I have been considering starting a YouTube channel that would help to educate (and also entertain) anyone interested in learning more about the different types of birth control, fertility, infertility, reproductive and sexual health. The only thing that is holding me back at the moment is I don't have a working microphone, and I am really not sure if there is enough of an interest in the topics I would be covering.
So, I have decided to turn to you, those that come across my blog, follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I am looking for your opinions and reactions. First of all, would you want to watch a video that I voiced? If you would, how long should each video be? I don't want to "overload" anyone with too much information all at once, so would it be better to have multiple short (5 minutes or less) videos on each subject, or fewer, but longer (15 minutes or more) videos?
Should there just be one channel that "covers it all" or multiple channels for different topics? For example, should there be an "Ask Aunt Flo" channel that covers birth control methods and sexual health and a "TTC Dreams" channel that covers fertility, infertility and reproductive health, and maybe a third channel for any "other" questions/issues that don't fit under the other two channels?
Lots for me to think about, but I really value your input, so please leave a comment down below and/or take the poll on the right and let me know what you think.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
What's a Normal Cycle Length?
Dear Aunt Flo,
I think I'm not getting my period often enough. I have a period every 30 to 32 days, never less than 30 days and never more than 32. What's wrong with me, why am I not getting a normal period every 28 days like every other woman? Should I talk to my doctor about this and if I do, can she do anything to fix me?
Signed,
Not Normal
Dear Not Normal,
You are perfectly normal, and it is not uncommon for women to have their periods as often as every 25 days to as long as every 34 days. The every 28 day cycle is a myth, though it is more common. If you are very bothered by having longer cycles, you can talk to your doctor about using low dose birth control pills to get your cycles to happen more often. First you will want to be sure you are willing to deal with the possible side effects of the pill before you start them. You should also know that as soon as you stop taking the pill, your cycles will revert back to what is normal for you.
Aunt Flo
I think I'm not getting my period often enough. I have a period every 30 to 32 days, never less than 30 days and never more than 32. What's wrong with me, why am I not getting a normal period every 28 days like every other woman? Should I talk to my doctor about this and if I do, can she do anything to fix me?
Signed,
Not Normal
Dear Not Normal,
You are perfectly normal, and it is not uncommon for women to have their periods as often as every 25 days to as long as every 34 days. The every 28 day cycle is a myth, though it is more common. If you are very bothered by having longer cycles, you can talk to your doctor about using low dose birth control pills to get your cycles to happen more often. First you will want to be sure you are willing to deal with the possible side effects of the pill before you start them. You should also know that as soon as you stop taking the pill, your cycles will revert back to what is normal for you.
Aunt Flo
Friday, June 20, 2014
Negative Pregnancy Test
Dear Aunt Flo
Over the past two days I have taken three different home pregnancy tests, and all of them have been negative. My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for five months and we were just sure that we timed everything perfectly, but with the three negative results and my period due tomorrow I'm sure we failed to conceive yet again. Should I test again, or rely on the results of the home pregnancy tests?
Signed,
Waiting
Dear Waiting,
One of the hardest things to face each cycle is seeing a negative pregnancy test, followed by your period. However, not all hope is lost. You did test "early" and depending on how sensitive each of the brands that you used is, it is possible that you just have not built up enough hCG in your body to register on the tests. My advice to you is to visit Baby Hopes where you can see a listing of different tests and just how sensitive they are. Pick one brand and buy one or two tests. Tonight, read the instructions for the test and make sure you know exactly how to use it. Then, tomorrow, first thing in the morning, use the test. If it is still negative, wait at least 2 or 3 days, and if your period is still late, test with the second test. If you still get a negative result, call your doctor to schedule a blood test.
Aunt Flo
Over the past two days I have taken three different home pregnancy tests, and all of them have been negative. My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for five months and we were just sure that we timed everything perfectly, but with the three negative results and my period due tomorrow I'm sure we failed to conceive yet again. Should I test again, or rely on the results of the home pregnancy tests?
Signed,
Waiting
Dear Waiting,
One of the hardest things to face each cycle is seeing a negative pregnancy test, followed by your period. However, not all hope is lost. You did test "early" and depending on how sensitive each of the brands that you used is, it is possible that you just have not built up enough hCG in your body to register on the tests. My advice to you is to visit Baby Hopes where you can see a listing of different tests and just how sensitive they are. Pick one brand and buy one or two tests. Tonight, read the instructions for the test and make sure you know exactly how to use it. Then, tomorrow, first thing in the morning, use the test. If it is still negative, wait at least 2 or 3 days, and if your period is still late, test with the second test. If you still get a negative result, call your doctor to schedule a blood test.
