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Condoms Rival Pill's Popularity

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GTCosita
10/20/09

In reply to Condoms Rival Pill's Popularity
I just want to give props to Crown Skinless Skin condoms. We've been using them exclusively for almost a year now, and I can't feel them at all (and I always felt all of the other ones I've tried). It feels great to have my libido back, as well. #birthcontrolmethods
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Sev
10/20/09

In reply to Condoms Rival Pill's Popularity
I've been with my boyfriend for almost 2 years and we use both. Every. Single. Time.

We're poor. We've talked about going without the condom but then we found his his brother was conceived while his mother was on the Pill. It's condoms & the Pill for us until we're rich enough to afford children (which will be never.) #birthcontrolmethods
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hydrogen_jukebox
10/20/09

@Sev: Me too. I also feel like sex is much more enjoyable when you know there's a backup for your backup, and you don't have to worry.

Belts and Suspenders, FTW. #birthcontrolmethods
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Pizza!Pizza!Pizza!
10/20/09

@hydrogen_jukebox: People rarely mention this, but it's worth repeating – for some (many?) women, the fear of pregnancy is detrimental to their enjoyment of sex. So going without a condom may make you 'feel' it better (though, oddly, most people can't seem to tell when the condom's slipped off or broken), but going with can give you peace of mind. #birthcontrolmethods
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Flackette Goes Retro
10/20/09

In reply to Condoms Rival Pill's Popularity
Before I entered a long-term monogamous relationship with someone just as paranoid as I am about pregnancy, I used the Pill and condoms. The condoms for STIs, the Pill as extra insurance against pregnancy. Boyfriend-of-Flackette and I also used condoms for a while, but then we got tested and showed each other the results, and went pill-only. The few times we've had to revert to condoms because I was on antibiotics or something, neither of us enjoyed them so we just pursued...alternate routes of pleasure during that time. Honestly, people go on and on about men not wanting to use condoms, but I find them really uncomfortable, scratchy, grabby and weird-feeling (even with lube). Nonetheless, if I found myself back on the market and having sex with non-monogamous partners again, I'd use them. I consider eschewing condoms to be one of the luxuries of a committed relationship (and the ability to tolerate hormonal birth control). #birthcontrolmethods
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morninggloria
10/20/09

In reply to Condoms Rival Pill's Popularity
I'm in a long-term, monogamous relationship.

My birth control "controls" the liklihood that I will give "birth" by making me never want to have sex. It's pill enforced abstinence only birth control. If condoms didn't make the bedroom smell like a balloon artist's workshop and feel like doing it with a bratwurst in a ziplock bag, I'd use them. #birthcontrolmethods
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funnyface
10/20/09

@morninggloria: Ugh. Yes, it's a sucky sucky choice. Also? Large-sized unlubricated (I'm like, allergic to most lubes) condoms are nearly impossible to find. I'm giving the condoms the good old college try though, as the pill-enforced abstinence was really putting a damper on my relationship. Everything is better when I want and get sex on the regular. Everything. #birthcontrolmethods
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GirlFailer
10/20/09

@morninggloria: I know it's so cliched, but have you tried lambskin? They are expensive and hell, and well, you're doin it with a lamb on your dude's diddler, but they don't get that crinkly feeling. I use those and the polyurethane condoms. I hate latex, it gives me BV.
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Edited by GirlFailer at 10/20/09 9:53 AM GirlFailer was starred GirlFailer was unstarred

elliebean
10/20/09

@GirlFailer: There is a new non-latex condom on the market (it's polyisoprene). It's by Lifestyles, and it's called Skyn. I saw an advert for it yesterday. I wouldn't normally re-advertise for a company, but it might be a good alternative also? #birthcontrolmethods
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GirlFailer
10/20/09

@elliebean: yup, I've used that one! That's what I meant when I said polyurethane, I should have looked up the actual material! They are very thin, and they aren't nearly as crinkly as latex. They are also cheaper than lambskin. #birthcontrolmethods
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Pantra
10/20/09

