EMOTIONAL, IMPRACTICAL AND PART CYBORG

Emma Holly

Senior Opinion Editor

Iamemotional, impractical and entirely driven by food.

However, when it comes to matters concerning my body, I am stubborn. After a lifetime of various health problems, I have learnt to become an advocate for myself. The number of times that I have sat in a doctor’s office and had to remind them why I’m there, what I need, and that being young doesn’t make you immune to illness, is incredible.

Throughout the last decade on anti-depressants, I have tried various medications. I’m currently on Number Four; we’re not sure if it’s working, and I feel a little like a failed science experiment.

However, there is one area I can have control over – contraception. The day I decided that I was not content with my Microgynon prescription, I began researching other options. I was met with a slightly overwhelming list of contraceptives; some would be injected, others inserted, and the rest consumed. Either way, to avoid getting pregnant, I would have to sacrifice my hormonal balance in one way or another.

When I first entered my relationship, I walked myself down to my local practice and asked for the recommended contraceptive. I was given Microgynon, which is a combined contraceptive pill. I knew absolutely nothing about it but agreed all the same. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has taken tablets without really knowing what they are, or what they do, and I’m sure

I won’t be the last. To be honest, it was only when I came off the Pill that I actually educated myself on what a combined pill was, and how it differed from the mini pill. The combined pill contains two hormones, as opposed to the mini pill’s one, and it actively stops the ovaries from releasing eggs every month. The mini pill, on the other hand, changes the mucus lining to stop sperm from passing through and fertilising the egg. There is a difference there; it’s relatively minor, but still important to know. Do with that information what you will.

I didn’t take Microgynon for long. I lasted about five months on it before I decided it just wasn’t working for me – and that is a reason enough. There doesn’t have to be a dramatic reason that therefore permits you to change your contraception. For me, Microgynon made my periods somewhat heavier, a bit more painful and gave me some headaches. Nothing ridiculous, but I still wanted better for myself. I wanted a contraceptive that I didn’t have to remember to take every day and one that stayed effective even through sickness.

Not long afterwards, I bought Period Power by Maisie Hill and read through her chapter on contraceptives. She listed the many side effects of the Pill that are lesser known, whilst being sure to still reassure her reader that it is still a good contraceptive and that they should feel no shame in taking it. I have friends who have been on the Pill for years and still swear by it. However, she simply wanted to make the other options known.

Hill included a chart which ex- plained each available contraceptive, its effectiveness, how it is taken, and its positives and negatives. It blew my little mind.

Never had I had all this information so readily available to me. Of course, I could have Googled this topic much sooner and educated myself accordingly, but then I wouldn’t be a bitter woman who is still her own number one healthcare advocate. I weighed up the pros and cons, and ultimately settled on the implant. The implant is a small rod, inserted into the arm with a reasonably painless procedure, and can work for up to three years. It has one of the highest success rates, weighing in at 99% effective. The reason it is considered even more effective than the pill is because it not only prevents your egg from being released, but also thickens the cervical mucus. Win-win.

For the first few weeks, I couldn’t quite get used to the feeling of there being this strange thing in my arm. I felt like I was part cyborg. One of the side effects of the implant is irregular bleeding for the first six months of having it inserted, which is, of course, brilliant.

For some, this could be intolerable, but it is a sacrifice I am willing to make. I feel a sense of pride and I feel empowered. I am glad I took my health into my hands and advocated for the contraceptive that suited me best.

I advise you to do the same.