Author Topic: The cost of having a vagina  (Read 23642 times)

Itchin4Scratch

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 27
  • Location: Rochester, NY
The cost of having a vagina
« on: September 02, 2013, 05:47:52 PM »
A while back, one of my facebook friends posted this article, entitled "This is how much it costs to own a vagina"

http://jezebel.com/5890058/this-is-how-much-it-costs-to-own-a-vagina-an-itemized-list

The numbers seemed ridiculous to me, so I wanted to make a post about saving money on your vagina.  I was hoping that some of you had some ideas.  These are mine:

Birth control:  There are many other methods of bc besides the pill, and that are safer than your body than pumping it full of hormones.  Condom, diaphragm, sponge, pulling out, charting ovulation periods, abstinence, etc.  Each has its own risk level, but they can be combined.

Pads and tampons:  I use only reusable pads and vaginal cups.  Since I make my own pads with fabric scraps I get for free, that cost is zero.  I only use the cup when I run out of pads or in situations where pads don't work.

PMS relief:  1-2 spoonfuls of molasses.  You can boil a cup of hot water and mix it in to make tea.  Tastes like crap but has worked better than any drug I ever took for PMS.  I haven't had a cramp in 7 years!

Condoms:  Men should be buying these.  Period.

Pubic Hair Removal:  Don't do it. 

Toilet Paper: Reusable toilet paper, if you feel up for cleaning it.

daverobev

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3961
  • Location: France
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2013, 06:54:50 PM »
/offtopic: I'd say buying condoms ("period" lol..) should be the responsibility of both people, no? Not that the man shouldn't, but the woman has.. not more to lose, but a more direct consequence?

Also, reusable toilet paper? Never heard of that before, but it's an interesting idea - got any links? When I was in Nepal I thought I might adopt the "use hand and water to clean bum, then wash hand" approach... never got round to it :0/

Self-employed-swami

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1090
  • Location: Canada
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2013, 07:04:02 PM »
I'd say that things for my feet, cost more than things for my vagina, on a yearly basis.


DreamingofFreedom

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 62
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2013, 07:07:05 PM »
I don't think I've spent any money in any one of those categories over the last year.  Interesting.

sununderwood

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 44
  • Age: 33
  • Location: currently Tbilisi, Georgia -- indefinitely traveling around the world on < $300 a month
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2013, 07:20:17 PM »
I wipe my pee with a bandana at home and toilet paper and associated waste costs have gone down by like 2/3rds. (But its not about cost savings for me, its about reducing waste. I also dont use paper towels). I rotate with a fresh one every time I do laundry -- every two weeks or so. It sounds gross, but just like using a bandana for your nose, the smell disappears when exposed to good old oxygen. It doesn't even feel like you are doing something radical, just sensible.

A good quality men's beard trimmer is the ultimate pubic hair solution.

Bulk condoms from the Internet. DivaCup. Don't eat sugar + eat acidophilus for a yeast infection.

Big vagina spending is reflective of a whole nother societal problem.
« Last Edit: September 03, 2013, 07:29:53 AM by smai »

DocCyane

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 389
  • Location: USA
  • Keep going. You're doing just fine.
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2013, 08:26:01 PM »
Birth control: Gay $0 Win.

N

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1401
  • Location: Chicago
  • You must change your life. -Rainer Maria Rilke
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2013, 10:11:30 PM »
I also dont get why men should be the only ones responsible for buying condoms.
Since Im married to my partner, and we share income and expenses, its a moot point.
However, if I were single, Id buy or share buying the protection that I/we felt necessary.



Bigote

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 277
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #7 on: September 03, 2013, 01:28:25 AM »
Maybe this is one of those cases where its better to rent. 
« Last Edit: September 03, 2013, 01:32:30 AM by Bigote »

Ozstache

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 866
  • Age: 56
  • Location: Oztralia
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #8 on: September 03, 2013, 02:02:12 AM »
I'm surprised that some guy hasn't already said he'd be happy to share vagina operating costs in exchange for using it. Or did I just say it? :-)

marty998

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7372
  • Location: Sydney, Oz
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #9 on: September 03, 2013, 02:17:40 AM »


I'm surprised that some guy hasn't already said he'd be happy to share vagina operating costs in exchange for using it. Or did I just say it? :-)

ahh you beat me too it, but oh lord what a thread.

