Fun with hormones. Okay, not so much.
There’s got to be a more reasonable method to birth control. I’m serious. Are we still in the freekin’ dark ages here? I absolutely can’t believe that, in this day and age, women still have to go through hell every month, or three months as the case may be.
I’m on depo — Yes, that’s me. Depo Provera Chick. I don’t care that my father reads this blog, or that perfect strangers do. I’m not hiding the fact… Why should I be ashamed that I take precaution when it comes to sexual health and well-being? I’m responsible, and use other methods as well, but I like this assurance that even if everything else fails, I’m still not going to get pregnant. Sure, I like not having a cycle — I know some women get all freeked out about that, but I know I’m a woman without having that reassurance each month for a week, trust me.
Here’s my frustration, though. Why the hell can’t they (they being the medical community that puts this crap into general use) make a shot that doesn’t drop off slowly at the end of it’s three month term, leaving the woman who’s taking this form of birth control in complete and utter hormonal turmoil?? As usual for me, I’m right near the end of the 13 weeks, and I’m in a downward spiral of over-analyzing everything and I’m overcome with a general feeling of emotional neediness. God, I really feel sorry for all the poor saps around me when I’m like this.
Heck — I’m usually well aware of why I’m feeling that way, yet, because I’m emotionally unstable during this hormone drop-off, I find myself questioning that I’m even emotionally unstable. Perhaps I’m truly just losing my mind? It’s ridiculous. Back when I was 18, and taking the pill, it wasn’t every three months, but rather every month that I suffered through this stupid crap. There’s got to be a better way I say.
Besides, what ever happened to the “guy pill”, anyhow? I think the guys should suffer too. Mind you, I would at the moment. Come to think of it, though… They are. Just dealing with me being a dork for a week is all the torment they need.
*sigh*
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
You say it sister!
My wife tales the ‘needle’ and I didn’t realize that the ‘effect’ wears off slowly. Hmmm… that would explain a lot though…
You can go for your shot in 10 to 12 weeks but no later than 13 weeks – maybe you are just waiting too long for your next shot. Try going at week 11 and see if that helps any.
Well Tanya, The guy pill, or Male Pill is out there. I’m glad to say that it does work. The hormones swings are seasonal, not monthly and the level of ignorance about this very topic is beyond proportion to that of what women are being subject to. I was very fortunate to have a friend who was (has long since) graduated from UBC and now practices in Toronto as a Endocrinologist. We actually met working up North during the Summer of 1993 and kept in touch. He did one of the fist controlled experiments in Canada using two methods of Male contraceptives. Testosterone treatments (hormones) and MILS treatments, using chemical precursors to stopping sperm production then starting it again. You could imagine the uproar within the medical community about even conceiving the thought of Male contraception! For the last 20years I have always had an interest in this concept (needs) and I have formulated many different arguments of why our society needs this. However, we are only 40 years from when Masters and Johnson were almost burnt to a cross for their revolutionary thoughts on human sexuality, we could be a few more year away from this maturing process taking shape. Sadly, I could tell you very disturbing stories about Depo Provera from when it was in development.
I may not be able to feel your pain and suffering, but I can certainly understand and agree with your argument! Hang in there!
I’m a fellow depo-girl, and I have found that getting the shot a week or two earlier doesn’t totally eliminate the craziness, but it does shorten the duration by about a week. Hope that helps!
Thanks for the feedback guys! I counted back the calendar, rather than just going by the months, and I’m indeed right at the 11 week mark, so that probably explains alot. I’m off to have the shot tomorrow.
As a sidenote, I’m feeling a heck of a lot more balanced today… It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep does to improve outlook, hey?
It’s not a coincidence that most of the science behind birth control was developed by men. Our only real hassle-free alternative is the Vasectomy. And yes, I’d say one week of soreness is relatively hassle free compared to the monthly freak-outs.