Long term contraception

[Kinoko]

I guess this is really for the older posters out there.

Basically, I'm going to Japan soon and I'm starting to get the impression that depo provera isn't an option over there. they only legalised the pill in 2000 (I mean, freaking JESUS!). I've been on depo since I was 17 (I'm now 22) and it's been pretty wonderful for me. I have no side effects (at least that I can tell are as a result of using the depo) apart from not having had a period since I was 17 - which is BLISS! Of course, I always knew this wasn't going to be something I could keep up forever. Pumping hormones into my body just isn't what I want to do for too long (though I feel it's quite safe for the time I've used it so far). So, seeing as it might be a no-go in Japan anyway (and I'll be there for at least a year), I'm considering that now is the time to stop.

It won't be a huge issue while I'm in Japan, because my boyfriend will only be visiting occasionally, so we can take temporary measures on those occasions. I don't fancy the idea of taking the pill either, because it's really just the same as what I have now, only more expensive and much more of a pain in the arse (no pun intended, for those who know how depo is administered).

So... I'm left wondering what might be an option in the future. Of course, I have a long time to think about this, and I know most of the options available. I -really- don't fancy just using condoms for the rest of my life (temporarily sure, but...). The topic of a vasectomy for my partner has come up, but as I was quite happy on the depo, never really discussed in much detail.

I guess I'm interested in what those of you in marriages or really long term relationships do, or plan to do.

P.S. Neither of us want children, and please don't debate the issue with me because I've heard it all before. Not to say you will, but I'm just... letting you know that that's where it is with us ^_^ Permanent solutions aren't a problem in that regard.

P.P.S. I'm posting this here because this is the most mature forum I know. I value your opinions and I know a lot of you are married/in like relationships.

[jetxl]

OMG she's talking about TEH SEXORS!!!1!!
(Sorry, couldn't help myself)


What about those spiral thingies. 10% of all Belgium women wear them.

[Blackthorne]

Get your tubes tied. Or learn to take the pill.  It's a lot easier to take pills everyday than you think.  When I got my transplant and they told me "You have to take pills everyday" my first thought was "Oh fuck...." now it's easy.

But, if you're not going to have children, and he'll get a vasectomy - do it.  Or get your tubes tied.

Or go porno and tell 'em to pull out.


Bt

[Privateer Puddin']

If he gets a vasectomy, make sure it worked, they don't always. I'm proof of that ¬¬

[Kinoko]

I must admit, a vasectomy is something I'm thinking about (though of course, it's not my decision to make). I'm not comfortable with the pill because it's yet another hormonal thing... I'd like to get my levels back to normal if I'm stopping the depo.

Privateer: Yours didn't work? Yikes... er, how did you find out, if you don't mind me asking?

[Al_Ninio]

He was born.

[Squinky]

Well, if you like the pill the make one that goes in your arm called a norplant, my understanding is its pretty simalair hormonally to the pill and last a few years....My gal used it for a while, but since the Pill made her all cranky, so did this.....

Then another one would be an IUD (if I remember right) its non hormonal, and thats probably better....I guess when they first came out they had problems with them, but they're are supposed to be better now....

I've got three kids, and my wife got her tubes tied after the third....It probabaly would have been better if I got fixed, because it does seem to really bother her....

[Disco]

Perhaps he meant he was the product of a botched vasectomy :o

*Edit*
Damn you Ninio! (+echo)

[Kinoko]

Right. Yeah. Got it now ^_^;;

[Anarcho]

The pill can definitely have some nasty effects on some people.  I'm not familiar with many other kinds of contraception beyond condoms, the pill, and diaphrams  though. 

My question is, why bother with invasive surgery via a vasectomy if you're only going to see your boyfriend a few times while in Japan?  That's got to hurt, and no matter how you feel now regarding children, your feelings may change in ten years---who knows.  I know my girlfriend and I don't want kids, and can't imagine ever wanting any, but I don't know how I'll feel when i'm 30 or something.

