Random Birth Control Bitching *a.k.a* RBCB

[Principessa]

Interesting! I didn't know there were any alternatives to Instead - I'll have to check them out! I've been petrified that they're going to be discontinued

Don't you feel the Instead cup when you use it? I tried it a few times and while it did work, I didn't like the feel of it inside me or the chance of getting blood on my fingers. Yes, I know it's my blood but still it skeeves me out. :redface:

 

[|e|]

Don't you feel the Instead cup when you use it? I tried it a few times and while it did work, I didn't like the feel of it inside me or the chance of getting blood on my fingers. Yes, I know it's my blood but still it skeeves me out. :redface:

No, I don't feel it at all. My only complaint is that it can get out of position somewhat easily and leak, but I've been using them long enough that I can tell when it's going to happen and prevent it.

 

[Guy-jin]

My girlfriend kind of wants to start using BC, but after bad experiences with it in my last relationship, I really don't want her to (but then again, I really hate using condoms! Woe is me.).

 

[D_Fiona_Farvel]

I've decided to use an IUD! :smile:
I can choose either Mirena (lasts 5 years, hormonal, no periods) or ParaGard (a.k.a Copper T, lasts 10 years, slightly heavier periods for six months)--both are free for me. I probably will not be using it as a sole form of BC, as I am not in a serious relationship, but Woo Hoo for added protection against :baby:.

My girlfriend kind of wants to start using BC, but after bad experiences with it in my last relationship, I really don't want her to (but then again, I really hate using condoms! Woe is me.).

She can also use the Weschler method, but there's a lot of work involved, like checking cervical mucus daily.

 

[Principessa]

Have you considerd the Standard Days Method? I have been doing some reading on it and it is supposed to be much more accurate than the old fashioned Rhythm Method. It's also easier because you don't have to putz around with basal thermometers or measuring cervical mucous


How Was The Standard Days Method Developed?
The Standard Days Method was actually developed using highly sophisticated analyses of thousands of menstrual cycles lasting between 26 and 32 days. Data from more than 7,500 different menstrual cycles was compiled and recorded by computers. This data was then analyzed in order to find out when fertile days occurred during a woman's menstrual cycle.

All aspects of fertility were taken into account, including ovulation and the typical lifespan of both sperm and eggs. Based on this information, SDM concludes that the most fertile days of a woman's cycle are Days 8 through 19.

How Do You Use the Standard Days Method?
The Standard Days Method is fairly straightforward to use. All you need to do is keep track of how long your menstrual cycle is, in order to determine when Days 8 through 19 occur.

• <LI itxtvisited="1">When the first day of your period arrives, this is Day1 of your cycle. Mark this on your calendar. <LI itxtvisited="1">Between Day 1 and Day 7, it is highly unlikely that you will become pregnant, so it is safe to participate in sexual intercourse without using birth control. <LI itxtvisited="1">Between Day 8 and Day 19, you are at your most fertile. You and your partner should abstain from sex or you should use an alternate type of birth control, such as a condom.
• Between Day 20 and 32 you are unlikely to get pregnant, so you can resume sexual intercourse.

CycleBeads and the Standard Days Method
Many women who practice SDM use CycleBeads to help them keep track of the days in their menstrual cycle. CycleBeads are a string of 32 color-coded beads, shaped into a necklace. There is a rubber ring that can be placed around individual beads on the necklace to help identify what day you are on in your cycle. There are three colors of beads on the CycleBead necklace:

• <LI itxtvisited="1">Red: There is one red bead on the CycleBead necklace. This red bead stands for the first day in your menstrual cycle. It is on this day that you get your menstrual period. <LI itxtvisited="1">Brown: The brown beads signify the days during your cycle when it is highly unlikely that you will get pregnant.
• White: The white, glow-in-the-dark beads represent the fertile days of your menstrual cycle (Days 8 to 19).

As you move through each day of your cycle, you slip the rubber ring on a different bead. When the rubber ring is moved onto the white beads, you will know to abstain from sex or to use a form of contraception.

