From: elf@coho.halcyon.com (Elf Sternberg)
Newsgroups: alt.sex,alt.sex.wizards
Subject: The alt.sex FAQ, Part 12: CONTRACEPTION
Date: 23 Jul 1996 19:13:34 GMT
Organization: Northwest Nexus Inc.
Originator: superdj@marge.cs.mcgill.ca (David Johnson)
Moderator: elf@halcyon.com (Elf Sternberg)
Archive-name: alt-sex/faq/part12
CONTRACEPTION
What are the various methods of contraception and their effectiveness
rates?
% of women experiencing an accidental pregnancy in
the first year of use
-------------------------------------------------
Lowest Lowest
Method Expected Typical Reported
-------------------------------------------------
Chance 85 85 43.1
Spermicides 3 21 0.0
Periodic abstinence 20
Calender 9 14.4
Ovulation Method 3 10.5
Symptothermal 2 12.6
Postovulation 1 2.0
Withdrawal 4 18 6.7
Cervical Cap 6 18 8.0
Sponge
Parous women 9 28 27.7
Nulliparous women 6 18 13.9
Diaphragm 6 18 2.1
Condom 2 12 4.2
IUD
Progestasert 2.0 3 1.9
Copper T 380A 0.8 3 0.5
Pill
Combined 0.1 3 0.1
Progestogen only 0.5 3 1.1
Injectable progestogen
DMPA 0.3 0.3 0.0
NET 0.4 0.4 0.0
Implants
NORPLANT (6 capsules) 0.04 0.04 0.0
NORPLANT (2 rods) 0.03 0.03 0.0
Female sterilization 0.2 0.4 0.0
Male sterilization 0.1 0.15 0.0
_________________________________________________________________
Associated Risk statistics with Contraception
Activity Chance of Death in a Year
Risks for men and women of all ages who participate in:
Motorcycling 1 in 1,000
Automobile driving 1 in 6,000
Power boating 1 in 6,000
Rock climbing 1 in 7,500
Playing football 1 in 25,000
Canoeing 1 in 100,000
Risks for women aged 15 to 44 years:
Using Tampons 1 in 350,000
Having sexual intercourse (PID) 1 in 50,000
Preventing pregnancy:
Using birth control pills
nonsmoker 1 in 63,000
smoker 1 in 16,000
Using IUDs 1 in 100,000
Using diaphragm, condom or spermicide NONE
Using fertility awareness methods NONE
Undergoing sterilization:
Laparoscopic tubal ligation 1 in 67,000
Hysterectomy 1 in 1,600
Vasectomy 1 in 300,000
Continuing pregnancy 1 in 14,300
Terminating Pregnancy:
Illegal abortion 1 in 3,000
Legal abortion
Before 9 weeks 1 in 500,000
Between 9-12 weeks 1 in 67,000
Between 13-15 weeks 1 in 23,000
After 15 weeks 1 in 8,700
The source is the 1990-1992, 15th Revised Edition of Contraceptive
Technology. Authored by too many doctors to cite. However, this book
is used by millions of doctors around theworld as an authority on
contraception. Its authors gather their sources from data published
by several different statistic gathering organizations (such as the
Centres for Disease Control) and then compile and interpret it in
their book. Happy Reading.
Common Methods of Contraception
Diaphragm
Has a failure rate of 2% (i.e. out of 100 women who primarily use the
diaphragm, two become pregnant in any year). Always use spermicide;
both partners must learn how to place it properly. It has few
associated risks; it cannot become 'lost' because the vagina is only
a few inches long. Can 'slip' and press against the rectum; this can
be uncomfortable. Also, some men can feel the diaphragm during
intercourse. Some women have recurrent yeast infections when using
the diaphragm.
The average diaphragm costs about 20-30 dollars, but it must first be
sized and fitted by a gynecologist, so there is the cost of a
doctor's fee. Must be replaced every two years to ensure correct fit
and product lifespan. A tube of Gynol II costs around 11 dollars and
is good for 24 doses of spermicide.
The major disadvantage to the diaphragm is that it must be used one
of two ways; either it is inserted before any sort of sexual play, in
which case the taste of spermicide can become an issue if the couple
wishes to engage in oral sex, or is inserted after oral sex but
before intercourse, which can be considered a major interruption of
play and may lead to not using it all.