Judging by the other PMS thread the OP started earlier I think there needs to be a special womens section where us men should be barred from viewing/posting. The temptation for us guys to make funny yet totally irrelevant contributions is just too great to overcome.

Hamster

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 623
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #10 on: September 03, 2013, 02:23:01 AM »
I was going to say that vaginas apparently vary greatly in cost, and then the concept of mustachian vaginas or of vagina mustaches crossed my mind, and I decided it probably would be much smarter not to post anything at all.

NumberJohnny5

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 780
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #11 on: September 03, 2013, 04:06:28 AM »
Buy rechargeables. Eneloop is a good brand.

Vilx-

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 146
  • Age: 39
  • Location: Latvia
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #12 on: September 03, 2013, 04:11:16 AM »
Pulling out, charting ovulation periods
These are about as safe as driving without a seatbelt.

hybrid

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1688
  • Age: 57
  • Location: Richmond, Virginia
  • A hybrid of MMM and thoughtful consumer.
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #13 on: September 03, 2013, 05:07:45 AM »
I'm surprised that some guy hasn't already said he'd be happy to share vagina operating costs in exchange for using it. Or did I just say it? :-)

Ding ding ding!  We have a winner!

Oh my, what a thread indeed....  When I get to the point where I start saving on TP beyond simply buying a boatload at Costco on the cheap, that's when I personally feel like I've gone just one bridge too far.  To each their own I suppose.

Half-Borg

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 271
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #14 on: September 03, 2013, 05:39:45 AM »
Pulling out, charting ovulation periods
These are about as safe as driving without a seatbelt.
As far as I know they are about as safe as condoms. Sources differ wildly, but check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_control for a first comparision.
Also always compare the "typical use" since "perfect use" is just silly talk!

jrhampt

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2016
  • Age: 46
  • Location: Connecticut
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #15 on: September 03, 2013, 06:23:41 AM »
Pulling out, charting ovulation periods
These are about as safe as driving without a seatbelt.

Yeah, I know people who have used these methods...they are called parents.  Much cheaper to buy the birth control (especially now that it is covered by insurance), and eliminate your periods at the same time.  I haven't had a period in years, so I don't have the cost of tampons, and I also don't have any pregnancies/children to worry about.

Here's my list:

Birth control: Free with insurance
Pads and tampons:  None, use bc to eliminate "period"
PMS relief:  None, because no period
Condoms:  None, monogamous with disease-tested partner
Pubic Hair Removal:  Minimal cost if razors/scissors vs paying for waxing, but purely optional
Toilet Paper: Non-negotiable for me - buy TP in bulk at Costco

I think the larger costs have to do with makeup/clothing expectations and salary inequity.

Samsam

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 273
  • Location: Charlotte
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #16 on: September 03, 2013, 07:10:01 AM »
Birth control: Gay $0 Win.

+1 ...although it does make that time of the month pretty scary....

SavingMon(k)ey

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 300
  • Age: 44
  • Location: Denver, CO
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #17 on: September 03, 2013, 07:24:57 AM »
Birth control: Gay $0 Win.

+1 ...although it does make that time of the month pretty scary....
+2 on this method of bc. :)
Pulling out, charting ovulation periods
These are about as safe as driving without a seatbelt.

I think the larger costs have to do with makeup/clothing expectations and salary inequity.

This is what I thought this thread was about when I clicked. I think THIS is a much greater cost for a lot of vagina owners.

Paul der Krake

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5854
  • Age: 16
  • Location: UTC-10:00
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #18 on: September 03, 2013, 07:29:15 AM »
Well this is Jezebel... the bastard child of buzzfeed and MSN.com, that feeds on pageviews and misdirected outrage. The article is on par with the AAA report claiming that operating a car in the US costs 9k per year.

CommonCents

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2363
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #19 on: September 03, 2013, 07:52:31 AM »
Yes, I too assumed the article would be about the costs of makeup, manicures/pedicures, clothing, shoes and shaving/waxing, and maybe the salary discrepancy.

That said, the article doesn't consider the flip side - the costs of many first dates for men, who usually bears that burden.  (Yes you can have a cheap or free first date, but most aren't.)

I will admit I've always been super annoyed by the cost of pills. 

