Planned Parenthood question and a rant

Hello ladies.. allow me to bitch for a moment.


Recently, as in November, I went off of birth control pills. I am tired of fucking with my natural cycle. I've been on them since I was 15, and I don't remember a period without them. I have severe yeast infection problems with spermicide. I always use condoms when I have sex. The Shot is f'ing scary, and I am not into strokes so the patch is out of the question. Plus, I'm tired of hormones.

I've been with the same boy since I was 16. I've only had sex with him. He's only had sex with me. We like condoms. blah blah. We're extremely safe and as so far, and as far as I can tell, we are and will remain monagmous. I feel like I need to defend myself here now, let me explain why.

I want an IUD. I set up an appointment at Planned Parenthood but they need me to get tested for STDS first. So I set up an appointment for that at the health department so my results can be faxed. I get to the health department, I am excited about this (as excited as I can be about a foreign object in my uterus). I go in the office. The nurse is nice... that is until I say I want an IUD.

At that point she starts asking me questions about my sex life. That is fine, I expected that since any std is made much worse by an IUD. But then she said she doesn't recommend them to younger women because younger people are generally spontanous and an IUD is very not spontanious, because you have to put it in each time you have sex. I am sitting there thinking what the fuck are you talking about?. Then I say, no I was talking about an IUD. And she says, yes, you have to be fited for them and we'll show you how to put it in. then I say... no I meant an IUD, like the one you have to put in surgecially (I lacked a better word). And she said.. I swear to god "Oh That's an IUD." I sat there dumbfounded. She proceeded to tell me I would never be able to have children. My boyfriend can not be trusted. I would die of an infection. My uterous would hate me.

I didn't know how to react, except to say I was still interested in it, and was not interested in hormonal methods. She then started to sell me the ring. Because it has lower hormones. Thanks but no thanks.

Then I go into talk to the other nurse, the one who will be doing my tests. She is supportive, but makes sure it's what I really want. She tells me that Jackie (the bitch nurse) will call me back when I can get the IUD put in. However, as I said I already has an appointment with Planned Parenthood, and I seriously doubt Jackie will even call me back, she was so rude and hateful to me about it.

Anyways my question, if you've got this far, is if anyone has experiences with planned parenthood. I am scared to go to any doctor other than a midwife after the health department drama, but I keep telling myself that PP is not the Bath Co Health Department. I told the health department I have no insurance, since I might as well not. I can't afford health bills even with it, and the health insurance is because my dad pays for it. He wouldn't pay for my birth control though, nor would I ask him to. The insurance is good for emergencies but that's all. How much should I expect to pay at Planned Parenthood? Do they offer sliding scale even with insurance, or would I be just as well going to a nurse midwife.. which is what I really would do if I had the money. I know an IUD is a lot of money, but it seems to be what I am most intersted in, I just hope there is a way I can afford it. And since the health department is just about not an option, hopefully Planned Parenthood will be... but I just can't understand if it's still going to be less there, since I have insurance.

Who would have thought insurance could make it worse....

 

ur talking about the iud, she's talking about the diaphragm and she has the 2 mixed up. You need to back up your case by bringing info material to her to joggle her memory. Bring PP materials or the health dept.'s own materials on the 2 BC, perhaps copy links to a portable device.

 

i will be going to planned parenthood soon for an IUD. i've had almost nothing but good experiences with PP in three counties here in NY.

the only negative experience i've had with planned parenthood has to do with their counselling services, and it wasn't really my experience, but my partner's. recently i became pregnant. although my partner and i had discussed having a child in the future, due to serious health concerns pregnancy is something that has to be carefully planned for me in order to be safe. after serious discussion we decided to terminate, but it was not an easy decision for either of us. as it turned out, i miscarried before the scheduled abortion.

counselling services are supposed to be provided within one week after a termination or miscarriage. i recieved a lot of support, but my partner, who was having a harder time dealing with it than me, had to wait over 3 weeks to see anyone. our relationship suffered what may be irreparable damage because of the delay. in their defense, however, they have continued counselling services for both my partner and i without any incident, and we both seem to be dealing ok now, and possibly starting to be able to get close again.

you won't need counselling for birth control, so i wouldn't even waste your time with the health department clowns. PP is tops for birth control, and go out of their way to help their clients with insurance and payment options.

 

Hmmm...ok...
I have only had good experiences with them in my area, but I have also heard people complain. Almost all people there are very devoted to their work. They get shit for pay and have to be there for more of a service than anything. Not the same as going to school and getting paid the same as a doctor. I have found a few bitter, angry, and closed minded nurses there, but over all the program is made to help you. If you feel you are not getting the needed and educated help you want, ask for it. Ask them if you could maybe speak with someone else about it. They are dealing with your health here, make sure they are doing their job as best as possible.
Honestly Planned Parenthood has been a major help in my life. When there are few options or when you need quick advise and medical help, it is nice to know a service like theirs is around.
*my 2 cents*

 

I hate Planned Parenthoodand I am pro-choice. I just find them to be extremley uncompetent.

