anxiety. She's mentioned to me that her doctor is very dismissive about her opinion on how medication is effecting her, and she's to shy to assert herself.
besada said:I find all this talk to be either overwrought, or coming from people who have never been with women. Any woman on birth control is risking her life. Oral contraceptives increase the risk of breast cancer. Period.
They're also one of the most common forms of contraceptive, and a majority of women rely on them, not only for contraception, but to manage PMS/cramps and mood swings.
In addition, condoms are a less reliable form of birth control, in real-world usage, than regular use of the pill or shot.
Frankly, I'm a little astonished that the doctor didn't suggest birth control alternatives, including trying one of the several pills, since it's common for women to have problems with one set and none or minimal problems with others.
besada said:...it's common for women to have problems with one set and none or minimal problems with others.
JavaMava said:Thanks. Nothing wrong with getting another opinion if your current doctor is meeting your expectations.
Also something else that is odd, this whole time I'm talking to my girlfriend over msn, and sending her links to what I'm finding and trying to talk about the benefits and disadvantages of what I'm finding as well. She's been really quiet and just told me it's stressing her out and she doesn't want to talk about it. I can't get anything else out of her about it, just she doesn't want to talk about it.
That's a pretty disgusting attitude considering how utterly messed up pills can make someone, but still 1000x this. For whatever damn reason girls assume that they are all the same and the shitty side effects are just something to cope with.besada said:I find all this talk to be either overwrought, or coming from people who have never been with women. Any woman on birth control is risking her life. Oral contraceptives increase the risk of breast cancer. Period.
They're also one of the most common forms of contraceptive, and a majority of women rely on them, not only for contraception, but to manage PMS/cramps and mood swings.
In addition, condoms are a less reliable form of birth control, in real-world usage, than regular use of the pill or shot.
Frankly, I'm a little astonished that the doctor didn't suggest birth control alternatives, including trying one of the several pills, since it's common for women to have problems with one set and none or minimal problems with others.
jacket320 said:Don't get a vasectomy. You're 21.
Overwrought? The increased risk of breast cancer that comes with taking the pill is a managed risk, like eating overcooked meat or driving a car - all activities that can kill you. Not only that, but the use of the pill reduces the risk of other kinds of cancer, including ovarian cancer. The risk towards her health of using hormone-altering substances while she's on antidepressants is much, much higher.besada said:I find all this talk to be either overwrought, or coming from people who have never been with women. Any woman on birth control is risking her life. Oral contraceptives increase the risk of breast cancer. Period.
They're also one of the most common forms of contraceptive, and a majority of women rely on them, not only for contraception, but to manage PMS/cramps and mood swings.
In addition, condoms are a less reliable form of birth control, in real-world usage, than regular use of the pill or shot.
Frankly, I'm a little astonished that the doctor didn't suggest birth control alternatives, including trying one of the several pills, since it's common for women to have problems with one set and none or minimal problems with others.
KibblesBits said:Leave her alone for a minute?
Jeebus.
theres one way to not have sex with your GF bug her so much he doesn't want to have sexJavaMava said:Thanks. Nothing wrong with getting another opinion if your current doctor is meeting your expectations.
Also something else that is odd, this whole time I'm talking to my girlfriend over msn, and sending her links to what I'm finding and trying to talk about the benefits and disadvantages of what I'm finding as well. She's been really quiet and just told me it's stressing her out and she doesn't want to talk about it. I can't get anything else out of her about it, just she doesn't want to talk about it.
The issue is that this contraception is something that will affect her body, not yours. It can seem a daunting prospect and you're not helping her by insisting that she go down this route.JavaMava said:I told her I'll stop for tonight but it's a conversation we need to have at some point. Then she logged off.
Son of Godzilla said:That's a pretty disgusting attitude considering how utterly messed up pills can make someone, but still 1000x this. For whatever damn reason girls assume that they are all the same and the shitty side effects are just something to cope with.
viciouskillersquirrel said:The issue is that this contraception is something that will affect her body, not yours. It can seem a daunting prospect and you're not helping her by insisting that she go down this route.
viciouskillersquirrel said:The issue is that this contraception is something that will affect her body, not yours. It can seem a daunting prospect and you're not helping her by insisting that she go down this route.
