Contraceptive Foam?

[misenchanted.livejournal.com]

My husband and I are going to try to conceive in late August/early September depending on my ovulation. I have been on the pill for 6 years, and stopped taking it last week. For the next three months I will be tracking my ovulation so that we have a better chance of conceiving when we begin to try at the end of the summer.

So our dilemma for the next three months is birth control. Having the baby three months too soon would mean having to sit out a semester of school, and I just can't do that. As since I'm not sure of my ovulation schedule yet, FAM is going to be hard to do right now. So, I'm leaning towards contraceptive foam. I've read up on it, and it seems like the best bet. It's only about 80% effective, but we're also going to use the old fashion withdrawal method as well (also 80% effective). Condoms irritate me and my husband, so we'd like to avoid them if possible.

So, feed back on the foam? Any other advice?

Thanks!

Comments

[misenchanted.livejournal.com]

no, I haven't. Can you buy them at locations that sell male condoms? Are they comfortable/effective?

[krasota.livejournal.com]

How do condoms irritate you? If it's physical irritation, that can be worked around. If they emotionally aggravate you, they might not be your best bet. ;)

If you tried condoms with spermicide and found them irritating, contraceptive foam might bother you. If you're allergic to latex, there are non-latex options.

I use Avanti, by Durex. While it comes in a version with spermicide, I use the one without. I can't use contraceptive foam, unless I *want* to have my vagina and vulva fester, bleed, and swell shut/up to the size of a walrus.

[dierdreceilidh.livejournal.com]

I second that! The foam made me bleed.

[misenchanted.livejournal.com]

They irritae my physically, and him emotionally. But he's willing to deal with them if need be. Why do you use Avanti over other types? I should find a good condom just incase.

Spermicide hasn't irritated me before, so I've got my fingers crossed that the foam will get along ok with my vagina :)

[dollunderglass.livejournal.com]

Avanti is made from polyeurethane (sp) and not latex. Female condoms are also made from polyurethane. I know condomania.com has female condoms, and i believe distinctivetoys.net does, too. They are expensive, though.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

I needed something latex-free and spermicide-free. I don't like the Female Condom (it's just not for me, but I suggest trying it) and I won't use natural membrane condoms. I can't use hormonal contraception.

[motherphoenix.livejournal.com]

I have used it in the past (am using FAM and pull out method during questionable times) and haven't had a problem. There was a little tingling sensation after insertion for a bit but it went away. My partner even indicated that he got heightened sensation from it *L*
I guess the key is to make sure you're both not allergic and also to make sure to reinsert for each new session. Good luck with conceiving when you want DO try :)

[cagekitten.livejournal.com]

Foam really kills the mood as you have to stop and go put the messy stuff in. And the effectiveness rate is really too low. I highly recommend the contraceptive sponge: http://www.todaysponge.com/

You can put this in at any time and it is effective for 24 hours. You have to order it online now, they are no longer sold in stores.

[gabrieceleste.livejournal.com]

I never had a good experience with any kind of spermicidal form but I liked the sponge a lot. I would recommend trying that instead.

[cagekitten.livejournal.com]

I remember when they were sold in stores. I was very happy with them, used them without condoms or any back up method, and they worked every time (even when they accidentally flipped upside down).

[misenchanted.livejournal.com]

eh, killing the mood isn't really an issue. For years I had to apply numbing gel and take pain killers before sex, and we got through that ok. We can deal with foam.

But I do want to look into the sponge. Thanks so much for the link!!

[misenchanted.livejournal.com]

So I checked out the link...but I don't think I can purchase them from that site. Am I missing something?

After reading about it I certainly want to try them. Thanks again for your help!

[cagekitten.livejournal.com]

Oh you're right (sorry about that). If you google "Today Sponge" it will take you to some links. In fact the very first one on google is a pharmacy that sells them online. And the sponsored links on the right will have other pharmacies that will ship them to you as well. They cost (at the cheapest websites) about $3 each. They are worth it.

[vivalust.livejournal.com]

Yes, I second the sponge, easy to use and not a hassle.

[burnedxoutxstar.livejournal.com]

My friend had good success with spermicidal strips called VCF (dont remember what it stands for) ... but again the mood killer factor of having to go shove something up there, heh...

[square-pancake.livejournal.com]

Vaginal contraceptive film= VCF : )

And as a personal testament, I really like VCF- but my partner is allergic to it.

[farfalla-dolce.livejournal.com]

good luck concieving when you want. I was on the pill for only three years and have been off of it since Dec. I have been trying to get pregnant since then and have had zero luck. I have been charting and everything. Every woman is different though so hopefully you will be able to when you want.

[mshoemaker.livejournal.com]

ive been off depo since september 2004 and have yet to get my period back, and my doc says its nearly impossible to get preggers til my period is back... and my husband and i are tryin like crazy!!!

[robynchick.livejournal.com]

How about a removable barrier like the cervical cap, diaphragm or a new one like Lea's Shield?

[feckalyn.livejournal.com]

You have to use spermacide with the cervical cap and diaphragm anyway and they don't significantly increase effectiveness over just the spermacide by itself.

Weird, eh?

It's recommended that you use spermacide with Lea's Shield (http://www.leasshield.com/) too (which, OP, would be my suggestion!) but I don't know how effective it is by itself vs. w/spermacide.

[constructingme.livejournal.com]

i've never used foam, but i did rely on withdrawal for 4 months of heavy sex and am not pregnant. whohoo! anyway, maybe a diaphram, if you're pairing it with withdrawal? it's also latex, though, so if that's the trouble then it might irritate. i get yeast infections like nobody's business, so i personally would be nervous about the foam messing with my vagina, but again, i've never actually used it.