(SOURCE: "The New Our Bodies, Ourselves" The Boston Women's Health
Book Collective, 1984. Pgs 225-228.)
Reality, The Female Condom
The female condom is a soft, loose-fitting plastic pouch made of
polyurethane (not latex) that lines the vagina. It has a semi-stiff
plastic ring at each end. The inner ring is used to insert the device
inside the vagina and hold it in place. The outer ring partly covers
the labia area and holds the condom open. The female condom is market
in the United States by Wisconson Pharmaceuticals under the name
Reality. In the United Kingdom and Canada it is marketed under the
name Femidom. Market acceptance testing has been going on for over a
year, and on August 15, 1994, Wisconson Pharmaceuticals began
widespread marketing of Reality.
In theory, the polyurethane construction of the female condom makes
it viable to use with oil-based lubricants, and Wisconson
Pharmaceutical's hotline states that this is safe. The female condom
is also the best viable alternative available for those people who
are allergic to latex. The female condom should notbe used for anal
sex-- the anus has no upper end and the outer ring is not enough to
prevent it from being pushed into the anus and become lost.
INSERTING THE FEMALE CONDOM.
The female condom can be inserted up to 8 hours before sex. However,
most women prefer to insert it between 2 and 20 minutes prior to
sexual intercourse. The condom should be removed immediately after
sex.
Squeeze the inner ring with your thumb and middle finger, placing
your index finger down upon the plastic inside the inner ring. Still
squeezing, spread the labia apart. With your hand positioned with
your palm towards you, insert the female condom into the vagina. Push
the inner ring and pouch the rest of the way into the vagina until
the inner ring is up past the pubic bone. The outside ring should now
lie against the vulva, covering the opening of the vagina.
THE FEMALE CONDOM AFTER INSERTION
During intercourse, the female condom may move or shift. It should
not be pushed into the vagina, and the outer ring is intended to
prevent this. However, it may happen. If so, stop intercourse, fix
the ring, and apply more lubricant to the penis or in the pouch.
After intercourse, the female condom should be disposed of in a
trashcan. Do not flush the female condom in the toilet.
EFFECTIVENESS
The pregnancy rate for the female condom under normal use is expected
to be comparable to that of the male condom (13%). However, because
of a lack of familiarity with the device, initial results have been
discouraging, with rates as high as double that (26%). The female
condom requires the use of an external, water-soluble lubricant. A
package of Reality, the brand available in the United States, comes
with three female condoms and a small bottle of lubricant (1/2 oz).
The lubricant is comparable in quality to Astroglide.
The female condom requires practice to use properly. Be prepared to
take your time inserting it the first time. Those who have experience
using a diaphragm will find the process familiar.
The female condom has not been tested in its efficiency to prevent
disease. It is expected to be as effective as a male condom. However,
the insertion process calls for two steps: inserting the ring, where
the hand is outside the pouch and in contact with vaginal fluids, and
then fitting the ring, where the fingers are inside the pouch, thus
spreading those fluids about the pouch where the penis will go. While
there are solutions to this problem (have each partner do one of
these steps, wear gloves for half the process, or wash hands before
the fitting stage), none of them are adequate for most people. The
female condom should not be considered a viable protection for STDs
in cases where the woman is suspected to have a mucosal infection
such as herpes or HPV.
In the United States, Reality has been available primarily through
Planned Parenthood. Wisconson Pharmaceuticals has started shipping to
drug stores and it should be available throughout the U.S. in the
last quarter of 1994. Reality is somewhat pricey-- three condoms and
a small bottle of lubricant cost approximately $7.00 US.
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS.
My wife and I were part of a marketing test group for Reality. It's
expensive, difficult to learn how to use, and not very effective at
preventing STDs without extraordinary measures. However, I happen to
like it. Without enough lubricant, it will stick to the skin of the
penis and act just as a male condom. With enough lubricant it feels
much better than a male condom-- the penis responds mostly to
friction, and that's what Reality supplies. A friend of mine who is
allergic to latex thinks they're a gift from heaven. Some gay men
have tried using Reality for anal sex, with mixed but generally
positive results. Wisconson Pharmaceutical has announced, rather
loudly, that they have no intention of making the modification
necessary to make Reality truly viable for anal sex.
