Carologic

Mirena is an estrogen-free intrauterine contraceptive that delivers small amounts of hormone directly to the uterus.

It can be in place for up to 5 years which for me is perfect. My family is complete (at least as far as my uterus is concerned), but I don’t want us to make any permanent decisions for now.

Mirena seemed an excellent choice because taking the pill is a pain and condoms suck. Most of the other options are either way to complicated or unreliable. The side-effects of Mirena are fairly minimal.

My first Mirena insertion did not go well. In April 2008 (about 12 weeks after the birth of my second child) I went to my doctor for the insertion. It did not place itself correctly in my uterus, and I was bleeding a lot and having horrible cramps. My doctor (who I respect greatly and have known since college), was concerned enough to get an ultrasound to make sure she had not perforated my uterus. Lucky for us all, it was just lodged in an odd place and I felt better immediately after she removed it.

Back to the pill.

In September I had my yearly exam and asked if we could try again. In October I returned to the office for Mirena insertion 2.0. This time things went smoothly, the insertion was basically painless and I only spotted. They used an ultrasound this time just to make sure everything was ok.

I of course ended up on the long side of the “irregular bleeding” side-effect with a two-month span of constant bleeding. Husband was getting very concerned, and then, last week it stopped – FINALLY!

So, while disappointed about the bleeding (minimally that was not good for our septic system!) I am excited that I may not have to do anything to prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years! No more pills!!

Wow! Obama’s election means that it will be easier for:
- America to be perceived again as a leader politically, socially and financially
- For all children and possibly all Americans to be covered by health insurance
- Privacy to be reinstated for all
- Education reforms, including needed changes to NCLB and inclusion of comprehensive sex education

This short list doesn’t begin to encompass all of the changes that need to occur in the coming years. All I can say is that the future looks bright!

Should it matter? No!

Act Today to Protect Women’s Access to Health Care!

Today is the last day for comments on the Health and Human Services regulations that could seriously undermine access to basic reproductive health services.

Because of the financial issues of the day I’m very concerned this will pass causing women to be at risk.

Please do one of the following by midnight on September 25th, 2008:
- Send an email to: consciencecomment@hhs.gov
- Go to the ACLU action page at: http://action.aclu.org/hhs_comment
- Go to the Planned Parenthood action page at: http://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/campaigns/240.htm

Updates:
Q&A in US News and World Report with Judy Waxman, vice president for health and reproductive rights at the National Women’s Law Center.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal filed formally on behalf of a 13-state coalition to fight a proposed federal regulation that jeopardizes women’s access to birth control and other medically necessary health care services, particularly in cases of rape. Blumenthal led the states in formal comments filed today calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to abandon the proposed Provider Conscience Regulation.

Blumenthal said, “This rule could seriously endanger hard-fought patient and victim rights in Connecticut — including assurances that sexual assault victims are provided emergency contraception. It threatens to drastically discourage and even deter a woman’s right to choose. This proposed rule unconscionably puts personal agendas before patient care — protecting doctor objections, but failing even to acknowledge the rights of rape victims and others to access birth control and related vital health services. The federal government’s vague definition of abortion opens the door wide to dangerously broad interpretations that could block birth control access at hospitals, particularly in cases of rape.”
http://media-newswire.com/release_1074324.html

Details

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently proposed regulations that could seriously undermine access to basic reproductive health services — including birth control and abortion.
Instead of striking a careful balance between individual religious liberty and patients’ access to reproductive health care, the Bush administration has taken patients’ rights and their health care needs out of the equation.

This far-reaching proposal doesn’t need congressional approval. But, it can’t go forward without allowing for public comment. That’s where you come in.

The deadline for public comments is fast approaching — September 25 — and we have to generate intense opposition to these dangerous regulations.
Women are only able to further their education, have a successful career, support their family, and sustain their family size when they are have access to health care that is supportive and comprehensive.

If you want to read the government document you can find a link it at the bottom of this news release: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2008pres/08/20080821a.html

Please join the discussion and protect women’s rights to comprehensive health care. You can also join a Facebook group (search for: Protect women’s health) to continue the conversation.