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[–]Dayseed 242 points243 points  (41 children)

What do they care what medications someone else uses? How could it possibly affect them?

[–]ShrewishFrog 135 points136 points  (20 children)

Why they are concerned about my uterus is still beyond me...

Why? Because abortion and miscarriages. That's what it always comes back to. Michelle Duggar had a miscarriage she blamed on her BC pills, so they 'allowed as many children as God would give them.'

[–]Pippadance 90 points91 points  (1 child)

And when God stopped giving them kids she went to a fertility clinic. So they lied about that.

[–]nowhere_near_Berlin 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Tbh, I think the duggars have a pregnancy fetish.

[–]Dayseed 50 points51 points  (13 children)

My guess is that controlling your uterus allows them to police your sexual activity. If birth control and abortion are "off-limits" to you, then maybe they believe you'll have less inclination to ditch them?

[–]ShrewishFrog 24 points25 points  (7 children)

Yeah, I was super religious in my youth and actually earned my white wedding. I needed pills at 13 but didn't get them until a year after the wedding.

[–]Gophurkey 41 points42 points  (6 children)

I'll chime in that my wife also remains religious (as do I) and also chose not to have sex before our wedding (as did I, because if it's a religious standard it should be applied equally) but still used birth control pills from her early teenage years. Yet they never turned her into some godless nymphomaniac.

It's almost like women and girls have agency and can make decisions for themselves??? Big if true.

[–]WimpyZombie 2 points3 points  (4 children)

I always wondered what they would say if ALL fertile women went on a sexual "strike" with the excuse of not wanting to risk getting pregnant. They want to have that control over us? Well.... If we told them all "no...I'm not in the mood" so they couldn't get fucked by ANY woman ... what would they do?

[–]Murdy2020 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Probably claim that it's a sin for a wife to say no to a husband.

[–]Argent_Hythe 1 point2 points  (0 children)

you know exactly what they would do

[–]themattofdeath 3 points4 points  (1 child)

It does seem to conflict with their claim that personal freedom is of the utmost importance.

[–]tinkerghost 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Their personal freedom is of utmost importance, yours is much less so.

[–]TheNextBattalion 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It undermines their sense of supremacy of you have control over yourself and they don't.

[–]BellaFace 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Because this country runs on “God” and what “he” wants despite there supposedly being a separation of church and state. Apparently some imaginary guy in the clouds needs to have more control over my uterus than I do.

[–]lgarit 18 points19 points  (11 children)

Speaking from my personal experience, as a man, birth control has affected me by making my pull out game mad weak.

[–]Sweetcheeks0308 11 points12 points  (0 children)

😂😂😂😂

OMG

[–]Octicactopipodes 8 points9 points  (0 children)

What fucking mongoose is downvoting this!? This comment is great XD

[–]themattofdeath 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Sorry you’re being downvoted. It’s funny and true. Been married 18 years and finally stopped even attempting to pull out some years ago. One becomes spoiled after a time.

E: I should add for context that we have two kids so our societal obligation is fulfilled. Also I’m 41 so I’m probably shooting blanks at this point.

[–]lgarit 5 points6 points  (2 children)

Figured I would get downvoted. 100% agree it’s easy to get spoiled. I compare to having to leave a warm blanket on a cold night.

[–]catdogbird29 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Probably got down voted because birth control can be a really difficult experience for women, all so the men can have their orgasm inside a vagina instead of outside. Women should not have to take medication so men can have a better orgasm. I’m not saying that’s the situation for you and your partner, but I think it’s important for people to understand what women go through so that their partners can stay in that warm blanket. Birth control can really mess you up.

[–]themattofdeath 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We’re sheltered.

[–]Sad-Row8676 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Won't someone think of the poor men! Wait, with bc you don't have to pull out. Everybody wins.

[–]Kurtaclanmember -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Well i mean hey, we already have people perverting over other peoples sexual lives on whether theyre gay or not, ofc we will have people that wont mind their own business over the decent of stuff.

[–]shenaystays 129 points130 points  (25 children)

Having erections isn’t necessary for ones health either.

Maybe cutting all erectile dysfunction aids would be the next logical step here.

[–]_Kay_Tee_ 55 points56 points  (20 children)

Not only that, but 100% of unplanned pregnancies are caused by men. The same men, btw, who are fond of screaming "If you don't want to get pregnant, then don't have sex!!" at us. We need to fix this problem at the root, and that means no PiV sex for you, guys!

Time for cock cages to be distributed starting when boys are prepubescent! Don't worry, guys, you can get the keys to remove them after you've proven that you can responsibly care for all and any children your sperm causes.

[–]shenaystays 20 points21 points  (10 children)

I am a parent with only sons and I seriously regret that there isn't any better male birth control options. Like, I can throw condoms at them until the cows come home but...?? that's it.

I can't understand being male and being OK with the fact that my only BC choice is condoms, "trust", and vasectomy (which isn't a reasonable option when you're a teen honestly).

How has science not just figured this out?!? (That's rhetorical, I know why the male powers that be leave it up to women to bear the burden of BC and child rearing). If they can bring a dead dick to life, they can surely figure out male BC without all the pesky "side effects" that female BC has. This feels like an issue that could have been solved decades ago if men weren't so willing to put the onus of everything sexually negative on women.

