Diaphragm, female condom, IUD..???
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Diaphragm, female condom, IUD..???
| Thu, 05-06-2004 - 3:36pm |
Hwllo,
Longtime ivillager new to this board. Having a dilemma about birth control and would like to know your thoughts/experiences with the following methods that I am considering. I have researched diaphragms and IUDs and think one these will be the best long-term solution, I am also thinking of trying female condoms. Any stories or advice with this?
I want to have a more natural experience and cannot endure the effects of hormones any more(I was a pill user for 3 years). My BF and I are monogomous and STD free. I am scared of the sife effects caused by the IUD, I wonder if the diaphragm is reliable enough and I've heard that female condoms feel more natural but can make distracting noise. Facts or myths?

I haven't tried the female condom...keep hearing that they're rather akward, but my guess is that it gets easier with experience.
I’ve BT/DT…. I was on OTC for 3 years and, other than my libido which went missing after the second year, I thought I was doing pretty well. When I stopped taking hormones 23 months ago – searching for my libido - I was amazed at how much more vibrant and alive I felt. In less than a week and I lost a bit of weight that previously I just couldn’t seem to shed and my libido came roaring back (DF was very pleased). I’m thrilled to be cycling naturally again!
IUDs are great as long term, low maintenance, very effective contraceptive solutions. Mirena (which releases a tiny bit of progestin) is effective for 5 years and ParaGard (the Copper-T) is effective for 8-10 years. Over the long term an IUD is very cost effective.
I’ve used the Reality Female Condom and while it worked satisfactorily I really didn’t care for it. Having a good sense of humor helps too as during use it can make rude noises at the most inappropriate times! The effectiveness of Reality is a bit less than the male condom. I think that is probably because there is the possibility that if he slips out, if you aren’t careful during reinsertion, he can reinsert outside your sheath! If he slips out it is a very good idea to help guide him to make certain he goes back inside the sheath. I had a friend who got pg while using an FC and that’s probably what happened. In its favor Reality is available over the counter in most pharmacies. Like the male condom it is intended to be used for only a single act of IC so if you have much need they can get rather expensive.
I use a cervical cap as my primary method of contraception and a diaphragm for flow control and contraception during my period. In the 26 cycle that I have been using my cap/diaphragm regimen I have never had a pg scare and am very pleased with how well my barriers work for me. A diaphragm or cap must be fitted by a medical practitioner and they do take discipline to use correctly and consistently. If you have a good fit and use your diaphragm or cap correctly and for every act of IC they can be as effective as condoms. A diaphragm would probably be the best initial choice as more women can be fitted with diaphragms and since they have been available in the U.S. since the 1930s the medical community has more experience with them. Cervical caps have been generally available in the U.S. only since the late 1980s. As a result there is less experience with them. Fewer women can be fit with cervical caps because of the limited number of sizes. Petite or very young women often have cervixes too small for effective use of a cap. Both diaphragms and cervical caps can be inserted well ahead of IC so you don’t loose the spontaneity as you sometimes do with condoms. If you want to know more about diaphragms and caps see the information inn the FAQs on the Board website at http://pages.ivillage.com/cl-judie_rae/id1.html If you have more questions please ask.
I hope you find a method that is right for you.
Jill
Thanks for your reply! I have really been leaning towards a diaphragm, but I have one concern. How does it affect oral sex? My BF loves giving (and I can't complain) and I'm worried about him encountering spermicide if I am wearing it with the diaphragm. have you experienced this problem?
Yes I have and chemical spermicide tastes pretty gross. There are ways to minimize or avoid the problem to some extent. After insertion of your diaphragm (with spermicide in the dome) you can wipe off your labia with a damp cloth to remove any spermicide. After initial IC you should apply additional spermicide in your vagina for each additional act. At that point there is no avoiding the taste. A way to minimize it is to use a natural ingredients spermicide. You can make an effective one at home by mixing 4 drops of fresh lemon juice (not from a bottle) to a tablespoon of pure aloe vera gel which can be obtained at most pharmacies. Any extra can be kept in a glass container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Yes I’ve tried it. No, it doesn’t sting, actually it’s quite soothing. And, yes it is effective. You can use a baby syringe as an applicator. With a cervical cap spermicide is only used in the dome. Since none is needed in the vagina the taste problem is pretty much eliminated. Does this help?
Good luck
Jill