contraceptive question

[jaipur.livejournal.com]

I'm asking this here because I'm usually comfortable with the tone and content of the community, rather than in sex_questions or some other community where I've never interacted before. And I'd rather ask mostly women, anyway. So beggin' your pardon in advance...

If you don't want to use chemical contraceptives--nonoxynol, the pill--and the hubby's allergic to latex, what the options that are left? Is it just the IUD and more permanent measures like tubal ligation and vasectomy, or is there something else? (is the diaphragm worth trying if you can't use spermicide, or is that too risky?)
Thanks!

Comments

[scarlett75.livejournal.com]

You could try natural family planning. But I only recommend that if you're married and would not be TERRIBLY upset by the thought of a possible conception. And because there's the chance of transmitting STD's. You chart your temp, check your cervical mucus, watch for certain body changes...ect. So there's no drugs, chemical reactions, ect....

Other than that... a diaphragm, maybe?? Or, yes,...an IUD. You're pretty much stuck with barrier methods or NFP if you don't want any chemical influences. There's some research going on with natural sources of progesterone and estrogen...but they're still pretty unreliable.

[gigglinggorgon.livejournal.com]

I have a latex alergy and can't use hormones, so I use polyurithane condoms. They work rahter well, and my hubby likes them because they warm up and he almost can't feel them... they are also thin and strong.

I havn't found a brand that doesn't have spermacide, but I don't have a problem with the Trojan brand, even though I usually react VERY badly to spermacides.

Hope this is of some help :)

[melonaise.livejournal.com]

Polyurethane (sp) condoms are more expensive but good for people with latex allergies.

[cassiopia.livejournal.com]

There is always the Fertility Awareness method. It involves tracking your temperature and cervival fluid. I've been usin git successfully for almost a year now.

You can find all the how to info in this book:
Taking Charge of your Fertility by Toni Weschler
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060937645//ref=sr_1_2_1/104-5093102-9103114

We've discussed this method a few times in this community. If you have any other questions about it feel free to ask.

[ailbhe]

I have often used various non-latex condoms if I've been using, say, massage oil.

[therealocelot.livejournal.com]

Your question reminded me of a paper I once read about alternative birth control methods for males. One of them was heat. Heat reduces sperm production. If your husband soaks his testicles in water as warm as he can stand for half an hour every day, and wears briefs instead of boxers, and you also use natural family planning methods, your chances of pregnancy should be significantly reduced.

If you're interested in this method, please do research on it first :) It's been years since I read the article. In particular, I'm not sure whether this is considered fully reversible.

If I find the article again, I'll post a link to it. It's very interesting.

As for a diaphragm, I'm not certain of this, but I think that the spermicide helps to create a seal, as well as killing the sperm. If that's true, it's functionality would be significantly reduced unless you could find something else to create this seal. If you could find something to make the seal (or if it turns out not to be necessary), then I'd think that it would be helpful when combined with natural family planning methods.

[kanga2roos.livejournal.com]

The problem I would see with using a diaphragm without spermicide would be that you aren't supposed to leave it in for more than 24 hours, but sperm can live inside the body for up to 3 days.

-kanga

[divinemissa.livejournal.com]

Heat is really not an effective method of birth control. Masters and Johnson says that high temperatures (above 104 F) will decrease sperm motility (wiggliness) but the effect only lasts about half an hour. The whole boxers/briefs thing is overstated, too... some research has shown that wearing snug bikini-type briefs will raise the temperature of the scrotum and lower sperm count gradually. Other researchers have exaggerated this effect (i.e., by wrapping the relevant pieces of equipment in tinfoil and adding a thermocouple, resulting in temperatures of 110F) and have not seen any difference. So don't rely on that.

[therealocelot.livejournal.com]

I wrote that comment before coffee.

Just to clarify - I would not rely on any method I've mentioned above for birth control based on the current level of research. However, if the choice was that or nothing, I'd consider it.

In any case, several less effective methods combined is more helpful than any of those methods on their own (assuming the methods don't interfere with eachother, of course). However, even combined they may not be as effective as chemical forms of birth control.

[urania.livejournal.com]

Like lots of other people said, non-latex condoms (only use lambskin if you're monogomous and clean from std's; polyuretherane blocks what latex does), including the female condom, are an option.

New IUDs sometimes contain hormones; but there are those that do not as well. They are also about as effective as b/c pills IIRC... it's worth talking to your doctor about. Don't know about the diaphragm... what someone else said about how long sperm can live in the body would bother me. (also my mom got pregnant twice while using it, but that was 19 years ago, for me, and 15 for my sister :) so the technology might have improved)

There are probably others, but that's what comes to mind!

Don't Give Up on the Pill!

[azulita.livejournal.com]

I am thinking about your......"chemical contraceptives" comment.

The Pill is not as chemical as Depo.......Depo is an injection that is a chemical that tricks your body that you are pregnant. The Pill is synthesized hormones.

But I see what you are saying. This is where I put my 2 cents in.

I have been on the pill for the majority of my 8 years of sexual activity. I take Loestrin 1.5Fe, one of the lowest progestin/estrogen out there. There are hundreds of different "The Pill" formulations. I had to try two different ones before I found this one. I've been on it happilly for a long time. I tried Depo last year, and it was awful. I will share my hatred for Depo at another time, but simply put, I don't recommend it.

I do not recommend "The Pill" for everyone, but it has it's advantages. I don't know if you are worried about what it is going to do for your body, but there is something to be said for a medication that has been on the market 30+ years that has proven that you can use it from when you start menustrating until menopause. That means you can take it for 40 years or more. So they say, but I believe it.

The side affects are minimal in most people. Depo is full of side affects. IUD has it's bad sides too.

Don't just throw the idea of the pill away, talk to a OB/GYN. See what they think. It can make your life very happy.

Re: Don't Give Up on the Pill!

[raticus.livejournal.com]

Yes, thats true, Try out a weak pill, but If your lactose intolerant don't even think of the pill. I can't have the pill becuase I am lactose intolerant. But I don't mind the idea of children.

Re: Don't Give Up on the Pill!

[melonaise.livejournal.com]

*blink* Lactose intolerance is related to the Pill? Tell me more!

Re: Don't Give Up on the Pill!

[raticus.livejournal.com]

The pill is mainly lactose based, so if you are highly sensitive to lactose, you can have reactions with it. It's only a small dose of lactose, but taking it daily just made me get very sick.

Re: Don't Give Up on the Pill!

[jaipur.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your input!! I'm glad to know about Depo, I have considered that (when I'm not an an anti-chemical binge :). I've tried Orthotricyclen and didn't like the side effects; I've been on a progestin only mini-pill for four years now, not too unhappy about it overall. But I'd like to wash it out of my system and see if some other issues get better...

I guess the OB/GYN is the next step. I want to find out more about tubal ligation--I'm 34, don't want kids and never have, but I'm not fond of surgery either...

Re: Don't Give Up on the Pill!

[kanga2roos.livejournal.com]

If you're going to go the sterilization route, your partner might consider the vasectomy (you did mention it earlier).. It's an outpatient procedure (also not invasive like a tubal ligation) and will be pretty painless for him. (They use local anesthetics for it).. I saw a video of one when I was in high school and it's quick and didn't seem difficult for the man.

-kanga

Re: Don't Give Up on the Pill!

[jaipur.livejournal.com]

mmm--he's diabetic and has compromised healing/immune system issues. I'm the healthier of the two and least likely to have complications. He's looking for polyurethane condoms today, though, to see if he can find some and if they might solve the problem, 'cause he's not eager to have me go under the knife either...