HBC Clinical Trial - Simplify

[ivich.livejournal.com]

So recently I was contacted by the nurse practitioner of my GYN's office about a clinical trial they are taking part in for a progesterone HBC patch. I believe it's going to be called, "Simplify." I had an initial consult, testing, and I just started my first patch today.

The patch itself is in the third phase of testing at a dosage around 0.4. Prior to this, I have only been on triphasic HBC (Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, Tri-Sprintec Loc, Tri-Sprintec, and then finally Ortho Tri-cyclen), and this is a monophasic HBC, which is applied weekly. Also, there is no "placebo" period, and I will be continuously on the medicated patch for 13 full cycles.

I really like and trust my GYN and the nurse practitioner and they've answered all of my questions. Otherwise, of course I am a little nervous about any side effects I might have.

I was wondering if anyone here has heard about this or is part of the clinical trial?

(Also, I decided to chronicle my next year in this clinical trial on journal...)

How to deal with warts when getting into a new relationship?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_crystalmyth/]

So as many of you might know, I caught warts from my partner back in January-ish. I've been dealing with it by going to the doctor and having them use podofilin resin on them (the doctor believes this to be just as effective as freezing or laser treatments), and it's been working better than the trichloracetic acid. I didn't go to my last appointment in June and haven't been back just yet, but I haven't had a major outbreak either. I might have one or two right now.

Now.

I wasn't too worried about this whole situation until my partner and I called it quits on Thursday. While I should be working on picking up the pieces...I'm worried about what comes next. I'm insecure enough as it is, and have a hard time when it comes to guys and dating. Now add to that that I have an STD? I feel like tainted goods, and I really can't get past that. I know this happens to 75% of people (or...whatever), but I know that had I known about my partner's outbreaks before I slept with him - I probably never would have.

Am I making any sense here?

I just don't know how to get past this.

Colposcopy follow up

[tanyaface.livejournal.com]

So I had a colposcopy/biopsy in February and everything came back normal. However I'd been scheduled for a follow up colposcopy in August and... I really, really don't want to go. The original appointment was so awful and afterwards I felt like I was going to vomit and faint. They had to bring me an ice pack etc and I was lying down for a good 10 minutes before I felt better.
According to the gyno, he said that's a cervical reaction to being prodded at. The cervix generally doesn't like being touched. But if my results came back fine... Do I really need to suffer through this again?! :( I want to cancel but don't know if that's a really bad idea.

studying abroad & birth control

[syntheticdeath.livejournal.com]

This is a bit in advance, but it's been oddly bothering me for some reason lol. I will be going to Germany next year for study abroad for a semester, and then possibly traveling around Europe several months after. The only thing that concerns me is my birth control. I am on the Nuvaring currently and would like to remain on it throughout my travels, except that they only dispense 3 at a time, which last roughly 3 months, but I will be out of the country probably anywhere from 5 to 8 months. Not sure how I would go about getting my Nuvaring during this time.

Has anyone been in a similar situation that can help me out?