Posted by S. Howard on November 25, 2000, at 18:39:55
In reply to Re: PMDD - Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, posted by Doug Anderson on November 19, 2000, at 10:24:20
Doug-
Sorry it took me so long to answer, I have been in the hospital this week.
Anyway-I am a big fan of both Norplant and the Depro-Provera injection. I have to take enough pills as it is without worrying about birth control pills, which I sometimes forgot to take, which just added to my problems. I am 40 now and my son is grown, a baby is out of the question.
My only problems with Norplant were 1)you can see them underneath your skin and that creeps some people out at first. There was also terrible bruising when they were first inserted, but it did NOT hurt, even when the Lidocaine wore off.
Eventually you get used to seeing the implants, like a tatoo, and you stop paying attention to them. They are inserted near your armpit and they aren't obvious. 2)Since Norplant is good for 5 years, it is tempting to skip your annual GYN visit, which is not good. 3)After 5 years, it is sometimes difficult to remove the implants. It wasn't all that painful, but it was -to be honest-a bloody mess. Still, I was more than willing to have new implants. My insurance company wouldn't pay for it, so I started the Depro shots. They are not painful at all, but they are good for only 3 months, and I was spoiled by the Norplant.
Still, the shots are better than pills.
I have had no side effects from stopping my menstrual cycle (hot flashes, etc.). I am religious about regular check-ups (cervical cancer runs in my family) and after 7 years, I am perfectly healthy. I don't bleed or spot (however, this takes some months to stop completely), I have no cramps, no bloating, no PMS, and I'm not growing a mustache. I would encourage your Significant Other to try the Depro-Provera injections first to see if they provide her with some relief.
Incidentally, she is very lucky to have someone like you. My husband wouldn't discuss my periods (if I had them) unless you held a gun to his head.
Good luck! -G
poster:S. Howard
thread:3315
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001115/msgs/49413.html