Birth Control.

[Nimetön]

I also got pregnant once by using spermicide only...

Maybe it's just late and I've been in my laboratory too long, but I almost fell out of my chair laughing.  My coworkers (with whom I did not share the context of this comment) have displayed a fascinating array of facial expressions.  They would like to suggest that you're using the wrong spermicide.

- N

[Arch]

Maybe it's just late and I've been in my laboratory too long, but I almost fell out of my chair laughing.  My coworkers (with whom I did not share the context of this comment) have displayed a fascinating array of facial expressions.  They would like to suggest that you're using the wrong spermicide.

Yeah, well, I guess those old wives' tales about squirrel piss were wrong.

ETA: Did I miss something, or do your coworkers not know anything at all about the relative ineffectiveness of spermicide?

[brainiac]

I think it was more that it sounded like you got pregnant JUST by applying a spermicide.

[Arch]

I think it was more that it sounded like you got pregnant JUST by applying a spermicide.

Sigh. You know what they say about having to explain a joke...I think there's no chance of my getting a good laugh out of this now. Wah.

[Elijah3291]

I've been on the pill for...like 2 years? I haven't noticed any weight gain or change in body shape, but maybe that's just me. It does make that time of the month a lot easier to deal with, I had horrible cramps before I was on the pill. Plus you always know when it's going to come lol. I use the pill + condoms and it makes me feel pretty secure that I'm not gonna get preggers. I don't know much about the other forms of BC, but that's my 2 cents. I think the hassle of female hormones/taking a pill every night outweighs the pregnancy scare factor.

Thanks man.. I think i will just get on the pill.. I have really long (and what I consider) heavy periods.. so, that will help, and no pregnancy will be good too.. do you take a particular kind of pill?

[cynthialee]

Good luck Elijah.
with the pill and condoms your about as safe as you can be baring celabicy.

[Elijah3291]

Good luck Elijah.
with the pill and condoms your about as safe as you can be baring celabicy.

thanks... I am ready for some sex haha

[cynthialee]

Yeah when I was yer age I was sex fiend. I totaly get it.

[Konnor]

Haha, I know what you mean man. I miss being in a relationship for a lot of reasons, but I def miss the sex! I've taken a few different ones, but right now I'm on Loestrin. That's it's brand name. It seems to be working well thus far, but I've only been on it going on 2 months. Whatever you choose to take, hope it works out for you!!

[Elijah3291]

I know I recommend it a lot, but I would look into progesterone-only pills. None of that nasty estrogen. ^^

is progesterone just as effective at preventing pregnancy, and does it also shorten and lighten periods?

[brainiac]

is progesterone just as effective at preventing pregnancy, and does it also shorten and lighten periods?

Yes, I'm pretty sure it is. I'm on estradiol but I was on progesterone a while back and it was fine.

[Arch]

Just to clarify, I think you're talking about progestin-only pills? The mini-pills? Those have no progesterone.

I never had regular periods. When I tried the mini-pill years ago, I considered myself to be even less regular than with no pills at all because my cycle was still completely unpredictable but with the added irritation and inconvenience of spotting at random intervals. It nearly drove me nuts.

I don't know if they have improved these pills at all in the last twenty years. I hope so. But I guess they must work for some folks or there wouldn't be a market for them.

[Elijah3291]

is birth control expensive..?

[cynthialee]

No. Not realy.
Sevan said it cost hir about 20$ a month when she was on it.
Some places like planed parenthood have sliding scale fees, so if your broke its real cheep.

[kyril]

As others have said, don't worry about physical feminisation.

I was on birth control for a short time but couldn't tolerate the psychological effects of the added hormones (I tried several different types). And they also completely obliterated my sex drive. But from what I understand my reaction to them was rare (the psych stuff, not the sex drive, which is reasonably common).

[Kurzar]

I was on BC pills for around 8 years. I did prefer the 3-4 day cycle and less cramping. I had to go on them to make cycle go normally as It kept going nonstop for months and months.

I had to quit taking them last Sept because I would up with a blood clot behind my knee. Due to my age (now 34) and being on PC pills, the bloodclot was far more likely and now I don't qualify to take them.

I don't use any protection now and do both types of intercourse. I've never been able to get pregnant so I'm not all that worried about it anymore.

[Radar]

...do you take a particular kind of pill?

The type of pill you take depends on what dosage your doctor decides. Most likely you'll start on a smaller dosage. I was on female hormones since around 14 but eventually had to be put on a higher dosage to control the ovarian cysts.

Even though the pill does add extra female hormones to your body until you get on T and since you are sexually active it's probably the best thing. Less painful and shorter periods and not as heavy. Plus, you always know when you'll have them.

The most important thing is to prevent pregnancy. At your age and being in college an unwanted pregnancy would cause many setbacks or even destroy certain goals you have for the future.

[Jamie-o]

I think you're making the safest choice.  Pill + Condoms is exactly what I would do, if I were in your shoes.  (And, after all, everyone should live by "What Would Jamie Do?" Right?  )

Just as a side note - it takes the Pill at least a month to become reliably effective, so if you plan to have sex in the mean time you may want to combine condoms and spermicide just to be on the safe side.

Also, there are tons of different formulations of BC, so if you find you don't like the side effects of one, go back to your doctor and try another.  I, personally, went through 3 different versions before I found the one that worked best for me.

And for what it's worth, if you decide that you do want to try anal at some point, it really isn't very painful as long as you take it slow and use LOTS of lube.  Honestly, my first time through the front door was more painful than my first time through the back door. 

[Arch]

And for what it's worth, if you decide that you do want to try anal at some point, it really isn't very painful as long as you take it slow and use LOTS of lube.  Honestly, my first time through the front door was more painful than my first time through the back door. 

For anal, you can buy silicone dildos of varying sizes and mess around with them in private. Start small and work up. Or you can get an inexpensive starter set of butt plugs--small, medium, large--and do the same thing. In a fairly short time, you can be ready to experiment with a live person--and follow Jamie's sage advice.

[Between Names]

I'd rather have my partner help me out with those silicone dildos than practice in private.