What is the best form of contraception?

[gracefaith]

For me, personally, the pill works well... it regulates my cycles (without it I was always extremely irregular... I might have a period every month, six weeks, eight weeks, ten weeks, it was anyone's guess)...he pill has not affected my sex drive, and any mood problems have always been there (yay for bipolar disorder )....Gracefaith, I'm on Mircette too... I tried Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo about a year before I was married actually, for my irregular periods and for my acne. That didn't work so well, as it made my moods a lot worse.

Yeah, I think I should probably put in that the Pill can have some GOOD side effects too. I loved having clear skin, no cramps and a neat two-day period I could set my watch by. Even now, I sometimes miss those things enough to consider going back. However, as much as I miss those things and as much as I sometimes get annoyed with the 'barrier' feeling of condoms, I just don't think I will ever be willing to put myself on an 'elective' drug again. Still, if I had to recommend a BC Pill, it would be Mircette.

Back to OP, if you do decide to go with any hormonal form of BC, I would highly suggest that you both agree to just try it out for a set number of months and then come back to the table, assess and make a joint decision whether to continue or not. This is a good practice with any form of BC, actually. If one of you is dissatisfied with your current method, it may be difficult to bring it up and change if the other is content. On the other hand, if you were just 'trying it out' and the topic comes up for review regularly, there is an understanding that any method is not necessarily permanent and only continues at the agreement of both parties.

 

[andiesmama]

I was on the pill for YEARS, went off when we decided to try to get PG, and just never went back on. We use condoms, and change those out with spermicide just so we don't get into a rut! lol

But I agree with the other people that said to talk with your doctor to figure out what would be best for the two of you.

 

[Chan1976]

wow, mind boggling .
I am getting married next July, and am looking at some contraceptive methods too. I was originally decided on using the patch, but it seemed that the health risks involved are high. (3 times the risk for blood clots)

I am very forgetful and a scatterbrain, so pills and nfp probably won't work well for me.

I would like to ask about IUDs, or the Nuvra ring.. has anyone used them before?

 

[erin74]

The other thing to remember with the pill is there are some ethical issues involved. Some pills are effectively causing abortion. I can't remember all the details right this minute, and have posted them previously - have to go and look it up again.

A helpful book for those who are getting married is "One Flesh: A guide for honeymoon sex and beyond", by Greg and Amelia Clarke. He is a minister and she is a doctor who went on to do a specialty in sex therapy. They cover the contraception thing as well as a lot of expections of sex in marriage, and how things might go on the honeymoon. I wish it had been around when we were married - we had a book, but nothing as helpful as this one. The publisher is matthias media. I cannot recommend this book more highly.

 

[lin1235]

I haven't read all the responses, but it seems like a contradiction to advise against condoms because of lower pleasure but then to advise withdrawal... I would MUCH rather use condoms! (And my husband agrees)

 

[gracefaith]

I would like to ask about IUDs, or the Nuvra ring.. has anyone used them before?

IUDs got a bad rap back in the late 70s and as a result, are not very commonly used in the US. It is placed inside the uterus and it can work either by preventing ovulation (like the Pill with the same possible side effects) or by preventing sperm from reaching a fertilized egg. If you are concerned about the ethics of BC, you should also know that it, like the BC pill, is also designed to prevent implantation of the fertilization should occur.

I'll admit, even though I am still not a big fan of HBC, the Nuvra ring has some appeal. It is a lower dose of hormones that even a the lowest dose pill and it by manufactured by Organon (the makers of Mircette.) Still though, it has all the same health risks and possible side effects. Also you have to be comfortable inserting the thing, putting it around the opening of your cervix and then taking it out again every month.

You say you are scatterbrained and forgetful, but YOU shouldn't be the only one that has to remember. Whatever method you choose, he should be just as responsible for remembering to use it as you are.

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

I apologize if this question is rude or too personal... if so, you don't have to answer it... but, how often do you and your DH have sex?

I'm curious why you want to know? LOL But when he's home it's pretty much every day. For the last 2 months though he has been away for 2-3 weeks out of the month.

 

[Addicted2~Jesus]

I really didn't want to respond to this thread simply cause it can be a touchy subject an le'me say I appreciate GraceFaith for "also" mentionin that the hormonal bc's can lead to abortions. I feel to many folks by pass that one. I've become a bit of an advocate against the pill of late simply because of the research that we've done. An for us at least, if there is even a chance that a fertilized egg were to be aborted because of the use of bc pills er hormonal methods then that's to great a risk for us.

Now whoever the goof was that said to use mornin after pills, honestly I think, needs to do some masive sole searchin an some research. There's a reason it's called the abortion pill. An that is insanely bad advice, not only does it destroy the ability for a fertilized egg to implant, it also screws wit a gals levels an that's not healthy either.

Be advised, git informed, an please do not let anyone here decide for ya'll. Check out both sides of the arguments for an against, because my advice would be to stay away from anythin hormonal, an the IUD is one of those that has an increased risk of abortin fertilized eggs. So look the info up, an if you talk to a doctor bout it, don't jes ask one, because my wife got into a peein contest wit er doc after he thought she was crazy that there was a chance of losin a fertilized egg. Well there is research to that fact an my wife has it runnin round here somewhere, so if you'd like it I'll git er to post the links, but I wouldn't want to degrade your thread into a "is it morally right er wrong" topic.

