We now use only the NuvaRing for contraception. Up until a year ago, however (and what a great year it has been, since!!), we were using both the NuvaRing and condoms/withdrawal (we made the switch from "NuvaRing + condoms-only" to "NuvaRing + condoms-sometimes, withdrawal-others" after we got married, which was 2 years ago).
Why have you chosen your method(s) of birth control?We believe hormonal BC is the most effective choice right now (I don't want an IUD yet), my body can handle it (though I still get nauseous just about every month, on re-insertion day--but it's better than the vomiting I went through on the Patch, my first year on BC), and it doesn't require me to remember hardly anything, except for once a month to take it out/put it back in. As low-maintenance as it gets, other than an IUD or tubal ligation.
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Did expense weigh in on your decision? No.
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Does it work well with your lifestyle? Yes. No need to remember a pill every day, which is very important for me (have never been on the pill).
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Did a physician recommend this method? No.
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How long have you used this method? NuvaRing ONLY, for a year. NuvaRing + back-up, for about 3.5 years now.
Are you in a committed relationship?Yes.
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Would your birth control choice change if you moved your relationship to another level?Well, we're married. I suppose if we moved to the "ready for children" level, then yes, we'd have to give up BC.
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Did you choose your birth control method based on your level of sexual activity?No.
Are you using birth control for quality of life, health or financial reasons?Mostly quality of life. Our finances are fine, and my health does not depend on BC (though I switched to the ring, as I said above, because the patch was making me vomit too much).
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Is your income so low you do not feel you could provide a child with a healthy quality of life?No.
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Are you opposed to the idea of feeding a family with food stamps, WICK, or other government programs? No.
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Would having a child interfere with your career or chosen lifestyle? Yes, very much so. That is the central reason that we are not having kids yet. Too much traveling, being a couple, being selfish and lazy, still to accomplish...
(And yes, we'll travel with the kid, etc... but our lazy days of being selfish will all be over once we have that first kid!)
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Do you have mental or physical health issues that lead you to believe you would be an unfit parent?Occasionally, I do worry about my bouts with anxiety and depression, as a mother. But I have been out of counseling for almost 2 years now, and as soon as we get back to the US, I am looking forward to getting back in and working some more on the things that haunt me.
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Are you (or your lover) on medications that require prescribed birth control? No.
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Would you pass along a known genetic disorder if you were to reproduce? No idea, though ktsp's family has a strong history of prostate cancer, so we're already fairly sure that he'll have to face that at some point (and so would any future sons).