@GirlFailer: I will be trying these as Lifestyles is my favorite brand. Did you like them? #birthcontrolmethods
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GirlFailer
10/20/09

@Pantra: Yeah, I do. I mean, they aren't as nice as the real thing, but they are superior to latex IMO. They are really expensive though! Try them out! I wish condoms were in candy cases (like jelly beans and hard candies) so you could pick and choose a few to try out. That way you don't have 20 unused condoms that you hate. #birthcontrolmethods
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questionable
10/20/09

@morninggloria: You've probably already researched this, but I'm in the same sitch, and I'm going to get an IUD. Maybe something to look into? #birthcontrolmethods
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morninggloria
10/20/09

@questionable: I've considered it. Thing is, you're only supposed to get an IUD if you're pretty sure that you're not going to have kids for the next 5 years, and I'll probably want to start sooner. #birthcontrolmethods
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andBegorrah
10/20/09

@morninggloria: Implanon is for 2 (or 3?) years; it's still hormonal, but maybe a different effect for you. #birthcontrolmethods
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funnyface
10/20/09

@GirlFailer: allcondoms.com lets you buy like, sample packs to try out a bunch. #birthcontrolmethods
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Kivrin
10/20/09

In reply to Condoms Rival Pill's Popularity
"Half of those who use condoms prefer them because they offer STD protection."

As someone who works in HIV/AIDS prevention, I am psyched to hear this. Hooray for important public health messages actually getting through to people! #birthcontrolmethods
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joannabobanna
10/20/09

@Kivrin: Meeee too! Especially since I just had someone try to tell me a few days ago that condoms do nothing to stop the spread of HIV. I got really close to physical violence when he kept trying to argue that. #birthcontrolmethods
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Kivrin
10/20/09

@joannabobanna: Say what?! Jesus. We still have a long way to go, don't we? (Good news: You and I will still have jobs!) #birthcontrolmethods
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joannabobanna
10/20/09

@Kivrin: Glad to hear about the job status! Yeah, he's super super Catholic and the only thing he ever really talks about is how abortion is the most horrific thing on earth.

Another person I know told me a few years ago that if women just kept their legs together, there would be no need for abortion.

Maybe I need to make some new friends. #birthcontrolmethods
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andBegorrah
10/20/09

In reply to Condoms Rival Pill's Popularity
And yet there are still no statistics on my Febreeze-jumping-jacks-and-prayer methodological trifecta.
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Edited by andBegorrah at 10/20/09 9:35 AM andBegorrah was starred andBegorrah was unstarred

msmoneypenny
10/20/09

@andBegorrah: Febreeze? #birthcontrolmethods
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andBegorrah
10/20/09

@msmoneypenny: It freshens and deodorizes carpet! Like Valtrex, but lightly scented. #birthcontrolmethods
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msmoneypenny
10/20/09

@andBegorrah: You're on to something. I'll go for Chanel No. 5, now that superfreakonomics has me psyched for a new career in high-end prostitution. #birthcontrolmethods
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GirlFailer
10/20/09

In reply to Condoms Rival Pill's Popularity
Condoms suck, but they don't suck as badly as the hormone induced craze all birth control pills seem to cause. That might also play a factor.

Slightly off topic? I really wish they would offer subsidized vasectomies or tubal ligation to couples who can't afford to pay 700-800 dollars out of pocket without saving for up 2 years. #birthcontrolmethods
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colormeroutine
10/20/09

@GirlFailer: I had the craze issue until I switched to Yaz. I tried about a million on the way there and they all produced tons of the crazy. A few weeks ago my mom called me freaking out about the quality control issues with yaz and I was just like "sorry, I'll take the risk of blood clots over the risk of a stabbing rampage" #birthcontrolmethods
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Kivrin
10/20/09

