Female Condoms

[Flyin_Free]

Ever used one? Are they as reliable as male condoms? (not that those have a great success rate, but are they comparable?) What about comfort? I know nothing about them but I think I might be interested in trying them, so tell me what you know..... please

 

[Not Normal]

They are kinda weird and not that much fun.

 

[Lyons_NY]

Ever used one? Are they as reliable as male condoms? (not that those have a great success rate, but are they comparable?) What about comfort? I know nothing about them but I think I might be interested in trying them, so tell me what you know..... please

I tried them once and gave up on them. The sight of this latex opening sticking out of my gf's pussy just spoiled the moment!!

 

[M's girl]

deleted

 

[iciclely]

i tried them once when they first hit the shops............not good..........by the time i had got it in i had gone off the idea!!! they might have changed by now but i dont think i would really trust them now.

 

[Luvkitty33]

I've never tried them and most likely never will. I HATE condoms for men enough, and I imagine the ones for women are even more uncomfortable and a mood-killer.

I can't remember what it's called, but there was a product that came out about ten years ago, at least, that was for women when on their period. It was to use instead of a pad or tampon, and it looked like a little cup/thingie that you inserted in such a way that it collected the blood. I tried this once, and it was the most uncomfortable thing ever.......and THAT'S what I imagine the female condom to be like.

 

[Flyin_Free]

...

Is there a (medical) reason you are considering this instead of all of the other options there are available?

Actually yes. I'm 37 and I smoke so the Dr. won't let me take the bcp so I decided to get an IUD. Atfter about 30 minutes of trying he gave up and said he couldn't get it in. Sooo, since I don't have my tubes tied yet my options are the sponge and condoms. I don't really trust either by themselves so I decided I'd rather use both together. The man I'm seeing hates condoms, he'll use them but he really doesn't enjoy them and I thought that maybe the female condom might be something we could try on ocasion so that he didn't always have to wear a condom. Might be more trouble than it's worth from the sounds of things though.

I guess I should really just quit smoking or go in and get my tubes tied.

 

[tryptamine]

Um all men hate condoms.

Tell him to get over it.

 

[dawn_of_night]

what about a spermicide? i had a similar experince. the GYN suggested a vaginal insert.... something like Encare i think it is? don't quote me. worth researching though. if you dont want condoms.

 

[Jagged]

Where do you even find them...? Most of the women I am "friends" with are perfectly happy to let me buy them or have them ready (some have preferances). I would be open to trying something new with a willing woman though.

 

[Flyin_Free]

what about a spermicide? i had a similar experince. the GYN suggested a vaginal insert.... something like Encare i think it is? don't quote me. worth researching though. if you dont want condoms.

I looked up encare

General Information

Spermicides work by two different mechanisms: the creation of a barrier that prevents the sperm from reaching the cervix and destruction of the sperm by denaturing the lipid portions of the midpiece and tail, rendering the sperm nonmotile. This product can be used in conjunction with other types of contraception, such as condoms, oral contraceptives, and diaphragms. It should not, however, be used in conjunction with spermicidal foams, creams, or jellies. Do not use if currently pregnant. Do not take product orally. Females should not douche sooner than 6 hours after intercourse due to risk of washing away the spermicide. This product does not protect against STDs. Keep out of reach of children. Vaginal spermicides have a 21% failure rate.

Doesn't sounds any better than the sponge to me.

On a side note...I love the "Do not take product orally" warning!...and you know it's on there because somebody, somewhere thought it would be a grand idea! lol

 

[SweetErika]

I've not tried the female condom (sold under the "Reality" brand name in the U.S. at least, and available in most pharmacies and family planning clinics), but it sounds like the male condom is more comfortable for both partners from what I've heard, so I'm not in any hurry to try the female version. I do think it's a good option for those who want added protection against HPV and Herpes, as well as those who need polyurethane condoms in a non-standard size. I'd use it for both of those purposes, and really don't give a damn about how it looks.

If STDs aren't an issue and you're very committed to birth control, you might look into the Fertility Awareness Method in combination with condoms (it's either that, or abstinence). Personally, I don't recommend it for anyone who couldn't deal with a pregnancy or has wacky cycles, but many committed couples use it successfully. Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a great book for all women, and an excellent resource on FAM, in my opinion. You may even be able to check it out at your library; there's also a good primer in the TCOYF software (there's a free trial) and lots of info at http://www.ovusoft.com if you're interested in learning more.

When we're trying to avoid pregnancy, I figure taking my temperature and using condoms without complaint is the least my husband can do given everything I go through.

 

[M's girl]

deleted

 

[kimbernee]

There's the diaphragm. If you've generally tolerated the pill well you might look at Depo Provera. Back when I used to smoke they seemed a lot more willing to let smokers take Depo than the pill.

Quitting smoking is the best thing I ever did BTW.

