Alternatives to the pill - Page 2

A*O · January 11th, 2006, 02:19 AM

OK. Warning: This is going to go DEEP into Ob/Gyn territory so only read on if you are interested.

I assume you know what it looks like? It's like a circle of semi rigid rubber about the same diameter as a Coke tin with a thin rubber membrane, slightly domed in shape. I sure Google has some pics! The idea is to place the domed membrane over your cervix, the entrance to your womb, and for the rubber ring to hold it in place there. It's hard to explain but you insert it by squashing the sides of the ring and positioning it over your cervix (which feels like your little fingertip at the top of your vagina) and the ring then 'fits' against your pubic bone and holds the diaphragm in place. If positioned correctly (and it takes some practice) you can't feel it (like you can't feel a tampon) and your man should not be able to feel it either but I've had mixed reports on that - depends how big he is! However, in order to be extra safe you have to put a good dollop of spermicide cream onto the diaphragm before you insert it so if any of those pesky little blighters make it past the rubber barrier, the cream zaps them - in theory.

Like I say, I quickly got pregnant using a diaphragm and it could have been because I didn't fit it correctly, but I think it's more likely because I get pregnant VERY easily as subsequent experiences proved.

So, the advantages:
Non-medical
Safe'ish but you have to be very careful and thorough using it.

Disadvantages:
Sex becomes rather unspontaneous - you have to excuse yourself and go sort it out before you get down and dirty.
Messy - spermicide is slippery (and tastes FOUL so oral is OUT)
You have to position it exactly right or you are in trouble.

To be honest, I think condoms are probably just as effective (or not) and half the hassle. If I wasn't in a regular relationship and just wanted some protection for the odd shag then I'd probably keep a diaphragm in my bathroom cabinet. But for a regular, sexually active relationship I would think twice. I would be more inclined to think about an IUD in those circumstances. I got pregnant with one of those too, but I was one of the unlucky 0.01% of IUD 'failures' and my resulting son is an absolute joy so I have absolutely NO complaints.

missbazilb · January 11th, 2006, 02:40 PM

I had the Mirena inserted last February. The insertion was okay, not too bad, but I suffered badly for about two or three days with horrible cramps, the likes of which I've never experienced! However, once that was over with, I've had no side effects, no cramps, and after a couple of months, no period! I'm so happy that I got this done.

lurkur · January 11th, 2006, 10:44 PM

Had the shot and had NO side effects. No moodiness, no eternal bleeding, no cramps, no nothing. I think it's great! I've gained some weight, but that's from having too many cookies and candies at work.

marvel · January 11th, 2006, 11:39 PM

I would advise anybody who is on the shot to get off of it. I'm glad you are not having any terrible side effects lurker, but how long have you been on the shot? They give the depo shot to pedophiles in prison to curb their sex drive. I was on it for 3 years and lived 3 years of pure hell. I'm actually getting a bone density test tomorrow because now there is a black box warning for depo because it has been proven to cause Osteoporosis. Part of me does not want it but part of me wants to be included in the lawsuit so pfizer pays for what they did and for keeping it on the market. I did not get a period for 3 years but I had migraines, dizziness, could never adjust to temperatures, extreme moodiness, irritability, with psychotic tendencies. Had terrible thoughts about hurting people I loved including my son, was afraid to tell anybody because I thought I was going crazy, but also could not stop what was going on in my head. Let's see, weight gain, weird pains that could not be explained, oh yeah NO SEX DRIVE for 3 years. Seriously none, maybe I had sex 3-4 times a year when I was on the shot, and It took a lot of willpower to do so. The sad thing is no one told me the depo was causing it. So nothing would make me happier than to have the shot taken off the market. Sorry, but for the few women it works for, it does not make up for all the women whose lives were destroyed because of it. I also personally knew two friends on the shot that were pretty psycho too, but returned to normal once they were off. Whew, this is a sore subject for me, sorry about the rant. Once I was off the shot I went through some withdrawal symptoms but definitely got better. Can you imagine what it's like to have people you work with tell you that their not scared of you anymore. I am hoping there is no long term damage and that I can have more kids someday. Good luck with whatever you choose but for the love of God stay away from depo. Anybody else have depo horror stories?

