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Drifa -> RE: Birth control question for the ladies (8/16/2007 9:48:53 AM)
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IUD's don't work well in women that have never had children because the space available is smaller. The main risks of an IUD are perforation of the uterus, abnormal bleeding, and heavy cramping. And you can expect that it will be fairly uncomfortable during placement at your doctor's office. That "you may feel a little bit of pressure" crap doesn't really explain that any time you dilate the cervix it feels like childbirth. I've never had an IUD, but for other procedures with similar dilation I've found the procedures not unbearable but decidedly unpleasant, even with my Lady there holding my hand.
Contraceptive sponges do work well and are over-the-counter. They typically are about the size of a plushy makeup pad and are impregnanted with a spermicide. You fold 'em and insert them, then use a finger to make sure it's snugged against your cervix. They are comfortable enough that you won't notice it once it's in. Of course, with the spermicide, oral sex is not going to be fun... but you could solve that with a dental dam. The sponges are kind of a cross between barrier method and spermicide. The barrier is not as complete as a condom or diaphragm provide. Family planning clinics may carry samples you can try.
People also forget that diaphragms are an option. Put a little spermicide inside, fold, insert and snap over the cervix and you are done. You can put it in long before you actually need it, you don't feel it once it's in. In my personal opinion, oral sex in this situation isn't bad... usually you don't get as much of the spermacide in the vagina as with a sponge or insertable etc. These must be fitted by your doctor or family planning clinic.
The problem with all of these is that while they protect against pregnancy, they don't do anything to stop disease transmission. Condoms are much better for that, and I'd personally always choose a condom over the risk of getting one of those evil "gifts that keeps on giving" (herpes, AIDS, other STDs). And if your partner gripes about the condom, make it more fun by learning to blow it on.
There are other options available these days. My sister had a Norplant implant before she had her tubes tied. This is a hormonal option and carries the same risks as do birth control pills and other hormonal methods. Several of my friends are now using the NuvaRing, which is a hormone-impregnanted ring that goes into the vagina and around the cervix much like the ring of a diaphragm, you put it in and leave it three weeks, remove for a week, pop the next one in after that.
Amazing the things you learn when you have a parent who is an OB/GYN.
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