New Information and updates

Alright, first an update an update on Nexplanon:
My spotting and bleeding from the mini pill has completely stopped!
I had a scary looking bruise the next day, but it was nothing I wasn't expecting.
They put the rod slightly higher in my arm this time. Before, I would have to look in a mirror to see the poking edge, but now I can see and feel it without any adjustments. Strange how much different it after only 5 years!

Second is some possibly helpful info for anyone taking the Mini Pill:

For the past 2 to 3 months, I've been having pain during sex. Right near the opening and sometimes on the left side of my vaginal wall. At first, I thought it might be a lack of foreplay. My boyfriend and I have been together for almost 2 years and sometimes we just wanna bang without all the teasing and such, which I think is totally normal. Usually, I have no problem with this, but lately it's been painful and I'll be sore after.

So, I told my boyfriend about it and we did some legit foreplay, but still, there was pain, especially during missionary. It seems to be less painful/not at all painful when I'm on top though. I finally wised up and thought maybe this was something to tell my doctor. The answer surprised me and yet, also made me feel better. At first I thought for sure I had an infection, but my pap came back clear. This is the outline of what he said:

The Mini Pill (PCPs) can cause painful sex because it thins the lining of the vaginal mucosa. He said this would most likely go away now that I have Nexplanon because the hormones are so much lower. Generally what they suggest is rubbing coconut oil around the opening to help heal the area, as well as using it before sex. If that doesn't help, then I'll have to come back in 2 to 3 months to rule out any infection.

Crazy, right?!?! Also, I had no idea that BC could cause painful sex! That would have been good to know. Luckily there are solutions and I've already fixed the possible cause. I also thought putting any kind of oil near or in your vagina was not good vagina care. I guess coconut oil really is the miracle that Pinterest says it is. If that isn't enough, my favorite sex guru endorses it, so that seals the deal for me.

Speaking of my favorite sex guru, Emily Nagoski, I am going to shamelessly plug her awesome book, Come As You Are!! This book will change your life and completely shake up everything you know about women's sexual desire. If you aren't sure about committing to a book ( highly recommend the audio book), you can watch her Ted Talk, listen to her Podcast, listen to her on Sex Nerd Sandra's podcast (Sex Nerd Sandra is another favorite of mine), or check out her blog, The Dirty Normal

I'm more than a little obsessed with her..... Her work made me realize that I should have gone to grad school for sex research instead of Library and Information Science! But, I don't want to go back to school, so maybe in another life.

Full circle, confusion, and hope

I can't believe I'm typing this, but I just got Nexplanon. Yes, my birth control journey has all come full circle.

Why? Well, I started spotting and cramping a lot on the mini pill. I'd get PMS and spotting every week or so and I knew something was up.

I went to the gyno, and along with some more conflicting information, I got some very valuable information:

1. On the mini pill, sometimes the lining of your uterus gets too thin and you start spotting because of that. This can be resolved by taking a break for 3 to 7 days from the pill and then starting it again.

2. Lamictal and the mini pill do not interact AT ALL!!! Neither one lowers the effectiveness of the other. This completely conflicts with what I was told at this same doctor's office but with a different doctor! I was told the mini pill was dangerous because lamictal could make me metabolize it faster, making it even less effective than it already is. 

NOT TRUE according to this doctor!!

Another reason why is that I found out I have Hashimoto Thyroiditis, which makes it real hard to lose weight! Maybe birth control does make it harder to lose weight, but you should still be able to lose a pound or two. I haven't been able to lose one pound, even through Whole30, Weight Watchers, and regular interval exercise. 

Since the reason I got it out in the first place was weight gain, I figured well I'm not losing weight now either so maybe it wasn't the birth control. 

Let me also say that insertion was a FUCKING BREEZE!!!! It took no time at all and the stinging for the numbing shot was way more tolerable. I was so impressed. My arm is barely tender, I keep forgetting I even got it today.

Anyway, I keep hoping for the day they release Vasagel, the male birth control. I won't have to worry anymore. Until then, I have a plastic rod in my arm that will last for 5 years and a new hope for weight loss once I get my thyroid medication.

It's the small victories! Also, so many people now have the rod that I don't know if this blog is even that needed anymore. But it's therapeutic to me and also, it's for those ladies out there taking Lamictal and feel overwhelmed by all the conflicting info. I hope this blog helps!