@GirlFailer: I've been on the same low-dose BC for 5 years now, and it has never made me crazy. In fact, it drastically reduced my PMS symptoms, so I don't even have my monthly hyper-emotional days anymore! I'm sorry you've had such a bad experience with BC; I guess maybe I'm just lucky? #birthcontrolmethods
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ytuhermanotambien
10/20/09

@GirlFailer: Word. I'd rather reduce sensation a tiny bit than become crazy, gain weight, or stop wanting to have sex, so I'm very pro-condom.
Subsidizing vasectomies and tubal ligation is a great idea! Is that newish, non-surgical version of tubal ligation any cheaper than the original? #birthcontrolmethods
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GirlFailer
10/20/09

@colormeroutine: Yaz make a me crazy, too. I'm cursed!
@Kivrin: Yeah I think I'm unlucky, as all birth controls including lo versions make me spot, and feel homicidal at the slightest provocation. #birthcontrolmethods
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banana_grabber
10/20/09

@GirlFailer: Yeah, condoms suck, but I appreciate not having to take hormones. That sucked significantly more and left me very unhealthy, both emotionally and physically. I'm not sure I should be risking my life in order to avoid children--condoms seem the safer bet. #birthcontrolmethods
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CissyPants
10/20/09

@colormeroutine: I had a pulmonary embolism while on Yaz. You'd eat those words if it happened to you. Three clots on my lungs. One in my leg. I almost died.
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GirlFailer
10/20/09

@ytuhermanotambien: I'm not sure about price but Essure isn't actually readily available in a lot of OBGYNs. I think because it's not reversible a lot of doctors don't mess with it. At least my pretty large OBGYN practice in Raleigh doesn't preform it. :( #birthcontrolmethods
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GirlFailer
10/20/09

@CissyPants: Holy shit. Did you have a clotting disorder, too? Or was it just the medication? #birthcontrolmethods
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eatsshootsleaves
10/20/09

@Kivrin: Me too; low-hormone birth control works great for me.

(I would also use condoms when starting a new relationship, but my current boyfriend got tested before I began sleeping with him, so yay.) #birthcontrolmethods
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CissyPants
10/20/09

@GirlFailer: It seems that it was just the medication though I might have a tendency to clot more than others while on birth control.

I am joining a class action lawsuit against Yaz. #birthcontrolmethods
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elephante
10/20/09

@eatsshootsleaves: FYI, men aren't/can't be tested for HPV. #birthcontrolmethods
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colormeroutine
10/20/09

@CissyPants: I'm really sorry that happened to you. And I'm sure I would eat my words if it happens to me. But I'm still staying on it #birthcontrolmethods
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GirlFailer
10/20/09

@CissyPants: Yeah, my family has a history of protein C or S deficiency, so it's an added reason for me to avoid birth control. And IUD's cost nearly as much as a vasectomy, so I may as well save up for that instead. My fucking reproductive health insurance coverage is the pits. #birthcontrolmethods
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utensil42
10/20/09

@ytuhermanotambien: No, it's not any cheaper than the old-school surgical ones. Mine had to be done in a hospital (cha-ching!) with full anesthesia (cha-ching!) and, with insurance, ended up being around $3,000. I'd love to have had a "non-subsidized" one that only cost $700-800. #birthcontrolmethods
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CissyPants
10/20/09

@GirlFailer: I will most likely be getting an IUD in the future since this now makes pregnancy itself risky for me. (I will have to take blood thinners through pregnancy, too.) I haven't even looked at IUD's yet. Right now I'm just enjoying that whole breathing thing. #birthcontrolmethods
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GirlFailer
10/20/09

@utensil42: Yeah, a vasectomy cost a lot less than female sterilization. (that's the 700-800$ one I was talking about) Even still 3000 dollars is insane! I thought that Essure wasn't done under anesthesia? Does it vary? #birthcontrolmethods
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GirlFailer
10/20/09

@CissyPants: I'm glad you're okay now, I can't imagine what that must have been like. #birthcontrolmethods
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CissyPants
10/20/09

@colormeroutine: I'm in no way advocating for people not to take birth control. I just think people need to take those risks seriously.

