We get it. Condoms are annoying. Seat belts were annoying once, too. But what's really annoying and even more scary is when they break. So when a new reader wrote us about her condom breakage dilema, we wanted to address it:
"hi! i found your blog through googling about the copper iud. i really love your blog and outlook and need some guidance. that blog post confirmed my suspicions that anything stuck in there for five years is probably not good for you, but it didn't address emergency contraception. i've used condoms for two years after a bad time with birth control pills. i really really really do not want to consume hormones like that. however, i've been looking at the non hormonal copper iud for more dependability.
i've had to use plan b twice in the past three months(from condom malfunctions) and i DESPISE it! it messes me up for the whole month, tons of symptoms, spotting etc. i just moved in with my boyfriend and have been bloated and bitchy and spotting the whole month lol. my question is, is it better to use a copper iud or take plan b a few times a year if need be? not taking plan b after a condom malfunction is not an option for me."
Condom malfunctions happen. But they shouldn't be happening this often. Even with rough sex! We unfortunately can't recommend the Copper IUD or Plan B as viable alternatives because neither of them are healthy options. Both do kooky things to your body. Instead, let's talk about a few things you can do to make condoms more effective:
LUBE WISELY:
A high failure rate using condoms can be attributed to the kind of lubricant on the condom or the type of lube you're using in addition to the condom. Your best bet is to stay away from any kind of oil-based lube since it's more likely cause breakage. While you're at it, stay away from anything flavored. You don't want any type of sugar in your pretty parts because it can lead to a yeast infection.
SPERMICIDE:
For a double layer of protection and extra peace of mind, try using a spermicide. These can be purchased at any drug store and are used in conjunction with condoms to increase prevention and guard against pregnancy if the condom breaks.
OH-SO-NOT-SEXY CERVICAL CAPS:
As unsexy as they are, if condoms aren't doing it for you, the safest alternative for your health would be either a diaphragm or a cervical cap. Not the kind laced with synthetic hormones, but the kind that simply provides a barrier so the sperm can't get all up in your cervix. You can even use this along with condoms if you want to make sure there's no way in hell you're going to get pregnant.
THE MUCOUS METHOD:
Track the mucous levels of vaginal discharge throughout your cycle. You should track it for a few months so you can see and feel the difference in the type and amount of discharge during various points in your cycle. When the discharge is thicker and more clear in color, then ovulation is near. So if you're trying not to get pregnant, this would be the best time to fake a headache.
OVULATION TEST STRIPS:
Women who are trying to get pregnant know these well, but ovulation test strips can also be used when you're trying to not get pregnant. Basically, you pee on a litmus stick every morning and it lets you know when you are near ovulation. When it's positive, don't have sex on those days. If the test is negative, you can be pretty sure you don't have to run out and take Plan B if your condom breaks. You can get the test kits from any drugstore or online in packs of 7 or 20. We like the 20 packs because you get more for your money. If you are going to use this method all the time, you can purchase a more expensive digital kit you can reuse and buy refills of the strips. If you do use this method, make sure it's in conjunction with condoms, just in case.
We hope this helps. Have fun!
0 comments:
Post a Comment