Jamesqf

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4038
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #20 on: September 03, 2013, 11:45:53 AM »
19 posts so far, and no one has yet mentioned that the costs can generally be recovered by renting it out, either short-term, or on a long lease.

ace1224

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 468
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #21 on: September 03, 2013, 12:01:22 PM »
19 posts so far, and no one has yet mentioned that the costs can generally be recovered by renting it out, either short-term, or on a long lease.
doesn't that usually get your arrested for soliciting though? lol

Paul der Krake

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5854
  • Age: 16
  • Location: UTC-10:00
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #22 on: September 03, 2013, 12:06:22 PM »
19 posts so far, and no one has yet mentioned that the costs can generally be recovered by renting it out, either short-term, or on a long lease.
doesn't that usually get your arrested for soliciting though? lol
Actually, those schemes come with a bunch of tax incentives. ;)

ace1224

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 468
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #23 on: September 03, 2013, 12:10:28 PM »
19 posts so far, and no one has yet mentioned that the costs can generally be recovered by renting it out, either short-term, or on a long lease.
doesn't that usually get your arrested for soliciting though? lol
Actually, those schemes come with a bunch of tax incentives. ;)
hahaha!!!

Itchin4Scratch

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 27
  • Location: Rochester, NY
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #24 on: September 03, 2013, 12:33:26 PM »
Pulling out, charting ovulation periods
These are about as safe as driving without a seatbelt.
We used these 2 methods exclusively for 10 years and never got pregnant.  We tried for a baby once, and then got pregnant, so it's not like we weren't fertile.  :P

fidgiegirl

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1082
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #25 on: September 03, 2013, 01:57:32 PM »
That said, the article doesn't consider the flip side - the costs of many first dates for men, who usually bears that burden.  (Yes you can have a cheap or free first date, but most aren't.)

Um, but men (or anyone) can choose not to go on dates, but a woman can't just ignore the functioning of her lady parts.  It's not optional, and it certainly would not be pretty.  I don't really see how the two equate.  If you want to compare to the flip side, it would be costs involved with the penis.  I'm tryin' to think of some . . . coming up short . . . help me out.  Maybe urologist costs for older dudes?

I think this thread is interesting.  Reminds me of "If Men Could Menstruate," http://www.haverford.edu/psych/ddavis/p109g/steinem.menstruate.html which we read in college.

Jamesqf

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4038
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #26 on: September 03, 2013, 02:01:32 PM »
19 posts so far, and no one has yet mentioned that the costs can generally be recovered by renting it out, either short-term, or on a long lease.
doesn't that usually get your arrested for soliciting though? lol

Depends.  Short-term rentals (hourly or so) might, depending on the jurisdiction.  Medium-term seems pretty safe (see e.g SugarBabies, SeekingArrangement, etc).  Long-term leases, AKA marriage, come with a bunch of tax incentives :-)

simonsez

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1576
  • Age: 37
  • Location: Midwest
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #27 on: September 03, 2013, 02:36:59 PM »
Pulling out, charting ovulation periods
These are about as safe as driving without a seatbelt.
We used these 2 methods exclusively for 10 years and never got pregnant.  We tried for a baby once, and then got pregnant, so it's not like we weren't fertile.  :P
Coming up on 7 years.  Batting 1.000 or .000 depending on how you look at it.  Hard to get pregnant when there are no (or close to none*) sperm inside the vagina.

*No, I do not have an over-active Cowper's gland that would produce "pre-cum" with 9 figure sperm counts

Daleth

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1201
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #28 on: September 03, 2013, 02:42:24 PM »
/offtopic: I'd say buying condoms ("period" lol..) should be the responsibility of both people, no? Not that the man shouldn't, but the woman has.. not more to lose, but a more direct consequence?

Either they both split the full cost of whatever it is (condoms, diaphragm, pill--including the cost of annual gynecologist visits generally required to maintain prescriptions for certain female contraceptives), or the one whose body the contraceptive is being "installed" on is the one who pays. Slight pet peeve here because I've known plenty of couples where they each took turns buying condoms, but none (that I know of) wherethey split the cost of female-centered birth control methods.

