Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: Notesfiles; site hp-sdd.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!genrad!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!hplabs!hpisla!hpfcla!hp-sdd!andrea From: andrea@hp-sdd.UUCP (andrea) Newsgroups: net.med Subject: Re: IUDs & the Dalkon Shield Message-ID: <-800001001@hp-sdd.UUCP> Date: Sat, 23-Feb-85 02:11:00 EST Article-I.D.: hp-sdd.-800001001 Posted: Sat Feb 23 02:11:00 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 3-Mar-85 03:33:06 EST References: <7719@brl-tgr.UUCP> Organization: HP San Diego Division Lines: 53 There was another danger to the Dalkon shield - it was a triangular piece, with VERY sharp pointy corners. When I decided to go off the pill in college and try an IUD, the college health center used only Dalkon shields (wonderful choice). Of course, since I had never had a child my uterus was somewhat small, so the doctor used the smallest one and placed it as high as it could be placed. I had some slight pain and spotting, and could feel the IUD sticking into me. The doctor (in the supercilious, arrogant MCP way that is unfortunately typical of the majority of male gynecologists I have known) informed me that it was impossible for me to feel the IUD sticking me, since there were no nerves there. Since I was inside my body and he was outside, this pronouncement didn't impress me with his level of expertise or sensitivity. A couple weeks later, in a biochemistry recitation section, I was doubled over by the most powerful cramps I'd ever had. I literally couldn't straighten up. They started coming more and more frequently, and when they stabilized at every six minutes a couple friends helped me to hobble (bent over, pale and sweating) to the health center. The doctor got me into the stirrups, and announced that I was attempting to give birth to the IUD! The thing had slipped down until it's two top points were wedged firmly into the cervix; the cervix, being built for one function essentially, was stimulated into action. Unfortunately, the pseudo-birth contractions didn't have soft flesh but hard pointy plastic to clamp down on, yielding excruciating pain and much blood. All this time, the doctor was telling me (in a very blase and condescending voice) that it was no worse than menstrual cramps (how the @#$%@ would he know?) and that there were no nerves in the cervix anyway. I was actually dumb enough (at the age of 17) to have the shield re-inserted, but it happened again in only three days - at which time I had the thing (which I'd started thinking of as an instrument of torture) removed. Years later, I had only slightly better luck with the Copper-7 (it tried to perforate my uterus, but since I had decided to believe my internal sensations more than the doctor's pronouncements, I realized it in time before the perforation was total). Sigh - back to the pill. (Unfortunately, I haven't found a really GOOD form of birth control yet - as a country, we seem to spend more on research to keep lipstick looking wet and shiny than we do on letting people control their fertility in nondamaging and healthful ways). Fortunately, though, at least I've found an intelligent and sensitive gynecologist! Andrea Frankel, Hewlett-Packard (San Diego Division) (619) 487-4100 x4664 net: {allegra|ihnp4|decvax|ucbvax}!hplabs!hp-sdd!andrea ...searchlights casting for faults in the clouds of delusion