Family Issues

When someone is together with someone they love or truly like, there is always a chance that sex may be involved in the future. If both of you are in love with one another but are still unsure about the future risk of sex, practicing it the safe way is the best answer. There may be some limitations with some of these methods. But it will help strengthen your relationship more by being able to understand the needs of the other.

The over the counter methods is the most commonly used. These methods include the use of male and female condoms. Other methods that are included are the less commonly known spermicide and the sponge.

Spermicide is a contraceptive that is inserted inside the vagina. The spermicide melts after they are inserted and the chemical that it contains immobilizes the sperm that prevents it from joining the egg. It works when it melts and creates bubbles that contain spermicide and are able to block the uterus from the entering sperm. This method sounds like a device 007 uses.

Spermicide may not be for the impatient people and the really horny ones. As spermicide users will have to wait for 10 minutes before the spermicide becomes effective and intercourse can begin. Women who also use cleaning chemicals in their vagina may not also use spermicide after 6 hours. Due to the spermicide getting melted, a new one will have to be inserted every time intercourse is done a new.

Because a new spermicide is put on every time intercourse is done, there’s a big chance for HIV. By using it more than 9 times a day, the tissues will be irritated and can be prone to HIV. Spermicides may not form a good barrier over the cervix when used properly. They are also messy and may cause irritations.

The other way is the use of a sponge. It is not the ordinary sponge that you buy from the groceries or the cute little sponge-bob square pants you see on TV. It is solid polyutherane foam that contains spermicide, is soft, round and 2 inches in diameter. To be bale to remove it, a nylon loop is attached.

The sponge is used by getting it wet with at least two tablespoons of clean water (if no clean water is found, any water can be used. just kidding as dirty water may cause infections). Gently squeeze the sponge to be able to activate the spermicide. Fold the sides of the sponge, to make it become narrow so that it can fit your vagina and reach the farthest point it can.

When let go, the sponge will unfold on the cervix. Once let go. Check the position of the sponge and also for the position of the nylon loop. If you can not find the nylon loop, removing it will become a problem. The sponge can be worn 24 hours before intercourse (disgusting), also be left in place 6 hours after intercourse and can not be worn longer than 30 hours continuously. To remove the sponge, just pull the loop slowly.

Using a sponge has certain disadvantage as well. Some women have difficulty removing the sponge and as a result may break down. It may sound funny but it is a serious situation that your clinician may have to remove immediately. It may also cause irritation and some complain that it’s messy because of the amount of water used. It also makes sex a little bit dry that’s why lubricants are sometimes used. Another risk factor of using a sponge is the risk of having toxic shock syndrome from using the sponge when one has vaginal bleeding, after childbirth, miscarriage, abortion or until your clinician approves.