Just curious based on a conversation with a friend today. I have been on one type of Bc pills for 8 years...I switched doctors 3 times and they never discussed changing it or offered an opinion. They just wrote out a new prescription.
My friend was appalled by this and said her doctor goes into detail about each type of birth control and what works best for her body and personal health.
What's your experience been?
hostess / cantaloupe / 6486 posts
The only conversation I've ever had about it was post LO and basically he said "have you decide on BC yet?" I said nope and he gave me the mini pill until I decided. That was it.
pear / 1547 posts
I think some docs don't know enough about the options! I always try and convince all my patients to think about an IUD 
And I also just taught one of my colleagues the other day that there are other (and more preferred) birth control pills than Ortho-tri-cyclen, which apparently he had been giving everyone - but to be fair he is internal medicine trained, still! I think generally they assume that if you're on a method and seem happy with it and don't ask about it that why rock the boat?
eggplant / 11824 posts
Yes, especially after LO. I've had the same gyno for like a decade now and we've been through a lot - patch (skin reaction), pills (nausea and other reactions), etc. my OB herself has mirena and knew I was NOT ok with a surprise baby so she recommended that (prior to LO, and after), but discussed other options in depth too.
nectarine / 2521 posts
@Mrs. Sunshine: @mrscobee: That's been my experience all along too.
@MenagerieMama: I plan to ask at my next well visit about different types of birth control and what is best. I never really gave it any thought, because as you said, why rock the boat!? I was really surprised by my friend's experience with her doctor and it made me realize I should probably talk to my doctor about it too.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
My dr is really good about having this discussion with me. Birth control is really important since I have endometriosis-and avoiding surprises! I've had to frequently change mine to avoid breakthrough bleeding
eggplant / 11716 posts
My female OBGYNS have always asked or pushed for a particular one; my male OBGYNS haven't brought it up, ever.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
I can't say they have discussed any in depth, I think it's more they gauge how much I want to know? I was on yaz and Yasmin for a long time, since before all the issues came out about it, so when the lawsuits and whatnot were happening I asked my gyn about it and we discussed whether I should switch and risk factors. And after having C the midwives DEFINITELY asked what I planned to do for birth control and discussed options but again, not in depth- because I knew I was planning on just condoms for a while anyway.
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
My midwives talked about options in depth after LO was born, but my doctor never has.
clementine / 770 posts
@MenagerieMama: needless to say my Dr hasn't been very helpful with birth control. What is wrong with ortho tri cyclen? I haven't been on birth control for a long time but when I was it was ortho tri cyclen lo.
pear / 1547 posts
@Peasinapod: It's probably fine for some people but the tri-phasic pills were designed to try and be more natural with different hormone levels each week, and mostly just ended up creating more side effects and likelihood of spotting, etc. We are not good at recreating nature! Plus when we're trying to suppress a process it doesn't make sense... Monophasic (so non of the "tri" pills) are a stable level and do a better job for most people.
pear / 1930 posts
At the practice I go to, one of the check in questions is "are you happy with your birth control?". Then the doctor asks the same thing. The couple of times I haven't been, they would make sure that I want to stay on oral, and then discuss what I have/have not liked about the types I've been on.
clementine / 770 posts
@MenagerieMama: thanks! I can't remember if I had any specific problems with it. But I did decide to stop using pill form bith control entirely so i wasn't happy with something!
grapefruit / 4355 posts
My OBs have made sure I don't have any questions about anything but since I don't, they don't start in depth discussions. Honestly, I'd be annoyed if my OB wanted to discuss all options every year and/or try to get me to change if I am happy with what I'm using and it causes no issues for my body.
nectarine / 2220 posts
I have PCOS so when I see my OB we tried out options until we found one that helped with those symptoms. But never really discussed much beyond oral birth control, but that's likely because hormonal birth control is good for that.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
My doctor is amazing and he's well versed on all the options out there, including the permanent ones.
nectarine / 2521 posts
@Mrs.KMM: True. I think my friend was surprised that I switched doctors several times and not one ever went over any other options or risks, benefits, etc at the initial visit. I'm wondering if doctors don't think it's much of a concern unless you have health issues that would lead to surprises or problems.
grapefruit / 4455 posts
She answers my questions but doesn't go over every single type! I haven't been on hormonal bc in years though! Except for maybe a month or two after dd.
pomelo / 5257 posts
Nope, I just tell them what I've been taking and they give me a new prescription. I've been on the same for years! My assumption is we would have an in-depth chat if I expressed any concerns or problems. Since I haven't, I'm sure they figure I already know any risks or whatever and am happy with the status quo (which is true )
persimmon / 1436 posts
Not in-depth but they have asked if I am happy with my BC method and we have tried other options. I've been on multiple types of BC since I started taking it. Will be getting another IUD after this pregnancy.
pineapple / 12566 posts
Once we determined what kind of birth control I wanted (iud), my doctor was pretty thorough describing the two options. He's extremely chatty, so I'm sure he would have been happy to talk to me about other options had I been interested.
coconut / 8472 posts
No, I've never had a doctor try to educate me about birth control. I'd find it really obnoxious, I can google, thanks. My OB did ask if I thought about BC post baby and I said I didn't want any (I have PCOS and basically never ovulate on my own, plus we want our kids close together and I didn't want to bother going on it and then off it again). She was fine with that and let it go.
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