My Fear of Being Unprotected
I'm about to talk about periods and female contraception, strap in.
If you don't like to read about women's contraception and periods, then I suggest you stop here and wait for my next post.
Or, head on over to one of my earlier posts if you aren't yet up to date.
I have been on contraception since I was 18!
My reason for going on to contraception wasn't due to sex or protection, I was advised to go on the pill in order to ease my periods. They were heavy and long and my God, they were painful. I dreaded my 'time of the month' and so I went on the pill.
I didn't ask any real questions, I just wanted a quick fix and that is what the pill gave me.
I was on the pill from the age of 18 to the age of 25 until I started to go travelling. That's when I decided to go on something more longer term, enter the mirena coil.
5 Years of Bliss
For 5 years I have had the mirena coil in and I have loved it. I was very sceptical about having it in as you can never really know how your body will react. I planned on giving it 6 months and then deciding whether to keep it in or not.
From the minute it did go in, it has been great! I have not had a period in nearly 5 years, I haven't had any cramps or discomfort either.
But, in the past 6 months I have started to wake up to the possible long term impact of this.
Women are starting to wake up to the realisation that society has placed an expectation on us to be on contraception and that is not ok!
5 years without a period is NOT good for my body, despite how much I have loved being without them. Could there be a long term impact? Who knows!
My biggest fear!
I have made the decision to come off female contraception and stay that way. Not because I am planning on having children, but because my body should be allowed to do what it needs.
That does leave me a bit freaked out! Since about the age of 11, women have it drummed into us that we have to protect ourselves from pregnancy and it is solely our responsibility,
So having full trust in male contraception freaks me out, I'm not going to lie. I've never known how to track or 'manage' my menstrual cycle, so I have a huge learning curve ahead of me.
Plus, I haven't had a period in 5 years so having my first one of those may or may not be fun.
Calling for help!
If you are a woman who has been through the same journey as me and now you are off contraception, I would love to hear your tips and advice. What helped you? What have you learnt? And any tips on how to make the transition easier!
Now,
Turnanewpage x
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