[Kinoko]

I'm not thinking about it for NOW. But the time will come when I'll be back in Australia and I'm considering what options there are.

[shbaz]

The Catholic church, of which I'm sure you're all well aware, doesn't condone the use of contraceptives. Having been raised Catholic I'm vaguely familiar with the "natural" pregnancy avoidance methods which were narrarated to me by my uncle after two beers when I was 14. Man he was a lightweight. Anyway, basically there were four or five methods but the guy who was teaching the class on this subject had six children, so I suspect you do not want to go the "natural" or "porno" routes.

A vescectomy is reversible in the unexpected circumstance that he should change his mind, I'd talk to him about it. My uncle (the afforementioned) had his reversed.

[juncmodule]

Reversible? I never knew that!? That's kind of...unfair.

Anyway. That is my/our plan. We want two kids, maybe just one. I really want a daughter, so if our first kid is a boy we will definately have one more. Then no more, even if the second is a boy.

After that I intend on getting snipped.

I would actually not mind doing it right now. Since I'm 30 years old I'm pretty confident in this decision. Since we still don't have kids yet and don't intend on it for a few more years I don't see that it is a decision I will regret.

My recommendation for you is the pill though. It will be easier than you think for one simple reason. You can make it part of your life there. You will be in an entirely different world with new experiences and new habits. Not to mention it may become a topic that you can discuss with friends that you make locally. Experience birth control the same way they do. Once you return to the states you could just go back on depo until you and your husband make a final decision on what to do.

later,
-junc

[What a loser.]

I would say not to do anything permanent on your body, you never know that later in the future you'll want to start to have kids and in most cases its not always reversable. If you plan to 'do it' often I guess taking the pill or using a condom would be the best option if your not 100% sure if want to have kids in the future, and you may change your mind. 

[shbaz]

Reversible? I never knew that!? That's kind of...unfair.

If it's any consolation, it's kind of expensive to reverse it?

After that I intend on getting snipped.

It's not a snipping, it's a tying. That's why it's reversible, you won't lose your testicles or anything, they'll just cut off the sperm flow to the ejaculate. Hormone production and all other bodily functions remain the same, except no sperm makes it through.

[DragonRose]

Actually, it's really hard for people who don't have children to get surgical sterilization, such as vasectomies or tubal ligations. There's a lot of doctors who refuse to give them because "you might change your mind!"

Which is really frustrating for people who KNOW they don't want kids.

[2ma2]

Well, if you havn't had a period AT ALL since you were 17, you're in for a treat when stopping the hormones.

I'd go with hormones I guess, I don't trust surgical adjustments, but you can't be fully sure on any thing I guess, so.. just go with what you feel comfterable with. A full vasectomy will probably be cheaper in the long run, and if you're sure, you're sure.

[MillsJROSS]

Vasectomy's can be reversible...but that's not always the case. I believe after a certain lenght of time, say ten years, it become much harder for them to reverse the proceedure. All my knowledge comes second hand, though. I wouldn't consider you tying your own tubes, as it's not as safe a proceedure, from what I've been led to understand. As far as being finicky whether or not you'll change your mind about having a child...I don't really think that's so bothrsome of an issue. If you ever change your mind you could always consider adoption (though, the trouble that might take might be more bothersome depending on your marital status at the time, as well as, income).

The obvious choice, though, and the one you probably won't do anyway, is not to have sex. Because as everyone know, sex is only for the act of procreation, and anything else is a sin (please don't take that statement seriously, or evaluate it in anyway, since one, I am joking, and two, I don't want to start a religious thread and just wanted to be mildly funny in my own way).

-MillsJROSS

[Squinky]

I wouldn't consider you tying your own tubes, as it's not as safe a proceedure, from what I've been led to understand.

Yes, pay a doctor if your going to do it, much mors safe....

[Evil]

My girlfriend is on the pill (for period regulation) and the hormones make her act really weird. Well, more weird then she normally is. :-p

But I would say your best option is Norplant or something along those lines, like Squinky said. I know that one of the fan types lasts around seven years and costs fairly little.