Birth Control--what a budget buster!!

[hockeyprincess]

Also... Sherry7-- I've not had any problems insterting it or it every falling out. I use tampons w/no applicators, it's no different to me than inserting one of those... sorry if that's tmi just wanted to illustrate how simple it really is... leave it in for 3 weeks, take it out, very faint period, the following Sunday instert another one for 3 weeks, repeat. LOL It's very flexible and easy to insert. Good luck with your decision!

 

[PebblesMK]

So you can use Mirena if you have had a blood clot? I had one and my doctor told me I was stuck now with either the mini-pill (which I don't do well with) or a copper IUD (side effects of heavier period are unappealing). I'll have to ask about it next time I'm in because right now, I am leaning toward Essure, just to be done with it for good. I know Essure is covered by my insurance (just pay my copay), and Mirena is not, for some reason. Essure is permanent, though, and while I'm 99% sure we are done, there's this little bit of me that doesn't want to do something so drastic yet.

I have a blood clotting disease so the pill and many others were definitely out, and having my tubes tied wasn't allowed because I had to be 28 or have 3 kids. I settled for the depo shot and honestly love it. I haven't had any of the side effects and not bleeding monthly is so fantastic! It's 66 dollars every three months so pretty reasonable. I pay out of pocket for it. Ask your doctor about it and see if it's right for you (wow, I sound like a commercial).

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I have never heard of viagra or cialis being covered by insurance. I know our insurance company will not cover it at all, even thought it is a medical condition.

I've never heard of insurance denying it around here. What I've always been told is that insurance will cover Viagra etc because it is for a diagnosed medical problem. They don't all cover birth control because it's not being used to treat a medical condition. Stupid argument, if you ask me.

As far as mail order - the mail order companies can send you refridgerated meds. My son's insulin comes shipped wrapped up in ice, and in more packaging than I can get through His last 5 vials (could fit in a Kraft Mac and Cheese container) came shipped in a HUGE shipping carton. I couldn't stop laughing when the FedEx guy leans over to pick it up like it was going to be really heavy, and found it weighed maybe 3 pounds

 

[elliemae1192]

I know oral bc is much cheaper but it makes me vomit in the first week of taking it, at least 2-3 days. (sorry, I know it's WAY TMI) I have tried different ones, BTW, lower hormones, etc. So I switched to NuvaRing and haven't had that issue, since now I'm bypassing the GI tract.

Don't know if anyone has posted this or not, but I had the same problem for years. Dr. switched me to Micronor 14 years ago when I was nursing my DD and I haven't had a problem since. Micronor (think the generic is Norethindrone) doesn't have any estrogen in it (which is why they give it to nursing mothers) which was aparently causing my problems.

He switched me to a new super low estrogen pill a few years ago thinking I could tolerate it and I was SO sick! Never again!

May be an option for you. Good luck!

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I investigated all different types of chemical birth control (The Pill, mini-pill, the shot, Nuvaring, all types of IUDs) and what I found SHOCKED me. All of them can cause a fertilized egg to be aborted. One effect of all of them is to thin the endometrium which is the lining of the uterus. This means if an egg is realeased and does get fertilized, it is unlikely to implant in the uterus. (You can read the Full Prescibing Information provided by your pharmacist or found on-line to confirm this.) Since it isn't implanted, it dies from lack of nutrition and is washed away in the next cycle.

Since I believe a fertilized egg is a baby, this was unacceptable for me. Even the chance of one of my babies starving to death was too great a risk for me.

I know not everyone will agree with me, but I wanted to put the information out there for those who might agree with me but did not know about the abortifacient properties of chemcial birth control.

Fact - at 4 days old, a zygote has 16 cells and is .0000001 of an inch in size. It has no brain, no thoughts, no heartbeat.

Starving to death is a little dramatic

To get back on topic - a Mirena IUD cost me $20 - lasts for 5 years. I used to pay $240 a year for the pill. Plus I have not had to buy a box of tampons or liners in 9 months.

 

[MomofSixinSC]

Fact - at 4 days old, a zygote has 16 cells and is .0000001 of an inch in size. It has no brain, no thoughts, no heartbeat.

Starving to death is a little dramatic

 

[kittycat9]

As for the insurance when I was on my parents insurance if they had been using my Moms BC wouldn't have been covered. She worked for a church and since they are against BC they refuse to cover it.

