(Hi. I'm using my boyfriend's account to write this. Sorry if anyone remembers him)

Ok. My problem is thusly: i only get to see my boyfriend of 5 months every few weeks, which is pretty shit all on its own. But what makes it worse is that we want to have sex, but he gets really worried. We're getting together at new year, and it'd be the perfect time to do loads of stuff, but it's right in the middle of the danger zone of my cycle. So he says we just gotta wait



So my question is: are condoms enough protection at that time of the month?

Thanks in advance for any help...

They should be. Just make sure you don't buy really cheap ones. When I used to use them I found that Durex Featherlite never split, but cheaper ones did as they were too small (although they only split round the bottom of the sheath).

durex used properly are pretty much 99.9% safe.

you could always have the morning after to pill to hand just to be 100% sure.

Contraceptive injection

100% effective for 3months

pill and injection aren't an option, cos i'm still living at home and my mum'd freak... what's the difference between durex extra safe and durex extra strong? which is better?

quote:Originally posted by Fallen Seraph:

pill and injection aren't an option, cos i'm still living at home and my mum'd freak... what's the difference between durex extra safe and durex extra strong? which is better?



I lived at home and my parents never knew. Get the injection and there are no pills to be left lying around. You just have to save some money. Ask him to chip in too because he'll be getting pleasure out of it too.

If you'd just rather use condoms then go for whatever. Extra Safe have spermicide if I remember correctly, and Extra Strong are designed for anal so are really strong so won't break, or at least less of a chance of them breaking. Just use any Durex and there should be no real problems. It's less likely to split if you use lube as well. Dryness = friction = splitting.



[This message has been edited by Purple Phreaxxx (edited 12-18-2004).]

quote: It's less likely to split if you use lube as well. Dryness = friction = splitting.

make sure you use proper lube and NOT

Vaseline or another petroleum based gel!

as Vaseline 'eats' the condom.

Yeah, good point jack. KY Jelly is good. You can get it in any pharmacy at all. Or supermarket for that matter. Go for water based ones anyway.

If there are any sex shops nearby you can go for some nice flavoured ones too. They're handy because they don't taste like crap so you can go for oral after sex.

extra safe don't have spermicides anymore. durex seem to have stopped using them... which would you go for, an unknown brand with spermicide, or durex with none?

Definitely Durex. You shouldn't worry that much about it. Condoms are pretty damn safe and if they fail you can get the morning after pill.

Try not to worry about it because it could ruin all the fun for you. Assure your boyfriend that it's fine, get him to relax.

I have had a condom split once in 3 years. I don't think that's bad. But if you are worried then seriously consider the pill or injection. As long as you are over 16 your parents don't need to know.

quote:Originally posted by Fallen Seraph:



So my question is: are condoms enough protection at that time of the month?

Thanks in advance for any help...

It's virtually impossible to get pregnant if you use the condom correctly. Really, it's not complicated.

thanks everyone. you're all so nice

how much doesthat injection thing cost? and waht does it do exactly? are there side effects? does it stop the periods altogether? cos that wouldn't be too easy to explain to my mother...

also, i think that here in ireland, doctors have a legal obligation to tell your parents you're getting contraceptives if you're still under 18. which i am. any ideas about that?

^^^a quick trip over into NI?

No, I used to live in Dublin and I was 16 when I started on the injection. I was terrified the first time though in case they judged me or told me to go away.

Search on Google for family planning clinics near your area.

It cost me about... €55 for the first go as I had to see a doctor. I got student price though. After the first go it costs like €43 or something because you only see a nurse. It's not sore at all.

Side effects... The only injection available in Ireland is Depo-Provera (http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/bcdepo.htm).

That should give you some idea of it.

ps,try the new durex ones 'AVANTI'

http://www.durex.com/cm/productRange.asp?intProdCat=2&intMenuOpen=4&intProd=22

they are sinfully expensive (about £2 a shag) but he'll love the fact he can feel you through them (almost like skin) and you'll both love not smelling of warm marigold rubber gloves after!

btw HOW come your asking? its his job to sort out contraception.

thanks phreaxxx, but those side effects look nasty... did you get any of them? cos with my boyfriend's worry, anything that causes changes to the period could result in panic attacks on his part... which would not be of the good...

very unconventional relationship this jack

nah, he's broke and i'm not. therefore i get the condoms.

These (http://www.durex.com/cm/productRange.asp?intProdCat=2&intMenuOpen=4&intProd=1237) are better. Seriously, if you want to impress a girl use them.

But I think it's up to both people to take responsibility with contraception. I know it's free in England, but in Ireland it costs loads. Just split the cost with your partner.

why do none of them have spermicides?! they had them a few months ago. now they're gone! it's very annoying. the extra reassurance would be nice...

Heh, my boyfriend knows your boyfriend. I'll give him a bunch of condoms to bring back when he visits me. I can get them for free these days.

We're doing this whole long distance malarky too.

My side effects... I gained a few pounds, but nothing that noticable. My periods are still here after almost a year, just a lot lighter. The side effects are rare. I have no mood swings or anything. Just read up on it as much as you can then decide.

cheers are ye the ones going to amsterdam at christmas?

We were going to but we really can't afford it. Well he can, rich bastard, but I'm poor and have no job. He's coming over to visit me though. 9 days left til I see him again!

Do you have MSN?

You know, if you live Down South, it's really easy to get a bus or train into Belfast, and just get a free injection/condoms in the Family Planning Clinic....not that I know..

[This message has been edited by boobsy mcfirehazard (edited 12-18-2004).]

yup. only recent though, so i'm still working out how to use it. what do i do to talk to you there?

thanks boobsy but i'm only seventeen and my mum's a control freak type person, so i doubt i'll be going to belfast any time soon

With MSN messenger? You just add a contact and then they can see when you're online and talk to you. The add contact button is near the bottom of the window somewhere. You just click on a contact who is online to talk to them. Handy stuff.

you wanna msn so?

Sho,

address gone now. Mwahaaa! I am so cunning.

[This message has been edited by Purple Phreaxxx (edited 12-18-2004).]