Reality comes with an instruction booklet. The booklet is hilarious,
mostly because of the name of the product. For example:
* Use a new Reality with each and every sex act.
* Read instructions carefully before using Reality.
* The booklet explains how to use Reality.
* Don't tear Reality.
* Reality only works when you use it.
* Make sure Reality is not twisted after insertion.
* Reality should not be noisy during sex.
* Reality may shift during sex.
* Keep Reality out of the reach of children.
If you have the opportunity to purchase and try Reality, do so at
least once. Get three condoms and a bottle of lubricant and try them
out. Any new reproductive technology is worthwhile, and who knows--
you might like them.
Postcoital contraception (the "morning-after" pill):
The morning-after pill will prevent pregnancy up to 72 hours after
unprotected intercourse. It reduces the risk of pregnancy to about 1
to 2%; in comparison, the risk of pregnancy after mid-cycle
unprotected intercourse is normally about 15 to 26%.
The morning-after pill should not be used for routine contraception,
as the failure rate is relatively high and it has unpleasant
side-effects such as nausea. After an "accident", however, it may be
very useful. See your doctor as soon as possible after unprotected
intercourse to obtain it.
Reference: "Contraceptive Technology"
Condoms
This is a posting of information about types of condoms which are
significantly larger or smaller than average. I got it out of a book
called "The Condom Book" or something similarly imaginative.
One thing that was apparent from reading through the descriptions was
that advertising on size (or for that matter thickness or ribbing or
whatever) is often misleading. A brand which is claimed to be smaller
than average frequently isn't outside the normal variation. There may
also be differences in size based on variations in manufacturing and
these figures were probably based on single samples. Different size
measurements for different styles of the same brand may indicate such
variations or be an attempt to provide some size variation, in which
case getting the precise style named is important. All measurements
are flat and don't take into account elasticity, which might
influence comfort when worn. Typical condom flat widths range from 2"
to 2-1/8" (meaning two and one eighth, not two minus an eight). All
the condoms listed here are both lubricated and reservoir ended.
Company names are listed in parentheses. Extra words which may appear
in the name on some packages are listed in square brackets. It is
possible I've copied some numbers wrong (and other disclaimer
noises).
SLIMMER CONDOMS
Mentor (Mentor): 2" by 8", not smaller,
but has adhesive inside
Bikini (Barnetts): slightly less than 2" by
7-1/4", packaged in that
frustrating plastic
wrapper
[Sheik] Fetherlite (Schmid): 1-7/8" by 7-1/2"
Hugger (Circle): 1-7/8" by 7-1/8"
Slims (Circle): 1-7/8" by 7-3/4"
to prevent slippage,
rather expensive though
WIDER CONDOMS
Excita (Schmid): 2-1/4" by 8-1/4", Excita
Extra has spermicide
[Lifestyle] [Horizon] Nuda (Ansel): 2-5/8" head, 2-1/8"
shaft, by 8-1/8"
[Ramses] NuForm (Schmid): 2-1/2" upper, 2+" lower,
by 8-1/4, has benzocaine
anaesthetic
Rough Rider (Ansel): 2-1/2" by 8" thick but
doesn't block sensations,
raised studs
Sheik Ribbed (Schmid): 2-1/4", forgot to note
length
(Note wide variation in Sheik. Elite with spermicide and
Lubricated (with benzocaine?) are both 2-1/8". Fetherlite is
1-7/8".)
Trojan-Enz Lubricated (Carter-Wallace): 2-1/4" by 8"
LONGER CONDOMS
Man-form Lubricated (Protex): 2" by 8-3/4" long
packaged in that
frustrating plastic
wrapper
[Trojan] Naturalube (Carter-Wallace): 2" by 8-5/8"
--
Elf Sternberg I'm not inclined to write pompous
elf@halcyon.com books about unanswerable questions.
Public key available That strikes me as a tremendous waste
http://www.halcyon.com/elf of time.
- Stephen Jay Gould