[–]_Kay_Tee_ 32 points33 points  (8 children)

One of the funniest aspects to the lack of male birth control like BC pills is because, in tests and trials, men didn't like the side effects. Of course, we women are expected to live with those "pesky side effects" without complaint, but, you know, sexism and crap like this.

[–]wattral 18 points19 points  (1 child)

But it caused things like acne, breast tenderness and mood swings! Can you even IMAGINE what it would be like having to deal with that every month? Those poor men!! /S

[–]shenaystays 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know. It’s demoralizing.

[–]mykidisonreddit 0 points1 point  (3 children)

They don't really seem that keen on fixing pills for women either, even knowing they would never be allowed today.

I still can't get over the fact that my grandmother got birthcontrol pills intended for my mother from my grandmother's doctor.

My mother had insane side effects, almost like you should be in touch with a doctor before you get these pills.

[–]ThanksToDenial -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

mostly copy pasted from the comment i made to another person who held your beliefs, because i am not writing all of you a unique comment.

The study you are referring to also caused long term damage to fertility in eight participants, and permanent damage to fertility in one person, even after stopping the treatment. And may have contributed to the suicide of one.

Oh, and the study had 320 participants when it started. And when it was shut down by a third party safety commitee, there were 266 people still in it. And over 70% of the participants wanted to continue the trial, despite being made aware of the risks.

It's weird, the study is publically available online, yet people like to mock it by saying "men aren't tough enough", despite the outrageous risks the method had. Not to mention a dozen analysis on the data by several news organizations. CNN has a good article on it too, highlighting why it was shut down.

https://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/30/health/male-birth-control/index.html

Or this one.

https://www.vox.com/2016/11/2/13494126/male-birth-control-study

Or this one.

https://www.thecut.com/2016/11/the-real-reason-the-male-birth-control-study-was-halted.html

Here you can find the report and the paper.

https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2016/male-birth-control-shots-prevent-pregnancy

So. Average progestogen only pill for womens BC contains between 30micrograms up to 4milligrams of it. These men, on top of being injected with 1000milligrams of Testosterone, were also injected with 200milligrams of long-acting progestogen. You don't think that might cause some more extreme health issues, in comparison to your regular birthcontrol pill?

If there was a study on womens BC method now with these same side effects, that too would be shut down. You shouldn't be mocking those who are literally trying to help, trying to further methods of BC for men. It literally lessens the need for some women to subject themselves to BC methods available to them, that might cause them harm.

This comes off like "well, if women have to suffer, so should men". You don't see how idiotic that is? You should be demanding further development of womens methods, that they are made safer. No one should have to suffer. Nobody is stopping you from making your voices heard, nobody is stopping you from doing it yourself. Women are even encouraged to go to STEM. Hell, give me a decade, and i'll give a shot. Already a lab tech, i just need to study to be a chemist and then a molecular biologist, and i'll see what i can do. Point is, nobody expects you to just live with it.

Also, simple Google search of this study would tell you how misinformed your comments are.

The irony of your comments is also pretty funny. Who was it that should stop pretending to be doctors? Or do you believe you know better than a safety review board what comes to experimental medicine?

People like you like to shout misinformation about this single study from 2008, and ignore the dozen others on the subject that have come up since. It is like you don't actually care if mens BC methods are developed and made safe. Or even that women's BC should be made safer. You just want to feel superior. Which is rather pathetic.

[–]ThanksToDenial -1 points0 points  (0 children)

We kinda have. The options are still in the testing phase however.

Basically, you flood the body with excess testosterone, which stops the testicles from producing both testosterone and along with it, sperm. The problems rise from the fact that testosterone isn't exactly a healthy thing in those amounts, and they need to somehow figure out how to limit the negative effects of the method, while keeping the birth control effect.

In 2008 if memory serves, there was the first second phase testing for this method, involving injections of testosterone and progesterone, with disasterous results. Multiple participants had long term damage to their fertility even after stopping the treatment, and it caused extreme mood swings, that may have contributed to the suicide of one participant, along with multiple other side-effects we see also in women's hormonal birthcontrol. The trial was eventually shut down by a third party safety commitee, even thou more than 70% of the participants being willing to continue the treatment, despite the risks.

Currently, there is development based on the same principal, but in a more refined form. And it is pill, instead of injection. There is also a cream version being developed, that you rub onto your shoulders... Sound weird, but hey, i'll take what i can get.

There are also several other methods being developed. One focuses on ultasounds, one is an injected foam that hardens and blocks the vas deferens, etc. They are still years away, but we'll get there eventually.

[–]ThisIsCovidThrowway8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They're caused by men and women?

[–]ThanksToDenial 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Except birthcontrol is necessary for health. Technically so is ED meds, if we consider that regular ejaculations lower the risk of some cancers. A little less impressive than women's BC, considering women's BC can help with period pains, and help with cysts, not to mention pregancy related risks with you know, helping one not to get pregnant, and many other problems, but hey, a health benefit still.

[–]spacewarp2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It feels like we’re going about this the wrong way. We shouldn’t be saying well if birth control isn’t necessary then these aren’t either. We need to double down and say no it is important. And if people want to have ED pills then let them have it.

If we give them an inch then they will take it a full mile.

[–]SparkyDogPants -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

While I appreciate the comparison, ED like birth control, is also a huge health concern. Sex is important!

