Do they not sell this?! Help.

[romantic_always]

Backstory: I missed my first pill (Day 1) on the pack, but took it seven hours later (as soon as the pharmacy opened and I got the pack). I have not had sex since.

That being said, I have read several websites (including the pill's site and a few medical sites) saying that if I took the "active" white pill less than 12 hours from when I missed, I wouldn't need to use any backup protection. I won't be having sex for another five days, and the site suggested seven days without any other protection for missing SEVERAL pills, not one.

My question is this: My boyfriend and I cannot use condoms-they shrivel up on him and become painful for me, even with added lubrication. I am looking for a place to buy spermicidal lubricant just to be safe-where can I buy this?? I have looked online and seen only condoms that have this. Can I not buy it separately?

Also, am I being stupid about this? I've researched the facts and it seems like I am more than fine in having sex five days after the fact. But, should I just suck it up and wait the extra two days? Anyone been in this situation before?

 

[SweetErika]

You should be alright, since you took the pill within 12 hours and it was the first pill of the pack.

If 'should be' isn't good enough for you, use back up (probably something you should be doing anyway if pregnancy isn't an option for you).

A local pharmacy should carry spermicidal sponges, film, foam, gel, or similar. If you can't locate it with the condoms and feminine products, ask the pharmacist if they carry any such products.

If you haven't used spermicide before, beware that MANY women are allergic or intolerant to it. Detergent+pussy= burning sensations for many of us, so you'll probably want to try it on your own first.

I've never heard of condoms shriveling up. Have you tried female/Reality-brand and male polyurethane condoms? Does it seem like the condoms you've tried are too big or too small for him? "Shriveling up" suggests they're probably too big, so he might need one of the types that's made for smaller men. Unless he's shriveling up with condom use, in which case he needs to practice masturbating with condoms so he can get comfortable with them.

 

[romantic_always]

It's more of a "drying up" problem, really. It's definitely not a size issue (he's about 6.5 inches erect, maybe more, and we use regular condoms), I just dry up very quickly and become easily irritated. But thank you for the advice!

 

[satindesire]

Wal Mart sells spermicide, in thin clear sheets that you fold and insert. With the warmth and moisture in your vag, they dissolve into spermicide that works really well. Takes about 20 minutes to dissolve completely, if I can remember what the back of the package said (I haven't used them in several years, but I used to use them all the time.)

Do a patch test on your inner arm, first, a day before you use it to make sure you're not allergic.

Have you thought about the morning after pill, as well? Just to make doubly sure?

Also, try non-latex condoms. Latex condoms dry me out too, so I switched to the non latex and that helped a lot.

 

[VelvetDarkness]

To put your mind at ease, missing 1 pill, taking it within 12 hrs of the dose time and abstaining from sex for 5 days really should not put you at additional risk of pregnancy. The guidelines are given because they're well within safe parameters and can be relied upon. As women's periods last different lengths of time, you can go up to 7 days between packs without risk. The risk of you ovulating the first couple of days after that is also very small.

Use spermicide and latex-free condoms if it will reassure you but I genuinely don't believe you have anything to worry about. Checking that with your pharmacist may reassure you further.

 

[Firebrain]

A friend of mine is a sexual health doctor and back when I was on the pill, she said they reccomend using condoms/other forms of protection for seven days after a late or missed pill. It depends on your brand of pill though; I think mine was Microgynon. Some have to be taken at the same time of day, every day and with some, it doesn't matter so much (hopefully, this is yours). Either way, it's best to err on the side of caution, as I'm sure you know.

If you're feeling uneasy about your contraception, I would go with another method instead of shoving spermicide up there (bleugh!) and maybe chat to a nurse about an implant, injection or coil.

Also, if your boyfriend has never been able to use condoms, I would be asking him to get a sexual health check unless you're his first. ETA - if the condoms are making you dry, you're allergic. I second non-latex or simply trying a different brand.

 

[satindesire]

Also, if your boyfriend has never been able to use condoms, I would be asking him to get a sexual health check unless you're his first. ETA - if the condoms are making you dry, you're allergic. I second non-latex or simply trying a different brand.

You know, I should have noticed this, so thank you Firebrain for catching it. I must be slipping with my "oops" moment detector.

STIs are a major concern these days...they're on the rise by a frightening amount. You don't even have to have intercourse to catch an STI, so even if he WAS a virgin when you two starting sleeping together, there's still a chance he could have had something. Oral sex, handjobs...any kind of sexual contact can spread STI's. Skin to skin contact and fluid transfer are two methods of spreading STI's, intercourse isn't the only one.

Both of you need to get a full-spectrum blood workup for STI's including hepatitis and AIDs before you two fully commit to barebacking it.

 

[MR.GGG]

A HEADs (HA) Up.

What everybody else said.

Just a heads (pun intended) up on spermicidal gels. Most of them TASTE like effluent from a chem factory. ALL oral on you should be done prior to that application. There may be flavored ones on the market now. It's been a looong time since I've relied on sperm/gels but I do remember going down and thinking it smelled/tasted like a Chinese ditch. So check on that before you buy. It could save the evening if all else fails.

 

[SweetErika]

It's more of a "drying up" problem, really. It's definitely not a size issue (he's about 6.5 inches erect, maybe more, and we use regular condoms), I just dry up very quickly and become easily irritated. But thank you for the advice!

Silicone lube won't dry up.

Polyurethane condoms will mitigate any kind of latex allergy/sensitivity.

We used condoms as our sole form of BC for years, and the silicone lube is a key component for me. Otherwise, yeah, it's Dry and Irritated city, even when I have plenty of my own lube.

I'd try a new lube and condom combos first over spermicide any day.

 

[romantic_always]

He has been tested for STIs and is clean. I made sure he was checked before we had any kind of sex without condoms because I was not his first, but he was mine. I think that I will be alright without any extra protection, but I might look into non-latex condoms just to be sure-it's true that you really can't be too careful.

 

[bailadora]

Kind of off topic, but related: certain medications (mostly prescription) can interfere with the pill's effectiveness, so be sure to ask your doc about anything you are prescribed. Having an alternative method of contraception as a backup plan would probably be wise.