MrsPete

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3505
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #29 on: September 03, 2013, 03:11:12 PM »
At first glance I was ready to say that these numbers represent worst-case-scenarios in every situation:

- birth control pills do not cost $129 per month.  They were $5 per month with insurance, but Obama care has knocked them down to free. 
- regardless of what birth control costs, it isn't as much as raising a child, so if you're going to have sex, you have to pay it.
- should men or women pay for condoms?  Aren't they like a dollar each?  Regardless, that's a stupid question:  Why would you even consider having sex with someone who is unwilling to purchase something as cheap as condoms to protect you and himself from the potential of an unwanted child or a disease?  Why would you balk at the purchase yourself?  If this is a serious issue, you have no business having sex. 
- Midol does nor treat PMS; it treats cramps
- not all women suffer from cramps, and fewer suffer from actual PMS
- reusable santiary products are great.  I had the Keeper, which was the precursor of the now-popular Diva cup.  It cost $30 and lasted literally as long as I continued to need the product. 
- women aren't buying razors just for this purpose.  We'd still buy them to shave our legs, so the estimate is way overblown. 

Then I remembered something:  just after 40 I started having some serious problems, and eventually I had some female surgery.  The outpatient surgery cost more than I earn in a year, but with insurance I only paid about $600 in copayment.  It was totally worth it to get myself back to healthy, but it was expensive. 
« Last Edit: September 07, 2013, 08:54:39 AM by MrsPete »

clarkai

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 217
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #30 on: September 03, 2013, 03:20:14 PM »
A mirena takes care of birth control and menstrual products in one go, and reduced my cramping quite significantly as well. Periods are a breeze. Also replaces condoms if you're in relationship that allows for that.

An annual pap smear is no longer recommended; I don't go in for pelvic exams annually as I don't have any compelling reason to. Here's an interesting article on the topic: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/29/an-exam-with-poor-results/?_r=0

I've never bought vaginal or any other vaginal creams, and I've never had an urinary tract infection. Yeast infections are easy to treat with yogurt.

I don't shave, though I do use a trimmer down there. You could not pay me to wax.

Did you know that you don't actually have to wipe after peeing? I found this out after another woman commented that she had been told not to wipe after peeing because it would "dry" her out. Men don't, and I don't think our labia are that much better at catching piss than foreskins are.

The mirena also takes care of their variable costs. No pregnancy tests, no emergency contraception, and no abortions.

simonsez

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1576
  • Age: 37
  • Location: Midwest
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #31 on: September 03, 2013, 03:26:06 PM »
I don't think our labia are that much better at catching piss than foreskins are.
Does this analysis control for circumcision?

CommonCents

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2363
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #32 on: September 03, 2013, 06:07:17 PM »
Um, but men (or anyone) can choose not to go on dates, but a woman can't just ignore the functioning of her lady parts.  It's not optional, and it certainly would not be pretty. 

Sure a lot of these costs are optional.  I don't HAVE to go on birth control and I don't HAVE to shave or wax my legs (or higher).  (And as a bonus, not shaving is likely correlated with a lack of need to go on birth control...)

I'm not saying it's a perfect correlation, I was just tossing out an expectated "male" costs which tied in with the female costs I had expected to see in the article (e.g. makeup, shoes, clothes).
« Last Edit: September 04, 2013, 08:42:24 AM by CommonCents »

Jamesqf

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4038
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #33 on: September 03, 2013, 10:44:18 PM »
- birth control pills do not cost $129 per month.  They were $5 per month with insurance, but Obama care has knocked them down to free.

Sorry, but they do cost $129/month (if that really is what they cost).  The only question here is who is picking up the tab: the person using them, the other people who have policies with your insurance company, or the taxpayers.

Now it might be a good idea to ask why something that simple, which is mass-produced by the tens of millions, should cost $129.

frpeebles

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 97
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #34 on: September 04, 2013, 12:22:31 AM »
Quote from: Itchin4Scratch
Condoms:  Men should be buying these.  Period.
Nope.

Quote from: Itchin4Scratch
Toilet Paper: Reusable toilet paper, if you feel up for cleaning it.
...Nope...

Pubic Hair Removal:  Don't do it. 

:(

Just sayin'.
« Last Edit: September 04, 2013, 12:25:45 AM by frpeebles »

ASquared

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 301
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #35 on: September 04, 2013, 12:44:44 AM »
- birth control pills do not cost $129 per month.  They were $5 per month with insurance, but Obama care has knocked them down to free.

Sorry, but they do cost $129/month (if that really is what they cost).  The only question here is who is picking up the tab: the person using them, the other people who have policies with your insurance company, or the taxpayers.

Now it might be a good idea to ask why something that simple, which is mass-produced by the tens of millions, should cost $129.


