Searching for extra contraceptive

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My girlfriend and I are searching for an additional contraceptive to use as well as condoms. She feels uncomfortable going to the doctor to such things, due to her culture and stuff, so we've been thinking of resorting to spermicide foam/jel/condoms instead of just the normal Durex condoms we've been using.Due to the fact she'd rather not go to the doctors, we've rulled out the Cap and the Pill. Any tips? Should we resort to spermicide?

Why won't she go? She's going to need to go eventually because it's very important for woman's sexual health. I'd would give advice on other methods, but I've never used them before. Here's a link though.

Thanks!I'm not sure, she has never liked to have other people know about her sexual life. I've always said how I wished she would just go to the doctor because as you said, it's quite important to go. One would have thought that she'd be more confident about that area, considering she's an adult, however throughout her teens she was always quite innocent. Do you reckon you can give me some good and helpful reasons as to why she should see the doctor to do with her sexual health? Without scaring her ofcourse!That site's extremely helpful, I'll sit through it with her tomorrow.

She should see a gynecologist to make sure everything's okay. Exams are given to see if she may have abnormal cells on her cervix, which may lead to HPV. Here's another page. And if she wishes (though it's a good idea) to get a method of hormonal birth control.Planned Parenthood is a good place to visit if she ever comes around to seeing a gynecologist. I go there myself and I think it's great. They are very helpful and yes, it's completely confidential. Take a look around that link I gave you and if you're interested, see if there's a center near you.Here's another birth control guide , but I'm sure others will come and give you better tips.

Alright, that's great. I'll show her this page and all the others you've shared and we'll see what the best path to take is. Thanks a ton Virtual :smile:

And yeah if anyone else could pitch in that'd be awesome. We need all the advice we can get, no matter how good Virtual's advice has been!

Originally Posted By: Virtual_Star Exams are given to see if she may have abnormal cells on her cervix, which may lead to HPV. just a minor correction.... HPV leads to abnormal cervical cells, not the other way round...

I have to disagree, unless I missread my information.A Pap test is to find any abnormal cells on the cervix, which may lead to HPV. A HPV test is to find the virus that causes the abnormal cell change.And PS, you need to change your time preferences. I noticed you answered to a lot of old posts in the Addiction thread.

As I understand it, a Pap test looks for abnormal cells. The abnormal cells may be abnormal due to HPV - if so, the HPV caused the abnormality. If they find abnormal cells, a biopsy looks for HPV, and specifically the particular strains of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.

A Pap test is to find any abnormal cells on the cervix, which may lead to HPV. I'll add to the other three posts and confirm that you are incorrect. in paerticule, your statement "which may lead to HPV" is incorrect.

I misundertood, like usual. Lol, thanks! :smile:

Its really important that she sees a Dr. to recieve the correct treament. If her havign a sex is having a problem to do with her culture then her being pregnant cause she didnt use the most effect treatment is definately going to be a problem. And yeah she will need to go for a pap smear 1 year after have sex for the first time and then every following two years. Also where do you live? In Australia there is a cervical cancer vaccine which is given free for women under 26. Is that available at all where you are?

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In Australia there is a cervical cancer vaccine

Technically it's not a cancer vaccine.

Perhaps you are referring to Gardasil which is a vaccine against 4 types of HPV. 2 of those types have been associated with 70% of cervical cancer cases. My 15 yr old daughter had the vaccine series not too long ago.

In NZ it's now free for under 18 year olds. So I miss out.

So pay for it.. As long as you haven't been exposed to any of the 4 strains of HPV, you would be preotected.

I'm not really sure how much it is.
I am but a poor student with no income and alot of debt.

I would consider it in future though.