Sex & Romance
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Fertility Awareness Methods?
I am trying to find a birth control that has a) No hormones, b) all natural, and c) not a big pain in the butt to keep up with.
We have had/tried condoms, the iud, nuvaring, and the pull out method. I ended up miscarrying with the iud due to it shifting (I didn't know I was pregnant bc my periods were only every 2 months), the nuvaring made me crazy, and our condoms kept breaking despite being brand new and in the nightstand. We currently are on the pull out method, and have been doing this for about 2-2 1/2 years with no scares or mishaps.
Has anyone had any luck with the charting methods, etc? (With the prevention action in mind, not the trying part)
Re: Fertility Awareness Methods?
I have used FAM for contraception for 7 months (didn't like the libido effects from bc & it made me feel a bit crazy in the last year of using it) but we also use condoms during the fertile period. It does take a bit of commitment with the temping, watching cervical mucus, and charting, but it isn't a huge inconvenience. There have definitely been mornings I have forgot to temp, but since we also use condoms during high fertility I don't worry too much. I really recommend reading 'Taking Charge of Your Fertility' (sorry, can't get it to underline on ipad). We also used this to conceive in the past. Good luck with your decision.
Actually it is on the Planned Parenthood website and is listed as a method.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/withdrawal-pull-out-method-4218.htm
Yes, although there are better forms of prevention, I have no real options due to family history and personal experiences with hormonal birth control. We used condoms religiously for a while, but after having to use 2-3 each time it was getting ridiculous and becoming more of a hassle than enjoyable. We also don't push it to the last second, (yes, I know there is still some in pre-ejaculate), so our chances are pretty minimal. It's all about timing, and it's not as if it's fully wreckless (ie, inside me).
But I was asking to see what else I can do that will not cause significant problems either emotionally or physically, and I figured I would see what others who use this method have to say.
Like PP said, the "pull out method" is NOT birth control (what was Planned Parenthood thinking). Trust me on this. My parents were the proud owners of a "pull out" baby... me!
.....Or possibly fingernails,....?? It takes a lot to brake a condom by friction only!!..in fact i'm impressed!!...
If withdrawl works for you and you use it intelligently and don't have any difficulties with it (including frustration in either partner at the sudden ending) and understand it has risks, then, why not.....
Definitely read "Taking Charge of Your Fertility". Not only will you learn about charting (which, once you know it, is easy and worth it), but you will learn sooooooo much about your body/cycle (did i stress the "so" enough?). My husband and I have been charting and using the FAM method for a little more than a year now successfully. During my fertile periods we either don't have sex or we use a VCF and pull out. (We can't use condoms.) In addition to charting on paper, I also have an app on my phone called "p tracker" or "period tracker" that i love. It keeps the same information and is pretty spot on with my own charting as far as fertility period and when i get my period (expected dates). I have been using this program longer than i have been charting, so about 2 years now.
In case you don't know, VCF is Vaginal Contraceptive Film. It is spermicide in film form that you place on your cervix 15 mins before having sex and it lasts up to 3 hours. They have seriously changed our life. I buy them at Walgreens, but I have seen them other places.
I hope this helps
GREAT advice from Tara0604....
Pay attention to your body. Keep track of your cycle on a calendar. First day of period = Day 1 of cycle. Use condoms (or spermicide) or only use foreplay from about day 10 to day 16. You are horniest on the day an egg drops, so try to ignore your primal needs lol (when an egg drops you can also sometimes feel it, a tight cramp in one of your ovaries for about 10 minutes that day). Look up NFP. Foreplay is amazing, and orgasms while you're on your period can help alleviate cramps/headaches/discomfort!
^this along with your continued "pull and pray" method should work fine lol.
but again I will reiterate: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY.
My husband and I have been using FAM with the Lady Comp for about 2 years and it works wonderfully for us.
My recommendations:
- Definitely read Taking Charge of Your Fertility
- Consider trying a diaphragm - I love mine and use it in combo with either spermicidal film or spermicide. I have also used sponges and just spermicidal film but the diaphragm is my favorite.
Kuddos to you guys for being willing to go natural. Personally, we tried everything in the book and it wasn't until I went crazy on the pill that we really researched all that is out there!
Good luck and feel free to ask any questions you may have!