Menstruations vs. bike

[Hill Slug]

For those that absolutely know they do not want to have children there is a minor (in my case it was) surgical procedure.....First, my periods starting getting very heavy about 5 years ago, and I always had to use the maxi maxi tampon in conjunction with a maxi maxi pad just to get through a couple of hours. It was not nice, and I became anemic. I just hated having a period and finally went to my GYN. She suggested a hydrothermal endrometrial ablation. And for us non-medical types, that means they basically flush the uterus with incredibley hot water to scar the lining. With the lining scarred there is no mentrual blood build up, thus no period. I had this done in October, and since then I had a little spotting for a couple of months, then nothing, zip, nada.....According to my GYN, the success rate for no more bleeding is about 50%, lighter bleeding 20%, little change 20%, no change 10%. I was willing to take the 10% no change risk, and am soooooo happy I did. I went in to the OR at about 8:30am, was awake in the recovery room around 10am, and got home by 12noon. I had some cramping, and she gave me vicodin. I only took that for a day or so because I didn't like the way it made me feel. I then took advil. I was only down for like 2 days, 3 at the max. Had to wear a pad for about a week for some of the residual water leakage. Each month I do still have some PMS symptoms - sore boobs, moodiness, etc - but no bleeding. Prior to the surgery I did a blood count, did a pap smear, and an ultrasound to see if there was anything abnormal in there. If there are fibroids, they might have to do it a couple of times. I was clean, and had no problems. Not to say there aren't risks......They could puncture the side of the uterus, which could lead to an infection. The biggest concern to the doc is, this procedure is not reversible......and if you want kids - don't do it.
I'm sure I'm missing something, but ask your dr about it if you're interested. There are a couple of methods for scarring. My dr used the hot water. They can also insert a rod that gets hot to basically cauterize the lining. She said the water was better because it gets into all the nooks and crannies and has a better rate of covering the entire uterus.

Um....well, like I said, I am incredibly happy with my results - I have saved a ton of money by not having to purchase feminine products. And I can ride any time. So....just another alternative.....

[alison_in_oh]

Obviously BC in the hands of women is fantastic but should women be demanding less 'traumatic' methods of control?

You might enjoy the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler.

[Susan126]

My solution... I get the depo shot... and I don't have a period at all. Mind you, I get some spotting here and there, mostly at the end of the shot (get it every 3 months), but it is very slight.

It's so very nice.

NOTE: I am 32, and I use to have a period twice a month myself, I got checked out for all possible issues, and the Dr. told me that is just the way it was going to be. So, I went for the depo shot and problem solved.


Now, if you don't want that, go for the super-plus size, and try to carry an extra so you can change during the ride if you need to.

Not to scare you but you should discuss the depo shot with your doctor as it causes severe bone loss.

[RoadRaven]

A bit off topic, but does anyone else feel slightly uneasy about the way in which women are seem quite happy to accept all kinds of chemicals/ invasive methods of birth control?

Like you, Mighty, I feel incredibly uneasy... and, as one of things I am passionate about and tend to weave into alot of my teaching is; the absence of women in history... then I feel I just have to add a little more than just an agreement with you (where am I going with this you wonder???)

Since women historically have had little control over themselves or access money or education historically (remember, for example, in NZ women got the vote just over 100 years ago - in America it was only some 80 years ago)... well... women have not been in charge or in positions of power to fund research, to head research etc etc... (historically...)

So... to make this all relevant... I wonder if men had periods, and if men could get pregnant, then would there have been more of a focus of less invavsive ways of controlling our cylces and natural rhythms? Ummm...

(LOL... and while I'm in rant mode... mammogram machine... invented by a man! Lets see... to they have an equivalent machine for an equivalent cancer - testicular? Oh no no no.... )

[Irulan]

(LOL... and while I'm in rant mode... mammogram machine... invented by a man! Lets see... to they have an equivalent machine for an equivalent cancer - testicular? Oh no no no.... )

they sure like to whine about prostate exams...

[CorsairMac]

(LOL... and while I'm in rant mode... mammogram machine... invented by a man! Lets see... to they have an equivalent machine for an equivalent cancer - testicular? Oh no no no.... )

actually - I was chatting with my mammo tech one time during that very Lovely procedure about how if men saw what the techs did to us during a mammo....it might change their obsession and she told me - there has been an increase in breast cancer amongst Men in the past 5 yrs! I asked her how the heck ya do a mammo on a man and she laughed and said it wasn't easy. So, next time you have your mammo done-------just think about trying to have one done if you were a man!