Who Can Use the Standard Days Method?
The Standard Days Method can be used by the majority of women, however, before you try the method it is important that you meet the following criteria:

• <LI itxtvisited="1">Your menstrual cycles are regular <LI itxtvisited="1">Your cycle is between 26 and 32 days long (SDM is less effective if your cycles are shorter than 26 days or longer than 32 days).
• You and your partner are willing to abstain from intercourse or use protection during your fertile days

 

[D_Fiona_Farvel]

I wouldn't use either NFP method because I really do not want children.
However, I do very much want to feel my BF/Hump buddy come inside me, so I need some form of BC in place for when I decide to try it.

I do not know what my issue is, but I very much want to feel sex without a barrier and I feel this guy, with full and regular STD testing, is the best and safest option I'll come across (no pun ) for a great while. I am pretty much just humping him to extract his jizz, at this point. Each time he comes inside me with a condom, it turns me on so I am always ready to go again. I am wearing him out. Poor guy. :smile:

 

[D_Fiona_Farvel]

Have you considerd the Standard Days Method? I have been doing some reading on it and it is supposed to be much more accurate than the old fashioned Rhythm Method. It's also easier because you don't have to putz around with basal thermometers or measuring cervical mucous

CycleBeads and the Standard Days Method
Many women who practice SDM use CycleBeads to help them keep track of the days in their menstrual cycle. CycleBeads are a string of 32 color-coded beads, shaped into a necklace. There is a rubber ring that can be placed around individual beads on the necklace to help identify what day you are on in your cycle. There are three colors of beads on the CycleBead necklace:

• <LI itxtvisited="1">Red: There is one red bead on the CycleBead necklace. This red bead stands for the first day in your menstrual cycle. It is on this day that you get your menstrual period. <LI itxtvisited="1">Brown: The brown beads signify the days during your cycle when it is highly unlikely that you will get pregnant.
• White: The white, glow-in-the-dark beads represent the fertile days of your menstrual cycle (Days 8 to 19).

I already keep track of my periods and fertile days.
Today I visited my NP to consult about the IUD, she was so pushing HBC, but I countered well with my anti-HBC argument. Anyway, we did pregnancy and ovulation tests, and I found out that I am ovulating which I knew through using my aunt flow calendar. It was nice to confirm my calculations. :smile:

 

[BobLeeSwagger]

I've heard of a recent study that is finding high levels of hormones in the drinking water in the UK (where study was done...not cuz it's so bad there, folks). Apparently, those hormones that are urinated out by ladies using the Pill cannot be filtered out during the recycling process...meaning we all get to drink it again.

To be fair, this is the case with all oral medications. Birth control pills just happen to be one of the most commonly prescribed drugs. Pretty much all oral medications are dosed in higher amounts than your body actually needs because most of it won't be absorbed by the body. The rest usually just ends up in urine.

There's been some effort recently into developing patches to deliver more forms of medication. The idea is that since more of the drug makes it into the bloodstream, lower dosages are used. I haven't heard if there's been much progress on that though.

Have you considerd the Standard Days Method? I have been doing some reading on it and it is supposed to be much more accurate than the old fashioned Rhythm Method. It's also easier because you don't have to putz around with basal thermometers or measuring cervical mucous

How is this different from the rhythm method?

 

[Principessa]

How is this different from the rhythm method?

The rhythm method requires a woman to not just chart her cycle but take her basal body temperature daily and record that as well. The Ovulation method is the same as the Rhythm method with the addition of checking the consistency of cervical mucous daily.
The SDM requires nothing but the beaded necklace. This is great because it means even women in rural areas or third world nations can use it. It allows them to be in control of their fertility without their husband knowing it.

 

[Tristessa]

Can I join the rant?

I previously used a nuva ring, after a few years of trying various pills which made me horrendously ill. It worked fantastically, minimal motion sickness and so on.

Then I moved to the UK, where it was still in testing and not available to the general public. They told me I could go back on the pill (which I tried again, still making me sick) or else go with an IUS (Mirena). Since I have other issues, a non-hormonal IUD wouldn't be the best idea, and the IUS was supposed to help those particular issues.

First of all, the implantation of it was one of the most painful things I've experienced. I had cramps for the next 10 days that felt like someone had stuck a knife up my cervix and twisted. I've stopped my period completely, but still get bad cramps every few weeks, much more painful than they were before. The hormonal effects have been much worse than with the ring, even though they are localised (like the ring). Mood swings, weird things going on with my hair, breakouts. Sex hurts too.

