Q's about doctor visit
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Q's about doctor visit
| Tue, 08-10-2004 - 11:46pm |
I have written previous posts about stopping my pills (a decision I still stick by). I have an appointment with my gyno on Thursday to talk about other methods. Im worried that he wont be pleased with my decision to stop my pills, as other doctors in the past have persuaded me to keep taking them when I had doubts.
Right now Im interested in giving the diaphragm a chance. What should I expect at the the doctor's? What kind of questions should I ask him? What will he do? Will I come home with a diaphragm, or does it take time to get?
Right now Im interested in giving the diaphragm a chance. What should I expect at the the doctor's? What kind of questions should I ask him? What will he do? Will I come home with a diaphragm, or does it take time to get?
Thanking in advance,
~*chrissy*~

Oy, I hate doctors who think that med school gives them dictatorial power over other people's bodies!!!!
Sorry if that was harsh - it's 4am, I'm grumpy and you hit a nerve!
~Laura
Anyhoo, Jill will be along in a bit I'd wager to tell you the typical diaphragm experience. She's got one and a cervical cap and is QUITE versed in that area.
I can tell you that it could be a while before you will be able to use a diaphragm without anything else--it's important that you get used to using it and how it feels when it's in properly before you're actually depending upon it to protect you.
My own two cents--if your doctor isn't supportive, get another one. If he's not keen on diaphragms and cervical caps, he probably doesn't fit too many of them and you want a fitter who has a good bit of experience fitting them. You're relying primarily on the fit to protect you! Jill can probably help you find someone if you run into trouble, unless I miss my guess of her many resources.
I get pretty peeved at doctors who don't listen to patients, particularly educated ones who know what they're talking about. I've switched doctors a few times for that reason and if I were adamant about getting a cap I'd do it again (he's a great ob though... :\ ).
Good luck, please come back and tell us how it went! Remember--nobody's got to live in that body but you, and you get first choice of what goes in it.
Co-cl for Birth Control
“What should I expect at the doctor's?”
It will depend how supportive your doctor is of your using a barrier. As Judie said, he may try to talk you out of your decision. Vaginal barriers do take discipline to use so at best an unsupportive doctor may be concerned that his patients may not use her barrier correctly and for every act of IC and therefore be at greater risk of pregnancy. One thing you can do to try and avoid that is to emphasize how interested and motivated you are to use a barrier correctly because you don’t want to use hormones. If your doctor is not supportive and you want to find a supportive and experienced fitter try Planned Parenthood, women’s clinics or midwives in your area.
“What will he do?”
If this is your first time being fitted he should describe for you how he will perform your fitting before it begins. This may occur in his office during the consultation or in the examining room depending on his office procedure. A fitting is a lot like an ordinary pelvic. If you have already had your annual then he will probably go right to the fitting. If this will be your annual then he will take samples for a pap. If you were going to be fitted for a cervical cap you would need to have a healthy cervix as using a cap can worsen some cervical conditions. A clean pap is not a requirement for using a diaphragm. It is a very good idea to empty your bladder before the fitting begins.
The fitter has a set of graduated rings or fitting diaphragms in standard sizes, usually between 65mm and 90mm in 5mm increments. He will first measure your vagina by inserting his fingers and feeling the distance between the posterior fornix to the back of your pubic bone to get an idea which ring in the set to try first. Then several larger and smaller ones will be tried until he is satisfied with the correctness of your fit. Once he decides on a size you will be asked to walk around with it inserted to see how it feels. Ideally you should not be able to feel the diaphragm though some women do until they get used to it. Once you and your fitter have agreed on the size then he or his nurse should show you how to insert and remove it correctly and how to check that it is properly positioned over your cervix.
“What kind of questions should I ask him?”
When I first went to be fitted, for a cap, I wanted my fitter to explain what he was doing as he went along. Also, be sure to get a set of user instructions from him if he has them. All barriers come with instructions but he might also have his own. Be sure you understand how to hold your D so that insertion is easy. You should be given an opportunity to practice insertion and removal before you leave his office and it is very important that you able to feel the tip of your cervix behind the dome of the D since that is the only way to check that it is inserted correctly. With a little practice you will develop your own technique for inserting and removal and it will become quite easy to do.
