Hi! I am going to be married soon and having heard so many bad stories about the pill - about side effects and cancer risk and a whole lot of other experiences from my friends - and the inconvenience of a condom -I was wondering if there is some natural contraceptive out there, maybe it's just wishful thinking! Also I figure why play around with my cycle with these strong hormones when its regular and pain-free? If there is any natural contraception (except abstinence!!)how safe is it? How accessible? Has anybody had any personal experience using it? Any side effects?

Thanks for your help and discussion topics...really interesting and helpful!



------------------
Thanks, Charlie

Go for the diaphram. It's 98% when used as directed, and has no side effects

Charlie,

I know a lot of about herbs, and I know of none that is proven to help with contraception. There may be some, based on anecdotal evidence, but I'm not aware of it.

Natural planning involves three things to reduce the chance of pregnancy during the woman's ovulation period. The woman needs to check the following:

1) Temperature
2) Timing (but some women are irregular)
3) Ovaluation induced mucus

You can check around to find out the details. This method of planning, I believe is better than 95% if followed consisently. It's more than just the rhythm method, because it looks for the three conditions.

People don't like using it, because one has to remember to check it at all times. Some people just like mechanical or chemical devices to prevent pregnancy. But, if you are looking at something that's natural, that's the way to go. With such a method, it's not a hundred percent full-proof, but it can reduce considerably the amount of times that one will be pregnant.

You might want to check the internet also for more information....congratulations and many blessings to your marriage.

I have a great book on the timing/cervical mucus/temperature thing, I would be happy to send it to you free of charge. I know it is effective in planning pregnancy, as I got pregnant 3 times using this method, and I imagine if I didnt want to become pregnant, I could have used the same symptoms to avoid it. In fact, the book is called "your fertility signals: using them to achieve or avoid pregnancy naturally"
My husband moved out last june, so I have no need for prevention and no opportunity for pregnancy http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Anyway, it is written in a very easy to follow style, and has charts and other references to help.
Also there is a software program you can download called cyclesoft...if you email me, I can get it for you. I think its kind of neat...it tells you by the info you put into it, when is the best time to have sex if you want to get pregnant, and when to avoid if you arent interested. and its FREE...my favorite price http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif

Jennifer
Tractormomma3@aol.com


------------------
Homeschooling mom to three wonderful kids

The various calender methods (charting, mucus, temperature) are very useful for helping a woman become aware of her ovulation and fertile phases. However, if you are seeking to avoid pregnancy, please keep in mind that sperm can live inside a woman's body for 5 days. So, while you may be infertile when you have sex, it's possible to get pregnant several days later, if you ovulate within 5 days.

Thanks everyone for your input! It's interesting that sperm can live for five days inside...I wonder if the timing/temperature thing addresses this?
Tractormomma I'd be interested in finding more out about that method, thanks for your reply!
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/eek.gif problem is I live in Australia and it would be really expensive for you to send me the book even though it sounds great...any ideas where I could find out about it? Web address, was it on the web you could download a program?

Anyway..just realised that you said I could email you so I'll send this as an email to you!

Thanks heaps...
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/tongue.gif

------------------
Thanks, Charlie

[This message has been edited by Charlie_777 (edited 03-28-2001).]