Birth control survey!

[katieParticipant]

Oh wow you guys I’m jealous of what you pay for your pills! Before I had insurance, it was around 30. Then I got a job, it went down to 10 and I was estactic! Then I switched jobs, and it’s like 23! And my insurance doesn’t cover the ring, which is stupid expensive, so that’s the only reason I’m still on the pill. My gyno recommended the ring because it is low hormone, a continual dose all the time, and no pill to forget.

Also, what’s this about iuds being required to be paid for after aug 1?????? Is this true?? I’ll be so happy!!

[McLovinParticipant]

I’ve had great success with the “just the tip, just for a second” method.

[MissRemyParticipant]

Constantly baffled by the American medical system, always interested to hear about it though. So how does that work you guys? Why is it so expensive? Does your insurance cover some of the cost? Here in the UK a prescription for contraception is automatically free. Although I had to get antibiotics from the dentist a while ago and didn’t pay for those either, but I don’t know why, I just didn’t argue…

Anyway, I’m on a progesterone only pill, Cerazette (although I’m not sure what your equivalent would be) had high blood pressure readings on the combined pill, along with occasional migraines, so was switched. I take it every single day at the same time, although cerazette does allow a 12 hour window in which to take it, not 3 hours like most POP pills. No break, very infrequent ‘periods’ it’s technically ‘break through bleeding’ not a real period, so lasts only 3 or so days, not a whole week like before which is great. Hasn’t helped much with my skin, I did gain quite a lot of weight but I also live with a very skinny guy who can eat what he likes which I think is a big contributing factor (have since lost about 20 pounds! yay) So I think it’s great! Have occasionally freaked out about being pregnant but never have been, paranoia!

You definitely should talk to your doctor though, as they know the options, pros, cons and can help you find the method that best fits with your circumstances. If the first thing you try isn’t for you, then don’t give up! Sometimes a little perseverance can be required as your body can take a while to adapt. So don’t give up too soon, but also don’t just deal with something that you find unbearable. You have options, deciding is the hard part, so make sure you have all the information

[AnnaParticipant]

As many good things as we all have to say about the various pills and methods, you really do need to consult a medical professional on what may be best for you. I actually get my pills at Planned Parenthood. My exams are covered by my insurance but my pills are not, because the new law hasn’t kicked in yet forcing them to cover my pills. I think it takes effect sometime in 2013? PP has an income-based payment plan though for pills and basically everyone qualifies for reduced cost contraception. Even though I make $15/hr and have no kids, I still only pay $15/pack instead of the regular price which is $30.

[Addie PrayParticipant]

See, McLovin? We’re like two peas in a (pregnant-prone) pod.

[ReginaReyParticipant]

I took the pill for years, and eventually had to get off of it because I disliked the hormonal side effects it had on me. I also was pretty bad at remembering to take it at the same exact time of day, every day. I switched to the NuvaRing and LOVE it. You put it in for 3 weeks, take it out for 1, put it back in. It’s super easy, you can’t feel it, and it’s localized hormones so you don’t have to absurd it through your entire blood stream (which is what can lead to some of the mental/emotional/physical side effects of the pill). But yes, definitely still talk to your doctor about all of your options. Bottom line is, the pill effects different women in totally different ways. You may have to try multiple pills or BC options before you land on one that suits you. Just keep trying until you find the right thing for you.

[katieParticipant]

good to hear that the ring works well for you, RR… i wish i could have taken it. my insurance said that it was a “elective” option or something ridiculous, so i would have to just pay for it and its like $80 a month i think..

anyway, ally, different insurance covers different things. so the insurance I had at one job covered a large percentage of the pill, so mine was only $10 then… but now, at a different job, the coverage is different, and this insurance really sucks in terms of contraception. i only get a small percentage covered, and anything deemed “elective”, like an IUD, the ring, ect, is not covered at all. so really it just depends on what is covered and what is not, and every insurance is different.

[canefanParticipant]

Well, I can’t speak for anyone else, but its kind of comforting to read all the DWer’s relatively positive experiences with bc rather than only finding horror stories from the whole wide world of internet crazies

[bittergaymarkParticipant]

Honestly, I still don’t get to rush to get off condoms…

[brendapieParticipant]

My prescription ran out and I’ve been too lazy to get a new one. I’m not sexually active but I have been using the pill to regulate my periods. I should be on my period right now but my prescription ran out a month ago and poof! no more period. I can’t even say I skip periods, they pretty much stopped altogether in my early 20s and I think I went through a period of 3 or 4 years without one (which I honestly thought was awesome). I wish I had the money to be able to see a specialist but I have to settle with a free clinic (which I’m totally grateful for).

I have the classic signs of PCOS and my mom has had a history of ovarian cysts so I gave in to her nagging and got on the pill. Ortho Tri-cyclen works pretty well for me although the first few days I felt a bit nauseated and I was super emotional for a few weeks. The symptoms went away over time and my skin really cleared up so I’m happy I found a pill that works for me.

[AnnaParticipant]

BGM, condoms suck. Seriously. Occasionally when my ex and I were still together, we would try it (usually when it was that time of month and he was worried about the random funkiness that might get on him but still really wanted it). Every single time, the condom was done way before we were. After feeling me, he didn’t care what was in there, he wanted to be in there with no barrier. And for me it made a huge difference. As soon as that condom came off, the fireworks began down there. If I really wanted to have sex with a large piece of rubber, I could buy one at a shop. If it’s my monogamous lover we’re talking about, I want him to feel human.

[JKParticipant]

@BGM I don´t really get the condom hate either. They´re not that bad… the having to stop to get it on is the part that bugs me the most. I really don´t notice THAT much of a difference.

Unfortunately I can´t take the pill because it skyrockets my cholesterol and triglyceride levels. I took several different ones for several years (can´t remember names now), but then to stop for that. The 1st year or so my period was relly light and only lasted a couple of days after that they were back to normal.

[GatorGirlParticipant]

Don’t you jsut hate it when you write out a long post and something goes wrong and the internet looses it??

@katie I have a letter some where here at work from our insurance company that outlines what will be covered. If I can find it I’ll let you know about the IUDs, but I beleive the wording is that all FDA approved methods of preventative bc are to be covered with zero cost to you. I’m going to keep looking for that letter because I want to know!

[katieParticipant]

gatorgirl, that would be awesome! i would very grateful! lol

now i wonder why I havent gotten any info about this…

[GatorGirlParticipant]

@Katie Found the letter! It says “Women will have access to all FDA-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counsiling with no in-network cost sharing. Medical procedures, which include implantable contraceptive devices and injectable contraceptives, will be covered with no cost-sharing when performed in-network.” Now, I must say this is from Independence Blue Cross so I don’t know if your insurance will say the same thing. But I read this as covering IUDs!

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