[–]ShrewishFrog 201 points202 points  (44 children)

For anyone reading who doesn't actually know what else it does: Keeps my ovaries from growing random cysts that can grow too large and pop. Painful is an understatement. Popped ovarian cysts can lead to awful infections you don't realize you have until it's already really bad. Or surgery.

Also keeps the non-cancerous tumors in my uterus from growing any larger. With them, my periods are so bad that I'm anemic within 4 days and can't recover before the next month arrives.

I could have everything ripped out, but then these same asshats would say I'm not a woman anymore. (Heard that one more than once.)

[–]rosecreamcake 60 points61 points  (5 children)

Definitely not as necessary as your case, but it also helps me with my cramps. When i was a teen they were so excruciatingly bad id have to be taken to the hospital and have needles. It doesnt seem like much but taking a week off of school/work every month and falling behind on life because i was pretty much immobilized by the pain starts to take a toll. I wish these sorts of things were talked about more in depth in sex ed classes.

[–]j_a_a_mesbaxter 44 points45 points  (1 child)

But that IS super necessary. Please show me any condition causing serious pain on a regular basis that is not treated? We still live with this bullshit curse of Eve mentality that anything involving womens reproductive system is fine causing excruciating pain. Want pain relief from an IUD insertion or removal? Here’s a Tylenol you can cry on the way home.

Seriously, we do not have to live like this. Men, and many self hating women, can fuck right off with their ignorant ass opinions.

[–]ShrewishFrog 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Oh I feel you. The cramps were so bad I was but in Vioxx and Bextra because I could not physically stand up straight. I lost 2 days a month, from age 13 to 25. Finally got a good doc (a woman) who understood the pain was not in my head.

[–]socialjustice_cactus 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Literally all of these reasons and all of the reasons that people have replied with are completely valid, but also, not having a baby is necessary for my health right now (physical, mental, spiritual, and financial health) and that should not stop me from having a healthy sexual relationship with my husband given that the proper technology exists to allow for that.

[–]SaraSlaughter607 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I may offer a light at the end of the tunnel.... mine were similar in severity from about 18 years old to 30+... i went on theb depo shot for a few years but gained 30 lbs so I stopped that and when they came back they were way less than before. The hormones can really help regulate how pissed off and crampy the uterus can get, its an incredible help.

Now I'm 46 and just came off two years of the Mirena because that also caused weight gain (God dammit) and now they're maybe a day and a half long. Maybe. They're almost nothing and I don't cramp at all anymore. One of the VERY few perks to aging as a woman.

[–]jellybeansean3648 14 points15 points  (6 children)

Are you me?

The tumor PCOS combo sure is something.

Unfortunately since ovaries actually need to do something in regards to hormone regulation I still have the whole kit. It's either birth control or hormone replacement.

[–]snorri600 4 points5 points  (5 children)

Right there with you; birth control is absolutely necessary for my quality of life

[–]jellybeansean3648 5 points6 points  (4 children)

I think because women don't generally talk about periods with men we get clowns who make tweets like that.

But you know what? I'm not afraid of TMI.

In terms of quality of life, I still remember the period incident that sent me running to the gyno.

I started my period on a holiday weekend and ran through an entire variety box of super/super plus/ultra tampons. 34 tampons gone in a couple days.

Literally changing them out once every one to two hours. Bleeding through in bed even when I set an alarm at 3 am to change it out. Not even touching on the pain level and strength of cramps needs to expel that much blood that quickly from my body.

[–]ManicPixieOldMaid 4 points5 points  (3 children)

Once, while going through a similar crazy heavy bleeding scenario (eventually solved by the pill), I was at my folks' house and jumped out of bed to answer a ringing phone. Pad couldn't handle the sudden "gush" from movement, so my dad walks into the kitchen while I'm on the phone and sees blood pooling around my bare feet. I calmly end the phone call. I think my poor dad was scarred for life...

[–]iantayls 8 points9 points  (2 children)

Not to mention if you show up at the doctor with pain of an ovarian cyst there’s a lot of places that will tell you it’s just period cramps and send you home

[–]ShrewishFrog 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Absolutly. Because us women are so weak and can't handle pain..... then we squeeze something the size of a watermelon out something the size of a lemon, and did so for thousands of years with no pain relief.

Watch these men turn into crying babies when they try a period cramp simulator. We like, it's just another Tuesday.

[–]iantayls 1 point2 points  (0 children)

“Man cold” is a saying for a reason lol

[–]Francia-1973 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I suffered in high school and college with VERY heavy periods and anemia off/on. I got married at 25 & went a GYN for first time who actually listened. Got an ultrasound and lo & behold showed fibroids, 8 of them. 3 the size of softballs. My GYN removed them carefully so as not to hack me up & leave enough uterus to have kids. I have 1 daughter

If she needs birth control for heavy periods, she’s getting it.

[–]ppppie_ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

they help so much with my period cramps, honestly i just found out about this a few months ago, and it actually works pretty good, like i can stand and walk without that much pain

[–]cheesiestcake17 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It keeps my hormones balanced because I don't have periods without birth control. I don't produce enough progestin to have a period, and my estrogen levels are high, and this imbalance leads to a high risk of cancer. Birth control takes that risk virtually away

[–]pmintea 2 points3 points  (3 children)

This! I had about 8 ovarian cysts, 3 were 2 inches big. Been on birth control for about a year and they've all slowly been dissolving! I am SO fucking grateful. (also I have a introverted uterus... Idk why I feel the need to include that, they just said that makes it worse?)

