It's time for me to start using birth control. When my husband and I got married we decided to "let pregnancy happen if it was going to happen." It didn't work that way for us and took us 6 years and fertility pills before we were able to get pregnant. Back when I was a teenager I tried birth control and hated it and I am adamant about not using any pharmaceutical form of birth control. My doctor recommended that I try the diaphragm, but at the time I told her we would be fine with condoms. Let's just say that I have changed my mind. If any of you have used the diaphragm, please tell me what you think and what I can expect from it as well ease of use and time consumption. I think I'm going to have to call and set up a time to get fitted for one, but I am just wondering what I am setting myself up for.
I love the diaphragm and think it is super easy! Just like you have to take time to put a condom on, you need a minute to do this, but it is fast and no big deal. I think it is a fantastic form of birth control - no hormone issues or pills that make you feel all wacky. I think it is comfortable and can forget it is in! Good luck!
Have you talked with your doctor about an IUD, it is soemwhat painful to have placed but once it's in you don't know it's there, it last up to 5 years with no work and I think no side effects..
I was fitted for one about 6 months after my first baby, but I never used it. It was uncomfortable and felt like it was going to pop out at any moment (think - birth control failure). I also know you have to keep it in for a certain amount of time after. Bleh in my opinion.
Talk to your doc about the Mirena. It is an IUD, so you never have to worry about remembering to take/use it, and it uses a low does of hormone that is supposed to stay in the uterus/tubes/ovaries. It may be an option.
For me, it has been no biggie as far as difficulty, ruining the moment, etc. You can put it in before hand (quite a while, actually- check with you doc), if you have a routing going at your house. It doesn't hurt, and isn't expensive. Can be a little messy to take out if you aren't at home when it's time to take it out (ie: on an airplane or something...go figure, but this happened to me!)
Best Wishes!
I have not tried a diaphragm, so I can't comment on that. I do know that I hated birth control too. After my last child, I got an IUD and had it in for four years (one doctor's visit to put it in is all it took) and you can have them up to 10 years with no problems (depending on the brand of course) I chose one that was hormone free and it worked great! I know some people that didn't like it, but I am a BIG fan of the IUD. It can cause irregular periods (but I was already irregular, so that didn't matter much to me). Good luck!
I am another who used it right after getting married, and I developed a bladder infection that didn't go away until I stopped using it. You are supposed to leave it in for a minimum of six hours after intercourse, but no more than 24, and if you are newly married, it's awkward to time that just right and still be spontaneous.
Once it was in, I didn't feel it unless I went looking for it, so it can be comfortable if it is fitted properly.
I'll probably try it again after our baby gets here; we'll see how it goes.
I use one, in conjunction with the VCF Contraceptive film. I have no problems with it; I should add that I am also charting my cycles and using the FAM so I am only using the diaphragm when I am potentially fertile. Good luck! For what it's worth, the diaphragm is cheaper than condoms. I only have to put it in 15 minutes before we have sex, so that the spermicide can "gel" so it will work. You do have to use spermicide with a diaphragm, but the films are so easy that they aren't really a bother.
They're fine once you get used to them - that is, dealing with sometimes interrupting a "moment" to run to the bathroom to put the darn thing in. But it really isn't a big deal. I also hated the pill, so this was a much better choice for me, even with the hassle and a little mess. And, you can always try it and if you don't like it, then try something else. The fitting is quick and simple. Give it a try.
I used one when we first got married and maybe that was why I had a problem. You have to leave it in for a certain amount of time after intercourse and if things are happening very often you just don't get the chance to take it out too much. I took mine out as often as I could and cleaned it throughly, but it still had a smell. Eventually I developed an infection. I also did not like the lack of spontaneity it caused for us. Of course, like I said, that we when we first got married. Now with one little boy and another on the way it might not be so bad. I think the fact I got an infection would still turn me off though. My opinion is that the actual usage was better than a condom, but the other factors weren't great.
Good luck making a decision!
