I have been planning on using a diaphragm with spermicide for the first few months of transitioning and learning FAM after BCP. I just read part of TCOYF where she is talking about the negatives of all the contraception choices out there, and she said something about spermicide gel oozing out for 24 hours (lovely). I'm just wondering if using this would mask my CF and make things confusing? Does anyone have any experience with this?
Hubby 23 Me 23
BCP for 4 years, FAM as of March 2012 - TTA for a few years.
My Chart
Found the answer to my question in the book! Just needed to read further. For anyone else who is wondering - on pg. 91 of TCOYF the author says "Treat all signs of semen or residual spermicid as a question mark in the CF row, since they can mask cervical fluid. Remember, doing Kegels following intercourse will usually get rid of both."
I can answer this as well! We use a diaphragm and spermacide during our fertile window.
This may be a TMI, but you asked the question... ;-) Semen comes back out pretty quickly-especially with kegels. The spermicide is fairly greasy so that does come out more slowly. I have found that after I take out the diaphragm, wearing a pantyliner is helpful b/c it does ooze out for ~12 hrs or so. As we have been doing this for 5 months, I have gotten more comfortable with with difference between spermicide and CF. It all depends on timing. If we DTD the night before and the diaphragm comes out in the morning, by the evening of that day the spermacide is gone and I can get a fair picture of my CF-especially if it is eggwhite. That is clearly different than spermicide! When in doubt-chart a ? and treat that day as a fertile day.
Extra note: Gynol II extra strength is the spermicide that we use. I have not had any trouble with it causing irritation or burning and it does work!
Hope that helps.
Me: 27 DH: 27
Married for over a year and loving it!!! TTA for now.
http://www.tcoyf.com/members/ajd925/charts/default.aspx
Thanks so much for your reply! That is really helpful & reassuring. Diaphragms are so underrated these days, but it was a much better option for us than condoms and we are really happy with it so far. I bought the regular Gynol to begin with as I have experienced some irritation just from certain brands of lube, so I just wanted to be cautious. Maybe we will get the extra-strength next time though. It was really hard to find in my town - I had to order it online because the stores around here only sell the Conceptrol brand for some reason.