Lindsay, 20, fertility awareness methods
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By: health
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January 5, 2010
Lindsay first started using birth control after giving birth as a teen. After trying a number of hormonal methods, she decided to start practicing fertility awareness methods . For the last three years, she’s been looking at her cervix, charting the consistency of her mucus, and monitoring her basal body temperature. She now knows what […]
Theresa, 21, the ring
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By: health
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January 5, 2010
The first time Theresa used the ring , she was a little unsure how to insert it. But now she’s a pro, with a twist method to get it in and a fishhook move to get it out. No sweat. She also uses the stickers that come with each ring to remind her when one […]
Savannah, 18, not right now
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By: health
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January 5, 2010
A few months after a bitter break up, Savannah is currently saying “not right now.” She tends to not have casual hook-ups and isn’t looking for a new relationship yet, so, really, it’s pretty easy for her to avoid having sex. She’ll soon move to a new city and she’s ready for the fresh start. […]
Angela, 22, fertility awareness methods
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By: health
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January 5, 2010
Angela, a stay-home mom of one, has been using fertility awareness since giving birth to her daughter. She’s been tracking her periods and learning when in her cycle she’s most fertile. Rather than using condoms (or another barrier method), Angela chooses to not have sex during her most fertile times. She feels closer to her […]
Emergency contraception: the back-up plan
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By: health
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January 5, 2010
As reliable as contraception is, there are times when birth control doesn’t work. Like every once in a while when we use a method incorrectly. Or on a rare occasion when a condom breaks. And sometimes—especially when partying—we forget to use anything at all. All of these times scream out: Emergency contraception NOW! Listen to […]
Jenna, 24, IUD
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By: health
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January 4, 2010
A former pill and implant user, Jenna started using the Mirena IUD when her doctor suggested it a few years ago. The implant was fine, but now she’s really in love. Jenna experienced spotting for the first 6 months, but that was no big deal. Now she has consistent and really light periods—no more than […]
Veronica, 24, diaphragm
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By: health
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January 4, 2010
Veronica has plans. To travel the world, rescue animals, and design clothing. Getting pregnant doesn’t fit in that plan. So she uses birth control every time. Veronica started with condoms , then added a diaphragm for back up. Knowing diaphragms do their best work with the help of spermicide , she always uses that, too. […]
Marisela, 29, spermicide
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By: health
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January 4, 2010
Parents of four with one on the way, Marisela and her husband have been together since they were teens. They’ve always planned to have a big family, but they’ve also always used birth control when they weren’t trying to get pregnant. They started out using condoms and soon after added spermicide to the mix. It’s […]
Natalia, 27, sponge
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By: health
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January 4, 2010
Natalia was on the pill , but then she lost her health insurance. She had to start paying $60 a month out of pocket and after a while, it was just too much. Natalia decided to switch to the sponge , a method she could get without a prescription. She likes that it’s easy to […]
Alexa, 29, sterilization
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By: health
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January 4, 2010
Alexa, who had one child and knew she didn’t want to have more, grew tired of using temporary birth control methods. She was ready for a permanent solution and her doctor agreed that sterilization was a good choice for her. The procedure itself was relatively easy. The whole thing was done in about an hour […]