Conference turris::womannotes-v3

	Everything I've read and heard and been told by my doctor is to NOT 
take a break.  

Tracey

    
    On the contrary, I've been told by the Family Planning Clinic (UK) that 
    you should break for six months every three years.  I did this and had no
    problems, either with coming off or going back on again.
    
    Sam
    

    The only pertinent related topics I've been able to find are:
    
    Womannotes-V2
    385 - side effects of the pill
    
    Medical
    529 - getting off the pill
    
    -Jody
    

    
    Thanks for the info! 
    
    My doctor has put me back on a higher dose and will check me from there
    for any further problems. I definately feel much better.
    
    I was told to take the first week before any sexual activity and that
    is what the instructions say. Has anyone waited longer than that?
    
    M
    

    I just found out that "higher dose" has multiple meanings.  A 
    higher dose of what?  estrogen, progesterone ?  I guess the 
    higher levels of estrogen make you body REALLY believe that 
    you're pregnant.  The higher levels of progesterone do a number 
    of things including :
    	-preventing an egg from implanting on the side of the uterus
    	-preventing build-up on the side of the uterus (causes 
    	smaller, maybe non-existent periods)
    	-possibly preventing the production of other fluids which 
    	come from your sex organs.  (causes dryness during sex 
    	and at other times)
    I would recommend also looking into the amount of progesterone 
    that you're on.  If you start to miss periods, don't use tampons.  
    (They can get stuck.)  At least that's what my doctor told me.
    
    Rachael

	re: 368.5 (Rachael Barlow)
	>  If you start to miss periods, don't use tampons.  
    	>  (They can get stuck.)  At least that's what my doctor told me.
    
 	Tampons getting "stuck" ?    
	I am skeptical... (or don't understand what your doctor meant)

	Is it that the progesterone is preventing just about any 
	buildup on the uterine walls and therefore you dry out?
	(sorta like when one takes antihistamines?)

						nancy b.

    re: .6
    
    Yes, they can stick.
    
    I had to give up tampons while on the Pill.  The first type I took
    made me so dry I thought I was having a libido problem.  That cleared
    up by switching pills, but I was still dry enough that tampons would
    stick to the vaginal wall.  Ouch.  Had nothing to do with missed
    periods, though.  Thankfully the Pill cut my flow down so I didn't have
    to have that diapered feeling from wearing a full-sized pad.
    
    Nancy  

    Gee, I was never able to use tampons until I went on the Pill because
    of my very heavy flow (I used to have to set the alarm clock to get me
    up in the middle of the night to change the damned pads, to avoid
    having a nasty cleanup job - and I used to wear two pads on top of each
    other - talk about the diapered feeling!  Ycch!).  I never have any
    problems with tampons these days, except to figure out which brands are
    close to the same shape I am (playtex supers).  Every once in a while
    the string breaks off, which is a nuisance, but they never stick to me.
    Sure beats the way things used to be!   Men get off easy in some
    things...
    
    /Charlotte

    For those who have had problems with tampons I highly recommend sea
    sponges. Once you get used to using them they are great. I barely
    remember it's my period. They are reuseable and bio-degradable and
    don't polute the environment the way the manufature of tampons and
    napkins do.

    For those in Colorado Springs, you can get them at the Women's Health
    Clinic. If you are squeemish about touching yourself and body fluids
    these aren't for you. Otherwise give it a try. Except for the first
    day of my period I can go the full workday without changing the sponge
    till I get home. liesl

    These sound great, anyone know where I can get some of these here
    in Boston?
    
    Sue

    Most large health food stores carry sea sponges in the cosmetics aisle. 
    They're usually sold as "facial" size, as opposed to bath size, and are
    about 3 inches in diameter.
    
    Nancy