Of course, why am I not surprised. I second the poster quoted just below. I would go to Planned Parenthood - they provide necessary services for many women - where insurance companies fail to provide the most basic care. BC is often for Health reasons, not just reproductive precaution - and it amazes me when insurance companies have blanket clauses like this. Even in the case of churches (I say that as pastor's daughter), and I find it negligent to say the least.

Have you considered going to Family Planning or Planned Parenthood? Most people think it is just for teens but they see everyone and charge on a sliding fee scale and carry the BC methods right there.

See above.

I investigated all different types of chemical birth control (The Pill, mini-pill, the shot, Nuvaring, all types of IUDs) and what I found SHOCKED me. All of them can cause a fertilized egg to be aborted. One effect of all of them is to thin the endometrium which is the lining of the uterus. This means if an egg is realeased and does get fertilized, it is unlikely to implant in the uterus. (You can read the Full Prescibing Information provided by your pharmacist or found on-line to confirm this.) Since it isn't implanted, it dies from lack of nutrition and is washed away in the next cycle. The mother never notices, since the lighter period is what caused the baby to die.

Since I believe a fertilized egg is a baby, this was unacceptable for me. Even the chance of one of my babies starving to death was too great a risk for me.

I know not everyone will agree with me, but I wanted to put the information out there for those who might agree with me but did not know about the abortifacient properties of chemcial birth control.

The point of birth control is to not become pregnant. If you're opposed to Chemical BC for religious or abortive reasons, then based on technicality alone you should also be opposed to any form of BC (rhythm, NFP, etc) all together. You simply can't have it both ways. But I think the point of this thread, is that the OP is frustrated with the state of the Health care system, in the case - specifically the rising cost of Prescriptions impacting women and the fact that it's a necessary thing arbitrarily excluded from her coverage that shouldn't be. We can argue semantics of religious preference on rights, but this country has laws that state what our rights are. Unfortunately Health care rights for women are constantly circumvented - whether it's birth control, mammograms or cervical cancer. Everyday insurance companies are finding new ways to work around covering adequate care for women. But if it's men... Hey - Viagra for everybody!!!

Ladies, the question should be....why do some insurance companies cover Viagra, etc for the guys, but not birth control for the women?

This is an interesting thread, especially since I need to make a decision about this soon. My baby will be 6 weeks old tomorrow, and as much as I enjoy her, I don't want another one!

I probably should have gotten "fixed" when I had my C-section, but I'm just not emotionally ready to do that.

I talked to the OB last week about Paragard, and the nurse there is supposed to be checking with my insurance company to see if it's covered. I checked the website last night though, and it doesn't seem to be. Nuvaring, the patch, and a bunch of different pills are covered though...I guess I need to make a decision on what I want. The Nuvaring sounds interesting, but I'm worried about inserting it, worried about it falling out, etc.

Agreed on the Viagra comment. Noticed the same thing on an older policy I had years ago. Fortunately, my current policy is more balanced. They even pay for comprehensive womens services. However - they did fight profusely to NOT cover terbutaline when I went in to early preterm labor with my second pregnancy (I have a surviving twin born just short of 24wks). At 17wks, it was apparent I was going to be on permanent bedrest again, by 19 they wanted a terb pump and insurance refused - we ordered it up anyway, but insurance wouldn't approve it until 22wks, despite originally saying I had to be 20wks. I swear to this day that they would have rather I lost the child, than cover the pump and nurse that checked up on me once/week. Funny that they covered abortions in the policy though. It took the threat of the Peri, and the realization that I had one special needs child that already survived an early birth for them to come to their senses. My son was born at 37wks. by repeat c-section But you can never imagine what an insurance company will do, and how much added stress they can cause. In the end, they were more than happy to cover my husband's 'snipping'.

Fact - at 4 days old, a zygote has 16 cells and is .0000001 of an inch in size. It has no brain, no thoughts, no heartbeat.

Starving to death is a little dramatic

To get back on topic - a Mirena IUD cost me $20 - lasts for 5 years. I used to pay $240 a year for the pill. Plus I have not had to buy a box of tampons or liners in 9 months.

Sayin' it like it is, and a bargain hunter... Clearly another Chicagoan

 

[LaDonna]

I don't know why this would "shock" you....it's in all the literature, and in books like "Our Bodies, Ourselves." I've known this information since I was in 7th grade.

And dieting and over-exercising can bring on similar effects to a woman's body. The rhythym method is actually supposed to be one of the worst in these regards.

