Planned Parenthood & skipping periods

[dichotomise.livejournal.com]

I've been skipping periods every other 28 days for many of the reasons other women do, but also because it seems more "natural" for me personally (my periods used top be every six to eight weeks).

So, I get my birth control (the patch) from Planned Parenthood through their Take Charge program. They gave me a year's supply last January, meaning I would be going back this January for another. But since I've been skipping a period here and there, I'm obviously coming short. I figure I should probably pay for this luxury myself and buy the three months or whatever to catch me up, but as a student living on loans I could still really use not having to pay for it. Yet I would feel terrible asking Planned Parenthood to supply me with even more free stuff/services when 1) it's not totally necessary for me to skip periods, and 2) I would feel that I was taking resources that could go to someone else who needs them much more. Also, I don't know how terribly mainstream skipping periods is, so the PP folks might think it suspicious if I came in and asked for extra free birth control.

My question is, is there anyone on here who skips periods and also gets their birth control from PP? What did you do? If PP supplied you with extra birth control, how did it go over, etc.?

Thanks!

Comments

[achtungbaby.livejournal.com]

yep, if you are honest and let them know whats going on, they will probably do their best to help you out.

[plymouth.livejournal.com]

I skip. I don't get it from PP though. My gynecologist is totally fine with writing me a prescription that says to take active pills for 2mo straight and the pharmacy fills it. I tried going on active pills for 3mo in a row for about a year but my body just wouldn't accept that schedule - it tended to bleed after 2 months anyway. I'd just tell them what you're doing. I'm sure they have to at least heard of it - afterall that's their business!

[dichotomise.livejournal.com]

I'm sure your gyno is fine with it because you're paying for the prescription... if I skipped periods with PP's support, it would cost them more money and wouldn't come out of my pocket. But I think I'll still bring it up with them, thanks!

[plymouth.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm paying the co-pay, which is a fraction of the cost. Kaiser still has to pay more money for it. Yay insurance!

[ourika.livejournal.com]

I agree with mxpxfaerie. Tell them that your cycle is naturally 6-8 weeks so you skip periods, and tell them that you haven't got much money. If they're not able to give them to you free (I have no idea what the Take Charge program is, but I'm guessing that it's free or super-low cost birth control), they may be willing to work out a much cheaper rate if you buy the patch from PP than if you bought it at a pharmacy.

[dichotomise.livejournal.com]

Take Charge is a program where you get free birth control for a year if you're considered low-income (which is often the case because parents do not count in figuring out financial need). Other benefits include a free pap and Plan B.

Thanks for the suggestion; I guess there's no way for me to really know what will happen unless I just go and ask them!