Sara Skolnick, NP

When I first started taking birth control, I noticed some changes in the way it was affecting my mood, sleep, anxiety, etc. I felt like something was "off." I told her my symptoms & expressed interest in having my hormone levels checked. Keep in mind, I was 19 years old. This was the first time I had ever taken any sort of HBC. Her response was rude and dismissive. "There's no such thing as testing hormone levels... Try meditation," and sent me on my way. If she hadn't dismissed my symptoms, I wouldn't have spent another 8 years on the wrong progestin, undiagnosed with PMDD. I was and am androgenic progestin intolerant, which turns out this runs in my family. I wish I had listened to my gut and gotten a second opinion, but it didn't feel like an option in college. I wish providers took the time to listen to their patients and better explained the risks involved with HBC, and provided more options (especially when there are other options like Yaz/Yasmine).