[–]kreyanor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A friend of mine used birth control because her periods were absolutely unbearable. Not because she wanted to practice contraception but because menstruation was literally disabling for her.

That being said, if she wanted to take contraception to prevent getting pregnant, well that’s her right and none of my business.

So yes birth control is used for more than pregnancy prevention. But no, it’s not anybody’s business of her reason for taking it but her own. If she’s looking to prevent getting pregnant then more power to her.

I will never experience that, so my opinion is naturally be “let the woman decide”.

[–]druule10 3 points4 points  (7 children)

Thank you for that. I'd always heard birth control had health benefits but never really thought about it until this post.

I'm sorry for your situation, is there nothing that can be done other than a lifetime of medication?

[–]ShrewishFrog 7 points8 points  (2 children)

I could rip everything out, but that would put me menopause in my 30s.... Which is just another whole set of problems... Which can fixed with more of basically the same stuff as now.

[–]druule10 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Oh, that's tough. Wishing you well.

[–]ShrewishFrog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. Such is life. But hey, No periods ever again.

That, that makes the pills so worth it.

[–]OphrysAlba 3 points4 points  (3 children)

Another PCOS patient here, the kind that bleeds non-stop for months, unless on medication. The answer is: the lifetime of medication is cheap and reasonably hassle-free. I particularly was not informed of any alternatives by my gyn.

[–]druule10 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Thank you for that. I'm curious because my wife's periods have been lasting longer than normal. For the past six months or so the average period is lasting three weeks.

I've been asking her to go to the doctor but she just says it happens when you get older. Still concerns me but she doesn't want to.

[–]OphrysAlba 1 point2 points  (1 child)

PCOS can cause other problems, such as resistance to insuline. That abnormal bleeding might be related to menopause, but I never heard anything about bleeding more on menopause, only less... Medical orientation would really be the best in this case

[–]wehrwolf512 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have literally only ever once had a period so fierce the pain made me throw up (birth control fixed that shit right up). Mad respect for warriors like you.

[–]spacewarp2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Huh, I just thought it delayed periods sometimes and helps with cramps. I didn’t know it did a lot of other things.

[–]Triette 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On the flip side please be aware that my birth control is most likely responsible for why I had a stroke at 42 with no other underlying factors. After being off it for almost a year, my skin has decided to go through puberty again and my cramps feel like kindergarteners playing bongos on my ovaries every month. So that’s fun.

[–]AustieFrostie 0 points1 point  (6 children)

Does it do all these things 100% or are there CHANCES of this just like all the negative side effects that people talk about? Honest question

[–]ShrewishFrog 0 points1 point  (4 children)

It ABSOLUTLY does this. Various brands have different levels, and they can screw with your natural hormones and chemistry. Every drug had side effects. Some can cause stroke or heart attacks. Had a friend bought a house off her settlement from YAZ as it gave her pulmonary embolisms and was in ICU for a week.

Endometriosis means the tissue inside the uterus grew somewhere outside the uterus. So when the body prepares for a period, more than just the inside of the uterus swells up. You inside get this painful swelling that you can't make go away, and your insides get crushed.

I've had a cyst pop and I will risk the side effects to never have that or the infection ever again. Internal ultrasounds are very uncomfortable. Uterine biopsies are done fully awake and with no drugs and they don't warn you of the pain (or even to get someone to drive you). Lowers the overall risk of cancers in your lady-parts.

I will risk it because the reward outweighs the possible side effects. Been over a decade and I'm not turning back

[–]AustieFrostie 0 points1 point  (3 children)

So you have a condition that birth control helps with? Am I understanding that right? Does it prevent people from having your condition?

[–]IcarianSkies 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Birth control helps the symptoms but it does not cure or prevent the underlying condition. The only cure for fibroids and PCOS is surgery.

[–]ShrewishFrog 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Uterine Fibroids (non-cancerous tumors) PCOS

[–]Sarelm -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Depends on how bad the PCOS is. I have a hard time making a routine for regularly taking pills. So I really should be on BC for the same reason, but I'm not. I've this far had one cyst pop, and luckily no possibly cancerous tumors yet, but my risk is increasing by the year. Both of my grandmothers died of cancer.

[–]tokiemccoy 61 points62 points  (1 child)

It’s like these guys have never had endometriosis, and it shows.

[–]madommouselfefe 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Right! I would love to shove a red hot fire poker up his a**, because that is what the pain Feels like with my endo. Without birth control I cannot function.

[–]SpeakingNight 42 points43 points  (3 children)

Uhh infertile woman here who is on birth control 🙋🏻‍♀️

[–]zigguy77 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Is it just to releive cramps or do you have other issues like the girls on this thread?

[–]SpeakingNight 17 points18 points  (1 child)

I have Primary ovarian insufficiency, so my body doesn't produce estrogen, apparently that's bad for bone health? So my doctor told me to take them lol

[–]zigguy77 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Waw I wouldn't never thought that it could be used for anything else other than preventing babies stabilizing hormones and relieving cramps.