I walked around for about 1.5 years with major clots, headaches, and chest pain. Why? Because I never really understood the risk. I wasn't 35, or a smoker or any of that stuff. I was a 33 year old marathoner. I went to the doctor a few times, and THEY didn't even think to check for clots. #birthcontrolmethods
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Flackette Goes Retro
10/20/09

@colormeroutine: I had the exact same experience. So far, 2.5 years in, Yaz is the only birth control that doesn't cause my head to spin around, Exorcist-style. Now I'm a bit worried about the clotting issue, but debating whether it's worth giving up reliable BC that doesn't make me insane. #birthcontrolmethods
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Flackette Goes Retro
10/20/09

@CissyPants: See, this is what scares me. I'm seeing my Dr. in a couple of weeks and going to have a chat about the Yaz. My issue is I really need reliable BC other than condoms, Yaz so far is the only one that gives me that without the crazies, but I'm also scared of the clotting factor (which I realize is present with all hormonal methods, but seems to be increased with Yaz). I'm contemplating asking about an IUD or the NuvaRing. #birthcontrolmethods
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eatsshootsleaves
10/20/09

@CissyPants: Wow, that's horrible. And frightening -- I think I'm going to schedule a check-up. Good luck with your lawsuit.

@Eriu: I know this. I have been vaccinated, however, so my chances of getting cancer or warts are fairly low. #birthcontrolmethods
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colormeroutine
10/20/09

@Flackette Goes Retro: I could be wrong about this, but I was told the increased risk with Yaz was actually not because of the pill itself but because the company wasn't doing the appropriate quality-control testing with the batches. I would imagine that after all this came out, they had to start doing better with that. Or at least, that's how I talk myself to sleep at night #birthcontrolmethods
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CissyPants
10/20/09

@Flackette Goes Retro: I was on Nuvaring for a few years without any problems. I really enjoyed it, but switched to Yaz to help my mood. #birthcontrolmethods
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elephante
10/20/09

@eatsshootsleaves: Just making sure! It's terrifying to me the number of women (and men) who don't know this and go sans condoms thinking they're safe. #birthcontrolmethods
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elephante
10/20/09

@eatsshootsleaves: Just making sure! It's terrifying to me the number of women (and men) who don't know this and go sans condoms thinking they're safe. #birthcontrolmethods
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utensil42
10/20/09

@GirlFailer: Essure isn't supposed to need anesthesia, or if needed, only a local. But they were worried about not being able to get to my left fallopian tube because of a septated uterus, which would require the surgical procedure, so they anesthetized me just in case. That way, if surgery was needed, I wouldn't need two rounds of anesthetic. #birthcontrolmethods
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GirlFailer
10/20/09

@utensil42: Gotcha. I bet that jacked up the price considerably. #birthcontrolmethods
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utensil42
10/20/09

@GirlFailer: I hope that's what did it, but, with BCBS, I wouldn't be surprised. #birthcontrolmethods
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AtomiClash: humanitarian misanthrope
10/20/09

In reply to Condoms Rival Pill's Popularity
or, you could use both until your boyfriend of 6 months finally breaks down, starts a fight about not trusting him, but goes with you to get tested anyway, (and does in fact test negative of all STIs)... which may or may not have been the plan all along. Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything. #birthcontrolmethods
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Flackette Goes Retro
10/20/09

@AtomiClash: humanitarian misanthrope: In a past relationship I had the "not trusting him" fight. He said it was a trust thing, but admitted he hadn't been tested recently. My view was that it wasn't about not trusting him, but the fact that if he hadn't been tested since a few partners ago, he had no way of really knowing if he was in the clear. Of course, about the time he finally talked me into going sans condom, I found out he was cheating on me and had to get tested myself. Fun times! #birthcontrolmethods
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Pizza!Pizza!Pizza!
10/20/09

