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Vasectomies: Good Form of Birth Control?

DearSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Women have many birth control options ranging from The Pill to the IUCs, but men can only rely on condoms to prevent pregnancy. There is another more invasive option though — a vasectomy. Although this seems like a procedure for older men, it turns out that more and more young men are opting for this minor surgery. The procedure is short, can be done in a doctor's office with local anesthesia, and the guy can usually go back to work within a day or two. Young men are into this as a form of contraception because they've heard it can be reversed. So is it a good form of birth control? To find out

You Asked: I Have an Irrational Fear of Getting Pregnant

DearSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:30:00 -0800

Dear Sugar,

I have a rather strange irrational fear. Even though I am on hormonal birth control, use condoms, and never miss a period, I continually fear that I'll somehow magically get pregnant. This fear is quite literally taking over my life, not to mention ruining my otherwise wonderful sex life with my fiancé. I desire sex with him daily, but my fear of getting pregnant is so salient that I either make an excuse to avoid it, or just fall asleep while he is making a pass at me — we end up only have sex twice a week. I have been this way ever since he and I began having sex seven years ago.

My fear comes and goes with varying degrees, but it seems that it is worse during times of high stress. Every twitch, every headache, and every gurgle in my stomach is interpreted to me as a pregnancy sign. I feel like I am so alone. I know that I'm being ridiculous, but I cannot get it out of my mind. I am almost willing to go as far as sterilization to ease this anxiety. Do you have any advice? — Freaking Out Fionna

To see DearSugar's answer

Lifestyles Skyn Condoms: "Closest Thing to Wearing Nothing"

DearSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

If condoms are your primary form of birth control, for both pregnancy and STI prevention, then you'll be happy to know there's a new thin condom on the market. Lifestyles Skyn pledges to be the "closest thing to wearing nothing." Well that sounds inviting, doesn't it? These new Skyn condoms are made of a breakthrough material called polyisoprene, which is designed to be softer, stretchier, and more natural feeling. Skyns are meant to feel more like skin-to-skin contact, which is what we're after when it comes to sex, right? They are latex-free, so they're perfect if you have a latex allergy, but they still protect you against STIs. If you're turned off by regular condoms because they decrease sexual sensations, then you may want to give these a try. Let me warn you that they're pricier than latex condoms, with a 12-pack costing around $13.50. If they make your time under the sheets better, then I say they're worth the extra dough!

Have any of you tried these Skyn condoms yet? If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

What Happened to the Today Sponge?

DearSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700

So you hate that condoms make sex less enjoyable and you despise being on hormones because they make you moody. So what's a girl to do about preventing pregnancy? Maybe you've considered the Today Sponge. It's a hormone-free, spermicidal foam sponge that a woman inserts before sex. It covers the cervix so it prevents sperm from getting to the uterus and it also kills any sperm that should happen to pass through. Women who love the Today Sponge really love it, but the problem is, it's off the market! Last December, Synova, the company who manufactured it went bankrupt. No money means no Today Sponge. But I have good news. To hear it

Where Do You Stand? Using Condoms When You're Married

DearSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

If you're not a fan of hormonal birth control, your options are limited when it comes to staying pregnancy-free. Condoms are an easy choice to stay protected when you're not in a committed relationship, but I've been hearing more and more married couples say that condoms are their preferred method of birth control, too. Of course to each their own, but isn't one of the perks of being in a committed marriage (one that's clear of STIs) that you don't have to fuss with interrupting the moment to find a condom? Clearly I'd pick another method, but where do you stand on using condoms when you're married? Do you, or would you, use them too?

Source

Do Tell: How Does Hormonal Birth Control Affect Your Mood?

DearSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Though I do think hormonal birth control options, like the pill and Nuvaring, are great methods of contraception, I’ll be the first to admit that the fluctuation in hormones can definitely cause feelings of irritability and depression. Of course much of it depends on the dosage, as well as how your body handles it. So ladies, do tell: Have you found yourself fighting with your moodiness after going on hormonal birth control? Or does it actually improve your moods?

Source

Virginia Pharmacy Won't Carry Contraception

DearSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700

I've heard of Roman Catholics not believing in birth control, but now a new Roman Catholic pharmacy in Virginia doesn't believe in selling it. Divine Mercy Care Pharmacy isn't the only one letting their faith lead their business. Seven other pharmacies across the nation are doing the same. They're refusing to sell any forms of contraception, including condoms, birth control pills, and the morning-after pill, even if the person has a prescription.

States are dealing with this issue by passing laws that require drugstores to go against their religious beliefs and fill the prescriptions. Right now though, in the state of Virginia, these laws don't exist and devout Catholic-based drugstores are allowed to deny birth control to anyone who walks in their store.

To find out what abortion-rights groups think,

Brush Up on Birth Control

DearSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 07:00:00 -0700

I am so grateful for all the different kinds of birth control on the market. Since women have a variety of needs, we're lucky to have such an array of methods to choose from to fit all of our lifestyles. So let's see what you know about some popular forms of contraception.

Question 1

1 of 6

Which type of birth control is not estrogen-free?

Do Tell: Have You Ever Had a Pregnancy Scare?

DearSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:00:00 -0700

Unless you’re currently trying for children, your sex life is probably focused on not getting pregnant as much as it is on the sex itself. Since we know all about the various methods of contraception out there, we also know that none of them are 100 percent effective. If you’re having sex, there’s always a slim possibility you could get pregnant. And if you have a regular period, missing it for even a day could send you rushing out for pregnancy tests. So ladies, in your attempts to avoid it, have you ever had a pregnancy scare?

Source

Myths About the Pill: Last Five

DearSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

I hope I set your mind at ease by debunking the first five myths about the pill yesterday. If you've been waiting to hear more, check the last five:

Women who smoke cannot use the pill: It's a fact that if a woman smokes cigarettes and uses the pill, she has a higher risk of having a stroke or developing blood clots. If she's 35 or older, the risk is even greater. A doctor will not prescribe regular dose combination pills, but a woman who smokes can take lower dose hormones or estrogen-free pills instead.
The most risky time to miss a pill is in the middle of the pack: If you happen to miss a pill, the most risky time is actually at the beginning or the end of the pack. That's because a woman needs to take seven consecutive pills in order to prevent ovulation and it's actually possible to miss the next seven days without the risk of pregnancy. But if a woman misses pills toward the end of the pack, she may not have enough hormones inside her to prevent ovulation the next month. The bottom line here though is to try your hardest not to miss any pills.

To see the rest,