VCF for Birth Control???
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VCF for Birth Control???
| Wed, 06-23-2004 - 4:46am |
Hi everyone! I am kind of new to this site, and I LOVE IT!! I just need some advice on something. Has anyone ever used VCF (vaginal contraceptive film) as their sole method of birth control? I was on the pill for 7 years, but due to my sporatic and crazy work schedule I tried depo cause I could never remember to take my pill ontime, if I remembered to take it at all, and depo screwed me all up. The pill made me gain weight and have mood swings ALL THE TIME, and depo gave me mood swings too, and crazy bleeding. I have a friend that used only VCF for what seems like forever and she's never had any problems. But I'm wondering if anyone else ever has used just VCF? I know it's only 96% effective with perfect use, but something is better than nothing, and at this point I'm tired of having all these hormones effecting my moods, etc. I wanted to get an IUD (the 5 year one) but my fiance' doesn't want to wait that long to have kids, and my clinic didn't recommend it cause I haven't had children yet and definitly want to!! Sorry it's so long, but any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot!! :)

I used VCF for several months before I got on birth control pills and it worked fine for me. My only complaint was that sometimes it didn't want to stay 'up' because I may not have inserted it fast enough. I still use it before IC every time but only as added protection even though I do take my BCP perfectly.. every day no fail and at the same time. I just worry much. Anyhow, the main reason I decided to get on birth control pills was because I didn't like having to insert the VCF just prior to IC. I did like it though because it is good for 3 hours unlike other spermicides that are only good for 1. Hope this helps a little. Good luck.
I have used VCF, a few times to see how I liked it, and I didn't care for it that much. As the other poster said it can be tricky to insert. If your fingers aren't dry it will stick to them and you must position it correctly for maximum effectiveness by covering the tip of your cervix with it. Another potential problem is that the volume of the film is so small that the concentration of the active ingredient, Nonoxynol-9, is quite high, about 28% if I remember correctly so it is more likely to cause a reaction in anyone sensitized to the chemical than is a typical spermicide. We have had posters who love VCF, but it wasn't for me.
Have you considered NuvaRing? http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/index.asp It's a vaginal ring worn for 3 weeks and removed for one, for your period. It has the lowest dosage of hormones of any combined method in the U.S. and most members posting about it seem to like it. I hope you find an effective method that works for you.
Good luck
Jill