@AtomiClash: humanitarian misanthrope: Just a warning (not for you, but for everyone) – a lot of guys think 'getting tested' means getting tested for AIDS. And nothing else. Even if they know other STIs can have no symptoms in males, why take the trouble/time/money to see a doctor if you aren't in pain? #birthcontrolmethods
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JLady
10/20/09

In reply to Condoms Rival Pill's Popularity
Did they tally how many women use both? Because I've been on the Pill for a long time, but if I'm in a new relationship you'd better believe I'm also using condoms. #birthcontrolmethods
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funnyface
10/20/09

In reply to Condoms Rival Pill's Popularity
Just switched to condoms from the pill, myself, hoping to get back the sex drive that the pill killed. #birthcontrolmethods
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banana_grabber
10/20/09

@funnyface: Mine is coming back after being off the pill for a couple months. It's amazing. My body actually wants sex--not just my mind thinking it's probably a good addition to the relationship! #birthcontrolmethods
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funnyface
10/20/09

@banana_grabber: Good to hear! It's been a month for me now and no real change other than my skin totally wigged out for a few weeks there. #birthcontrolmethods
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PixieSparkle
10/20/09

@funnyface: I had to do the same thing, and within a few weeks I was already noticing a change. All of a sudden it was like my body just woke up and was itching for attention.

I hope you have a similar response!

I'd debating an IUD, but I fear the insertion and haven't taken the time to really read up on it. #birthcontrolmethods
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w33kdays
10/20/09

@funnyface: After reading these comments, I feel like I may be the only female on BC that has a normal sex drive. Since I started before I was sexually active, I honestly never knew that this was a problem. #birthcontrolmethods
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elliebean
10/20/09

@p0rt3r is hungry for brains: I also started before I was sexually active/before I understood "sex drive", and I wonder if my sex drive would change without the pill. It wavers, but sex has often been something that I mentally have to psyche myself up for, not something my body just does. I'm tempted to change to an iud anyway, so I think I might go off the pill for three or four months in between, just to see if there's a difference. #birthcontrolmethods
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banana_grabber
10/20/09

@funnyface: oh, my face did that too. That part sucked. #birthcontrolmethods
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funnyface
10/20/09

@elliebean: Sex before the pill was something I wanted, something I would initiate. Sex after the pill?? Wouldn't even cross my mind. Somehow, on the pill, physically I'd be a-OK if my partner and I never had sex again, though that causes me to suffer emotionally and feel disconnected from my partner. It also frustrated me because it would take me forever to get "warmed up" even when I WANTED to have sex. I want to want to have sex with my partner, and I'm hoping that in a few weeks, that "want" will return. #birthcontrolmethods
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Pizza!Pizza!Pizza!
10/20/09

@funnyface: I wish sex columnists would great every single letter and complaint about 'the wife not wanting to have sex' with the question 'Is she on hormonal birth control?'

It is such a common side effect, and such a common complaint from men (though I've heard the opposite a lot), you'd think everyone would be putting two-and-two together instead of going straight to the usual 'Well, women have lower sex drives... wine and dine her... bla bla bla.'
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Edited by Pizza!Pizza!Pizza! at 10/20/09 12:09 PM Pizza!Pizza!Pizza! was starred

RiloKilo
10/20/09

@funnyface: Me too. My sex drive was ZERO after a few years on the pill and I'm trying to go without it now. I miss genuinely wanting sex for myself, not just to make my boyfriend happy. #birthcontrolmethods
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colormeroutine
10/20/09

In reply to Condoms Rival Pill's Popularity
I generally use both. To me they serve separate purposes. To the neurotic men I sleep with, they're added anti-baby security #birthcontrolmethods
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Schrodinger's Cat
10/20/09

@colormeroutine: I hear you on the neurotic man front... I used to use the patch. My boyfriend [now husband] used to pat around... like I was being frisked... to find it. Très romantic.

I'm happy to report that he doesn't attempt to "find" my mirena.

That would be a deal-breaker.

Anyway, we stopped using condoms after our most recent STD tests years ago. #birthcontrolmethods
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