ribbed condom pain

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2004
ribbed condom pain
3
Mon, 08-16-2004 - 7:45pm
My husband and I got married three weeks ago and had no problem with sex until last week. Both of us were quite inexperienced (I was a virgin) and neither had experience with any form of birth control. I have been on estrostep since the end of May. The problem was that my husband wanted to last longer during sex, so we thought using a condom might help. Unfortunately, we bought the ribbed kind, and it felt *very* uncomfortable for me. Then after sex, I felt very irritated 'down there' for several days. A few days later, we decided to try intercourse again, and while initial penetration was more uncomfortable than usual, we went ahead and finished. Immediately afterwards, my vagina and its opening was so sore which it has been for the last few days now. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this problem with ribbed condoms. Obviously, we won't use them anymore, but I'd just like to know that this is in fact the problem and not something else. Thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 08-16-2004 - 9:13pm
Hi happybridejuly, welcome!

Congratulations on your marriage!

My guess is that you were probably not lubricated sufficiently. Some oral contraceptives can reduce the amount of natural lube you produce. With DH unsheathed and providing lubricant there was enough for you to be comfortable. With him in a condom, there wasn't. If that's what happened it's easily corrected by using a water based intimate lubricant such as Astroglide or K-Y liquid. Do not use any lube that has oil in it as oil will destroy latex barriers. I doubt that the type condom (ribbed or smooth) had anything to do with your discomfort... unless it was coated with a spermicide that you might be allergic to. If I were you and wanted to try again, I'd get condoms without spermicide and then use PLEANTY of Astroglide. I'll bet you will do just fine! Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2004
Tue, 08-17-2004 - 3:12pm
Thanks for responding, Jill. It's nice to hear that the pain and discomfort I'd been feeling is so much a solvable problem. Each day, it seems to be feeling better, though now I'm wanting to research for the best type of birth control. Now, I'm using estrostep and I have noticed increased appetite (I've put on eight pounds since May) and decreased natural lubrication, as well as bloating. The pill is no fun :( Anyway, thanks so much for your quick response. iVillage is now my new favorite website :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 08-17-2004 - 5:30pm
If you haven't already visited the Birth Control Board: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhcontracept you might want to give it a visit. We have lots of information about different BC choices (hormonal and non-hormonal) in the FAQs at the top of the board. Maybe I'll see you there? I hope you're feeling better.

Good luck,

      Jill