stop using condoms, but still have patch

Avatar for moxiebun
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
stop using condoms, but still have patch
1
Mon, 08-02-2004 - 12:25pm
Hello everyone!!

I was hoping some other women can give me insight on this. I recently got married (three weeks ago) and my husband and I would like to stop using condoms. I am on the ortho evra patch and have been so for about a year (I was on the pill before that). I know the patch is 99% effective, but I'm still nervous about getting pregant. I am also on other meds (prozac and seroquel) although I have checked with my pharmacy and there is no interactions with these meds and the patch. I also will be seeing a new gyno in sept.

My other question that I wanted to bring up is that I had a CT scan done about 2 years ago for something and they found blood cyst on my liver. Doctor said that they are sometimes normal and certainly not large. After that my gyno took me off the pill saying that it could cause the cyst to grow. I used a diaphram (spelling??) for a while and HATED IT! So he said I could try the patch is the hormones don't go through the liver right away. Has anyone else heard of the blood cyst? Would you stay on the patch even if there is a small risk with the cyst.

Thanks for listening and any thoughts would be great!

Moxiebun

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 08-03-2004 - 8:18am
Moxie! I remember you from the last time you were here waaaay back probably when you were diagnosed with the blood cyst. It's benign, right? Does it cause you pain? Any effects to worry about in the future? With the transdermal methods (patch and ring), there's only one pass through the liver, whereas with the pill I think the liver sees the hormones twice. I think for my own comfort, I'd make sure that more than one doctor was okay with it, but if I could get two doctors to agree I'd feel better.

You tried a diaphragm, but what about a cervical cap? There's supposed to be a big difference in feeling between the two, as the cervical cap fits very snugly around the cervix. It's got a longer wearing interval than the diaphragm as well, and doesn't contribute to urinary tract infections as a diaphragm can (by pressing on the urethra, preventing a "clean flush"). If you're interested, Jill (cl-dancer31) is VERY happy using Oves, which is a disposable silicone cervical cap available outside the US and over the internet.

Another option, since the patch is already very effective, is to use spermicide. Yes, spermicide is only 85% effective by itself, but you're not using it by itself! ;) It's up to you, of course, as to what statistics you're comfortable with. And if you're more comfortable using a barrier, you might look into a cervical cap.

Good luck!

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