 

[PastorofMuppets]

ummm seriously who wants to pull out not me thats my wife not some floozy im not gonna pull out, thats not being selfish at all. Its all part of the bonding experience. I dont need to fear sex or reproduction

and condoms to expensive for healthy and very active adults like me and my wife. plus, I dont think that making love with a condom is respectful. Condoms are also what drug addicts and people engaging in fornication/adultery use to protect from disease. There are much better ways to prevent pregnancy. Go ahead and flame me if you want but its what i think. Trust me we have tried alot of stuff

i would avoid the patch there are lawsuits filed about it

my wife was on the ortho pills for a year and we stopped using them and are just leaving everything up to God. My wife didnt notice a thing using the pill, just not getting pregnant, so side effects. It was awesome!!

At least you dont have to fear getting pregnant since you are married and christian. God would be in control of your life, so trust in His leadership if you do get pregnant.

not every BC method is for everyone but i think its a private matter on which God is silent

 

[FaithAlone]

There's always the Depo shot. Not being a female, I don't have any experience with it. But I work with a couple of women who swear by it. One shot once every four months, and no more periods.

No, no, no!!! Not the depo! I've heard of people who had a good experience with it but most that I've talked to had bad or terrible experiences with it. I'm on the nuvaring right now and we also use spermacide and I check my fertile signals to hopefully avoid any chance of the BC being abortive. It's probably better than most BC but I have almost no sex drive because of it. I don't want to be on anything but my husband doesn't like the way condoms feel (a little selfish maybe? . Thanks Gracefaith for info on better condoms.) I think ideally the best method if you do it right is FAM Fertility Awareness Method. It's pretty much the same thing as NFP but you can choose to have sex on fertile days and use a barrier method. That way there are no side effects, both husband and wife are involved, and the woman can have a good idea of her gynecological health. If I had known about it before I got married I would have done that.

 

[Just Me Garry]

Abstinence

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Abstinence!

That's what I was going to say!

 

[Ilovemyhusband]

Ok so I´m engaged to be married in 2006 and one of the big issues we are talking through is contraception. It would be great to get some advice from people who have used or are using the different types of contraception.

What is the best form of contraception and why?

If you could give the pros and cons that would be great, especially for condoms, NFP, the pill and the patch.

Okay, any type of hormonal contraceptive...out. Since leaving the "pill" I have had horrible period problems and blood clots..yipe! I don't recommend taking any type of synthetic hormone. It really messes you up more than it does help. Trust me, not only have *I* experienced this but others like me.

You can use condoms, but those are kind of a difficult and frustrating process.

So, here is the deal (works for me everytime)..it is called "The Billings Method"

You can visit this website: www.billingsmethod.com

Very easy to follow and you don't have to introduce anything foreign to your body.

Also, if you are seriously thinking about birth control...please go to www.curezone.com FIRST and read the various articles on the effects of synthetic hormone birth control. If I could go back in time and stop myself, I would. I really would. :o

 

[Leanna]

You're going to hear a big PUSH from this crowd for you and your fiancee to stay away from Birth Control Pills, or any other hormonal form of BC. And it's all for good reason. They're highly effective (99%) but there are severe side effects, like lack of sex drive (for your wife) and weight gain, and moodiness.

This isn't true for everyone.

Didn't gain a pound, didn't stop thinking about sex ........ but I might be moody. I think I'm that way either way.

I've used the pill for 6 years minus one pregnancy. It is effective (according to stats) and easy and I haven't had any problems.

But anyway, NFP is swell too but you have to do more work to do it.... after my next child I'm switching to that to avoid being on the pill for too many years. Its already more than I like.

 

[Leanna]

Depo has bad side effects and troubles conceiving when you are ready, and I agree with Ilovemyhusband to be careful about how long you are on a hormonal birth control (at least that is one thing she said)

 

[Ilovemyhusband]

This isn't true for everyone.

Didn't gain a pound, didn't stop thinking about sex ........ but I might be moody. I think I'm that way either way.

I've used the pill for 6 years minus one pregnancy. It is effective (according to stats) and easy and I haven't had any problems.

But anyway, NFP is swell too but you have to do more work to do it.... after my next child I'm switching to that to avoid being on the pill for too many years. Its already more than I like.

I agree with this post. Weight gain is a myth about birth control. It might make you hormonal and driven to eat more with less physical activity thereby causing weight gain, but it does not directly cause it.

At any rate, synthetic hormone in your body is (in my humble opinion) like putting synthetic blood (yes, it is out there) or a synthetic organ inside of you. It may work for a while, but the long term side effects are much worse.

The billings method works for me!!! (Kind of better than the wing and method) *lol*

 

[SteelDisciple]

I use a condom. It's the safest method for my wife and I.

 

[HeyHomie]

Condoms are also what drug addicts and people engaging in fornication/adultery use to protect from disease.

And gasoline-powered vehicles are what they use to get from place to place, so I'm going to sell my car and buy a horse.

Sheesh.

 

[christalee4]

I would take Condom Girl's advice - it's good. Until you decide which methods would be best for you, and as you get more experienced, the barrier methods work and are effective. For years, we used a combination condom and diaphram. And no, using them doesn't make you a drug addict or fornicator!

Now that hubby and I know each other so well, we are experts in the withdrawal method, which I don't recommend to anyone, unless you are s-expert. Keep in mind too that there are other ways to love intimately without traditional intercourse, but that's been done to death in other threads, and at the risk of getting the thread shut down. Of course, it's always fun to try to describe "nicely" or in metaphors and semantics.

 

[PastorofMuppets]

that is totally not what i said
way to completely ignore the point i tried to make

which was

i think condoms cheapen the married sexual experience
the release of sperm is a vital part of it for me


i cant believe some people can twist words around that bad


shhheeeeeeesh