“Will I come home with a diaphragm, or does it take time to get?”
That depends on the size and type you get. If you are fitted with a common size 70mm – 85mm Milex (a silicone barrier) your fitter may have it in stock. If you get a latex D (which is what is the type normally fitted) or of a larger or smaller size you will probably be given a Rx to have filled at a pharmacy. If you need a large or small size the pharmacy may have to order it.
More questions? Please ask... Let us know how your appointment with your doctor goes, ok?
Good luck,
Jill
So he suggested the IUD for me. I started doing some research on it and I cant figure out why my doctor thinks I should get this. First of all, I said I wanted a NON-hormonal method, which Mirena is not. Second, I have never had any children before. And third, I have had an STD in the past and I read that IUDs and STDs are a big no no together.
What gives? Im so confused.
If this is going to harm my future ability to have children, then I dont want it. Im so lost right now.
Why would he prescribe me this? Would it be safe for me?
Thanks!
Chrissy
We did mention that you might encounter that reaction from your doctor. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of doctors still around who don’t seriously listen to their patients. If I were you and still wanted a diaphragm I would go to another doctor or health practitioner. You can call your local medical society and ask who fits diaphragms or check out the clinic finder on the Planned Parenthood of Canada site at: http://www.ppfc.ca/ppfc/content.asp?cn=false Women’s clinics and midwives also fit diaphragms.
Because you are concerned, if I were you I’d get a second medical opinion about your suitability as an IUD candidate since you have had an STD. Living in Canada, if you are a candidate for an IUD and decide to try one the Nov-T copper IUDs is available. It is non-hormonal and is effective for 2 ½ years. If you want to read about the Mirena see the Mirena website at: http://www.mirena-us.com/ The Mirena prescribing information lists the following reasons a woman should not have a Mirena inserted:
”CONTRAINDICATIONS
MIRENA® insertion is contraindicated when one or more of the following conditions exist:
1. Pregnancy or suspicion of pregnancy.
2. Congenital or acquired uterine anomaly including fibroids if they distort the uterine cavity.
3. Acute pelvic inflammatory disease or a history of pelvic inflammatory disease unless there has been a subsequent intrauterine pregnancy.
4. Postpartum endometritis or infected abortion in the past 3 months.
5. Known or suspected uterine or cervical neoplasia or unresolved, abnormal Pap smear.
6. Genital bleeding of unknown etiology.
7. Untreated acute cervicitis or vaginitis, including bacterial vaginosis or other lower genital tract infections until infection is controlled.
8. Acute liver disease or liver tumor (benign or malignant).
9. Woman or her partner has multiple sexual partners.
10. Conditions associated with increased susceptibility to infections with micro-organisms. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, leukemia, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and I.V. drug abuse.
11. Genital actinomycosis (See WARNINGS)
12. A previously inserted IUD that has not been removed.
13. Hypersensitivity to any component of this product.
14. Known or suspected carcinoma of the breast.
15. History of ectopic pregnancy or condition that would predispose to ectopic pregnancy.”
If you want to try a barrier I hope you can find an experienced and sympathetic fitter. Let us know how you’re doing, ok?
Good luck,
Jill
I got a Mirena about three weeks ago, so I can tell you what I know about them. There are hormones in them, but it's not much at all. I had major trouble with combination birth control pills, but I have no problem with the Mirena since the hormone level is so light. There's also the copper IUD without hormones which might be a better choice for you. The Mirena is 99.9% effective, and the copper IUD is 99.2% effective.
As to your questions, you don't have to have had children to have an IUD. There is a problem if you get an STD while you have an IUD, but if you're in a monogamous relationship, then the fact that you had one in the past that was treated and cured doesn't matter. It is highly unlikely to harm your fertility. If you are not in a monagamous relationship, then an IUD is not something you should get.