Hormone Hell: One Woman's Lament

In an effort never to be pregnant again, and fearful of the 20% typical use failure rate of the diaphram, I talked to my doctor and was prescribed birth control pills. Birth control pills, in general, take three months of use before hormonal shifts settle. Things to expect are acne, weight gain, mood swings and your uncontrolled wine consumption. I was prepping for the battle, but my low dose Loestrin 24fe proved pretty awesome. I felt none of these ills, and was happy that my eggs were locked up prison style. Until now. This week is the last of the pack week, otherwise known as you become the devil and ride the crimson wave week. The last two days have been brutal. Tuesday I awoke with a pimpled chin and bloated belly. Last night involved night sweats and fitful sleep. This morning another pimple sprouted on the tip of my nose. Then I cried in my closet for ten minutes because every look to the mirror created disgust for hair, body and the Rudolph the Reindeer impersonation. But, I got over it. A hug from John, the knowledge that this is typical, my period arriving and a three mile run all proved vital to my sanity. Now at the end of the day, I am improved, none of the intense cramps that are typical of my first menses day are present. This is great news to everyone except the makers of Advil. One month down, two to go. Wish me luck.