If you live in a soon to be illegal state - PSA

[pixy0stix]

Delete your period tracking ap. The data is not safe and can be used against you.

www.npr.org/2022/05/10/1097482967/roe-v-wade-supreme-court-abortion-period-apps

[eddy]

Deleted it this afternoon.

Which really sucks. I have very painful periods and I use it to prepare myself for being down for the count. I can do that manually, but my app was a huge help.

[TamiTaylor]

As someone with ADD this is a huge issue for me to have to delete. I can’t ever remember without the app reminding me.

[biscoffcookies]

Also: make sure you have opted out of sharing your location with the Internet-based apps you use (Facebook, Google, Snapchat, etc). They collect and retain PRECISE location data, in some cases even when you are not using the app.

Even better: turn off location services on your phone entirely (although that does disable some functions). And I would 100% turn off location services for any particular period of time where you may be engaged in activity that you may wish not to become known to other people for whatever reason. (Even safer: leave your phone at home or turn it off entirely if you have it with you.)

If you have an iPhone and don't want to fully disable location services, at least disable "significant locations." You can do this through the settings menu: Settings--> Privacy --> Location Services --> System Services [scroll all the way down] --> Significant Locations. If you don't, then your Apple phone collects and keeps records of where you were and when. (This isn't transmitted to Apple, so you are safe there, but police could obtain it if they have a warrant to search your phone -- they have tools now that can unlock/decrypt iPhones so that they can execute those searches.)

If you use Google for anything (you have an Android phone or use any Google app), log into your Google account and (1) disable Location History AND Web and App Activity and (2) delete any Location History or Web and App Activity that they have already collected. Location History is precise location information from your phone (i.e. GPS); Web and App Activity is more inferred location information. Google will keep this UNLESS AND UNTIL you delete it, even if you turn off future collection.

These are things that I would recommend even in the Before Times, but it is even more important now.

Signed, a lawyer who used to be a prosecutor specializing in electronic evidence

[pixy0stix]

It's amazing the expertise we have here.

[basilosaurus]

When I got the b&bs talk at age 7 no one envisioned an envision be any anything but teach a motherless girl what she should know (yeah, they said it that way). Now I'd have to talk give a talk told you that tracking your cycle might be a crime? 

So, government, tell me how to analyze my 13 day days, my 40 days. You must know better than I.

[basilosaurus]

biscoffcookies, I turn off anything I can. I abhor anything that require an app. F u to apple, facebook, etc. But, an app that basically requires only my calendar that I manually input? How awful is that?

[cattledogkisses]

This is so dystopian.

[Deleted]

Sorry for the slight change of subject, but I am terrified of contraception going away, and wondering if I should switch from the pill back to an IUD. One of the longer IUDs might get me close enough to menopause….maybe? I’m only 41 though, and Mirena only lasts 7 years….

If they ban contraception, they can’t force me to remove an IUD I already have, right?

[isabel]

Jun 25, 2022 9:40:46 GMT -5 @villainv said:

Sorry for the slight change of subject, but I am terrified of contraception going away, and wondering if I should switch from the pill back to an IUD. One of the longer IUDs might get me close enough to menopause….maybe? I’m only 41 though, and Mirena only lasts 7 years….

If they ban contraception, they can’t force me to remove an IUD I already have, right?

I texted two good friends who are single and told them they both better get an IUD right now if they don’t already have one. I will encourage you and everyone else here to do the same.

I had a tubal done several years ago, but if permanent sterilization is something you’ve seriously considered I’m encouraging that too. I truly believe there will come a day when procedures like that are limited or have hoops you have to jump through (more than they already do).

Contraception is not safe from these people.

[abs]

This thread is giving me panic attacks.

@@@@

I cannot believe I live in a world where my daughter may not be able to get birth control pills if she wants/needs them. I just can’t.

Someone tell me this is just a nightmare.

[Deleted]

Another suggestion I read was to decline to provide the date of your last period for any medical procedure that doesn’t strictly require it (ie: fertility procedures). I always put “unknown” because I honestly don’t remember (I take BCP continuously, and before that had an IUD, and before that was pregnant and miscarried…it’s been the better part of a decade since I had an actual period), and it’s never been an issue.

I’ve never been denied a radiology procedure because of this, and for surgeries they always make me take a pregnancy test anyway (true story — a friend of mine, who is a lesbian, was forced to reschedule an elective surgery because they ran out of urine pregnancy tests, wouldn’t do a blood test, and wouldn’t believe her that there was no way she could be pregnant).

[cattledogkisses]

I’m going to talk with my doctor about sterilization. Entrusting my health and future to my state remaining blue feels like too much of a gamble. And will be useless if federal legislation is passed anyway.

[litskispeciality]

@cattledogsandkisses


@@@@@

I wonder if they'll go after hysterectomies at some point too? They're hard enough to get now, at what point will they say it's only allowed when medically necessary? How do you define that as they really fight you to wait because "you'll want (more) kids" it's infuriating.

Anyway I wish you luck that you get what you need, with an easy recovery.