Honestly, if what you said in this thread was true, specifically the above. I'd dump her(But that's just me :lol ). Seems to be her complete lack of confidence which is affecting sex. And also, Seems like your too fixated on the condom than to actually enjoy the sex. :lolJavaMava said:She takes a pill for depression and a pill for anxiety. She's mentioned to me that her doctor is very dismissive about her opinion on how medication is effecting her, and she's to shy to assert herself.
obijkenobi said:I see your point, and understand his as well. If he has too literally hurt her (by ramming much harder and longer than her body can take) to get off during sex, its going to ruin the relationship anyway.
OP a few questions. How often are you getting off during sex? Have you tried thin condoms or having her do a lot of foreplay with you before sex? Its a sensitive subject to bring up, but if you're not getting off during sex and she is.....well that's a problem. I don't recommend bringing up lightly (lol?) but I don't think you're relationship is going to work if you're not getting off during sex.
He's going to push her away by pressuring her into doing something she doesn't want to do. If she's shy and not very assertive, she might've misrepresented how keen she was on the prospect of another pill with unknown side effects.obijkenobi said:I see your point, and understand his as well. If he has too literally hurt her (by ramming much harder and longer than her body can take) to get off during sex, its going to ruin the relationship anyway.
Sending her links etc. looks probably looks a lot like pressure from her end, dude.JavaMava said:No, I'm not insisting she goes down this route. I'm offering information about a possible alternative. I've already mentioned she's not happy with condoms. She was fully willing to use the pull out method over them. She mopes every time I put a condom on. The issue with her past birth control was migraines and worsening depression. I'm doing the leg work to try and find something that does not have these side effects, or have them to a limited amount that SHE is okay with.
All I've done is send her links that show how her combination pill was negatively effecting her and it was a good decision to go off of them, in addition to alternative pills that may not have these effects and may be worth looking into. I'm not telling her if she doesn't use birth control that negatively effects her I'll break up with her.
viciouskillersquirrel said:He told her to ignore the doctor's advice and "doctor shop" until one gave them the "correct" answer - such an action would be irresponsible, especially if the new doctor doesn't know the full picture.
shintoki said:Honestly, if what you said in this thread was true, specifically the above. I'd dump her(But that's just me :lol ). Seems to be her complete lack of confidence which is affecting sex. And also, Seems like your too fixated on the condom than to actually enjoy the sex. :lol
Also, have you actually tried something new with sex? Watch a porno? New positions/style? Outdoor? Something with a bit more excitement to it. I mean....maybe the reason why you were able to get off bareback was the fact it was something new.
Of course, if your classifying her as "Too shy to assert herself", I don't really think anything is going solve the problems in the long run then.
This.KibblesBits said:Leave her alone for a minute?
Jeebus.
besada said:Yes, overwrought. He told her to doctor shop, which is perfectly fine. Most doctors suck when it comes to handling birth control issues. He said nothing about withholding information from future doctors -- that's a function of your overwrought imagination.
He even pointed out that she's not happy with the way her doctor treats her opinions regarding her antidepressant, so it's not as if he's recommending seeking a new doctor when she absolutely adores the existing one. He also pointed out that she doesn't like condoms. Using the rhythm method because someone isn't willing to challenge their doctor is the height of irresponsibility.
Most importantly, he's discussing it with her, not forcing her to do anything. There's absolutely nothing wrong with discussing options with your significant other over an issue as important as sex.
As for your contention that there's some sort of consensus that using birth control and anti-depressants at the same time is taboo, you're just wrong. The WHO and most other organizations have studies showing that low dose oral contraceptives have minimal effect on already depressed individuals, while noting that women respond differently depending on their baseline hormonal levels.
Like I said, you appear to not know what you're talking about, and simply taking an opportunity to call someone a douche for communicating on an important issue with his significant other.
