Since 1999 I’ve been managing a condition which causes chronic pain in my lower back and hips. During the weeks I’d get my monthly cycle I’d be utterly miserable, in bed, and profoundly grateful for a job that allowed me to telecommute. Despite significant weight loss and a dramatic change in my diet, including switching to a vegan diet, did nothing to improve the flu-like symptoms and pain. My cycles caused me so much discomfort that it was impossible to feel empowered and feminized by them. I merely felt ill once a month, without fail. More than anything else this situation caused me to internalize a hatred of my femininity.

A few years ago the use of continuous birth control to suppress my cycle was suggested to me when I changed to seeing a new gynecologist. In her opinion the use of continuous contraceptives should be part of my pain management, the effect on my fertility was secondary. Since I did not have any plans to have a baby she said there was really no reason for me to go through that kind of pain each month. I was astounded; here I was in my mid-30s and I had no idea I could do this.

The past few years of suppressing my monthly cycle have been tremendously empowering. I don’t dread one week out of every single month. Nor do I spend another week each month just getting back to “normal. I have pretty significant allergies and if I don’t manage them I can be utterly incapable of functioning for days at a time. I see managing the menstrual cycle in pretty much the same light now.

Yes, as women our bodies are capable of an amazing biological process. As tired as I am of being told that this biological process must be controlled and legislated, I’m equally tired of being told that I need to embrace some mystical power tied to my menstrual blood. I don’t feel in any way like I’m internalizing some kind of hatred of myself for being a woman. I also don’t feel that a basic biological process defines me as feminine or not.

Really, I’d prefer to believe that we all are possessed of remarkable, significant power. This spark of Buddha Nature (Divinity, God/Goddess Power, Holiness, whatever) is shared by each an every one of us. This universal power is genderless, without race, common to us all, and utterly extraordinary. It is not touched by the function of the body that contains it until such time as that body ceases functioning and the spark moves on.

It’s true that not all women tolerate hormonal birth control well and that some experience side-effects significant enough to outweigh their benefit. I think sometimes these side-effects will mitigate over time as the body adjusts, or can be mitigated by switching to a different type of hormonal contraceptive. But of course, not for every women. If taking birth control exacerbates your mood swings and depression, that is definitely a valid reason for concern and a valid reason for discontinuing use.

I share your concern about the pharmaceutical companies. I try to research anything that I am prescribed and examine critically if it’s really necessary/beneficial/worthwhile to consume a given medicine. In my determination the risk is low (especially since we’ve had the pill for so long now) and the benefit is high. This of course will not necessarily be the same outcome for all women.

I also share your concern about hormones, antibiotics and other contaminants and unhealthy components in the foods that comprise to the Standard American and Western diets. We don’t know what affect this has had upon the female (and male for that matter) reproductive system. You probably already know my response to this is to promote and follow a healthful vegan diet.

And, yes, the DivaCup has a CC reading! The geek in me thinks that is so cool. I don’t know about the other menstrual cups.

I had other experiences with hormonal bc before this that were less positive, though. It can definitely take some experimentation and patience to find one that doesn’t seem to have side effects. Even with NuvaRing, the first month I had some nausea.

For me, the biggest advantage is skipping that week every month I feel so tired and sluggish. I’ve had problems with anemia in the past, and I’m sure this helps in that regard as well. It doesn’t make me feel less female, just more level and productive.