Starting birth control before USNA

tritritri

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2014
Messages
14
Do I need to notify DoDMERB if I start birth control between now and I-Day? Would this change my DoDMERB status in any way?
 
True, you do not need to notify DoDMERB, but you will need to disclose this to the Academy on I-Day, as once you sign on the dotted line you will then be receiving all your medical care and prescription medications through TriCare. My unrequested advice is to time Depo injections so that you get one just before you leave for I-Day. That would work out really nicely for a busy, busy plebe summer. Just be sure to make the time to keep up with the injections once the academic year starts.
 
I am going to be a Mom right now. Do you need BC for medical purposes (regulating your period) or is this for BC reasons? I have different answers depending on your answer. IE Depo
 
The OP does not owe you an answer to that question at all. Every year at least one young lady asks about starting birth control before the academy in order to create amenorrhea during basic training. I think it’s a fantastic idea as it makes for one less thing to worry about over the initial summer. And if she is asking for any other reason, I still think it’s a fantastic idea, don’t you?
 
Will not change status. Would suggest you start soon as to acclimate you body to them. Some women tolerate BC better than others. DD found BC to be a great decision during CBT.
 
As someone who was forced to go on Depo before deployment, highly recommend this option be researched clearly and thoroughly with your mom and doctor. It could be wonderful and possibly not so wonderful depending on many factors. I and many of my friends who never had issues with the pill found the sound effects rather harsh. This is obviously a very personal decision for you to make and I would never suggest one way or another as I am not a doctor. Also, once you get to the Academy, depo is sort of a pain. The Navy required a pregnancy test before each injection (not sure if this has changed or not). So this normally resulted in two trips to the doctor to get tested then get the injection, something I always found to be a pain in a busy schedule. Good luck in your decision. Trust me 1000s of women have made it through with many of these options, we all dealt with it and you will be fine. There is almost always a female detailer in your platoon, if not, at least in the company. If any issues arise during PS, trust me, they will help you out.
 
As someone who was forced to go on Depo before deployment.

Could you provide amplifying info on this? (Such as what entity forced this.)[feel free to PM if not comfortable, but if this is happening I think it's something that needs to be known]

When I was on my operational assignment as a flight surgeon nobody was forced to do anything like this. The only "forced" things we had were the immunizations for anthrax and smallpox.
 
Happened many years ago. Before you were even in Med School. Prior to deployment all females had to get pregnancy tests prior to deployment. Since I was the only one in my unit deploying, I went to pee in a cup and they told me a new order was coming down that all females would be required to get Depo. I was on the pill at the time and was pissed, but caved to the pressure from medical telling me I won't deploy without it. My body did not like depo and I gained a ton of weight on it. Many of my friends got told the same thing. From my understanding the order was never signed. Thank goodness. I should of contested/pushed back. I was pretty junior and wanted to deploy really badly, so I just did it to not make waves and get on the plane. So forced might of been the wrong word (although at the time it felt that way), but extremely pressured.
 
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If you're just taking it to suppress your period, it may just be better to let your body behave naturally. I've found that under stress, my period is naturally suppressed. At first, I was worried, but then realized that it was just my reaction to unnatural stress, and was able to look for it in other situations.
So, you may not need birth control in the first place. However, I too have heard the stories of girls who have their period nonstop during AFROTC Field Training, so it's your decision if you know your body!
 
Happened many years ago. Before you were even in Med School.


Whew, thought it was more recent. I can only imagine the pushback if this were tried now.

I'm trying to remember what I had to do in regards to pregnancy tests before my squadron deployed. I was too busy simply getting everyone their shots and then dealing with swine flu :) and can't recall.
 
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