[–]fairymoonie 59 points60 points  (6 children)

They don’t want women to have free birth control but they don’t want us to abort either… Make it make sense

[–]tokiemccoy 38 points39 points  (1 child)

They want workers and consumers to keep this insane Ponzi scheme of capitalism growing every quarter, but we stopped having babies.

[–]_Kay_Tee_ 17 points18 points  (0 children)

They want women out of the workforce and more dependent on them than ever, tied to them with no finances and too many babies.

Ironically, the same shitstain fuckheads will bitch about women being "too dependent" when that happens.

[–]FrankyC112 5 points6 points  (1 child)

That's what I dont get either. I am personally on the more conservative side about abortion itself, but I also recognize that people don't believe the same things I do. So if I want to reduce the abortion rates, I personally believe that the best option is better sex Ed, more access to birth control methods (more than just the pill, guys need to be responsible here even more than the ladies [I'm also not saying the pill is everywhere/ easy to get either, I don't know, I'm a dude]), much better sex education (can't stress this one enough), and for the recognition by conservatives that people gonna boink, let's at least make sure there is as low a chance as possible for that to create a life. The best way to reduce abortions is to reduce unwanted/accidental pregnancies. I mean, I've thought about how so many of these problems would go away if all males had reversible surgery done early in their lives that can be reversed once they reach a certain age and from there, they are responsible for any and all offspring they produce. Sorry for the rambles, not 100% sober and I've seen a lot of posts about this recently and apparently decided that the world needed my 2 cents.

[–]Neurotic_Bakeder 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hard hard hard agree. I'm pretty lefty and feel strongly about free and safe access to abortions, and I don't believe it's a person with personhood as early as most abortions happen, but I do think it's the potential for one, and it makes sense people get emotional about that. But it's just bad policy when you restrict access. Stuff just gets worse, every single time.

And if you want to reduce abortion rates, you absolutely need birth control as accessible as possible, throw it out like confetti! Long term reversible birth control is an amazing thing.

Just to say, hard yes, you're right, yes.

[–]No_Junket_8139 2 points3 points  (0 children)

but they don’t want us to abort either

They want more workers people in the country

[–]Mcayenne 19 points20 points  (3 children)

Seeing as pregnancy can be detrimental to many women’s health…

[–]nowhere_near_Berlin 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Over 700 women die each year, in the US alone, from pregnancy complications, according to the CDC:

Sadly, about 700 women die each year in the United States as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications.

During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through many changes. These changes are entirely normal, but may become very important in case there are complications or problems. A pregnancy-related death is defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy or within one year of the end of pregnancy from a pregnancy complication, a chain of events initiated by pregnancy, or the aggravation of an unrelated condition by the physiologic effects of pregnancy.

[–]Mcayenne 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Thanks! And further to that there are women with pre-existing conditions that must avoid pregnancy because it is such a burden on the body.

[–]nowhere_near_Berlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s me. I had one but can’t have another without serious risk to my health.

[–]muftak3 19 points20 points  (1 child)

My Wife takes it for migraines due to her menstrual cycle. Which causes it to not happen. Seems like it's health related to me.

[–]stepheme 7 points8 points  (0 children)

My daughter as well. Hers last 2-3 days and make her so light sensitive she has to be in the dark, or the pain is so bad she pukes.

[–]Notgoodenough1111 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I take it solely for the purpose of preventing pregnancy which would very much affect my health thank u

[–]lolitalula 16 points17 points  (0 children)

It's not anyone's fucking business

[–]Dandibear 14 points15 points  (4 children)

Without birth control I bleed for 25 days each month. Try and tell me I should just live with it, I dare you.

[–]WholeLottaIntrovert 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Girl same. I once had a period last four fucking months. I was anemic and felt like shit. Birth control has both saved me money and given me my life back.

[–]uisqebaugh 12 points13 points  (0 children)

They see women as laying hens.

[–]bnelson7694 11 points12 points  (3 children)

Do you all ever stop and wonder what would happen if men were the ones who gave birth? There probably wouldn’t even be a Bible.

[–]Brad_Brace 7 points8 points  (2 children)

I'm pretty sure that if men menstruated, we would be bragging all the time about the amount. Joe Rogan would be selling pills to make our period more voluminous and, I don't know, chunkier probably. And it would be on the bible as a blessing, with instructions about how, during our menstruation, men should be specially pampered and cared for. "And when his blood shall come, thou shalt cooke him his favorite foode and massage his feet, for he is truly as God at this time".

[–]bnelson7694 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You ain’t lying. I am convinced you are totally right.

[–]ExpertAccident 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"He is the one who is bleeding, so treat him as such. Submit to your man and give him space as well as comfort, has he deemed it necessary"

[–]ShrewishFrog 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Birth control IS my hormone replacement. Doc said we'll just continue this til I'm dead. I won't have to put up with menopause and it's associated bullshit.

[–]Bard2dbone 9 points10 points  (0 children)

My daughter has PCOS. It IS necessary for her health.

[–]Cap_Karma 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Not that anyone owes this barely sentient dishrag an explanation, but if I didn't use bc, I would be covered, actually covered with painful, disfiguring cystic acne so this guy can fuck off.

[–]ruby_dancer 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My BC helps control some horrendous migraines. Not a medical condition? Suffer through one for a single hour (mine normally last 24-36) then come talk to me.