[Bernadine]

Jun 25, 2022 10:23:41 GMT -5 cattledogkisses said:

I’m going to talk with my doctor about sterilization. Entrusting my health and future to my state remaining blue feels like too much of a gamble. And will be useless if federal legislation is passed anyway.

Same. Ugh.

[wambam]

Reminder: Childfree Reddit has compiled a doctor list organized by state with doctors willing to perform sterilization procedures. My own doctor is on this list.

FWIW, I had a bilateral salpingectomy in 2018 and it was the biggest nothingburger of my life. I am an open book so AMA.

https://www.reddit.com/r/childfree/comments/uhhk6f/megathread_doctors_lists_and_sterilization_info

[waverly]

wambam, what is that procedure is my first question?

I need BC pills for my PMDD so … I’m screwed if they mess with BC.

[wanderingback]

Jun 25, 2022 12:14:42 GMT -5 waverly said:

wambam, what is that procedure is my first question?

I need BC pills for my PMDD so … I’m screwed if they mess with BC.

Removal of the fallopian tubes.

[waverly]

I don’t believe I can get an IUD because I am allergic to nickel. I have a strong feeling that it would be a problem for me. But yeah I should probably look into something permanent. My state is blue but that will only last until the next R is elected.

[isabel]

Jun 25, 2022 12:21:48 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Jun 25, 2022 12:14:42 GMT -5 waverly said:

wambam, what is that procedure is my first question?

I need BC pills for my PMDD so … I’m screwed if they mess with BC.

Removal of the fallopian tubes.

waverly, as opposed to other procedures, tube removal also has the added benefit of significantly reducing the risk of ovarian cancer.

[isabel]

Jun 25, 2022 10:44:37 GMT -5 litskispeciality said:

@cattledogsandkisses


@@@@@

I wonder if they'll go after hysterectomies at some point too? They're hard enough to get now, at what point will they say it's only allowed when medically necessary? How do you define that as they really fight you to wait because "you'll want (more) kids" it's infuriating.

Anyway I wish you luck that you get what you need, with an easy recovery.

I 100% believe they will go after this too.

@
A friend of mine who doesn’t know if she wants kids and is single is seriously considering it. She’s in Texas.

[wambam]

Jun 25, 2022 12:14:42 GMT -5 waverly said:

wambam, what is that procedure is my first question?

I need BC pills for my PMDD so … I’m screwed if they mess with BC.

Complete removal of both tubes. It’s more common than tubal ligation now. In addition to being as effective birth control as you can get, it also reduces risk of ovarian cancer.

[TR]

Jun 25, 2022 13:55:09 GMT -5 isabel said:

Jun 25, 2022 12:21:48 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Removal of the fallopian tubes.

waverly, as opposed to other procedures, tube removal also has the added benefit of significantly reducing the risk of ovarian cancer.

I did not know this! My mom has been on me to have my ovaries removed because of my cousin (she had genetic testing and there wasn’t a genetic link, my mom’s just freaked out) and I have no desire to go through early menopause, but I didn’t know that just removing the tubes could reduce the risk.

[litskispeciality]

My friend had her tubes removed in her mid 30's and has been fine since. I luckily had a hysterectomy just about 2 months ago that included tube removal, and I'm fully back to work and most restrictions removed. I would recommend the tube removal, and hope you all have enough sick time to stay out long enough to fully recover, rather than I'm just well enough to work. Overall though I think it's supposed to be an *easy* recovery within about a month.

[wambam]

Jun 25, 2022 16:31:52 GMT -5 turbo said:

Jun 25, 2022 14:09:10 GMT -5 wambam said:

Complete removal of both tubes. It’s more common than tubal ligation now. In addition to being as effective birth control as you can get, it also reduces risk of ovarian cancer.

Okay so dumb question but - what does the procedure entail? You’re put under, I assume? How long did it take? What was recovery like?

I was going to have my tubes removed with my second C/S but then wasn’t 100% sure I was done with kids. I am 100% sure now. My H has a vasectomy and I live in a very blue state but somehow that still doesn’t feel like enough right now.

Yes, you are completely out. It’s laparoscopic, two incisions on either side and one through the belly button. They cut your Fallopian tubes completely out and cauterize on either side. It usually takes less than an hour. Mine took a little more than that because she removed endometriosis while she was in there.

Recovery was very easy for me. I had surgery on Friday. On Sunday, I walked my dog and went to Costco. I could’ve gone to work Monday but I already took the day off so I stayed home. On Wednesday, I went to yoga. By one week, I felt totally normal save for some irritation at my incisions. I wore running clothes to my 2 week follow up appointment because I couldn’t wait to run! I never needed narcotics - RX strength ibuprofen was plenty.

[isabel]

Jun 25, 2022 15:12:23 GMT -5 TR said:

Jun 25, 2022 13:55:09 GMT -5 isabel said:

waverly , as opposed to other procedures, tube removal also has the added benefit of significantly reducing the risk of ovarian cancer.

I did not know this! My mom has been on me to have my ovaries removed because of my cousin (she had genetic testing and there wasn’t a genetic link, my mom’s just freaked out) and I have no desire to go through early menopause, but I didn’t know that just removing the tubes could reduce the risk.

Yep. When I asked my doctor for a "tubal" she recommended a salpingectomy, as opposed to ligation, because of that risk reduction. She said it's really all she does now because of that.

I would seriously consider it if I were you given where you live. Just remove the risk entirely.

[kiminky]

I apologize ahead of time for my ignorance on this subject. My daughter has had the arm implant for birth control, also taken bc pills, had an IUD and now has the ring. I am not very knowledgeable on all of the types b/c I have only ever taken bc pills. My daughter is not capable of remembering to take the pills daily and did not like the IUD. I have concerns about the ring because of so many factors-proper insertion, remembering to change it, pick up prescription, etc. Ny daughter insists the arm implant caused her to gain weight. Is that a common side effect? Is there more than one brand/implant option?

[wanderingback]

Jun 25, 2022 23:12:54 GMT -5 kiminky said:

I apologize ahead of time for my ignorance on this subject. My daughter has had the arm implant for birth control, also taken bc pills, had an IUD and now has the ring. I am not very knowledgeable on all of the types b/c I have only ever taken bc pills. My daughter is not capable of remembering to take the pills daily and did not like the IUD. I have concerns about the ring because of so many factors-proper insertion, remembering to change it, pick up prescription, etc. Ny daughter insists the arm implant caused her to gain weight. Is that a common side effect? Is there more than one brand/implant option?

In the US and Canada no there is not is not another arm implant. In other countries there is a different option.

As far as side effects go, I’ve pretty much heard people attribute everything under the sun to their contraceptive method. I of course believe them and tell them their options of continuing with current option if side effect isn’t too bad, switching to another option or stopping current option all together and seeing what happens. Weight gain with the arm implant isn’t something I hear a ton of from my patients, but it’s definitely been reported. So I would let your daughter decide what she wants to do.

As an fyi there is no proper or incorrect way to insert the ring as long as it’s in the vagina. The medicine is absorbed through the vaginal mucous membranes so as long as the ring is in the vagina it is effective.

There are other options like the patch and depo. So if she wants to be on another method she should definitely talk to her doctor and discuss what is important to her and what side effects she wants to avoid.

[kiminky]

Jun 26, 2022 0:22:57 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Jun 25, 2022 23:12:54 GMT -5 kiminky said:

I apologize ahead of time for my ignorance on this subject. My daughter has had the arm implant for birth control, also taken bc pills, had an IUD and now has the ring. I am not very knowledgeable on all of the types b/c I have only ever taken bc pills. My daughter is not capable of remembering to take the pills daily and did not like the IUD. I have concerns about the ring because of so many factors-proper insertion, remembering to change it, pick up prescription, etc. Ny daughter insists the arm implant caused her to gain weight. Is that a common side effect? Is there more than one brand/implant option?

In the US and Canada no there is not is not another arm implant. In other countries there is a different option.

As far as side effects go, I’ve pretty much heard people attribute everything under the sun to their contraceptive method. I of course believe them and tell them their options of continuing with current option if side effect isn’t too bad, switching to another option or stopping current option all together and seeing what happens. Weight gain with the arm implant isn’t something I hear a ton of from my patients, but it’s definitely been reported. So I would let your daughter decide what she wants to do.

As an fyi there is no proper or incorrect way to insert the ring as long as it’s in the vagina. The medicine is absorbed through the vaginal mucous membranes so as long as the ring is in the vagina it is effective.

There are other options like the patch and depo. So if she wants to be on another method she should definitely talk to her doctor and discuss what is important to her and what side effects she wants to avoid.

Thank you for this information.

[wildrice]

Jun 25, 2022 15:12:23 GMT -5 TR said:

Jun 25, 2022 13:55:09 GMT -5 isabel said:

waverly , as opposed to other procedures, tube removal also has the added benefit of significantly reducing the risk of ovarian cancer.

I did not know this! My mom has been on me to have my ovaries removed because of my cousin (she had genetic testing and there wasn’t a genetic link, my mom’s just freaked out) and I have no desire to go through early menopause, but I didn’t know that just removing the tubes could reduce the risk.

I had 1 ovary removed and both tubes. I still get my period, and have the rest of my reproductive organs, but my ovarian cancer risk is very low now since I only have half of my ovaries anyway AND the risk to the remaining one is lowered. I had the one ovary removed because it was suspicious on a PET scan (even though the doctor thought it was probably fine and said we could just keep an eye on it if I wanted) but since I'm not having kids and have a history of breast cancer in my family, I figured the fewer unnecessary reproductive organs I have, the better. 

Believe it or not, I actually had it done at a Catholic hospital at age 39! He said he's wasn't allowed to do it just for birth control, but to lower cancer risk was allowable. 

ETA: I lost my train of thought, lol, but I'm sharing that to say that maybe what I had is an option for you? As far as I can tell it hasn't impacted my body in any way other than slightly heavier periods, but mine were super light to begin with so I can't complain. I feel no different and it definitely didn't put me into early menopause.