Aunt Flo
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
How Effective is the Withdrawal Method?
Dear Aunt Flo,
My boyfriend told me that the withdrawal method of birth control is very effective birth control and we won't have to worry about my accidently getting pregnant. Is he right? Is it really that effective, or should we be using a different method of birth control?
Signed,
Not Ready To Be Mommy
Dear Not Ready,
Honey, your boyfriend is very misinformed about the withdrawal method. The withdrawal method of birth control is NOT that effective and fails more than 20% of the time with "perfect" use, and the failure rate with "average" use is much closer to 35%. If you are not ready to get pregnant, you need to insist on a much more effective birth control method, and there are may available today. I would strongly recommend that you insist on using condoms (when used correctly they are over 97% effective) until you and your boyfriend can do some research and find an effective method of birth control that you both agree on using.
Aunt Flo
Unfortunately this is a question that is asked a lot. Getting second, third or even fourth hand information about birth control is usually incorrect, and sometimes just down right wrong. The best thing you can do is to ask a health care professional (doctor, nurse, midwife, pharmacist, or trained NFP instructor) about the different methods that are available, how effective they are, and what the most common side effects are too.
My boyfriend told me that the withdrawal method of birth control is very effective birth control and we won't have to worry about my accidently getting pregnant. Is he right? Is it really that effective, or should we be using a different method of birth control?
Signed,
Not Ready To Be Mommy
Dear Not Ready,
Honey, your boyfriend is very misinformed about the withdrawal method. The withdrawal method of birth control is NOT that effective and fails more than 20% of the time with "perfect" use, and the failure rate with "average" use is much closer to 35%. If you are not ready to get pregnant, you need to insist on a much more effective birth control method, and there are may available today. I would strongly recommend that you insist on using condoms (when used correctly they are over 97% effective) until you and your boyfriend can do some research and find an effective method of birth control that you both agree on using.
Aunt Flo
Unfortunately this is a question that is asked a lot. Getting second, third or even fourth hand information about birth control is usually incorrect, and sometimes just down right wrong. The best thing you can do is to ask a health care professional (doctor, nurse, midwife, pharmacist, or trained NFP instructor) about the different methods that are available, how effective they are, and what the most common side effects are too.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Introduction to Ask Aunt Flo
This blog will have several purposes, but first and foremost is that I want to educate you by answering your questions. We all have questions but we don't always know who to ask to get the best and most accurate answer, or we think that the question we have is so "weird" and so far out of left field that no matter who we ask we will be laughed at for asking it. That will not happen here. Here you can ask your most embarrassing questions and use a pen name, nickname or just sign it anonymously and get the information you have been wanting.
Now, I will not share any personally identifying information with anyone when answering any questions, and if need be I will anonymize your name. When posting any submitted question to the blog so that I can answer it, I will do the following - correct spelling errors and minor grammar errors, anonymize the name of the questioner, and edit out any foul language. I will use medical terms when needed and will explain what they mean or what they are, always.
There are times when I will ask and answer my own questions for entertainment purposes only! These posts will be done with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek and should be read purely for their ability to make us laugh, mostly at me, but hopefully with me.
So why should you ask me your questions about birth control, fertility, infertility, trying to conceive or any related subject? Because I have been researching, reading and writing about those subjects since 1987, and have professionally written about the subjects off and on since 1997. I also took the Coursera course Contraception: Choices, Culture and Consequences and earned a 95% for the course. I have been answering questions about these subjects for many years, and I will continue to do so as long as someone has a question that needs an answer.
Now, I will not share any personally identifying information with anyone when answering any questions, and if need be I will anonymize your name. When posting any submitted question to the blog so that I can answer it, I will do the following - correct spelling errors and minor grammar errors, anonymize the name of the questioner, and edit out any foul language. I will use medical terms when needed and will explain what they mean or what they are, always.
There are times when I will ask and answer my own questions for entertainment purposes only! These posts will be done with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek and should be read purely for their ability to make us laugh, mostly at me, but hopefully with me.
So why should you ask me your questions about birth control, fertility, infertility, trying to conceive or any related subject? Because I have been researching, reading and writing about those subjects since 1987, and have professionally written about the subjects off and on since 1997. I also took the Coursera course Contraception: Choices, Culture and Consequences and earned a 95% for the course. I have been answering questions about these subjects for many years, and I will continue to do so as long as someone has a question that needs an answer.
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