What birth control method is working for you? Please share your experiences! - Page 2

[Iktomi]

I use Ortho Trycyclin Lo.  Every other hormonal birth control has given me horrible side effects.  I'm allergic to glycerin, so I need to use natural oil based lube (not compatible with condoms or anything latex based. )  I got the copper T IUD and had horrible (i.e. pre-labor intense) cramps.  I know too many people who got pregnant using NFP, and my youngest was a product of the pull-out method.  I want to use something highly effective, because I could not handle another child at this point.  (I have 2 teenage stepkids who just moved in with us after the death of their mother, a very active preschooler, a developmentally delayed toddler, and a homestead.  I have my hands full as it is.)  Round the clock breastfeeding never stopped my ovulation- 3 months postpartum I got my periods back like clockwork.  The low dose of hormones seems to be highly effective for me without the side effects, but if they ever make better non-permanent solution, I would try that in a heartbeat.  I'm not sure if I'm done yet, otherwise I would get sterilized.

[aquanna]

Fertility Awareness (Natural Family Planning) for 12 years!
 

[EchoSoul]

Condoms. Only. I don't like the idea of a contraceptive messing around with the natural flow of my menstrual cycle, or putting fake hormones in my body. There are negative side effects to the spermicide used in internal products, etc etc... So condoms, only. We use a website's off brand of Crown, and they're the best we've ever tried, ever. Trojan was TERRIBLE(no offense to the likers of it, obviously, but it caused me pain and he couldn't feel a damn thing). But I've recently been charting my ovulation to be extra safe, and we abstain from sex during those times.

[tsarina]

I use the FemCap with ContraGel and absolutely love it!  I've always been pretty comfortable with my insides and have no trouble finding my own cervix.  It sits in the same place as the diva cup I use, and is pretty easy to get in and out (after the first two or three uses).  I ordered it from Canada.  Contragel is a green spermicide, and it definitely works!  In the past we've used sponges, which are super expensive, and various forms of hormonal birth control which always affected my milk/moods/sex drive and I didn't like them. 

Cara
 

[Kaydove]

Originally Posted by tsarina 

I use the FemCap with ContraGel and absolutely love it!  I've always been pretty comfortable with my insides and have no trouble finding my own cervix.  It sits in the same place as the diva cup I use, and is pretty easy to get in and out (after the first two or three uses).  I ordered it from Canada.  Contragel is a green spermicide, and it definitely works!  In the past we've used sponges, which are super expensive, and various forms of hormonal birth control which always affected my milk/moods/sex drive and I didn't like them. 

Cara

 

Have you used the diaphragm? I'm wondering how the Femcap compares to the diaphragm.

[tsarina]

I haven't - I attempted to between our second and third child, but whoever makes them didn't make the larger size diaphragms anymore so I couldn't get one.  I'm not sure if they're making them now, or not.  I like the femcap because it doesn't need to be sized - it is based on your reproductive history, so you can order one without an exam.
 

[tinifry]

I was on the pill before my 1st but hated it because of the hormonal side effects. After that I got a Paragard but got pregnant after 3 years with it still in place (still have a hard time believing the 99%+ effective rate). Now I'm two weeks PP but probably will go with a combination of the Mirena, condoms and/or abstinence while ovulating. 

[ihave7kids]

I am so happy to be reading all these posts about NFP!  I only know of 2 other couples personally who use this method, besides my husband and myself.  We have been married 19 years and have used NFP for the last 16 years.  We couldn't be happier with it.  Don't let our family size make you think NFP doesn't work...we planned for all these beautiful children :)  Exclusive breastfeeding and co-sleeping for each baby usually keeps my cycle from returning for at least a year between pregnancies.  I love the naturalness of this method, and being really in tune with my cycle.  For us, there is also a religious component in not wanting to interfere with God's plan for our family.

[MissCee]

FAM + Diaphragm with Contragel when fertile. I've been using this since 7 weeks postpartum (18 months ago) as that's when my periods started again and I've had no problems with it! and absolutely love it! :)

[Tycho]

I have Mirena after years of using the pill.  The pill was effective for me, but I wasn't crazy about the hormonal effects.  With Mirena, I love not having to worry about actively preventing pregnancy, have not experienced any negative side effects in the four years I've had it in, and my husband has never felt the strings.

[LaurensFaire]

Originally Posted by LaurensFaire 

My husband and I have been using condoms for the past like 8 years. Working really really well for us. Our two babies are from times we didn't use them... :) I learned how to do Natural Family Planning and body temperature charting as a teenager and I have always had a good grasp of my fertility day-to-day. But you can't get a good and accurate basal body temperature reading if you haven't had like around 4 straight hours of sleep.... which doesn't happen most of the time with two babies under the age of 3. So! Condoms!
We also found that if your man has any discomfort from wearing a condom, (like a lot of circumcised men can on their scrotal webbing area) get Trojan brand magnum condoms. Seriously. :) They're not any actually bigger than other condoms, they're just super stretchy and (evidently) a lot more comfortable. I like them much better because he does.
But condoms are so reliable for us that I'm even comfortable using them and having sex on fertile days. :)
 

you gotta buy them though! my husband won't buy them because he's all embarrassed about it, like if a guy buys them they're going to be like yeah right, but if a woman buys them then she probably needs them.... so stupid! but don't ask him to go out and buy them or if you do, and he doesn't get them that's why!
makes for a nice surprise too.... hey! look what I got you! *surprise* makes for a fun into to more fun. :)

[LaurensFaire]

Originally Posted by EchoSoul 

Condoms. Only. I don't like the idea of a contraceptive messing around with the natural flow of my menstrual cycle, or putting fake hormones in my body. There are negative side effects to the spermicide used in internal products, etc etc... So condoms, only. We use a website's off brand of Crown, and they're the best we've ever tried, ever. Trojan was TERRIBLE(no offense to the likers of it, obviously, but it caused me pain and he couldn't feel a damn thing). But I've recently been charting my ovulation to be extra safe, and we abstain from sex during those times.

Oh! I wanted to tell you! There's a trojan brand magnum THIN condom.... :) :) :) My hubby has a lack of sensitivity from circumcision, and he definitely says they're the best of everything we've tried. Haven't seen the crown brand ever though....
The lube with the condoms is a big deal too........ :)