(no subject)

[figureinthefog.livejournal.com]

I keep Encare spermicidal insert thingies around for when condoms break, slip off, don't get put on in time, etc.
Whenever I use them, I bleed a little bit afterwards. Not too badly, but enough that I have to wear something to stop the blood from staining my pants. It generally starts the next morning and lasts thorugh the afternoon, but this time it's still going from yesterday morning.

Does anyone else have this problem? Are there other brands that are more gentle?

Comments

[musicaldreams.livejournal.com]

I've had much success with neem oil. It doesn't have the most pleasant smell but it is very effective, and natural. You can find neem oil (which is actually a form of male birth control as well, if taken orally daily) in health food stores, usually in the cosmetic section. It can also prevent STD's.

Here is some information on neem:

http://www.sisterzeus.com/neem.html
http://www.celyn.net/healing/Neem.htm
http://www.bytheplanet.com/Neem/WhatIsNeem/secretofneem.htm

[paix.livejournal.com]

wow! i never knew this, thanks a bunch.

[paix.livejournal.com]

where can i get more info about how to use it? i'm very very interested because i've heard the terrible stinging/uti effects of nonoxynyl. do you know what specific heath food stores sell neem oil? i live in los angeles, if this helps. thanks!

[musicaldreams.livejournal.com]

It's carried in almost any health food store. The larger the store, the more likely they'll be to have it. Most people know what neem oil is (at least the employees should) so you can always ask if they carry it and where it is, if you're having trouble finding it. You can also use neem oil for acne, scars, burns, cuts/scrapes, mosquito repellant, fleas/roaches ... SO many things.

[paix.livejournal.com]

thank you so much! is it alright if i add/IM you sometime for tips/recommendations about this?

i also see that you participate in animal rescue. i live in the los angeles area and am interested in veterinary medicine. is there a way i can participate? volunteer? internships? let me know, i'm there!

[musicaldreams.livejournal.com]

IM me sometime or email me (which might be better, I'm hardly ever on AIM) and I would be more than happy to discuss neem or animal rescue with you. The most important thing SoCal needs help with right now is foster homes and transportation. Would either of those interest you? I will also ask around about internships, etc.

My email/AIM info is in my profile, if you hadn't noticed already.

[paix.livejournal.com]

yes! thank you, i will email you asap. thank you so much for your help!

[feckalyn.livejournal.com]

Fascinating.

What I want to know is how neem tastes, like if you accidentally get it in your mouth.

Any experiences with that? :)

[musicaldreams.livejournal.com]

I don't know how neem tastes, exactly. I use a toothpaste with neem oil in it but you can't taste the neem, just the other herbs that are in it. I can try to see if anyone has experiences with tasting neem and let you know.

[feckalyn.livejournal.com]

I'd be really interested! :)

[macabredelight.livejournal.com]

I really like the VCF contraceptive film.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Have you examined why the condoms are breaking or slipping off? Expiration dates? Improper storage? Not enough lube?

[hikerpoet.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. These things may happen on rare occasions, but if it is happening enough for it to be a chronic problem that you've had to use this particular back-up at least several times, is there another issue/problem with the condoms?

[figureinthefog.livejournal.com]

Not getting them on in time is the most common reason.
Slipping off is only a problem in certain positions (which happen to be my favorites, grr), and I never use expired condoms.
I am obsessive about condom storage, and I throw out any that I just "find" in my dresser drawer if I don't know exactly when I bought them. When we moved and I accidentally left some condoms in the car for a couple of hours, they got pitched. I keep lube on hand and use it when it's needed.
I volunteer for Planned Parenthood at various little functions and give condom demonstrations, literature, and the occasional lecture (why must everyone grab free condoms and put them in ther wallet??). I'm not a stranger to the ways of condoms.

I haven't used spermicide inserts more than 6 or 7 times in the past two years, and I have a lot of sex.

It's always wise to keep a backup method on hand, and I just wanted to know if my reaction was normal and if anyone else uses a brand they would recommend.

[mercurysmile.livejournal.com]

where else would you put your free condoms to take home??

[figureinthefog.livejournal.com]

Usually people have some kind of bag of goodies with them (pamphlets and whatnot). It would be much better to put them in there.

The heat from having a condom in a wallet against your butt all day is bad for the latex, as is the constant rubbing motion from sitting, walking, opening and closing your wallet, etc. When condoms sit in your pocket against your body all day and then get taken out at night, there's a significant temperature change. All of those things make the latex more likely to wear down, make the pouch more likely to become damaged or torn, make the condom more likely to become brittle and/or break, and if the condom is spermicidally lubricated, can will make the spermicide less effective.

[notlookingfor.livejournal.com]

The problem is that probably all brands are going to use the same active ingredient: Nonoxynyl-9 and it's likely the N-9 that you're sensitive to. You could try http://www.birthcontrol.com - they sell products found over the counter in Canada, which includes at least one spermicide not found here.

[figureinthefog.livejournal.com]

Awesome. Thanks.

[sandandsilk.livejournal.com]

*twitch*
Oh, the horror of Encare. My boyfriend and I tried those suppositories once, just to see. Now, it didn't feel any different until he started to cum. And then it burned him A LOT and afterwards I was in pain too. *shudder* Those things really didn't like us. Hehe. Eeeeevil nonoxynyl. :(

Also, are you sure it's not just 'cause of rough-ish sex? I bleed a little bit about half the time we have sex. Although I've never had it last more than a few hours after sex.

[robynchick.livejournal.com]

If they're making you bleed you may be experiencing an alleric reaction and you might want to stop using them. Always use water based lube to reduce breakage. What about getting a diaphragm (or equivalent) for backup or using EC if the condom breaks?

[figureinthefog.livejournal.com]

I don't want a diaphragm because stimulation of my cervix is very important to me, and I don't want to have to take EC, because I don't want huge doses of hormones.

I think I'm going to try other spermicides from that link to the store in Canada.