need info, please help.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2003
need info, please help.
1
Mon, 06-28-2004 - 8:02pm
Okay, so I made the decision to stop my bc pills. I was suppose to start my new pack yesterday, but I didn't. I was going to wait until I could see my doc but they cant make me an appointment anytime soon.

The reasons I've quit the pill are as follows:

-no sex drive

-leg cramps

-recurring yeast and bladder infections

-and I dont like the idea of taking hormones anymore.

But now Im completely lost and don't know where to begin with trying other methods. Eventually once my body gets back on track, I figure I'll be able to get to know my cycle and know when to be extra careful. But in the meantime, I need something to protect me.

Im going to ther drugstore tonight and loading up on birth control aids. I figure its going to be a trial and error thing until I find something I like.

So on my shopping list I have spermicide foam and extra thin condoms (bf hates condoms but maybe the extra thin ones he wont mind).

Has anyone used the foam, how does it work?

and is there anything else I can buy at the drugstore that I can use as birth control??

Please help

*~chrissy~*

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 8:43am
For now, all you can do without a doctor's assistance is condoms + spermicide. Whether your boyfriend likes condoms or not, he probably likes sex enough to "suffer" through it. If he doesn't like the condoms you get, he can also feel free to do his own shopping! There are a number of places that you can get "specialty" condoms on the internet, there is often a better selection though you have to wait for them to arrive.

Personally, I wouldn't know what to do with a foam spermicide, but I have found the Conceptrol gel spermicide in prefilled applicators to be very easy to use. You don't have to think about how much or how to get it in there, it's already premeasured and taken care of. The tubes of spermicide, unless they come with an applicator, are probably going to be most useful to women using diaphragms and cervical caps, so look for the applicator! Some women use inserts like Semicid, I think you have to wait for those to dissolve. Some women like VCF (vaginal contraceptive film), but it's got a high concentration of spermicide that may be irritating and can take some practice to insert properly.

You may still get bladder and yeast infections even off the pill (I'm not sure what your pre-pill sexual experiences have been). Bladder infections aren't too tough to prevent for most women (most, not all...). If you're not doing so already (and if this isn't news, forgive me!), make SURE you're urinating after sex. Not just a dribble, but a good pee. I shower before sex and clean thoroughly, sometimes with antibacterial wipes though it's not absolutely necessary. I take 2 cranberry capsules immediately after sex and every 12 hours for the next day or two. I drink plenty of water after sex too so that I'm going to the bathroom 2-3 times in the next several hours to really flush things out. I've found that I can get away without the shower sometimes, but I can't skip either the cranberry or the super-hydrating. Some prefer cranberry juice, but if you do, make sure it's 100% cranberry juice without added sugar (sugar feeds bladder infections)--it's not cheap, which is why I prefer cranberry fruit capsules.

For yeast infections, a lot of women swear by yogurt, the less sugar the better. The pill might definitely be contributing here too.

If you don't have it already and you're planning to go somewhat natural, get a copy (or borrow) of "Taking Control of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. It's a must-read for any woman who wants to know what her body does every 22-40 days! The book explains how to use Fertility Awareness to avoid or plan pregnancy, which is good in combination with other barrier methods like condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps (warning--some doctors see diaphragms and caps as "barbaric" and resist helping patients with them, but a lot of women have good experiences with them).

Good luck!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control