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Holistic Sex: Birth Control & Condoms

To recap the side effects of using the pill are; Infertility, Hormonal Imbalance, Lost Interest in Sex, they can alter your natural choice in a mate, Nutrient Depletion, Dry Vagina and Yeast Infections. Yikes that doesn’t sound like fun does it? I’m go
Feb 24, 2013 | Joy McCarthy

Note from Joy

These suggestions can be an effective way to prevent pregnancy but please note, they are not 100%. The only 100% true method of birth control is abstinence (NO SEX) which may not be what you want to hear! Also, there's the calendar rhythm methodEnjoy this eye-opening post from Mary, a holistic nutrition student.

Hi everyone! Thanks Joy for inviting me back, so I know in my last post I spoke about all the The Truth About the Birth Control Pill. To recap the side effects of using the pill are; Infertility, Hormonal Imbalance, Lost Interest in Sex, they can alter your natural choice in a mate, Nutrient Depletion, Dry Vagina and Yeast Infections. Yikes that doesn’t sound like fun does it?

I’m going to share with you some holistic ways to keep from getting a little bun in the oven.

Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

This is done every morning before you do anything, even before you get out of bed, keep a thermometer beside you bed, stick it under your tongue and track your temperature.

Tracking your BBT allows you to track your ovulation and to make sure you are indeed ovulating. Before ovulation, a woman's basal body temperature is usually about 97.0 to 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit, post ovulation temperatures are 0.3 degrees Fahrenheit higher than pre-ovulatary temperatures, and your temperature will probably stay elevated until your next cycle begins.

Checking your cervical fluid 

This helps to determine when you are fertile, your cervix produces a fluid and at different stages of your cycle this fluid changes. 

  • During menstruation the fluid is sparse and dry.
  • Around ovulation this fluid is more slippery like the texture of egg whites, this helps to move the sperm along to the egg.
  • After ovulation the fluid becomes more sticky and opaque and acts as a barrier to the sperm so the little guys and gals can’t make their way through.

Asides from the side effects of the birth control pill other reasons to use the BBT and cervical fluid method would be the icky things that are found in latex condoms and lubricants. Many women have found that they have allergic reactions to latex or even the lubricant that these condoms have on them already, look for condoms that are paraben and glycerine-free. Here are some points about what is used in the making of condoms and how they affect our lady parts:

  • Many condoms companies manufacture their latex condoms using casein, this is a milk protein. Some condoms may also contain milk powder.
  • Some condoms include the spermicide nonoxynol-9, which is a form of detergent. It kills sperm and STD-causing organisms/pathogens by agitating the outer barrier membranes of sperm and other cells. Frequent or high use of this spermicide can cause inflammation of the cervix and vagina, can potentially cause damage or destroy the skin cells in the vagina. These types of vaginal irritations may leave you more susceptible to urinary tract infections and STDs.
  • Parabens, these have been found to function similar to the hormone estrogen and have been found to have an effect in the development and/or reproductive function such as low sperm counts, and are capable of producing a variety of toxic and physiological effects and have potentially been linked to increasing rates of breast, ovarian and testicular cancers.
  • Glycerin is a sweet-tasting preservative that is often added to personal lubricants. It is processed in the body the same way that sugar is. When applied directly into the vagina during intercourse with a lubricated condom, the yeast found in the vagina feeds off of the glycerin. This can cause a disruption in the pH and an overgrowth of yeast, leading to a yeast infection.

Check out Sir Richards Condom Company they use 100% natural latex, and are vegan, paraben and glycerin free. There are also many apps out there for your phones for tracking your BBT and cervical fluid. So, have fun the natural, holistic way you were meant to!

You can find Mary on Twitter – @MaryCammisuli

Check out Mary’s Blog: http://marycammisuli.wordpress.com/

Feb 24, 2013 BY Joy McCarthy
9 Comments
Leanna   •   February 24, 2013

Hi Joy and Mary, Thank you for sharing this knowledge with me! I was wondering what your thoughts are on the copper IUD? Thanks! Leanna

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   February 25, 2013

Ashley   •   February 24, 2013

Checking your temperature? I don't think i've heard of a more irresponsible way to avoid pregnancy.

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   February 25, 2013

Kathy   •   February 25, 2013

I have been married for 35 years and have three adult children I never used perscription birth control but on occasion used condoms. I don't consider it luck that I never concieved any more children, I relied on my body to let me know when i was ovulating and my cervical fluids and if you pay attention to your body you to will be able to know the differences in your cervical fluids too . Thank-you Mary for your information

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   February 27, 2013

Marcella Lynn   •   March 18, 2013

RedTentSisters.com are based in Toronto, have tracking kits and loads of info, and do intro-workshops on the Justisse Method (which you've basically described in the post), AND they ship crazy-fast. I highly recommend them, and this approach. Also: Sir Richard's are THE BEST and the packaging is rad.

Reply

Finan   •   April 4, 2013

Hi joy, what brand is best for condoms and also what underwear is best?! Please answer thank you Xx

Reply

Finan   •   April 4, 2013

Oops sorry I found the brand for the condoms. Just really want to know what brand is good for underwear! Thanks

Reply

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