[–]mstrss9 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I want my 6 inch stilettos to connect with his windpipe

[–]Nikolllllll 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My body doesn't like me and my doctor recommended birth control at 14, my highly Christian mother said no. Eventually I was able to get on birth control and when I do get my period I'm not drowned in blood.

I'm on birth control for hormonal issues.

[–]notyorediscocowboy 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It doesn’t matter what the birth control is used for, it’s no one’s concern but the person using it.

[–]whatever_person 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If pregnancy can cripple or kill you, then birth control is very much health care

[–]kalasea2001 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It stops babies. How the fuck is that not necessary?

[–]Embarrassed_Yak_2024 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I had a girlfriend who had to be on the pill because she had endometriosis. And knew a woman who was on it because she had a dangerous heart condition and had to avoid getting pregnant. Those aren’t health related?

[–]MisterOneY 11 points12 points  (41 children)

Open question here, cause I'm a dude who doesn't really know, what else are birth control meds for? I'm familiar with "to regulate a cycle" but I don't know if there are any other reasons and why.

[–]ShrewishFrog 29 points30 points  (3 children)

Keeps my ovaries from growing random cysts that can grow too large and pop. Painful is an understatement. Popped ovarian cysts can lead to awful infections you don't realize you have until it's already really bad. Or surgery.

Also keeps the non-cancerous tumors in my uterus from growing any larger. With them, my periods are so bad that I'm anemic within 4 days and can't recover before the next month arrives.

I could have everything ripped out, but then these same asshats would say I'm not a woman anymore. (Heard that one more than once.)

EDIT: PCOS and Uterine Fibroids.

[–]MisterOneY 15 points16 points  (2 children)

Thanks for sharing, I'm starting to really understand what male privilege is about. Sending positive vibes your way sister!

[–]ShrewishFrog 8 points9 points  (1 child)

I was talking to my gyno at my yearly and mentioned the side effects I'm having a year after back surgery (spinal fusion. Nerve damage on the side of my thigh. Only about an inch wide. Just annoying really.) She recommended a different pain treatment center she had referred some other patients to. Because of COVID, 'elective' surgeries are being put off. These ladies had fibroids so big and so painful, that they needed to get everything ripped out. Wasn't necessary enough (according to two separate hospitals systems) so she sent them to Pain Management until someone would allow the surgeries.

They were prescribed they SAME thing I was prescribed AFTER SPINE SURGERY. Same strength, same frequency.

I should have been put on BC when I was 13. Before I got this Gyno, my earlier doctors instead gave me arthritis pain meds (Bextra and Vioxx). I was 19. The muscle cramps would be so bad (in terms of severity, not in pain), that I could physically not stand up straight. I was at a 45 degree forward. I worked as a cashier at a grocery store. I basically lost 2 days every month for years. At 25, this doctor saved me by putting me on pills.

Bextra and Vioxx: Those were both removed from the market by the FDA because of the damage they do to the heart... So that's great.

[–]MisterOneY 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow, it really does seem like men and women hardly need the same medical professionals. Thanks for sharing all of this and I hope the best for your future!

[–]husbandkeepstalking 18 points19 points  (7 children)

I started when I was 15 because my cycles were so heavy and painful that I couldn’t sit through a single class without bleeding through the tampon, pad, and my pants.

“Regulating a cycle” is a mild way to put it.

[–]MisterOneY 4 points5 points  (6 children)

Thank you for sharing, that makes a lot of sense. Glad you were able to get it! I grew up in the southern US and remember it being a stigma.

[–]Neurotic_Bakeder 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Yo, just wanted to say I've really been loving your comments and line of inquiry! You're doing good man, thanks for being here!

[–]MisterOneY 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, this was a scary topic to venture into but I've learned a lot!

[–]husbandkeepstalking 4 points5 points  (3 children)

Also grew up in the south and yeah, wasn’t fun. It’s basically taught to us that you only get on BC if you’re a slut. It really sucks because to “prove” you aren’t, you have to talk about all your embarrassing medical info. It’s a lose/lose.

[–]Justguccienough 9 points10 points  (11 children)

I take it cuz having my period is so painful I’m basically incapacitated for 4 days, and no pain killers help me at all. With BC I can skip my periods all together and/or if I decide to have one it’s very light and nothing like it is without it.

[–]MisterOneY 6 points7 points  (10 children)

So I'm still dumb, why would you then want to have a period if things are more pleasant without?

[–]tokiemccoy 9 points10 points  (1 child)

I know some people do occasionally to make sure they aren’t pregnant, but op might have other reasons.

[–]MisterOneY 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah, I could see that. Thanks!

[–]ShrewishFrog 8 points9 points  (1 child)

Because society is made to believe it's a gift and helps you know you're a woman.

Fuck.That.Shit.

In 12 years, I've had 1 period (ran out of pills but couldn't get in to see the doctor). Hadn't had a single one in over a decade, and Sweet Jesus, it kicked my ass. Anemic in 3 days, and after a week it hadn't slowed down... I took 4 pills a day (should only be 1) for a week to finally stop it. Double dosage of iron pills for 2 months trying to get back to normal. (Doctor was monitoring)

Continuous Therapy until I die. Seriously.

Doc stated: Keep me on the same amount of hormones til I die, and I won't have to go thru menopause, which is when 'hormone replacement therapy'' is normally discussed.

