Lost
Another book I read on holidays over Christmas.
This book is horrifying in its detail on what women went through before abortion was legalised. The mindset described in these stories should convince anyone of the need for both legal abortion and easy access to contraception. Next time a politician starts mouthing off about things they have no idea about, send them a copy of this book.
And the most glaring aspect of the book to me was the huge role men play, whilst actually playing a relatively minor part when it counts. By this I mean, you have men donating their sperm throughout the book to create the unwanted pregnancies, the doctors performing the illegal abortions for extortionate amounts of money are men, the police officers etc etc. Men play big parts in the stories, but they are irrelevant to the actual decisions and heartbreak the women go through in most of the stories, though not all.
Cunt
This is a good book. Go buy it.
It contains some ideas that shouldn’t be classed as ‘radical’ but are in this society. Simple things that opened my eyes to a world of possibilities.
After reading it, I’ve decided to give my body a go at no hormonal birth control for awhile. Given my recent battles in this area (here and here), I’m sure there will be side effects. But so far it seems to be ok. My period pain is lessening and is becoming bearable, so I’m giving it a go without the painkillers too. This is revolutionary for me. I use painkillers for absolutely everything and worship at the altar of pharmaceutical companies.
inga muscio’s ideas on how to deal with rapists are also worth some thought. Absolutely awesome. As are the business ideas in the book.
Anyone else read it? No one in my offline life has read it except Nigel. He decided to read it after I’d finished and I’m impressed with the speed he’s picked up some ideas. He’s now moved on to Female Chauvinist Pigs, so my turn to read that has to wait til he’s finished.
A second post on hormones and birth control
Well, if I’d realised how many hits I’d get from a post about birth control, hormones and hair, I probably would have written more much sooner.
Ok. First, a note. DO NOT USE HORMONAL BIRTH CONTROL TO LOWER THE AMOUNT OF HAIR ON YOU. JUST DON’T DO IT.
It does not matter how much hair you have. It honestly, truly doesn’t. I promise you that putting your body through hormonal birth control is not worth being hairless. Just, don’t do it.
Ok now on to my personal stuff.
My psychologist seemed concerned that I have a low sex drive. She said at my age (21) it is not normal for it to be almost non existent and I should get my hormones checked. It was at this point I remembered that a side effect of poly cystic ovaries is increased testosterone levels.
So apparently there are side effects no matter what I do. I guess at least without the hormonal injections, I’m letting my body do what naturally happens. And if it’s bad stuff that happens, I can get the causes fixed, not cover up the symptoms with hormones.
I still feel like women were royally fucked when our bodies were made. It’s our ‘women parts’ that screw up the most.
But seriously, DO NOT TAKE HORMONES JUST TO STOP HAIR!!!!
Hormones, birth control and hair, oh my!
Due to a whole host of medical issues, my doctor has taken me off Depo Provera. The problem is now they’ve found I have Polycystic Ovaries. Or a polycystic ovary to be correct. This can often result in darker, thicker hair on your face (on top of all the really bad symptoms I mean). For years this not only went undiagnosed, but the depo kept my hair situation at a good level. Now, after being off it for almost a year, the hair on my upper lip is starting to darken and thicken, noticeably.
I hate that I care about this, but I know that everyone else does. So now, do I do something about it, and continually do that for the rest of my life, or do I pretend it’s not there and hand out verbal smackdowns where needed? Or do I ignore my emotional wellbeing and go back on the Depo? I would need to find a new doctor as my current one would refuse to prescribe it for me.
I know I’ll end up ignoring it, but I’m VERY bitter that it’s even an issue. And I wish I was strong enough for it not to be an issue, but I’m not.
Hormons, birth control and hair: why I’m bitter tonight.
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