JasmineFire said:

Really...lol spikes on it...
I actually mean if he (or she, or both) would like something like this:

Insertion:


Before inserting the diaphragm, place a tablespoon of spermicidal jelly or cream on the inside of the dome. Squeeze the rim of the diaphragm and keep the spermicide facing up. Use one hand to spread your lips. The other hand can slide the diaphragm into your vaginal canal and over your cervix. You can check its placement by feeling for your cervix through the rubber dome.

Spermicide has a bad taste and may leak out of the diaphragm during insertion. Before oral sex, you may want to use a damp washcloth to wipe away excess spermicide on your genitals.


Removal:

Your diaphragm should be left in for 6-8 hours after the last act of intercourse. You can remove the diaphragm by hooking your finger around the front rim and pulling down and out. If you have long nails, be careful not to tear the rubber.

Some types of sex play may dislodge the diaphragm. If your diaphragm moves during intercourse, consider taking Emergency Contraception.


Side Effects
If you or your partner have any discomfort when the diaphragm is in place or if you experience genital itching or irritation, unusual vaginal discharge or frequent bladder infections, call the clinic for information and options. Bladder infections are the most frequent side effect of the diaphragm.

Some women may experience allergic reactions to the rubber of the diaphragm or the spermicide they use. If this happens and your spermicide has nonoxynol-9, try a spermicide without this chemical.

Disadvantages

Does not protect against HIV/AIDS.
Requires a fitting in a clinic.
Needs occasional refitting.
Possible allergic reaction.
May increase risk of bladder infections.
Can be messy.

Just saying...

Tremolina said:

It's out.

JustErin said:

There actually are spermacides that are tasteless, as Applekisses already posted.

While all of those risks are possible, I don't think that they are very common.

Erin, please speak to your doctor about it. That last post was more of a fearmongering tactic than anything else. Of course there are risks of adverse side effects with any kind of birth control but they are not very common.

JasmineFire said:

It's out because I am prone to bladder infections so I don't want to use something that may increase them.

JustErin said:

oh man...that majorly sucks. I think that the sponge has that same issue, although I was reading about it and I think that's the route I may go. It seems easier to put in and take out and i think that it's effective enough to use with a two barrier method.

i guess your other option is to stop having sex with the guy who doesn't have the vasectomy.

or...

...there are vitamin supplement made to help ward off bladder infections. I think that my aunt takes them.

Man...birth control is such a freaking problem

JasmineFire said:

You know what? It really is a problem. I know that millions just go on it and that's that but I'm really iffy about screwing with my body's chemistry.

JustErin said:

after my experience with the pill, i'm done with anything hormonal. i would get so upset and depressed when i was on it. it wasn't entirely the pills fault but once i stopped with it, i truly did feel better. it was like a veil of irrationality was removed from my brain. that's the only way i can describe it. i totally understand when women don't want to deal with all those kinds of things. hormonal forms of birth control can also lower your sex drive, although I can't say that was a side effect i experienced.

I'm not so scared of spermacides, diaphragms, the sponge, etc. although I do have to look at spermacie ingredients and try to go with a more "gentle" brand.

IUDs of any kind scare the living crap outta me.

JasmineFire said:

I was on the pill for exactly 2 months my whole life. It made me feel bad physically and emotionally. I wanted to do Nuvaring or any other IUD but wasn't allowed to because I have fibroids. So anything intrauterine is outta the question for me. Condoms will have to do.

SCNDLS said:

Condoms are a must for me, unless I want to get pregnant.

I do think that if you want to prevent pregnancy, you need to be using two forms of birth control because humans mess up all the time. One time the condom may break and then another time you might put the spermacide in the diaphragm wrong or you may forget your pill that day or some such silliness.

Since the pill is out for me, I've been pondering other forms. Right now the sponge and the diaphragm both sound pretty good.




[Edited 7/15/08 14:24pm]

JasmineFire said:

Like I said in another thread the sponge and spermicidal film were great but the whole foaminess and taste factor were an issue when receiving oral.

SCNDLS said:

um yeah but a funny taste in the mouth sure beats having an abortion or having nine months of pregnancy and 18 years of a raising a kid.

I know that there's always the risk of pregnancy no matter what you do but until getting pregnant isn't a huge deal, it's two forms of birth control for me.

JasmineFire said:

Agreed. I could always go back to my no kissing policy then the taste is no longer an issue, for me at least.

JasmineFire said:

With the stuff that I used it was tasteless, but it did numb your tounge a bit. Wasn't a big deal.