Condom Alternatives
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Condom Alternatives
| Mon, 10-04-2004 - 11:29pm |
Hi everyone,
My partner and I have always relied on both the pill and condoms for protection. We are just about fed up with using condoms. I do like the peace of mind it gives me to use additional birth control (on top of using the pill). I'm interested in tring contraceptive foam or jelly. I have lots of questions!! Has anyone here tried these? What brands did you like best? Also, what brands are there that offer a large "window of opportunity"? I've heard that some are effective for up to six hours after insertion. I like the idea of being a little more spontaneous (another reason we want to ditch condoms). We have tried using condoms with spermicide in the past and I was really sensitive to it, so do you think that I will be sensitive to foam or cream as well? Also, most importantly, what percentage effectiveness does foam or jelly have? I've been finding conflicting numbers on this. Thanks for any advice!
My partner and I have always relied on both the pill and condoms for protection. We are just about fed up with using condoms. I do like the peace of mind it gives me to use additional birth control (on top of using the pill). I'm interested in tring contraceptive foam or jelly. I have lots of questions!! Has anyone here tried these? What brands did you like best? Also, what brands are there that offer a large "window of opportunity"? I've heard that some are effective for up to six hours after insertion. I like the idea of being a little more spontaneous (another reason we want to ditch condoms). We have tried using condoms with spermicide in the past and I was really sensitive to it, so do you think that I will be sensitive to foam or cream as well? Also, most importantly, what percentage effectiveness does foam or jelly have? I've been finding conflicting numbers on this. Thanks for any advice!
Stacey
PS - If anyone has any other ideas for alternatives to using condoms (besides foam or gel) please let me know. I'm open to anything. I would like something I can buy at the local drug store though. Thanks!
Edited 10/4/2004 11:52 pm ET ET by estakia

If you're in the US, there's only one chemical spermicide that's available--nonoxynol-9. If you have a reaction to N-9, you may have a problem with the chemical spermicides on the market, but different types of applications may have different strengths. For example, a spermicide intended for use with a diaphragm may have a lower concentration of N-9 than, say, vaginal contraceptive film, which has a high concentration but a small amount.
You can use a foam, a spermicidal insert (Semicid or Encare), a film (VCF), or a gel/cream. But you'll have to read the directions on the box to see what your window of opportunity would be. I've used Conceptrol gel in prefilled applicators, and that requires that you have sex within 30 minutes of application for maximum (estimated about 85%) effectiveness. And then there's the ooze factor....after sex, my experience has been that the gel is kind of drippy. VCF can be hard to insert, the idea is that you put this little square of film on your cervix and your own moisture will activate it, so there's very little quantity and no drippiness, but we've had members say that it irritated them or their partner.
If you're going on the internet to buy stuff, you might be able to find a different chemical in spermicides, but for the life of me I can't remember what the alternatives are! The sponge is also available over the internet, but they're kind of pricey and rather than being a barrier, it just serves as a receptacle for spermicide so the effectiveness is no more than using spermicide alone, it's just a little handier.
You've got a few options! You might want to find a low-traffic time at a drugstore and just read boxes for a little while...
Good luck!
Co-cl for Birth Control
Jill
By the way, thanks for sharing your experiences and offering good advice. I appreciate it!
Stacey
I hope it works well for you!
Co-cl for Birth Control