From the Journal of Medical Ethics
The rhythm method and embryonic death
http://jme.bmj.com/content/32/6/355.full

Hmmm I'd be interested in knowing if I am in the minority too that I did not know this, it was never in anything I learned growing up, we just covered the basics of sex etc. And in the literature that comes w/ the pills,etc. it is some of that small print that is in all medicine that yes we should all read but rarely do. I actually had my doc tell me the exact opposite of what the literature said and when I did finally read it, I was more shocked that I was lied too.

The article you posted is rather interesting really, I never thought of that also happening in the rhythm method(although I would actually call NFP or the like "rhythm" because it is more detailed than the original "rhythm" method used in the olden days lol), definately going to do some more research on that. I do however have to say I feel better about not putting the chemicals in my body and having it happen rather than well allowing nature to decide if it will happen.

 

[hockeyprincess]

Kittycat9: THANK YOU.... very well said and I appreciate it! I'm SO tired of health insurance companies, changing rules, can't have this or that till you've proved A, B & C.... it's all garbage!

I'm so sorry about your troubles with your babies & insurance companies. I hope all turned out well for you and your family.

 

[kittycat9]

Kittycat9: THANK YOU.... very well said and I appreciate it! I'm SO tired of health insurance companies, changing rules, can't have this or that till you've proved A, B & C.... it's all garbage!

I'm so sorry about your troubles with your babies & insurance companies. I hope all turned out well for you and your family.

Sometimes A, B, and C doesn't matter - even when they've written it right there in black and white. But in the end - my family is doing just fine, but like every family out there, we're not without our challenges. My older son has mild cerebral palsy, but is doing exceptionally well by all standards given his status at birth and how he fared for long after that. He's going to be turning 7 right around the time we land in Disney, and we're planning on having one heck of a birthday for him. My other son (the one insurance messed around with us on) will be just fine - his challenges are sensory based, and not tied to anything stemming from insurance. We're very fortunate, but it helps understanding the system.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

If I have the facts incorrect, please let me know. The sad face does not quite tell me what you are in disagreement with.

 

[phamy76]

After my daughter was born, my husband got the big V.

My hormones have been really out of whack for 2 years now. I'm only 33.
So, I went to the doctor, and because my hubby had the V, they wouldn't cover birth control.

My mood swings were all over the board, cramping, heavy periods, etc.

Only after 2 visits did they finally approve birth control. I only need it for the hormones. I tried the daily pill for about 2 months. I was terrible about forgetting. After 12 years of no pill, it was hard to get used to.

But, now I'm on month 1 of the nuvaring. They gave me 3 months free and rebate coupons for the next 3 months after that. I really don't know what my insurance covers, I haven't looked in to it yet.

 

[SeansMom]

Mirena could be an option... I may have to look into that. How are your periods though, any side effects to mention? (for those that have it/have used it)

Side effects: Lighter periods, and about 40% of women have NO periods.
The first 3-6 months spotting and irregular periods.

Bonus points: 5 years coverage (although it will actually cover you for 7, FDA has only approved for 5)

MIRENA ROCKS

 

[SeansMom]

"Originally Posted by MomofSixinSC
I investigated all different types of chemical birth control (The Pill, mini-pill, the shot, Nuvaring, all types of IUDs) and what I found SHOCKED me. All of them can cause a fertilized egg to be aborted. O"

Let's see: Birth control pills: PREVENT ovulation by adjusting your hormones in such a way that your body already thinks it's pregnant. No FSH/LH surge, so no release of egg, so this is NOT true. There is no egg, so no fertilization, so no ovum.
Mirena IUD: Thickens cervical mucous so sperm can NOT enter the cervix and swim through the uterus to reach the fallopian tubes and thus fertilize an egg. So again, false. The seed of truth and why one might believe this is that if a sperm DID make it up there, and for some reason the hormones (which are lower dose but same as oral contraceptives) failed, then the thin lining would prevent implantation. Translation: Mirena has you covered two ways; it's like a barrier method and an oral contraceptive in one. How cool is that?

Other effective birth control methods if you're against hormones: Diaphragm if used like you MEAN it (that's every time, with spermicide).
Ditto for condoms, which work best in conjunction with antother barrier method.

 

[dfchelbay]

I haven't read through all the posts here, but has anyone suggested condoms? It would be far cheaper than your current BC...and you only pay for what you use.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Natural Family Planning is almost free (minus a book and thermometer.) My DH and I are very fertile and have used Fertility Awareness to successfully avoid pregnancy for a cumulative total of 9 years. No hormones, side effects. You simply cannot get PG if the sperm and egg don't meet.

Two of my best friends, OTOH, got PG while on the Pill.