Or you could choose a generic prescription from a place like Target - actual cost $4, insurance, no insurance, whatever.

Nudelkopf

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 897
  • Age: 32
  • Location: Australia
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #36 on: September 04, 2013, 01:46:30 AM »
I pay $1 a week for the pill... No periods, no tampons, no period pain, no condoms..
That's kinda cheap.

An annual pap smear is no longer recommended; I don't go in for pelvic exams annually as I don't have any compelling reason to. Here's an interesting article on the topic: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/29/an-exam-with-poor-results/?_r=0
My very first pap smear at 21 years picked up cancer cells :( So.. I'm pretty pro-pap smears. Although, interestingly, my gynecological oncologist thinks that the HPV vaccine has no effect in countries like Australia (and presumably the US) because we do have regular screening processes in place.
« Last Edit: September 04, 2013, 01:51:24 AM by Nudelkopf »

ace1224

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 468
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #37 on: September 04, 2013, 06:02:23 AM »
speaking of bc pills, before i had an IUD they were 20 bucks a month.  of course my stupid body required the spendy ones. 

and i think girls should buy condoms too, that way you know you have some, and some you like.  before i was all shacked up with my love there were only certain ones that didn't give me a yeast infection, and they were the more expensive ones.  i highly doubt in the heat of the moment i would be all "ooooh lifestyle no, go to the store and get some different ones and THEN we can have sex"
instead i just always had my own, win win!

Paul der Krake

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5854
  • Age: 16
  • Location: UTC-10:00
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #38 on: September 04, 2013, 06:18:52 AM »
Not sure if this is the case everywhere, but both universities I've attended had condoms available for free at the student health center. Most people must be unaware or really bad at planning, because I've seen students purchase some at the convenience store many times. Besides, they were often given away for free at concerts and events around campus.

Dr.Vibrissae

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 364
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #39 on: September 04, 2013, 06:37:42 AM »
Long-term leases, AKA marriage, come with a bunch of tax incentives :-)

Marriage is not a long-term vagina lease.  At best it's an exclusivity deal.  I retain full rights of ownership and use.

GuitarStv

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 23129
  • Age: 42
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #40 on: September 04, 2013, 06:54:25 AM »
19 posts so far, and no one has yet mentioned that the costs can generally be recovered by renting it out, either short-term, or on a long lease.
doesn't that usually get your arrested for soliciting though? lol

Depends.  Short-term rentals (hourly or so) might, depending on the jurisdiction.  Medium-term seems pretty safe (see e.g SugarBabies, SeekingArrangement, etc).  Long-term leases, AKA marriage, come with a bunch of tax incentives :-)

The short term rental legal problem can usually be bypassed if you have a dude with a camera and claim to be making porn.

oinkette

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 196
  • Age: 46
  • Location: New York
  • Well behaved women rarely make history.
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #41 on: September 04, 2013, 07:02:50 AM »
I actually have an IUD which I got mostly to control horrible periods. The upshot is, my actual flow has pretty much diminished to the point I don't even need tampons or pads. Money saved!  Of course I still get occasional spotting, which is where my older, barely holding on panties come in handy. TMI  I know.

Plus, it was covered by health insurance so bonus right there.  It only needs replacing once every 5 years.

As for hair removal, not being in a relationship helps right there. :) Honestly when I was in one, long before I even knew about the "Brazilian" trend I left it all au natural and none of them ever minded. 

Spork

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5742
    • Spork In The Eye
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #42 on: September 04, 2013, 07:44:21 AM »
As for hair removal, not being in a relationship helps right there. :) Honestly when I was in one, long before I even knew about the "Brazilian" trend I left it all au natural and none of them ever minded.

Of course they don't.  Like most fashion trends: they are not set by the actual men you're going to attract.

I made this argument to my niece (that was adamant that she must be waxed clean by a tiny Asian woman at a high monthly cost) and she didn't believe me. 

I tried to explain it to her in a parable.

mgreczyn

  • Guest
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #43 on: September 04, 2013, 07:56:26 AM »
- birth control pills do not cost $129 per month.  They were $5 per month with insurance, but Obama care has knocked them down to free.

Sorry, but they do cost $129/month (if that really is what they cost).  The only question here is who is picking up the tab: the person using them, the other people who have policies with your insurance company, or the taxpayers.

