I hate taking the pill everyday, are there any solutions for us?

Dear Contraception Concerns,

First, I would find out why your husband does not like condoms. There are lots of myths about condoms including that they ruin spontaneity and that they make sex less sensitive for a man. In actuality, a man can put on a condom in a couple of seconds. And, there are many pleasure condoms on the market that make sex with a condom more sensitive for a man and a woman. A trick to make condoms feel better is to put a drop of lube at the tip of the condom. This way, the condom will rub over the head of his penis more quickly making it highly arousing for him.

If your husband just won’t use condoms there are many other birth control methods that may work for you. You could always use the ‘Reality’ female condom. That way, you are protecting both partners from pregnancy and STIs. Please be aware that the male and female condom are 90% to 95% effective against pregnancy if used perfectly.

There are many non-hormonal contraceptive methods including the sponge, diaphragm, IUD, and spermicides. The sponge and diaphragm are 80% effective with perfect use, spermicides are 40% effective, while the IUD is around 99% effective against pregnancy.

There are also many hormonal methods on the market where you don’t have to remember to take them every single day. ‘The Patch’ (Ortho Evra) is a one patch per week for 3 weeks method of birth control. The ‘Vaginal Contraceptive Ring’ (NuvaRing) is a ring that is inserted into the vaginal canal for three weeks. ‘The Shot’ (Depo Provera) is a needle or shot that provides 3 months of hormonal protection against pregnancy. All of these methods are between 97% and 99% effective against pregnancy with perfect use. There is also an IUD with a hormonal rod called an IUS (Intrauterine System) on the market called Mirena. It is 99.9% effective.

I would suggest you get more information on all the birth control methods available to you and your husband. A great website developed and maintained by The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada that has a lot of information about contraceptive devices is www.sexualityandu.ca.

If you decide to use a method other than condoms, I would talk to your family doctor or gynaecologist.

Best regards,