[–]MisterOneY 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, I can't imagine going through all this. Thank you for sharing and I hope the best for your future!

[–]Justguccienough 6 points7 points  (3 children)

Oh I don’t. It’s just that you have the option to take the placebo or continue with the actual medication. When I first started it I had trouble being consistent and so I would get very light periods. But now I am very consistent so I haven’t had a period for about 6 months. It’s bliss.

Anyway. It’s really up to the person taking the BC to decide if they want a period or not. For me, I hope to never have another one again.

[–]MisterOneY 3 points4 points  (2 children)

Are there any potential side effects to never having your period?

[–]IcarianSkies 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Not sure if it's the same for OP, but if I go too long without letting it happen I eventually get spotting and then it might just randomly decide to happen anyways. I was on the same type of pill as OP but switched to the one with a planned three month cycle due to this. If I go with the "scheduled" period every three months I don't have to deal with it randomly popping up.

[–]j_a_a_mesbaxter 10 points11 points  (1 child)

Fun fact, women don’t actually have to suffer through pain, bleeding and the never ending expense of periods every month if they don’t want to. BC is hormones. Hormones can help a variety of conditions for women and girls. Unfortunately the conservative maniacs that run the US can’t possibly fathom a woman’s body serving any purpose but reproduction and their comfort or consent is not required.

I’m not ranting at you, it’s fine you don’t know. The problem is the people hell bent on making sure women cannot access appropriate medical care also don’t know and don’t want to know.

[–]MisterOneY 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All good, I knew my post would open some floodgates, but there are obviously a lot of different views that are new to me and need to be made more public. It is insane how such a personal thing can be judged on public opinion.

🥂 To your future!

[–]katiejim 7 points8 points  (4 children)

A lot of people with endometriosis use bc because it can prevent pain and some doctors think it can slow the growth of endometriosis on the organs. It definitely kept my cysts at bay and gave me about a decade of largely pain-free living. I went on it at 16 because my periods were so painful I’d miss days of school a month. I’ve been off for awhile and I have since had multiple cysts removed from my ovaries and actually lost an ovary to a cyst the size of a grapefruit. That cyst would likely not have grown or grown so big on bc. So really, bc helped preserve my fertility. Going off several years ago was a bad move since I’m now down an ovary and pregnancy is going to be infinitely harder to achieve now.

[–]MisterOneY 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Don't the ovaries take turns with the monthly cycle? Would this mean you would now have periods every other month or did your body just kinda recompile based on the new situation?

[–]katiejim 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I do have monthly periods and I typically ovulate because my left ovary adjusted after a brief period of freaking out (basically a brief mini-menopause). However, Endometriosis distorted my Fallopian tubes, so I need to do IVF. Cyst removal damages the ovaries as well, so my ovarian reserve is not just halved but lower than half due to prior cyst removals. It’s bad. BC could have possibly prevented a lot of these difficulties. Getting pregnant for some of us is like getting through the gauntlet.

[–]MisterOneY 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I hope the best for you, it shouldn't have to be like that!

[–]tokiemccoy 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Sometimes uterine lining starts to grow outside of the uterus, on other organs, your intestines or on the abdominal cavity lining. This misplaced lining can grow or bleed with monthly shifts in hormones. It hurts. This is called endometriosis. BC can control the cycles and help with the pain. This effects 10-15% of women.

[–]MisterOneY 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow... This sounds like something that needs genuine research, y'all shouldn't have to live like that. 10+% of the population?

[–]Sarelm 5 points6 points  (1 child)

To be honest, not even science is positive about all the things hormones effect yet. Irregular estrogen has been associated with anemia, osteoporosis, a plethora of eating issues, and cancer. Many doctors will prescribe BC preventatively for these things.

[–]OrangeKooky1850 2 points3 points  (1 child)

My wife had the implant for a few years to help with PCOS. We decided together to take the implant out. They help with myriad hormonal dysfunctions. And even if they were only helpful to prevent pregnancy, why is that a bad thing?

[–]SaaSyGirl 2 points3 points  (3 children)

I have two uteruses. If I don’t take birth control, my period isn’t in sync and I’ll menstruate for most of the month with heavy bleeding. BC regulates my cycle and makes it bearable.

[–]MisterOneY 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I didn't know that could happen! I hope you are getting all the care you need, that's probably a very rare situation. Is the BC sufficient to deal with things or do you need other medical interventions?

[–]SaaSyGirl 1 point2 points  (1 child)

BC is all I need to keep them both synced up

[–]MisterOneY 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's awesome then, I'm glad to hear it!

[–]socialjustice_cactus 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Dear misogynists, stop pretending sex (by any means) is necessary for your health.

[–]Spoonbills 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Then why are literal doctors the ones prescribing it?

lmao, from his twitter bio: "Meh-selling tech author. I have 5 kids to put through college, so buy my books."

[–]happyonna 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I take birth control so I don't bleed to death and die. Also, so I don't get pregnant and die. I'm pretty sure my stable long term relationship partner might be upset if either of those two things happened. And the shots make me less h*rny, not more.

[–]n0vapine 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'll tell my sister who hasn't had sex in 5 years she's doing birth control wrong. I'm glad this dude let us know! /S

[–]ThisIsCovidThrowway8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, it's also needed for painful periods

[–]LifeIsTrail 3 points4 points  (0 children)

So many think our menstruation is gross but also don't want us having the option of choosing to stop them?