Now it might be a good idea to ask why something that simple, which is mass-produced by the tens of millions, should cost $129.
While you're at it, tackle this one: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/27/health/exploring-salines-secret-costs.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Zoe

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 253
  • Location: Upstate SC
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #44 on: September 04, 2013, 10:34:46 AM »
Many women cannot use hormonal birth control, or even supposed non hormonal like the copper IUD. I had the copper IUD and it made me bat shit crazy. After some research, it looked like copper build up from my pregnancy combined with the copper the IUD released caused this. I had the IUD taken out and was back to my old self almost immediately. So, I cannot take any kind of birth control, which sucks really. I was SO looking forward to not having to worry about getting knocked up again. My husband and I have to be really careful. We use condoms and I'm learning about charting and ovulation cycles. Oh, and my period was ridiculously heavy.

I switch between organic cotton tampons and cups. I tried the Diva a while back but couldn't get it right. The Instead cups work pretty well. Now my period is much lighter and shorter. Probably even shorter and lighter than before I got pregnant.

Hair removal: I steal my husband's beard trimmer. I'm trying to get the courage to wax my bikini line. I already wax my legs. I've had 2 Brazilian waxes done before. They hurt, but I find them worth it. Expensive though, which is why I want to be able to at least do my own bikini line.

But yes, the cost of having a vagina does suck.

Fletch

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 142
  • Location: DC
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #45 on: September 04, 2013, 01:18:38 PM »
BC is $0 now, was $5 with or $30 without insurance per month before. Once yearly check-up is free, used to be $20 co-pay and misc lab expenses, but under $100 per year. Between the diva cup, less frequent periods from BC and occasional tampons, under $30/year. I think the most controversial contributors are the waxing, yeast infection screening and PMS relief items, certainly contribute an unreasonable amount to the total by frugal standards.

I will point out, however, that the list came right after the "Sandra Fluke is a slut for wanting birth control" incident, so the birth control numbers have more to do with the specific case of a student who's insurance wouldn't cover a medicine they needed to control PCOS, which in their example is 1600/2600, or +60%. (who also may not have insurance for UTI antibiotics, yeast infection, or annual exam either, and probably shouldn't be worried about pubic hair removal at those prices). The context is just very different for those of us with insurance under the new Obamacare rules who are relatively healthy.

The toilet paper thing is real though. And if I am going to be using TP every time (because unlike men, there is not "shake it out" option, it needs to not be sandpaper, which also adds to the cost.

tl;dr: a few terrible numbers and categories, but the context the list was made in contributes to the wonky results

jrhampt

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2016
  • Age: 46
  • Location: Connecticut
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #46 on: September 04, 2013, 01:20:32 PM »
I also wanted an IUD, as it sounded like the most efficient way to go about birth control, and there was the non-hormonal option (copper) as a bonus.   However, when I went to have it inserted, I was told that my cervix was too short and that maybe I could get one after I had a kid (supposedly your cervix changes).  But that would be entirely missing the point.

Zaga

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2903
  • Age: 44
  • Location: North of Pittsburgh, PA
    • A Wall of Hats
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #47 on: September 05, 2013, 06:32:44 AM »
Surprised no-one has mentioned it, but we use Vasectomy as our only method of birth control.  Hormonal BC also makes me batshit crazy, so I'm just not willing to go there!  My husband does NOT deserve that kind of treatment.

Other than that, razors aren't that expensive and I mostly use them on my legs, reusable menstrual cup and homemade pads, aspirin for cramps.  Easy, and not very expensive.

Spork

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5742
    • Spork In The Eye
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #48 on: September 05, 2013, 07:53:34 AM »
Surprised no-one has mentioned it, but we use Vasectomy as our only method of birth control. 

I got one at about 23 years old.  This was back in the pre-HMO/PPO days of low cost co-pay.  Even then, with 80/20 insurance, the insurance company surprised me by covering it at 100%.  Cheapest birth control ever.

Zoe

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 253
  • Location: Upstate SC
Re: The cost of having a vagina
« Reply #49 on: September 05, 2013, 08:19:41 AM »
I'd love for my husband to get a vasectomy, but he is still on the fence about having another kid. I'm 100% on the side of NOT having another kid, so I don't think it's fair for me to ask him to get one in the event I'm gone and he finds someone else.

I, on the other hand, am considering getting my tubes tied. 1 and done for me.