 

From myyy Planned Parenthood experience, I notice they are a lot more open to hearing what the patient has to say. I go to a gyno, at the regular doctor clinic, now, and she's nice... but she seems to be more pushy towards other things, that I DON'T want to do... which, reminds me a lot of what you were just saying.

At Planned Parenthood, if you tell them you want and IUD and why, I'm pretty positive they wouldn't have a fit about it, as that is what they DO there. They are completely flexible, and the whole point of PP is that the choice is the WOMAN'S choice...and no one else's.

As for payment.... I'm not quite sure how that would work for you... for minors, usually everything is FREE there.... but, as far as I know, once you hit 18, you have to pay for some things....however, and someone can correct me if I'm wrong, PP is FAR cheaper, and does NOT require insurance....

That's as far as I know, but I could be wrong. That's just how I understood it when I used to go there, while I was a minor.... but, things could have changed since then.

 

oh, and my only complaint about my PP experiences was that, because they aren't as fancy as a real clinic, some of the "tools" they use, aren't as nice...I.E. some of them are still metal, not plastic...which makes for a more uncomfortable, un-fun experience, lol....

But, that might have also improved since I was there. Other than that, I had no issues.

 

The PP in our area uses both metal (autoclaved, as they are reused) AND disposbible plastic speculums. I actually find the metal more comfortable, as they come in smaller sizes.

I am a little confused as to why you went to the Health Department. In our area, the PP does all the check ups, blood work, exams and IUD insertions in their own offices.

Maybe they do things differently in your state. Did they say why you had to go to the HD for your tests?

In your life, it is evevitable that you will run into incompetent nurses and doctors. They are everywhere (I work in health care, so I have seen many) but many HCP are good and do their jobs well. Write off this idiot nurse as someone who was just in your way, and you have now overcome her idiocy and maybe even taught her something!

I would continue on a PP.

One more thing:

Yeah, a study said that the Patch had twice the stroke rate as the Pill. For a womyn your age, who does not smoke the DEATH rate for the Pill is only 0.03 per 100,000 womyn. Even taking into fact that others things besides stroke can kill this small number on the pill, doubling this number is still infitesimal.

 

I was always treated like crap at the county health dept when I had no insurance, but they gave me pills and later a diaphragm without too much trouble, and for free. What calls itself "planned parenthood" here (they changed the name just slightly, women's health planned parenthood center or something along those lines), at least when I was much younger, was actually a pro-life, bible-thumping, call you a sinner and preach to you Christian organization and not affiliated with the real Planned Parenthood in any way. You have to be careful.

I have had an IUD. It was a truly horrible experience for me. If you have heavy periods, or if you have painful cramps, the IUD will make them worse. Just a warning. Lots of women do not bleed heavily or have bad cramps, and for them, the IUD is an effective form of birth control. If you have been on hormonal birth control continuously for a very long time, you might not know what your normal periods are like. Be prepared, and know the risks and side effects ahead of time.

 

You definitely have to be careful about those "planned parenthoods"
My stepmother's sister works at one and is as anti-abortion, bible-thumping as they come. Thinks birth control is a bad thing, thinks you should only have sex when married, you know the type. I don't know if this is a real planned parenthood, but I doubt it considering she counsels there. I always have wondered about it but my stepmother's family are all crazy and I am afriaid of being stoned or flogged if I being up the abortion debate around them.

 

Thanks for the replies...

I only went to the health department because it was waaay closer than going to planned parenthood for the tests too, since I would be making more trips if I went there. I live in a very rural area, and the closest planned parenthood is over an hour away, yet the health department is in my shitty ass county.

I realize the stroke potential is very low with both pills and patches, but I have had high blood pressure in the past (we can't figure out why either, except that it runs in the family). And I smoke off and on....

Anyways, I'm a total dumbass and thought my appointment was today and it was yesterday, so I need to make another.

I know all the effects of an IUD. I am sort of a women's health junky as I want to be a midwife, and I am the only person I know who reads about birth, birth control, etc for fun.

My only real concern is how I will feel psychologically about having something in my uterus. I enjoy periods, and I would not mind them heavier. I'm weird that way. I could handle the continious periods on the shot, but not the other side effects.. go figure. Periods don't interrupt my life, I can do everything, including sex, while bleeding that I do when I'm not. Not an issue at all.

Just the thought of a piece of plastic and copper is a bit unnerving. I wonder if I'd feel "heavier" for it. Internally obviously, but aware just the same. I don't know.

I think I'm going to start charting my cycles... tempeture and mucus, not rythym method. I also use condoms, and I have a continous supply of EC if I would have a condom failure. But sometimes, and I don't mean to sound stupid, but I do miss the feeling of sex without barriers. Even so, when I was on birth control, we used condoms at least 90% of the time because of the mess factor hehe

I wish there were more options really. I wish we could snap our fingers and get pregnant when we wanted to, and avoid it otherwise. Hah

I don't know. The IUD seems to be the best method for me other than condoms, which would still be used anyways. I just don't know how much I trust condoms alone.. I guess if they don't break I'm okay. We have only had maybe three breaks in like three years... soo

Plus, I do want to have children someday and in probably less than 10 years. Having it removed wouldn't be an issue though, and would definately have the added benefit of making sure a child is something I really want.