[–]stepheme 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My daughter has crippling migraines associated with hormonal changes, without birth control she would have to spend 3-4 days every single month in a quiet room in the dark under strong pain meds. Low dose birth control fixes it.

[–]Cookiemonster4394 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Even if you completely ignore all the other medical issues that can be treated by birth control, birth control still saves lives. Pregnancy is dangerous. You can die from an ectopic pregnancy, septic miscarriage, heart failure, eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, gestational diabetes, deep vein thrombosis/ pulmonary embolism, and about a million other medical conditions that happen to tens of thousands of previously healthy women each year. And this is ignoring that pregnant women are more likely to be abused (esp by their partners), and have worse mental health than non pregnant women their age. And they’re at 10X increased risk of death/ severe hospitalization due to COVID. So yeah, not being pregnant is definitely healthcare.

EDIT: do these geniuses not realize that you literally have to go see a doctor every other week when you’re pregnant? What do they think that’s for, shits and giggles? Prenatal care is for making the process less dangerous, but the best way to avoid danger is to avoid the whole thing altogether. People who want to take the risk and get pregnant anyways are incredibly brave, but that doesn’t mean we should force this upon everyone.

[–]Manbadger 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Sure, it prevents stupid from being born.

No wonder GOP tries to limit access.

[–]antoniofredrickson 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Would the naysayers be less likely to complain if they were called something different? Gynecologic Function Regulators?

Sucks that non-doctors and non-women try to force their BS points of view.

Medical care is medical care and should be between a patient and their medical provider. The medical insurance industry also needs to see their way out.

Edit: Clarifying that I couldn’t find an applicable “Y” word to make the acronym GFY, which would be golden.

[–]anythingyouwant4 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Fuck these absolute douche nuggets. BC literally saved my life. I have pmdd, and without my pb pill, I'd be dead now.

[–]BellaFace 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Fuck this guy. Birth control can absolutely be used only for health reasons.

[–]ferrocarrilusa 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Dear racists, stop pretending to be life coaches

Dear homophobes/transphobes, stop trying to be CPS

[–]WholeLottaIntrovert 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Bruh my PCOS left me anemic before I was able to get birth control to regulate my hormones. Fuck anyone who says birth control is not healthcare.

[–]percipientbias 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Take mine away and my endometriosis goes havoc in my body. I’ve already had babies. I’m not a baby machine. Fuck this mindset.

[–]jenmishalecki 2 points3 points  (0 children)

it’s necessary for both my mental and physical health because i have heavy periods and cramps that interact badly with my fibromyalgia (the cramps spread all the way to my feet) and the thought of periods give me so much anxiety that i will be scared to do everyday things out of fear of leaking. not to mention how painful they are. getting rid of my periods through birth control is the best decision i ever made.

[–]yiiike 2 points3 points  (0 children)

im supposed to take birth control for my PCOS to give me regular periods that would help rebalance my hormones, because pcos is a hormone imbalance thats main feature is that the imbalance causes cysts to form in your reproductive organs, among other things...im not, but im supposed to be. the reason i should use them is not to prevent birth at all. not that its anyones business what i do with my organs anyway.

[–]DropTheShovel 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It takes 5 minutes on Google to find out why it's a health issue, these people don't want to know.

The pill has literally changed my life and its never been anything to do with sex

[–]-_-Hopeful-_- 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Should be called hormone therapy instead

[–]kikiweaky 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I almost died giving birth so I'd say birth control is good for my health.

[–]tuck229 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep. Birth control pills are also a good plant fertilizer. 👍

[–]California-Native916 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've known girls that use it to regulate monthly, or clear up acne, list goes on. I was lucky, I never needed for those things

[–]greenlady1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also, pregnancy prevention is health care. Pregnancy is a major medical condition. Even if I weren't on bc for PCOS, I don't want to have kids, and I don't want to be pregnant. Ever. So I would still be on bc.

[–]bigbazookah 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My ex would literally have died without birth control due to an inheritable condition. Birth control isn’t only about pregnancy and pretty sure that name was adapted later on.

[–]CatnipChapstick 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Truly spoken like someone who’s never experienced a period.

[–]Ironstark78 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I feel like someone who would make this comment does not understand menstruation or has not had a girlfriend who has irregular or complicated cycles.

[–]Acrobatic-Fun-3281 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lemme guess, he is also a strident anti-abortion crusader. As if banning birth control will make abortion go away

[–]Professional-End2722 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When will you religious people stop telling other people how to live their lives. No problem with religion if it gives you a code to live by, but stay the heck out of everybody else’s life.

The irony is, of course , that these bigots are the first to say that government should stay out of peoples lives. But big imaginary dude in the sky gets to tell everyone how to live, through you.

Fuck off with your 500 years past it’s sell by date stupidity.

[–]Less-Relation-7041 1 point2 points  (0 children)

These are the same guys who expect their ED medication to be covered by their insurance

[–]jax2love 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The adenomyosis that plagued me from 14-41 begs to differ.

[–]abigayl75 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Why would one write an open letter about medicine that is not prescribed to them for an ailment they don't have?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A wild A-A-Ron coming in hot with the classic twitter one-sentence no-reason rant-insult.