first time contraception?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2006
first time contraception?
2
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 2:53pm

I'm planning on having sex for the first time sometime in the near future and I'm kind of at a loss for what contraceptive method(s) would be best for me and my partner.

My boyfriend and I are both virgins so something easy to use would be best as we can't really afford to be making mistakes. We're both in university so pregnancy is definately not something in our plans right now. STDS are not so much of an issue as we've been both tested clean.

I've tried three different brands of the pill (including the mini-pill) over the course of this year and experienced many side effects (migraines, nausea, extreme dizziness, depression, acne, etc.) and would like to steer clear of hormonal methods. I was interested in the cervical cap or diaphragm but they both seemed messy and maybe a bit too hard to use for our first time, although they may be good methods for later on. Also two of my aunts got pregnant using diaphragms so I'm a little wary of their effectiveness.

I'm very interested in the sponge (I think the brand name is the Today Sponge??) and was wondering if anyone had information or experiences about the ease of use for that method? Also, if anyone could offer some opinions/experiences about the ease of use and effectiveness of any other non-hormonal methods it would be greatly appreciated.

We're planning on using condoms as well, we'd just like another method to be as safe as possible. I've also heard that the sexual health clinic at my university will prescribe Plan B in advance so I could have some on hand incase of emergency, but I'll have to get down their and ask about that to be sure. Any information would be greatly appreciated! I'd like my first time to be as pleasant as possible and worrying about pregnancy definately doesn't fit in with my ideal.

Thanks for any help you guys can offer!

Community Leader
Registered: 07-26-1999
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 4:27pm
I have been using the Today's Sponge for the last 5 months since my DH and I got married and I went off BCP because of the hormonal problems I had with the BCP's. I also used the Sponge way back in high school before it went off the market. In both instances I have loved using it, you can put it in before you leave for a date, or whatever or even 5 minutes prior to sex and it should be fine. You may want to try putting it in once or twice before hand, but it being a sponge it is pretty easy to manuever. You just want to leave it in at least 6 hours past the last time you had sex and not have it in for more than 24 hours. There is the increased possibility of urinary tract infections with it, as with any foreign substance, but it depends on the person. In my experience it has been a great contraceptive. I think there is a link at the bottom of the page on how to choose the best contraceptive for your situation and I am sure there will be more people that add helpful posts to you.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 6:24am

I used condoms for my first time (it seems like so long ago!), and for the next four years after that.

Judie Cl for Birth Control