I know i have to be missing something.....BC question. - Page 2

[Ellien C]

Originally Posted by tinyblackdot

Anyone used a diaphram?

I used a diaphram and I thought it was fine. They have to be fitted and then you get a prescription. Before sex you put some spermicide on the diaphram


(warning tmi.......



some kinds of spermicide made hubbies lips numb.... but we found a kind that didn't).


You just squirt it around the rim and in the middle. Then you fold the diaphram up in half - it a latex thing with a ring - and in it goes. You can do this several hours before sex but we usually didn't. I didn't think it was any more disruptive than a condom but I liked it a lot better.

You need to have a diaphram re-fitted if you change weight or give birth.

I will also second the discussion of FAM. Why didn't anyone tell me and why is it lumped with The Rhythm Method?

[Laggie]

Originally Posted by Ellien C

I will also second the discussion of FAM. Why didn't anyone tell me and why is it lumped with The Rhythm Method?

I think it's because all of our "sex ed" is aimed at teenagers. As a result, it tends to recommend only the methods that are considered the most "bulletproof" and idiot proof.

I do think it would be useful to have a "when you are older" component to sex ed... because honestly I wouldn't recommend FAM to a teenager either! Or withdrawal... although both have been working for me at 34.

[Jen1977]

Diaphragm and FemCap

I tried a diaphragm and had a bad experience. Just about the whole year I used it I either had a bladder infection, or just the symptoms. I was so uncomfortable. My midwife recommends the FemCap, I haven't tried it but I think it's probably worth looking into.

P.S. Could things be all that rocky in your relationship if you're needing birth control?? Just a thought

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by eirual

The great thing about charting is that you know. You always know. You know if you have to be cautious and you know when you can let loose. I started charting when DS was 15 mos and I was in an intense year of teacher's college when I was pulling all nighters and up at 5am to get the bus. It really is just taking 10 seconds to temp (you don't even need to record right then if you get a thermometre with memory). The benefits (knowledge, hormone-free, effective, worry-free since you don't need to worry about oopses or wonder if you're preggers- you always just know by what your body's telling you) WAY outweigh the cons (....sometimes I forget to temp or just don't feel like it....life goes on) in my opinion.

I'm one of those folks for whom FAM is not effective. I really like the idea of it, but this whole "you only have to worry about protection for just a few short days" bit was hogwash for me. Because of my irregular cycles (and the fact that it would look like I was fertile a couple of times a cycle) I would pretty much always end up (no matter what software I used) with the whole "potentially fertile" thing. If you're regular then it'd certainly be worth a shot.