Haven't read the entire thread yet. But ITA with this!!! Dh and I have not had any surprises with this method!!!

 

[iheartdisney]

I haven't read through all the posts here, but has anyone suggested condoms? It would be far cheaper than your current BC...and you only pay for what you use.

That would be my suggestion, and what Dh and i did successfully for 2 years (until we moved and all of the "backup" was packed away)
I kept track of my cycles and used condoms during the "wrong" week.

But I understand the budget buster...I'm on seasonale, which isn't covered. But $65 every 3 months is more than fair trade for no periods!

 

[girli565]

I investigated all different types of chemical birth control (The Pill, mini-pill, the shot, Nuvaring, all types of IUDs) and what I found SHOCKED me. All of them can cause a fertilized egg to be aborted. One effect of all of them is to thin the endometrium which is the lining of the uterus. This means if an egg is realeased and does get fertilized, it is unlikely to implant in the uterus. (You can read the Full Prescibing Information provided by your pharmacist or found on-line to confirm this.) Since it isn't implanted, it dies from lack of nutrition and is washed away in the next cycle. The mother never notices, since the lighter period is what caused the baby to die.

Since I believe a fertilized egg is a baby, this was unacceptable for me. Even the chance of one of my babies starving to death was too great a risk for me.

I know not everyone will agree with me, but I wanted to put the information out there for those who might agree with me but did not know about the abortifacient properties of chemcial birth control.

It prevents ovulation firstly, so there's no egg to become fertilized.

 

[magik]

"Originally Posted by MomofSixinSC
I investigated all different types of chemical birth control (The Pill, mini-pill, the shot, Nuvaring, all types of IUDs) and what I found SHOCKED me. All of them can cause a fertilized egg to be aborted. O"

Let's see: Birth control pills: PREVENT ovulation by adjusting your hormones in such a way that your body already thinks it's pregnant. No FSH/LH surge, so no release of egg, so this is NOT true. There is no egg, so no fertilization, so no ovum.
Mirena IUD: Thickens cervical mucous so sperm can NOT enter the cervix and swim through the uterus to reach the fallopian tubes and thus fertilize an egg. So again, false. The seed of truth and why one might believe this is that if a sperm DID make it up there, and for some reason the hormones (which are lower dose but same as oral contraceptives) failed, then the thin lining would prevent implantation. Translation: Mirena has you covered two ways; it's like a barrier method and an oral contraceptive in one. How cool is that?

Other effective birth control methods if you're against hormones: Diaphragm if used like you MEAN it (that's every time, with spermicide).
Ditto for condoms, which work best in conjunction with antother barrier method.

Some birth control pills (combination pills with estrogen and progesterone) work by preventing ovulation (mostly) and thickening cervical mucous/changing pH to make the mucous non-sperm-friendly so it can't swim well and dies quickly. They do not however guarantee you don't ovulate, even when taken correctly. I have been on this type of pill for many years, and until I started on one of the 3-month pills, I was still ovulating. For some reason for me, the placebo week of the packs was enough of a break from the hormones that I would have "break-through" ovulation and ended up with just the cysts that I was on the pill to prevent. My doctor also told me that some women, because of their personal body chemistry, do just continue to ovulate on the pill, but it still works by killing the sperm/not letting the sperm get to the egg. Fortunately for me, changing to a pill with fewer placebo breaks seems to be working.

The POP-pill (progesterone only) does NOT prevent ovulation - it just affects the cervical mucous (making it hostile to sperm). This is why it is slightly less effective than the combination pill, but is still pretty effective when used correctly.

The uterine lining does thin from pill use, but I've read there's no concrete evidence that this won't prevent a fertilized egg from implanting if it does happen to get fertilized. The egg can still implant and that lining will then thicken right back up.

 

[vetrik]

I was on Nuvaring for 5 years before TTC #1 (I can't take pills, which do seem to be cheaper!). I paid anywhere from $25 - $50/month - I switched insurance plans a couple times, some would cover it, and some wouldn't. I did find that the Walmart pharmacy had the cheapest OOP price when I was paying for the entire thing - the price went up at CVS, so I price checked a couple pharmacies and that helped. I know it may also be available mail order - DH's insurance had that plan, but I switched to my own insurance before I looked into it too far.

After I had my DD, I had Mirena put in. My insurance covered it, so my only cost was a $10 office visit copay. I LOVE it! No side effects, no bleeding, no thinking about it every month or remembering to refill prescriptions. I figure I'm saving at least $1500 (5 years @ $25/month for Nuvaring)!