His and Her Health

I'm sorry, but I just have to celebrate!!!!<P>I had some great sex last night!!!!!!!!!!! It only took my hubby about 2 minutes to get me in the mood, and I felt like I haven't felt in years!!!!! <P>This may be TMI but I was very lubricated and I could feel the pressure/blood flooding the region in increase feeling.<P>I haven't had the nuvaring in for about a week and a half (insurance issues) and my period was about 2 and a half weeks ago. It would appear that at least a partial solution to my problem is related to a hormonal method of BC. I was on about 5 different pills over the last 13 years with only a one year break about 2 years ago.<P>Is there such a rebound effect once you get off hormonal methods???<P>I know SOOOOO much about birth control, but I just can't find a good non-hormonal method that doesn't interfere. I used to use a silicone diaphragm (I'm allergic to latex) and it just killed spontanaity (spelling???), and I've used those Vaginal Contraceptive Films but those are too hard to get all the way in. Last night I used a pre-filled applicator/dispensor of some contraceptive gel. Any other ideas?????? <P>I don't want to get pregnant anytime soon since my hubby is still laid off, but I do want to get pregnant someday probably about a year away.<P>Any ideas???<P>Tracie<BR>~~~STILL CELEBRATING~~~

Um, can I just mention here that you are also following my diet? Although I certainly agree with you about hormonal birth control.<P>Unless you travel a lot or work night shifts, I'd recommend the sympto-thermal method. With proper training and care, it works very well (and unlike natural family planning you can just use some kind of barrier method on the few days out of the month when you are fertile and would like sex). The sympto-thermal method relies on checking the consistency of your vaginal mucus when you go to the bathroom, taking your temperature every morning, and checking the position of your cervix once a day. One of the nice things about it is that when you do decide to get pregnant, you will know exactly when to try. Spontaneous sex, no devices to get in the way, and no artificial hormones. Can't be beat in my book.

Since you may want to get pregnant soon, you might consider FAM. (fertility awareness method) See the planned parenthood website for info.<P>We will have to wait and see what the research shows, but yes, for some, the effects of hormonal BC is dramatic. (Why, is another mystery. Perhaps it's the SHBG/Testosterone binding effect, perhaps something else. But for some, the change is massive. Someone here, I can't recall who, had problems with libido, and went of the pill. After I think 3 months, their libido was so high, they felt they couldn't get enough. That is an unusual case, from what I've seen, but in some cases the change is pretty significant. BTW, SHBG = Sex Hormone Binding Globulen.)<P>A few thoughts. It can take months for the SHBG levels and related changes to take effect. It also appears that it's the ORAL use of BC that causes the rise in SHBG. So, perhaps your increase in libido etc is due to getting off the OC, and not nuvaring. If you're willing to experiment, you might continue to use the NR and see if it has less effect.<P>(I have a PDF that demonstrates the minimal effect of transdermal estrogens on SHBG levels vs. Oral estrogens if you're interested.) See my profile for the info to contact me etc.<P>Finally, for a full list of BC methods, see <A HREF="www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/" TARGET=_blank>www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/</A><P>It really is the best comprehensive list I've seen.<P>BTW, I'm glad things are going so well for you! Best of luck going forward.<P>Cheers,<BR>Greg<P><BR>------------------<BR>[Also note, I am *not* a doctor, and this is not intended as medical advice - Please talk to your doctor about your concerns.<BR><p>[Note: This message has been edited by NEWSHE Moderator]

Yes, Zane, I am following the diet and supplement regimen! Not only might it be having an impact on my libido now (or the hormones...or....) but I think it makes me have more energy and I feel like I'm actually DOING something for my body.<P>My hubby and I also just started playing tennis for an hour or two three to four times a week, so that might be helping too!<P>Libido sure is a weird and wacky thing, isn't it?<P>I've used the fertility awareness, and part of the sympto thermal before, so I have a pretty good idea how it works. I think I'm going to get the book about it...I need to find it...<P>I've been off Ortho-TriCyclen for about 2 and a half months, so it very well could be my hormones finally returning to normal after the oral contraceptives! <P>Thanks so much to both Zane and Greg and EVERYONE else who gave me tips, encouragement and a feeling that I'm not alone or frigid or anything else!!!!<P>Whooo-Hoooo!!! Let's see if I can hang on to the libido.<P>

Congratulations, by the way.<P>I just wanted to mention, the fertility awareness method and the sympto-thermal method (and for that matter, the natural family planning method) are all the same method. By all means, buy a book, but really, honestly for it to work as well as other forms of birth control, you need to take a class and get one-on-one training with an experienced teacher who looks at your charts each month. It's only once a month for a few months, well worth it.

Another method you might want to consider is a copper IUD. I believe it can be left in for about 10 years and if you decide to have a baby once you have the IUD removed you can get pregnant right away. Another benefit that in the long run an IUD is cheaper than bc pills. One side effect thought is increased menstrual flow and cramping. The planned parenthood link has a lot of good information on it.

t, keep up the tennis/physical exercise and never stop trying new activities and adventures together.

My doctor wouldn't do an IUD because I've never been pregnant. Something about it being easier to dislodge if I haven't been pregnant.<P>I'm still hanging in there though!<P>Tracie<BR>

Hi, new to this site but think it has some great stuff. Let me say my hubby and I are blessed to be in synch and enjoy an awesome sex life even after 20 yrs & 6 kids together. That being said I was interested in the diet zaneblue talked of? We have a dear set of friends who are suffering marital probs and one of them being the wife has lost all interest in sex or closeness. Wouldl ove to give them any info or help we can. Thanks <P>------------------<BR>Lori

I'm sure will be here soon to discuss her diet, but it's really easy!!!<P>I take some supplements every day that you can buy in any drug store and I do eat a couple of pieces of dark chocolate every day. I pretty much follow the atkins diet anyway, so I don't have to worry about the food before a night of fun!<P>For me, I was doing many different things to increase my libido...and the diet is one of them. Regardless of whether the diet works because it's power of suggestion or if it really works, it worked for me. Plus, I felt like I was taking better care of myself and doing something to make myself healthy...so I know that helped, too!<P>Zaneblue usually has a link to her website in her profile...we can't post it here because the moderator will delete it. If you need it, send me an email by checking in my profile. It's the little icon above this message that looks like a head.<P>Good luck!<P>Tracie