Alright, so today I had my first gynecological check up (kind of). I hadn’t considered birth control something I needed until recently. I love my partner but before taking a leap of intimacy, I would feel most comfortable with a 99% effective form of bc.

I did my research and from everything I read, ParaGard ticked all the boxes for my needs.

One of the important factors in this decision making process is that I’m recovering/dealing with an evolving eating disorder. This has been part of my life for four years now, and it’s affected my lifestyle significantly. Because hormonal birth controls can cause an increase in appetite, fatigue, and lower metabolism (not always of course), I didn’t want to risk throwing off the progress I’d already made. I’m still learning to read natural hunger signs, and im afraid the additional hormones could either cause me to eat less or overeat. The increase in cramping and menstrual flow I’d experience from the copper iud seemed like the more tolerable option.

So I tell my doctor I’m interested in ParaGuard. He immediately fires back with “that’s the worst thing I could do for you. It’s really made for a select few women who have some hormone intolerances and you should actually consider the oral pill”. I voice my concerns about my circumstances, and he essentially suggests that my eating disorder will act as an appetite suppressant to counter the increased hunger and so I wouldn’t have to worry about it.

Not okay.

We discuss a few other options, like the mirena iud, which also uses hormone release and he continued to put down Paragard and insist that I’ll regret putting an unnecessary foreign object in my body down the line.

I’m very torn. I don’t want to fuck up the progress I’ve made with my disorder but I also dont want to fuck up my insides. If anyone has any information or suggestions, I’d be so appreciative because this whole thing is giving me roaring anxiety. I have about a week to make a decision before I go back to college.

I appreciate all the support! Definitely seeking a new doctor soon.

Update: my uterus is too small for any iud anyway, so I condoms it is🙃