Lost condoms, abortion and ECs?

[shamrocks.livejournal.com]

Hi VPers! Its been years since I've been active on VP, up until recently, when I came straight here when I needed answers and opinions about a recent decision I made to have an abortion. I'm pretty sure my current situation is a fairly unique situation - I couldn't find anything in the archives - and its so ridiculous, it seems completely unbelievable considering all circumstances.

So like I said I recently had a surgical abortion (March 21). At my follow-up, I was prescribed birth control pills, and given the green light to start having sex again (as long as I continued to not bleed for 2 more days - making a total of 5 consecutive). Ever since then, we've been extremely cautious - we're using condoms for the first time in years. At this point, I'm just waiting for my period to start again before I can start on the pill.

Just a couple of hours ago, we had sex using one of those lambskin condoms. As many of you are probably aware, these just feel a little better - as in more natural and less "condom like". Shortly after the initial insertion, my husband stopped and walked a few steps to get the lube before returning and us resuming. After we finished up, he pulled out and lo and behold - no condom. He assumed it slipped off and was still inside me, so he started searching - to no avail. And my search had the same conclusion. This is another problem all together though - we have looked all over the room in the bed, sheets, everywhere and still haven't found it. Anyway, the main reason I'm here is not entirely the lost condom.

Unfortunately, these condoms aren't lubricated with anything spermicidal, and unfortunately, the lube we were using wasn't spermicidal. Considering this, I'm pretty sure that my best, smartest, and most responsible option would be to get to the pharmacy tomorrow for the morning after pill.

However, my question is: Does anyone think that it might be a problem for me to take EC at this point? Considering my recent abortion and the fact that I haven't even gotten my period naturally since?

This seems completely irresponsible, and the worst part of it all is that we really were being as careful as we could have been.

I would welcome any advice! Let me know if I need to provide any more info.

(Also, for anyone wondering about the issue of the lost condom - I'm periodically checking for it, and still searching that section of the room. If I don't find it by tomorrow I guess I'm calling the gyno!).

Comments

[archangelbeth]

I would not think there'd be a strong chance of a problem with taking Plan B (or other brands of emergency contraception). It may provoke a withdrawal bleed (probably will, but might not), a few days after you take it, but as you're not still bleeding from the abortion... Well, for best effect, I'd call the doctor and explain that the condom somehow slipped off, and double-check. But if you can't wait that long, I'd leave it up to your uterus to decide if it wants to have a withdrawal bleed when the hormone surge goes down.

You may also want to discuss an "any-day start" for your HBC -- you don't actually need your period for that. After you take 7 days of active pills, you'll be protected in most cases (POPs and Natazia use different rules!), and the only risk is that you might have more breakthrough bleeding.

And don't worry, it doesn't seem irresponsible at all. I love the lambskins, and while the only slippage I've ever experienced with them was purely user-error (he'd gone a little soft before we "undocked" and things slipped out of my fingers), they're still condoms and it can still happen. It may be hanging out up behind your cervix, where my contraceptive sponges get pushed nearly every time I use them, and as it's lambskin, it may not feel different enough to detect easily. Going to someone who has a speculum and a flashlight may wind up being most efficient, though.

Sympathies on the terrible timing of Murphy's Law, and good luck!

[fallconsmate.livejournal.com]

i've lost a condom once...and yep, it was a lambskin one. what we finally did was get a set of kitchen tongs that do NOT have sharp edges and use those to open up and look with a flashlight and it was found (and removed) that way. (helped that my ex was a medic in the navy!)

i would think that you probably had not yet ovulated after your abortion, and its unlikely that you could be pregnant. however, the best advice i could give is to call the gynocologist and ask. i'm sure the nurse/doctor would be able to calm your fears. :)

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

Just as an FYI, there is no evidence that spermicidal lube improves pregnancy protection -- so don't worry about that. It is not recommended to use spermicidal lube unless no other options are available for condoms, as spermicide can irritate the vagina and possibly increase infection rate, while not adding additional pregnancy protection.

Moving on -- as a volunteer abortion counsellor, I can tell you that this happens more often than you may think. There is nothing wrong with taking Plan B, though if you are concerned and would like some more guidance check with a trusted medical practitioner of choice.

You have absolutely not been "irresponsible." Accidents happen -- that's what Plan B is there for! -- and you have been doing the best you can to prevent pregnancy. That's all any of us can do! Good luck. :)

[zimknits.livejournal.com]

Lost a condom recently, looked around on the internet for ideas of how to get it, tried everything (took warm shower to relax muscles to get it to drop etc.. )Finally went to lay down on couch, managed to find/get it out alone with having a leg up over back of couch. Apparently for me any sort of sitting up was sucking that little thing back further, so laying down on side and throwing leg over couch allowed muscles to relax for it to slide down + be accessible.

I would advise at least taking a warm shower/ bath and relaxing on the couh for a little bit- see if you can't find it :)

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to add as well that I don't think you were being irresponsible at all. You were just using something you weren't used to. Though I can imagine you thinking, "Hey, where'd it go? It's not supposed to disappear up there."

Perhaps you could try to squat on the bed, bear down or do some kegels and see if your husband can slide a couple of fingers in to snag it.