I hope you'll note that I also recommended vasectomy, which allows him to take responsibility for the issue himself.
Rewrite said:I don't understand the last bold sentence. Explain?
KibblesBits said:The tone of the posts, the possessive nature of the words used relayed a totally different message to people who have read the thread. Did anyone notice this?
Words and syntax and how they are understood by the reader are key.
obijkenobi said:OP, I forgot to mention, I also have problems getting off with condoms (although its at a higher rate than you) The best ones i've found for me (I've tried the crowns, felt uncomforable and ripped on me a few times) are lifestyles skyn condoms. They are expensive as fuck though. But I have gotten off each time I've used them unless its a second or third time in one night
JavaMava said:When I first met my girlfriend we used condoms. Then I got her on the pill and we had 4 glorious months of bare back sex. She told me one day that her doctor suggests she go off birth control, due to migraines and mood swings made worse by her depression. I told her she should get a new doctor.
The thing I'm having an issue with is not that he's talking to her about it, but rather that he appears to be applying undue pressure on this woman to take a specific course of action. Her reaction to his sending her a barrage of links over MSN speaks to the same effect. He might not see it this way, but she is apparently shy and slow to stand up for herself.besada said:Yes, overwrought. He told her to doctor shop, which is perfectly fine. Most doctors suck when it comes to handling birth control issues. He said nothing about withholding information from future doctors -- that's a function of your overwrought imagination.
He even pointed out that she's not happy with the way her doctor treats her opinions regarding her antidepressant, so it's not as if he's recommending seeking a new doctor when she absolutely adores the existing one. He also pointed out that she doesn't like condoms. Using the rhythm method because someone isn't willing to challenge their doctor is the height of irresponsibility.
Most importantly, he's discussing it with her, not forcing her to do anything. There's absolutely nothing wrong with discussing options with your significant other over an issue as important as sex.
As for your contention that there's some sort of consensus that using birth control and anti-depressants at the same time is taboo, you're just wrong. The WHO and most other organizations have studies showing that low dose oral contraceptives have minimal effect on already depressed individuals, while noting that women respond differently depending on their baseline hormonal levels.
Like I said, you appear to not know what you're talking about, and simply taking an opportunity to call someone a douche for communicating on an important issue with his significant other.
I hope you'll note that I also recommended vasectomy, which allows him to take responsibility for the issue himself.
viciouskillersquirrel said:The thing I'm having an issue with is not that he's talking to her about it, but rather that he appears to be applying undue pressure on this woman to take a specific course of action. Her reaction to his sending her a barrage of links over MSN speaks to the same effect. He might not see it this way, but she is apparently shy and slow to stand up for herself.
I also never suggested any consensus on the use of the pill and antidepressants at the same time. You're putting words into my mouth. Remember that the doctor himself suggested she come off the pill she was on because the mood swings (aggravated by depression) and migraines were getting too much.
We don't know why the doctor didn't suggest other pills. Maybe she was on what he deemed to be the most benign medication already. Maybe the mood swings or existing depression were just that bad. Whatever the reason, the doctor has the medical training and her medical history behind him and we don't. To self-diagnose and play doctor without medical training is irresponsible, even if the alternative (withdrawal method) is responsible too.
viciouskillersquirrel said:The thing I'm having an issue with is not that he's talking to her about it, but rather that he appears to be applying undue pressure on this woman to take a specific course of action. Her reaction to his sending her a barrage of links over MSN speaks to the same effect. He might not see it this way, but she is apparently shy and slow to stand up for herself.
I also never suggested any consensus on the use of the pill and antidepressants at the same time. You're putting words into my mouth. Remember that the doctor himself suggested she come off the pill she was on because the mood swings (aggravated by depression) and migraines were getting too much.
We don't know why the doctor didn't suggest other pills. Maybe she was on what he deemed to be the most benign medication already. Maybe the mood swings or existing depression were just that bad. Whatever the reason, the doctor has the medical training and her medical history behind him and we don't. To self-diagnose and play doctor without medical training is irresponsible, even if the alternative (withdrawal method) is responsible too.