I moved from the UK to Norway, and went to see a doctor about it here. Turns out they implanted it in the wrong position, forgot to trim the strings, and so on. The doctor said it shouldn't have been painful to put in, maybe just a little discomfort, and they should have realised there was a problem right away. He tried to take it out, but couldn't get it to release, so now I have to go to a specialist to see how to get it out.

Not happy, but at least I get my beloved nuva ring back when this is all over.

 

[D_Fiona_Farvel]

Eeek, sorry to read about your IUD/S/C issues, Tristessa.
It sounds like the Mirena, which is larger/thicker than a ParaGard, may have be too big for your body. My NP said it really works best in postpartum women.

I'm having mine in using a numbing liquid so I won't feel the sounding or insertion. Though, it won't help with the pressure and cramping (I have a smallish uterus). My Doctor (anti-hormonal BC), and the NP (also works at Planned Parenthood), both have had IUDs and have inserted several over the years without problem, so I think their experience will help prevent a bad insertion or perforation.

I am very excited!

 

[BobLeeSwagger]

The rhythm method requires a woman to not just chart her cycle but take her basal body temperature daily and record that as well. The Ovulation method is the same as the Rhythm method with the addition of checking the consistency of cervical mucous daily.
The SDM requires nothing but the beaded necklace. This is great because it means even women in rural areas or third world nations can use it. It allows them to be in control of their fertility without their husband knowing it.

It may be easy and cheap, but it sounds like a BC method that's only more effective than doing nothing at all. So many women have irregular cycles that counting the days is often just an educated guess.

My Catholic grandparents swore by the rhythm method. They had eight children.

 

[Principessa]

It may be easy and cheap, but it sounds like a BC method that's only more effective than doing nothing at all. So many women have irregular cycles that counting the days is often just an educated guess.

My Catholic grandparents swore by the rhythm method. They had eight children.

If you had bothered to read the link you would know that this method is not recommended for women with irregular periods.

As for the rhythm method it's easy to screw that up because so few women do it properly.

 

[BobLeeSwagger]

If you had bothered to read the link you would know that this method is not recommended for women with irregular periods.

As for the rhythm method it's easy to screw that up because so few women do it properly.

Which is probably why artificial birth control was invented in the first place.

 

[10.5andproudofit]

there are some pills for guys in testing. if they prove safe hopefully we can shift some of the burden off of women for protection from pregnancy.

 

[D_Fiona_Farvel]

*snip*
Then I moved to the UK, where it was still in testing and not available to the general public. They told me I could go back on the pill (which I tried again, still making me sick) or else go with an IUS (Mirena). Since I have other issues, a non-hormonal IUD wouldn't be the best idea, and the IUS was supposed to help those particular issues.

First of all, the implantation of it was one of the most painful things I've experienced. I had cramps for the next 10 days that felt like someone had stuck a knife up my cervix and twisted. I've stopped my period completely, but still get bad cramps every few weeks, much more painful than they were before. The hormonal effects have been much worse than with the ring, even though they are localised (like the ring). Mood swings, weird things going on with my hair, breakouts. Sex hurts too.
*snip*
I moved from the UK to Norway, and went to see a doctor about it here. Turns out they implanted it in the wrong position, forgot to trim the strings, and so on. The doctor said it shouldn't have been painful to put in, maybe just a little discomfort, and they should have realised there was a problem right away. He tried to take it out, but couldn't get it to release, so now I have to go to a specialist to see how to get it out.

Thanks for this heads up, I had issues with implantation as well. Apparently, I have a shy cervix that did not take kindly to being clamped, poked, and prodded. So, yeah, no IUD for the time being.

I might try again next spring. But, for the next few months :naughty:, I will be using Micronor a 'POP' that thickens cervical mucus, which should create fewer side effects than a combination pill (which make me hurl). Very happy to continue using my Diva Cup as well. :arms:

I wouldn't use either NFP method because I really do not want children.
However, I do very much want to feel my BF/Hump buddy come inside me, so I need some form of BC in place for when I decide to try it.

I do not know what my issue is, but I very much want to feel sex without a barrier and I feel this guy, with full and regular STD testing, is the best and safest option I'll come across (no pun ) for a great while. I am pretty much just humping him to extract his jizz, at this point. Each time he comes inside me with a condom, it turns me on so I am always ready to go again. I am wearing him out. Poor guy. :smile:

*sigh* :08: