1 post tagged “disabled”
I thought I'd start by giving you some background on my early experiences in dealing with my reproductive health as a teen.
I believe my problems started when, at aged 13 or so, my Dr. recommended get the pill. The plan was to stop my periods entirely. They were horribly painful and he genuinely felt it would be better for me NOT to have periods at all. He was a trusted family GP who I liked and respected. To this day, I don't think he was practising "Menstrual Management" in a cruel sense.
I googled and tried to find a link, to help explain what the term means. I only found articles relating to "MM" in mentally disabled women, Odd that. Basically, it's a regime of contraceptive medication or surgery, used to prevent periods and/or pregnancy in those unable to attend to their own personal hygiene without significant help or "the ability" to make considered choices about their own sexuality .It's a controversial area indeed, one that I'm sure I'll comment on later!
In the case of my doctor though, I think he was just trying to help with pain and flow management - my periods have always been heavy. Now, one could argue, that this decision was bound to cause problems in later life. My mother has always maintained, that it's the SOLE reason I have issues now and bitterly regrets going along with it. I will come back to this later, because I am curious as to whether it is still used by doctors today AND whether it happens more often among disabled patients than non-disabled ones. What are your experiences?
The rest of my adult history reads like a catalog of silliness.
I came off on and off the pill a few times over the years.
Developed facial hair when I was 19.
Wasn't sexually active 'til I was 26
Had irregular periods the whole time.
Tried for a baby with my ex. Had no periods at all in the 4 years I was with him.
Didn't fall pregnant (thank goodness) lol
Was (ill) advised to go on Depo-Provera by family planning.
They claimed it would help my periods regulate once I came off it.
Stayed on Depo for 3 months! read that again, a mere 3 months.
Came off Depo, because it was making me insane and I refused to go through that.
Didn't get periods for 3 YEARS!! Yes,dear readers - none at all!
Had pregnancy symptoms, vertigo, CRAPPY MOODS, suicidal thoughts and depression
Was stuck with a doctor who wouldn't help me. Til I begged for a referral
Had a scan of my ovaries - nothing showed.
NOW...
I have a great man we would like to take our time enjoying practicing making babies. If we get pregnant,great but we aren't going to let it take over our lives... but...now
I am lucky if I have a period every 3-5 months
I've had tons of negative pregnancy tests.
I get hideous recurrent thrush like symptoms. Along with itchy lumps on my Labia and Clitoris.
I still have facial hair.
A new doctor IS doing something - suspects PCOS
I've had another Ovarian scan (more on this next entry)
So that's where we are now, yay fun isn't it! Welcome along on the itchy road. hahhaa! More tomorrow. Comments welcome