JavaMava said:She's been off the birth control for 2 months and she still has headaches that are just as bad. She says she can't remember if her depression was worse or not while on the pill.
Zoe said:It sounds like she needs to take care of her other health issues before adding a completely optional treatment into the mix.
ya Trojan very sensitive lubricated. They suck. for me at least.ZROCOOL said:Doesn't Trojan make a condom that feels like nothing?
viciouskillersquirrel said:We don't know why the doctor didn't suggest other pills. Maybe she was on what he deemed to be the most benign medication already. Maybe the mood swings or existing depression were just that bad. Whatever the reason, the doctor has the medical training and her medical history behind him and we don't. To self-diagnose and play doctor without medical training is irresponsible, even if the alternative (withdrawal method) is responsible too.
besada said:You're right, we don't know. But you made an assumption as to his character based on minimal information. How is that not overwrought? "To self-diagnose"? He did no such thing. Again, you're making some unusual assumptions about the character of the OP.
Since he's also included information about other reasons she's unhappy with her doctor, it hardly seems outrageous to suggest seeking another doctor.
As for the "most benign" there is no such thing. Again, different women respond differently. Finding the right oral contraceptive is much like finding the right antidepressant, it frequently requires trying multiple different kinds in an attempt to find one that meshes with your particular body chemistry.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with seeking another medical opinion, particularly if the advice given by your doctor has led you to a place where you're willing to risk having an unwanted child.
Frankly, your attitude towards this smacks of a guy whose never had to deal with it. It's very much a concern of his if he were to get her pregnant. It's also very much his concern if, because of the sexual difficulties they're having, the relationship ends. He's got a stake in this, and there's nothing wrong with talking about it, even if she may have difficulties talking about it. Plenty of women have difficulty talking about birth control, but that doesn't mean it's something you can just let slide.
Talking about difficult subjects is one of those painful but necessary tasks that all couples go through. Frankly, his biggest mistake seems to have been posting on GAF, where he was likely to encounter the opinions of guys who've never had a girlfriend, much less had to deal with the sticky and difficult issues of birth control.
viciouskillersquirrel said:OP, a doctor is not like a lawyer in that you should switch if you don't like what you hear. A doctor's familiarity with your medical history is very important. Also, oftentimes the painful, unpleasant or otherwise annoying option is the best one.
Getting a second opinion is always advisable for big decisions, certainly, but you shouldn't outright dismiss medical opinion simply because it's not convenient for you.
All contraception involves some sort of hassle and you and your girlfriend are just going to have to accept that.
EDIT: Don't just listen to opinions that validate the decisions you've already made.
JavaMava said:Brought this up before as well. She says it runs in the family. Her mum and grandmother have it as well. I know, that's not reason not to look into it, but that's what it is for her and she doesn't want to look into it any further.
ya Trojan very sensitive lubricated. They suck. for me at least.
You implied as much in your OP with this:JavaMava said:The issue with every one of your posts is you ignore or misrepresent what I've said. Did I say I don't like what the doctor has said, that it's not convenient for me? Cause I specifically remember posting "A doctor is like a lawyer, if you don't feel he/she is doing their best for you, you can get another one."
Looks a lot like pressure to me. Perhaps you misrepresented yourself, but what I'm responding to is right there in your posts.When I first met my girlfriend we used condoms. Then I got her on the pill and we had 4 glorious months of bare back sex. She told me one day that her doctor suggests she go off birth control, due to migraines and mood swings made worse by her depression. I told her she should get a new doctor.
Anyways she went off them and we went back to condoms. It's been hell. I've tried to convince her to use any other type of birth control that lets us not have a film of rubber between us, but she doesn't like the idea of something being inside her (IUD's, diaphragm, contraceptive sponge, ect) and refuses to try them. She seems to hate condoms as well though and I literally cannot ejaculate 50% of the time we use them. I probably have a sensitivity issue, but I need to go really hard and for quite a while when using a condom, and this ends up hurting her and we have to stop. We've tried varying amounts/types of lube.