T O P I C R E V I E W
Ariel89
Member # 95444
posted 06-20-2012 12:20 AM
Hello! I'd just like to ask about the efficacy of using both the condom and the withdrawal method. I've read the articles on contraception and all, but I'd just like to get a better idea. Does using the condom and withdrawal method lower the risk only if the condom slips during withdrawal? I was also wondering the chances of me possibly being pregnant as I used both condom and withdrawal the last two times I had sex. My last period came on 17 May 2012, and lasted about 8 days. Subsequently I had sex on 30th June and 6th June, I did some calculations and I realised that that could have been a dangerous window for me in terms of ovulation, as my cycle is usually 31-37(at most) days. I'm on day 34 now, my period is still not here and I've been having achy boobs since two weeks ago, and a lot of cramping these last two days. Is it likely that the cramping is due to pregnancy? They seem a lot more severe than my last periods. I read that cramps can also be a sign of pregnancy. But what do you think are my chances? Would appreciate any answer you can provide me. Thanks so much!
September
Member # 25425
posted 06-20-2012 03:11 AM
The reason why we discourage people from combining condoms with withdrawal is, as you stated, because the condom might slip off during withdrawal. Sometimes it can be hard to remember to hold on to the base of the condom if you are in the heat of the moment. However, if you did pull out and the condom did not slip off or spill, you do not need to worry about an increased risk. If you used the condom correctly for all genital contact and did not have a condom failure, you can also be sure that it did its job. You say your cycles are 31-37 days, so you're not really late yet, either. Just give it another couple of days, and if your period does not show and you are worried, you can take a pregnancy test to ease your mind.
Ariel89
Member # 95444
posted 06-20-2012 03:23 AM
Ok sounds good. Can I just check when do the earliest pregnancy symptoms usually show? Excluding a missed period, things like nausea or swollen breasts? So would you say that my risk is still very low, given that I had sex during my ovulation window? Also, are cramps a viable symptoms of possible pregnancy? Thanks for the answers! Appreciate it loads
Ariel89
Member # 95444
posted 06-20-2012 03:25 AM
When you said "spill", you are referring to semen spilling out from the sides of the condom at the rim? Assuming it did spill, that means a severely increased risk?
September
Member # 25425
posted 06-20-2012 03:41 AM
It is really not sound to try and look out for early symptoms of pregnancy. Pretty much all of the symptoms of early pregnancy could also be caused by a ton of other things from, from the flu to simple stress, so there is simply nothing concrete to look out for. Too, when someone starts to experience symptoms, whether they experience any at all, and if yes which of them - that is just way too varied for us to make any sound guesses. So, the only really useful clues are a missed period, and a positive pregnancy test. If you used condoms for all genital contact and did not have a condom failure, whether or not you ovulated during that time does not make a difference. If the condom slipped off and semen spilled, that of course means that there was a risk. Did that happen?
Ariel89
Member # 95444
posted 06-20-2012 03:56 AM
I'm not sure if it did, after my bf removed it and I looked at the condom, the semen was contained at the tip of the condom.. I can't see any visible semen at the side. Not sure abt precum though. Does that constitute a spill? A condom is supposed to hold all the precum and semen on its own right?
September
Member # 25425
posted 06-20-2012 04:03 AM
If the ejaculate was contained in the tip of the condom, then the condom did its job. And if you put the condom on before any sort of genital contact started, then you also don't have to worry about a risk from pre-ejaculate.
Ariel89
Member # 95444
posted 06-20-2012 04:17 AM
I see, so if I see ejaculate at the tip of the condom it means that its unlikely any of it spilled out from the side? Is it normally obvious if there was a spill?
Rei
Member # 49582
posted 06-20-2012 07:15 AM
Yep - when used properly, condoms fit snuggly on the penis. Ejaculate/pre-ejaculate is kept at the tip of the condom, and can't escape from there. Here's more on how to use condoms as well as possible: Condom Basics - A User's Manual [ 06-20-2012, 07:16 AM: Message edited by: Rei ]
Ariel89
Member # 95444
posted 06-21-2012 11:09 AM
Hello, I'd like to find out if a cycle's luteal phase always lasts 14-16 days? Would there be any other reason that the luteal phase could last longer? Also, as to my previous question, can I take a pregnancy test now? I understand from one of my friends that it too early for an accurate test. Assuming the condom didn't spill or fail, my chances of pregnancy are quite low right? Its day 35 and my period is still not here
Heather
Member # 3
posted 06-21-2012 11:11 AM
If your period is much later than usual (though it doesn't sound like it is), then you can take a test now. The luteal phase usually lasts around that period of time, but there still can be some variation because all of our bodies are not the same.
September
Member # 25425
posted 06-21-2012 11:13 AM
Do you chart your cycles? Unless you have been charting them regularly, including taking basal temperatures and checking cervical mucus, we can't really make any predictions about which phase of your cycle you might have been in. The earliest you can take a pregnancy test is at 14 days after the risk. But, again: it doesn't sound like you had a condom failure, so there's no reason to worry about pregnancy here.
Ariel89
Member # 95444
posted 06-21-2012 11:55 AM
Thanks for the advice I'm thinking of giving it til the end of the week before I do that test, just to cover the possibility of doing the test too early and getting a false negative. But believe me when I say the suspense is kinda killing me here, not knowing if its pregnancy or whether my period will be coming. I have only been keeping track of my cycle lengths and pre menstrual symptoms. For example, I always have aching boobs exactly 2 weeks before my period. So for this month, I'm concerned abt pregnancy mainly because 1. My boobs started to ache on 5/6 June, and still no period now. 2. Im not sure if I had a slight pink colour in my discharge last week, I say I'm not sure because I was wearing a liner, and it didn't seem like a very obvious pink. I know I'm not supposed to, but I read that implantation bleeding can occur a week after conception, so I'm just worried I had spotting and that was a symptom. I'm sorry that was a little too much to read, I really appreciate all your time on this. Now if only my period would come.. That would really help. My boyfriend and I have decided to abstain as much as possible to prevent future scares.
Ariel89
Member # 95444
posted 06-22-2012 02:50 AM
I just started having some reddish/ brownish discharge. Could it be that my period is beginning? Or is it implantation bleeding/ spotting?
September
Member # 25425
posted 06-22-2012 11:34 AM
Since you are expecting your period, it's pretty likely that this is the start of your period. Give it another day and see what happens.