Rubbers stink. Well, not literally (unless you don’t like the smell of latex - or if they’re used ew).
Here’s my problem:
My SO and I have been relying on chemical methods of birth control for the past 5 and a half years, which have worked - to the detriment of my state of mind. So, after talking it over with him, I decided I was sick of crying over it and quit taking them. One big issue was the fact that my current brand of pills was removed from my insurance’s drug formulary after 3 years as of 01/01/02 (“f-ing hmo pieces of crap”), and the only other ones on the formulary I’ve already tried and they were worse than the one I’ve been using. Not to mention the mood swings were bringing both of us down a couple times a week.
We’ve been using condoms since and haven’t been having enough fun, and oral sex can only go so far…
To the point - I’m thinking about getting fitted for a diaphragm and I would love to hear opinions from any of you who have any experience with them. I’m mostly concerned about their effectiveness since I’ve read that their failure rate can be as high as 20%.
Any info would be most helpful. We’re not ready to be parents yet.
I don’t know anything about the diaphragm, and apparently modern ones are more comfortable than older ones. However, a friend of mine swears by the Today’s Sponge, while is not easily had, you can buy them on the internet. She says you can use them for up to 24 hours, meaning if you have an idea that you will be having sexual intercourse, insert and forget until you are ready to take it out for up to 24 hours.
Unlike some methods like foams inserts from a tube, the Sponge is good for multiple uses over the 24 hours, which is convenient.
Me, I don’t think I would enjoy a contraption that is inside me all the time, but that’s just me. If you are interested in finding the sponge the website is: Birth Control Sponge (Today Sponge) apparently the only place you can find it on the net and difficult to find in stores, not sure why.
In addition, you might talk to your gyno about the birth control ring that is scheduled for release. It’s a ring that is inserted and left for a predetermined amount of time. It releases a low dose of hormones (like The Pill, Deproprovera, etc…) but is lower in dosage so it might be safer. Do a search for birth contol on Google and I am sure you can find it. They may even have the information on that website if you take out the Todays sponge portion.
Good luck on not getting pregs…Me I am just resigned lately to be a lonely woman with no one to play with
The bad news is that a diaphragm makes sex less spontaneous, because you have to stop and put it in. Also, diaphragm cream tastes like aspirin. The good news is that a diaphragm is more fun than condoms, and effectiveness is about 95% if it’s used properly. It is less effective in practice because people don’t always use it properly. For example, my awesome kid, Josh, was a diaphragm baby. The directions say to put the diaphragm on the cervix… We put the diaphragm on the nightstand. See spontaneity.
There’s a new monthly shot, Lunelle, and mood problems aren’t listed as a side effect. I don’t know how much it costs, though.
The correct link is[ URL=http://www.pplm.org/clinic/services/birth_c/lunelle.htm]Lunelle, and rereading it I do see depression listed as a possible side effect. Oops.
I used a diaphragm for a little while about 7-8 years ago and didn’t care for it. One thing is that I’m prone to UTIs, and the rim tends to press against the bladder, so my UTIs got worse. Also, it bugged me because I was just very aware that something was in there (I have the same problem with tampons sometimes, I can just feel that it’s in there and it’s uncomfortable). Another problem can be if your partner is well-endowed, it can be uncomfortable for him.
Some women also don’t like the diaphragm because it involves sticking your fingers inside your vagina, particularly when taking it out, you gotta fish around a little bit. That didn’t bother me at all, but I know it is an issue for some.
Since you have to use spermicide, make sure you’re not allergic to nonoxynol-9, since that’s pretty much the only one you can find out there.
The effectiveness depends on how well the diaphragm is fitted, and how careful you are with inserting it, making sure it’s in the right place, and using plenty of spermicide. I’d suggest talking over your options with your GYN–if you don’t have a regular GYN, if there is a Planned Parenthood in your area, they’re usually great with birth control advice.
The Today sponge was taken off the market some years back, I forget why, might have been TSS…in any case, it’s supposed to be back on the market soon, but isn’t yet due to some manufacturing problems. www.birthcontrol.com sells a different type of sponge that is made in Canada that you can buy on the web. That might be worth a try.
Thanks, guys. I just wish I could make up my mind. I just got the approval letter from my inurance company to get fitted for a diaphragm, though, so I may try it at least and see how I like it.
In the meantime, maybe we’ll invest in some lambskin condoms, and keep those around for more spontaneous moments…
If you can get it, the sponge rocks. Absolutely the easiest, most comfortable barrier birth control that I or any woman of my acquaintance has ever used. We nearly rioted when they took it off the market. (Downsides; it can definitely be literally stinky when you take it out, and sometimes taking it out can be kinda tricky. )
The reason the diaphragm has such a high failure rate is due to several factors, the #1 being incorrect usage, #2 being incorrect fit. You MUST use spermicide, and you must add more spermicide to your vaginal canal for every separate orgasmic incident of intercourse, (his orgasm, not yours)
Finally: get better insurance! Bitch to your employer if need be.
I used the diaphragm for about a year and had only one problem. Severe UTI. I second Geobabe on that issue. Be careful because they are not fun. I got rid of it and had no problems since. Comfort wise, the diaphragm didn’t bother me or him and he was well endowed. Also, I have weight fluctuation issues and I remember reading that if you gain or lose more than 5 pounds that it may not fit as well. Keep that in mind.
Never been with a guy who’d had Mr. Snippy-Snippy before-- went through the 40 pound weight gain of Depo-Provera, the wish-I-were-dead mood swings on Pill brands 1, 3, and 5 (not to mention the wish-YOU-were-dead mood swings on 2 and 4), the buying condoms by the gross for my dear, sweet, absolutely unstoppable husband at the time, the snickering, giggling, until we wheezed two attempts at the female condoms…
Vasectomy. We did the obligatory STD talk and checkup. And…free at last. I have never been less stressed about possible pregnancy in my LIFE. No searching around for nasty-tasting latex bits, no messing with that pesky nonoxynol-9 allergy…just deciding whether I want to find a towel or make him sleep in the wet spot. Life is good.
Since your life isn’t as kidful as you want just yet-- don’t rule it out. Just talk to your doctor about the most current research on reversibility and see what you think.
I found the diaphragm was a great way to stay in shape. I spent many fun evenings chasing the damned thing all over the bathroom (or bedroom). Once the jelly was on and I folded the spring for insertion, it would sail out of my fingers like a flying saucer on crack. What fun it was to retrieve it and wash it off again.
My son, VarlosZ, owes his very existence to the fact that his father and I were tired of playing fetch and just said “the hell with it.”
I have since relied on IUD’s for birth control and couldn’t be happier with them. Periods are a little heavier but it is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Life is good.