[doc]

Etincell,
This thread got way off topic. But let me reiterate what a few said.
Diva cup (and the Keeper).
Those are fabulous amazing inventions. Look them up online. Tons of informationt there. You'll never regret it and you'll never buy feminine hygiene products again.

[Dianyla]

But let me reiterate what a few said.
Diva cup (and the Keeper).
Those are fabulous amazing inventions. Look them up online. Tons of informationt there. You'll never regret it and you'll never buy feminine hygiene products again.

I'd also like to add a word about the MoonCup, which is produced and sold in the UK but you can buy it online at: http://www.mooncup.co.uk

I used a DivaCup for a year but found it was too long for my body, even though I bought the smaller pre-birth size. For just walking around and hiking it wasn't an issue, but riding on a bicycle with it in place was very unpleasant... I felt like my labia were being very sharply elbowed and pinched (this is after trimming off that evil stem).

Because I fear latex sensitivity, I decided to try the MoonCup. It as small and flexible as the Keeper, but made of silicone like the Diva. I have no trouble at all riding with the MoonCup in place, it is short enough and very flexible. The Diva I used was made quite stiff, much stiffer than a Keeper. From what I understand the Divas manufactured after April 2004 are now as soft and squishy as the Mooncups/Keepers.

[MightyMitre]

Etincell,
This thread got way off topic. But let me reiterate what a few said.
Diva cup (and the Keeper).
Those are fabulous amazing inventions. Look them up online. Tons of informationt there. You'll never regret it and you'll never buy feminine hygiene products again.

Yes - sorry for the digression. Here's a bit of history... the Keeper/ Diva cup concept was actually designed in the 1930's but tampons were invented soon after and for whatever reason, were pushed into the market instead.

I guess since the Keeper is re useable and can last for 10 years if looked after properly, from a retail/profit point of view it's not going to make as much money as tampons which obviously need to be bought every month.

I'm also guessing that women were probably not given a great deal of say in the matter and were therefore had to accept what they were given, at a time when society was totally male orientated.

Errm.. anyway, I was just interested in the way womens lives have developed and the products/options now availalbe to women given that most things seem to have been driven by men.

Rant over - and certainly give the Keeper/ cup a go. I've used the Keeper from the Mooncup website for the last 3 years and can't see myself switching back to tampons.

[Allie1DukeFn]

This is an amazing discussion - even if it did get off topic! You have no idea how many places I've looked for discussions about depo! I started taking it about 10 years ago - and went off it about 5 months ago because I was just sick of not being able to get the weight off! I gained about 30 lbs on it - which from what I understand is actually low for most. I tried everything to get rid of it - and just couldn't.

I went off of it and onto the Jasmine oral pill. So far so good. I've lost 18 lbs so far - and hope to lose 7 more. I still don't really get a period - only a teeny tiny bit of spotting once a month. I was going to ask if I could just stay on it all month instead of taking a month off when I go for my annual - I'm glad someone mentioned that doctor's are becoming more accepting of doing that.

The possible side effects of doing depo for so long are scary. Bone loss being the biggest one, but everything I've seen has said that you actually start getting it back once you go off of it - plus I drink so much milk and dairy products plus taking calcium - I hope I've nipped that in the bud. I do plan on getting a bone density test done after I've been off of it for a year.

[profàvélo]

A bit off topic, but does anyone else feel slightly uneasy about the way in which women are seem quite happy to accept all kinds of chemicals/ invasive methods of birth control?

May I recommend a book?

Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler

It has been recommended somewhere on this site before. It's excellent, full of information for women that, at least in the US, is not normally made available to us. I think all women ought to read it, regardless of your situation (wanting to get pregnant, wanting to avoid pregnancy, heading into menopause...). It explains, in clear language, exactly what is going on in our bodies. And she makes the very point made by MightyMitre.

[KSH]

Not to scare you but you should discuss the depo shot with your doctor as it causes severe bone loss.

This is why I take calcium daily, eat yogurt, cheese... and I exercise. I also strength train, etc.

True, my body might still have some *issues* later in life, but I am probably still better off that most women who eat unhealthy and don't exercise.