 

[SweetErika]

There's the diaphragm. If you've generally tolerated the pill well you might look at Depo Provera. Back when I used to smoke they seemed a lot more willing to let smokers take Depo than the pill.

Quitting smoking is the best thing I ever did BTW.

Diaphragms come with a pretty hefty failure rate, IIRC. I looked into it when I went off the pill, but the failure rate and being allergic to spermicide put me off of it quickly.

I can't imagine any good practitioner would put a smoker on Depo as opposed to the pill. Depo is such a huge dose of hormones, and many even very healthy non-smokers have major side effects from it.

 

[ms.read]

Diaphragms come with a pretty hefty failure rate, IIRC. I looked into it when I went off the pill, but the failure rate and being allergic to spermicide put me off of it quickly.

I can't imagine any good practitioner would put a smoker on Depo as opposed to the pill. Depo is such a huge dose of hormones, and many even very healthy non-smokers have major side effects from it.

Do NOT I REPEAT DO NOT USE DEPO.

Firstly, It hurts like a bastard to have it in your arm ( the needle has to go bone deep in order to get the injected hormones to reach the marrow to be reached so that your blood cells will reproduce the hormones for three months to suppress your menstrual cycle. Imagine being hit with a baseball bat really hard in the arm. After long term use ( say a year) your injection sites are much more sensitve. almost like having a bruisead area. Docs say you can have the shot in your hip , but I would like to sit down so I never opted for that.

Secondly, you have a much higher chance of developing cysts on your ovaries, (that will not pop because your menstrual cycle is suppressed) and they hurt like hell and may have to be surgically removed. ( I had 6 on my left ovary)

There is long term side effects, such as higher risks of heart attack, embolisms, and ovarian cancer, cysts on your cervix. Not fun. Use a condom or abstinence.

 

[SweetErika]

Do NOT I REPEAT DO NOT USE DEPO.

Personally, I never, ever will. I rarely say 'never' but this is one thing I can be sure of. I've known so many women who have had massive weight gain, frequent migraines, clots, bleeding for weeks on end, no period for over a year after stopping it and other problems from it that I can never see taking that risk. At least wiith the pill, patch, ring, or even an IUD, you can stop if you're having problems; I can't imagine being stuck with terrible side effect for 3 (or possibly more) if I'd just gotten the shot.

I know some women love Depo, but with the number of horror stories I've heard I don't recommend it unless it's a healthy woman who can't use an IUD AND can't comply with a daily, weekly or monthly birth control regimen (it's great for some teens, for instance).

 

[M's girl]

deleted

 

[SweetErika]

Hmmmm, I had all that while on (from) the (regular) pill I don't know anything about Depo.

Yeah, the pill never really agreed with me either. When I think of getting 3 months worth of hormones in one shot four times a year, I'd thinking Depo would be a pretty horrible thing to do to myself.

 

[kimbernee]

Depo is only one of the two hormones that are in the pill which is why it's safer for smokers. I think if you tolerate the pill well you'll tolerate depo well. There are a lot of horror stories out there but they're still a small percentage of the overall users. I loved it personally.

 

[Flyin_Free]

There's the diaphragm. If you've generally tolerated the pill well you might look at Depo Provera. Back when I used to smoke they seemed a lot more willing to let smokers take Depo than the pill.

Quitting smoking is the best thing I ever did BTW.

Nope, no depo...it's the same as the pill as far as risks go so the Dr. won't do that either.

And I Did quit smoking...for 12 years! I kick myself all the time that I was stupid enough to start again! I just need to buckle down and quit again...it's that memory of what it was like that's stopping me actually.

 

[Flyin_Free]

And I think you guys talked me out of trying the female condom So I guess it's back to condoms until I decide to get something permanent done. (or quit smoking!)

 

[SweetErika]

Nope, no depo...it's the same as the pill as far as risks go so the Dr. won't do that either.

And I Did quit smoking...for 12 years! I kick myself all the time that I was stupid enough to start again! I just need to buckle down and quit again...it's that memory of what it was like that's stopping me actually.

Try hypnosis if you really want to quit again. You have to find the right induction technique for you (at least I can't relax with all techniques; I have to find those that are easy for me to relate and fade in to), and someone you trust, but it works well for many people.

I'd suggest starting with a self-hynosis book. Your local library may even have some you can look into. I even found just reading the scripts of the techniques that spoke to me helped me started making changes.

It was really hard last time, but you did manage to get through it one minute, hour then day at a time, and become a non-smoker for 12 years, so you can definitely do it again if you want to.

 

[kimbernee]

Have you considered getting your tubes tied? I looked into it once and found out it was only a $200 co-pay with my insurance. I didn't end up doing it because I liked the Depo so much (you still get your periods with your tubes tied). You could try another doctor. Yours sounds very conservative. If you're in the US, try Planned Parenthood. They're more about letting the patient decide the risks and less about refusing to give you something for your own good.

 

[slamd097]

I woudl vote for tying the tubes, wouldn't want any more of her running around...