is this a latex allerrgy or just a problem with condoms? and general contraceptive question

[addictediam]

I have a 10mo dd and am 20 weeks pregnant so am naturally starting to think about contraception as i REALLY dont want to be caught out again!

so I cant use hormonal contraceptives as they send me slightly mental! dh doesnt even recognise the person i become, my personality totaly changes so they are out of the question totally.

next is the coil, but for religious reasons cant use that. so again another thing crossed off the list.

so that leaves condoms. but the problem is when we use these i get swollen, dry, sex is painful and generaly uncomfortable. i usually end up telling dh to get it over with because its hurting so much (the problem occurs even when using lubricant) I've never had a problem with latex gloves but thinking about it do get the same when being examined down there at the drs or hospital.

could this be a latex allergy? is it worth trying latex free condoms or will i still have the same problem do you think? has anyone else had this problem?

is there another form of contraceptive i'm missing?

tia

Are you sure MsW? I always thought the coil kept the neck of the womb open ever so slightly so a fertilised egg couldn't 'stick' IYKWIM? I'm confused now!

Well this study: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3360166?dopt=Abstract for example shows that they found fertilised eggs in women not using any contraception, which didn't implant, but not any in the IUD users. The neck of the womb isn't kept open, that is entirely wrong and would put the user at great risk of infection if it were true. Some religious groups spread misinformation about IUDs. The copper IUD can affect the lining of the womb to make implantation less likely, but it does not matter as sperm never get to penetrate the egg in the first place. Copper is toxic to them.

This article: www.racgp.org.au/afp/200210/20021001mazza.pdf explains in a clear not too technical way, this one: www.carraguard.net/pdfs/Sivin.pdf is a bit more detailed, also this one: fhi.org/en/RH/Pubs/Network/v16_2/nt1623.htm, and this one: www.un.org/popin/popis/journals/network/network162/blck162.html. Also there is a page in a good livejournal community which breaks down all the different studies that were done over the years: vaginapagina.livejournal.com/19914321.html?thread=233953105#t233953105.

Thanks.

I have a latex allergy and I would avoid it from now, OP, because the sensitisation can be fast and furious. I work in a hospital and have had far fewer reactions at work compared with eg. soft play (bloody balloons every time) and when I taught resus, etc, as some of the 'Annie' type models contain latex. You need to be careful with underwear - at the time of my diagnosis in 2004 only M+S were guaranteed to be latex free but this may have broadened.

Um, I think you are likely to have lots of children :) but thorough NFP and latex free condoms might together be more effective.