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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?

Birth Control	Hormone Dosage
Alesse	.10 mg levonorgestrel and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Brevikon	.5 mg norethindrone acetate and 35 mcg estrogen per pill
Cyclessa	Phase 1: .1 mg desogestrel and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill Phase 2: .125 mg desogestrel and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill Phase 3: 15 mg desogestrel and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Jolessa	.15 mg levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Junel 21 Day	1.5 mg norethindrone acetate and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Kelnor	1 mg ethynodiol diacetate and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Loestrin 21	1 mg norethindrone acetate and 20 mcg estrogen per pill

Pros	Cons
It is 99.9 percent effective at preventing pregnancy and works for up to five years. Once inserted into your uterus, it's effective immediately.	Many women complain that getting Mirena inserted is extremely painful.

DearSugar -- Just ask.

Vasectomies: Good Form of Birth Control?

You Asked: I Have an Irrational Fear of Getting Pregnant

Lifestyles Skyn Condoms: "Closest Thing to Wearing Nothing"

What Happened to the Today Sponge?

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

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

Virginia Pharmacy Won't Carry Contraception

Brush Up on Birth Control

Question 6

The Correct Answer:

Keep it inside you for at least six hours.

Do Tell: Have You Ever Had a Pregnancy Scare?

Myths About the Pill: Last Five

Myths About the Pill: First Five

Health Benefits of the Pill

Do Tell: When Did You First Get on the Pill?

When It Comes to Your Period, Is This Normal?

Do Tell: How Do You Keep Track of Your Period?

What's the Deal With Depo SubQ Provera 104?

Why Are You on the Pill?

Is the Pill to Blame?

Condom Ads: Too Much or Straight to the Point?

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What You Should Know Before Implementing Implanon

Tips For Sex in the Car

What Birth Control Method Do You Recommend?

You Asked: I'm Dreaming About My Ex!

What to Do If You Are a Victim of Rape

You, Me, and IUCs: It's Quiz Time!

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You, Me, and IUCs: Mirena

You, Me, and IUCs: ParaGard

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Group Urging FDA to Pull Birth Control Patch

The Connection Between IUDs and Cancer

Lybrel Birth Control Pills: No Period?

Dear Poll: Do You Believe Pregnancy Can Be an Accident?

Do Tell: Have You Had an Embarrassing Moment at the Gyno?

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What's the Right Birth Control For You? Part Two

What's the Right Birth Control For You? Part One

Do Tell: What Are Your Embarrassing Birth Control Stories?

Test Your Braininess of Birth Control

Medications That Have Sexual Side Effects

Do Tell: How Far Should Teens Go to Prevent Unwanted Pregnancy?

Lesson Learned: Always Be Prepared

Sex Myth: Day 14

A Great Reason to Use Birth Control

Male Birth Control Pill May Be on Its Way

Sex Myth: If the Woman Is on Top, She Can't Get Pregnant

Condoms: Male vs. Female

The How-To Lounge: Remembering to Take Your Pills

Birth Control Pill Cases Complete With Alarm