lurkur · January 11th, 2006, 11:55 PM

Hmmm, interesting. Don't worry about ranting. I'm glad you wrote all this. I've only had one shot, a couple of months ago. I haven't noticed any physical or psychological changes, but something like osteoporosis is scary, and you never know over the long run. Also, the stuff you mentioned about sex drive made me realize a few things. I wrote in a post that didn't go through that even though I'm on birth control, I don't even need to be cause I haven't done anything since I got the shot! I'm supposed to get my next shot soon, and for a few weeks I was even thinking, I don't know if I want to even bother 'cause I don't feel like I want to have sex anyway...

I'm going to research it more, thanks to your post.

marvel · January 12th, 2006, 12:40 AM

I'm glad your looking into it lurker. You haven't been on it long so that may be why nothing has happened yet. For me it did not start to get bad until I was about 6 months into it. Also I forgot the hair loss, I had that too. I know that there are women that have no bad side effects but then again depo has not been around that long and if it's causing so many terrible problems it may be doing something else to our bodies that we won't realize until years down the line. I've been on many depo support sites for women who have gone through this and so many of them are having problems getting pregnant. I seriously wonder if the depo had anything to do with it. Even though I thought I had it pretty bad some women have had it way worse. Many had depilitating diseases and loss of motor functions with no explanation. One minute their healthy, the next minute they can't even walk. I was so traumitized by that whole ordeal that I will never go on any birth control ever again. My gyno has told me that depo has progesterone or a synthetic version of it, I forget and that other options like the pill have little or none but screw that. I will be fine using condoms rather than go through anything similar to that ever again. You could not imagine how happy I was to get my sex drive back since I thought it would last forever. 3 years without any sexual feeling at all. Don't worry, I made up for lost time though. Good luck with your search and I hope nothing bad happens to you while on the shot.

A*O · January 12th, 2006, 01:42 AM

marvel - if you were suffering such terrible side effects, why did you put up with it for THREE YEARS?!?!? I would have been back to the doc after 3 weeks if I was that badly affected.

Tenaj · January 12th, 2006, 06:08 AM

Wow, thats pretty scary. I never liked the idea of an injection because I figured if I were to experience any side effects then I have to put up with these chemicals in my system for 3 months. I had no idea the side effects could be that extreme though! Crikey, glad the people at work are no longer scared of you!

marvel · January 12th, 2006, 08:08 AM

I had no idea that the shot was doing all that. There was a point in the middle of being on the shot that I was at my primary care physician about 2-3 times a month several months in a row and they could not find out what was wrong with me. Even I didn't think it was my birth control. I think my doctor thought I was crazy. I only found out it was the shot when someone I knew found out I was on the shot and they told me it was to blame and what happened to them. So I never went to get another one. The week I was supposed to get it I had bad withdrawal symptoms of hot sweats, cold flashes, shaking, dizziness. I felt completely normal after a couple months. All my doctors always asked if I was on birth control and I told them so I figured they should now if that's the cause. And honestly I just thought I was honest to goodness psycho and I was going to have to live with it.

gonflable · January 13th, 2006, 10:14 PM

Actually, if you google "depo provera", the first hit is Depo horror stories...

I was insane when I was on Diane, Yasmin and another brand, and I told my doc about it. He said it was probably the estrogen that caused, the depressions, the death-thoughts and my epilepsylike temper tantrums (scary shit, I would just lie there crying, clenching my fists and swearing to myself) which scared my bf. Doc gave me a prescription for pills without estrogen - cerazette - and I have not had one single side effect. Huge relieve!