Thanks for the help ladies

Oh yeah.. we have those fake clinics here too only they're listed under "crisis pregnancy centers" and talk about how they give free pregnancy tests and "counseling".. the first time my close friend had sex it was unexpected AND unprotected. We took her there for lack of knowing, and they gave her pamplets on "just saying no" and how god would punish her if she had an abortion. It was sort of preaching to the choir there though, she is very religious herself and wouldn't have had an abortion anyways.. but I am prochoice and felt stupid for taking her there myself. At least I learned though. I've heard horror stories about the place though, like cutting up a doll in front of scared girls telling them that would happen to their baby if they had an abortion..

 

u sound alot like me for reasons for an iud. I didn't want hormonal methods and wanted something that allowed spontaneity. It made my periods more heavy but it also made me more wet, not a bad thing altogether.

 

OMG. I have had OK experiences with PP, but I had one really bad one. I had a really scary miscarriage. I didn't know I was pregnant because at the time my period could come 2 weeks apart or 5 weeks apart. I was just super irregular. I was standing there talking to people and, um, it all came out. It was horrifying.


That pregnancy resulted from usually responsible me and a usually responsible boyfriend getting carried away one time when we ran out of condoms.

So, I go to PP when everything shows no signs of letting up, and the very pregnant lady who examines me lectures me endlessly and says things that make it pretty clear that she thinks I'm an irresponsible slut. Honestly, I just slipped up that one time. She goes on and on and I'm crying and I'm all hormonal and traumatized.

She was downright mean and not terribly helpful.

A couple of times they have tried to convince me to take the pill, even though it says on it's labelling that women who have epilepsy, like me, shouldn't take it. (I now know that that depends on which meds you're on.) They wouldn't listen, so I walked away with no help and still had to pay for their advice.

They're better than nothing, though, for birth control and STD testing.

 

did you complain about the woman who examined you? because i know that kind of treatment is not permitted under PP policy. if that happened at the one here in ithaca, and you complained, that woman would get called on the carpet so fast it'd make her dizzy.

 

Yes, that is a risk factor that is probably better not to use hormonal BC with. A womyn you age, without high BP and who never smokes has a lower risk, but I don't blame you at all for not wanting to take the chance with your health risks.

You sound like a sensible young womyn. I understand that in some rural areas, access to health care is limited. I live in a semirural area, but we are pretty close to Chicago, so health care is easy to come by. It is hard when the nearest clinic is an hour a way.

Good luck with your appointment. Looks like you did your research, I hope the IUD works out for you.



Maggie

ps. Levi, that is awful. I'm sorry you had to go through something like that. I used PP when I was younger, as did my sister and my oldest dd uses them now, and we were all pretty lucky and got understanding people who were really helpful. It is really a shame she treated you so badly, when it was something you had no control over. (((((Levi)))))))

 

I didn't complain, I just didn't go back. When I was younger I used to put up with crap like that. Plus I was super emotional.


I have to say, though, that I think that one lady was just mean and not PP in general.

 

:H If your open to learning about Natural methods, check out Cycle Beads at
www.cyclebeads.com
I have been using this method for over a year. I helps you track your fertile window, you can aviod sex during that time and resum when safe again. Or just use comdom during that window and be free the rest of the time.
No chemicals, No sergry, No hasal.
Cycle Beads work best for those with a regular cycle 26 to 32 days long.
Good luck, peace
Clove

 

Well.. just an update.. and another rant !

I ended up choosing to go to my normal midwife who I seen for pap smears and any other problem I have. I love her and want to have her babies. Anyways, I knew I'd pay more there, but it's paying for comfort as well as birth control.

It will be 675.00 there, upfront. My insurance pays NONE of it. Infact, my insurance covers no form of contraception whatsoever. What is with that?

I figure if I work three weeks straight with only a few days off here and there I can afford most of it without using savings, or at least much of it. It's still a huge chunk of money, especially when I'm used to my birth control pills costing 1.00 for a year supply at the health department. But really, I am everso tired of birth control pills, I don't trust diaphrams enough, and I'm too erract at keeping schedule to do NFP. So the IUD it is. I am not complaining about the price, I genuinely think it's worth it. I just wish I had more money saved up for it, since I was originally going to get it done somewhere low cost until they yelled my face off. I could still go to PP, I respect them and would probably feel comfortable.. but damn I love that midwife.

 

noooo as someone who's gotten pregnant twice using the rythm method..I think it's very unfair of you to reccomend something that is basically a calendar...

 

I think it's better to use Basal Body Temperature and the length of your cycle to figure stuff out. Just relying on numbers is going to cause lots of problems!