Birth Control Chronicles: Our Journeys and Choices
Birth control is a topic that affects millions of women, yet we rarely have open, honest conversations about our experiences with it. On our latest episode of Girl Gang Podcast, we discuss our personal journeys with various birth control methods, side effects, and reproductive health decisions.
Each woman's experience with birth control reflects the complex reality that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Sarah shared her history of struggling with abnormal periods and hormonal acne, testing various birth control pills throughout college before eventually going off them to better understand her body's natural patterns. Her story highlights how many women accept painful, heavy periods as "normal" without questioning if something is wrong. After trying a new pill, she discovered what a "normal" period could be – less severe cramping, manageable flow, and fewer mood swings.
I on the other hand was diagnosed with Von Willebrand disease (VWD) when I was a teenager - it’s a blood disorder that prevents my platelets from clotting. I would have three-week-long periods with only one week off, so starting birth control was a solution to my health at the time rather than contraception. Having been on birth control for half my life, I’m always concerned about its long-term effects on fertility, and mention in this episode the anxiety that comes from feeling like women are on a time clock when it comes to having kids if we haven’t had them already.
Perhaps the most eye-opening discussion came from Brandi, who shared her journey from using the NuvaRing to getting an IUD and eventually choosing to have her fallopian tubes removed entirely. Her detailed account of the tubal removal procedure – including the 45-minute surgery, recovery time, and the minimal $250 cost with insurance – provides valuable information for women considering permanent birth control options. Importantly, she emphasized that her doctor focused on educating her about all options rather than questioning her decision or requiring spousal approval, demonstrating what respectful reproductive healthcare should look like.
We didn't shy away from addressing the gender imbalance in contraceptive responsibility either. Did you know that male birth control has been tested before? Men reported experiencing similar side effects to those women have endured for decades - shocker! What if men were required to get vasectomies instead - which is less invasive and a reversible option. Society normalizes women bearing the physical and emotional burdens of birth control while men's options remain underutilized. Men could get lots of women pregnant in the time that one woman is carrying a baby - maybe we need to rethink things when it comes to birth control methods for both genders! And if you are someone who does not want to take traditional birth control, there are natural tracking methods like the Flow app, which helps monitor cycles and fertility windows.
This episode serves as a reminder that women deserve comprehensive information about their reproductive health options, potential side effects, and alternatives. Most importantly, it emphasizes that women shouldn't have to accept pain, irregular cycles, or uncomfortable side effects as normal. By sharing our stories, we invite listeners to question, learn, and advocate for better reproductive healthcare and more open discussions about women's health. Spread the word and listen now!
We hope you enjoyed this episode of Girl Gang Podcast. Where are you at on your journey with birth control? What forms of birth control do you use? Text us your thoughts by using the link in our episode description!
So until next time - stay bold, stay empowered…
Rachael & the Girl Gang
