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mc_sales. More info in this post. 11 July 2007 @ 08:40 pm
I have just recently purchased Instead menstrual cups. I was wondering if condoms can be warn during sex when this menstrual cup is in?
18 comments —
Yes! They can be worn during sex and should be used because Instead cups don't protect against pregnancy or STDs.
They absolutely can and should be worn! Not only do Insteads not protect against STIs or pregnancy, I've read speculation that your chances of getting an STI increase if you're having unprotected period sex because of the increased potential for direct blood contact.
Is this not the time to cleanse the body. Oh how gross the sound and thought of this.
What?
Ditto.
She asked about the use of condoms, not your personal opinion on whether or not sex during one's period is appealing to you or not. Don't spam/troll.
what world do you live in?
wha?
sex during your period is awesome! lots of lube, and less likely to get preggers if anything fails. plus, it seems to help with cramping and gets a bunch of the blood out at once (or seems to). you have no idea what you're missing.
sex during your period is awesome! lots of lube, and less likely to get preggers if anything fails. plus, it seems to help with cramping and gets a bunch of the blood out at once (or seems to). you have no idea what you're missing.
You're able to get pregnant while on your period just as much as any other time, really.
That's a common misconception.
That's a common misconception.
Of your entire cycle, you can only get pregnant 5 days before ovulation, and the day of ovulation itself. Sex anytime other than that cannot result in pregnancy. Of course, that information does no good unless you know exactly when you ovulate & are watching your fertility signs.
Most women do not ovulate early enough that they can get pregnant from sex during the first 5 days of their cycle (on their period). Yes, it is somewhat of a misconception, because there are *some* women who ovulate early... could have sex on day 5, ovulate on day 10, and get pregnant from the sperm that are still alive & swimming around 5 days later. So it isn't a good idea to spread half-true information that you can't get pregnant from sex on your period, because someone hearing that might be the exception. But I do agree that you are "less likely" because most women do not ovulate early enough to get pregnant from sex on their period. My sister does, actually, but I do not.
If you're interested in more detailed information about your cycle, I would highly recommend the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" available at most libraries & book stores.
Most women do not ovulate early enough that they can get pregnant from sex during the first 5 days of their cycle (on their period). Yes, it is somewhat of a misconception, because there are *some* women who ovulate early... could have sex on day 5, ovulate on day 10, and get pregnant from the sperm that are still alive & swimming around 5 days later. So it isn't a good idea to spread half-true information that you can't get pregnant from sex on your period, because someone hearing that might be the exception. But I do agree that you are "less likely" because most women do not ovulate early enough to get pregnant from sex on their period. My sister does, actually, but I do not.
If you're interested in more detailed information about your cycle, I would highly recommend the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" available at most libraries & book stores.
Clear cut FACTS:
You are definitely less likely to become pregnant during your period. The first reason is simple: heavy flow out wins against sperm flowing in. Obviously, that doesn't always happen.
However, you most definitely CAN get pregnant at ANY point during your cycle. In fact, your period may actually be a dangerous time. Consider that the average woman ovulates on day 14 (with day 1 being the first day of your period), and that sperm *can* last in your body as long as 10 days. If you have sex on day 4, when you likely still have some menstrual flow, you *can* get pregnant. If you ovulate earlier than day 14, the chances increase. Obviously, not every sperm lives for 10 days (and a single sperm cell can't fertilize an egg; it in itself does not have the power to penetrate the egg...its "brothers" help to some extent), but do you really want to try testing the lifespan of your partner's sperm?
Next, consider this. The fertile period is usually stated as days 10-17. However, a very reliable study published in 2000 (conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (US) and published in a reputable scientific journal) determined that only 30% of women match this exactly; some are fertile longer, some ovulate earlier or later, etc. 2% of women reached their fertile window by day 4, 17% by day 7, and 70% before day 10. The reality is, you don't know exactly when you're ovulating, and tests have a very high false-negative rate.
Lastly, you *can* get pregnant after ovulation! Yes, cervical mucous begins to build up, making it harder for sperm to enter the uterus. That doesn't mean it can't. Some women don't build a lot of mucous; some men have very powerful sperm. The first couple of days post-ovulation are critical, as there is little mucous along with a viable egg!
The big question you have to ask yourself is: do you really want to figure out how your (or his) reproductive system functions the hard way?
The citation, if you have access to journals:
* Wilcox AJ, Dunson D, Baird DD. The timing of the "fertile window" in the menstrual cycle: day specific estimates from a prospective study. British Medical Journal 2000;321(7271):1259-1262.
You are definitely less likely to become pregnant during your period. The first reason is simple: heavy flow out wins against sperm flowing in. Obviously, that doesn't always happen.
However, you most definitely CAN get pregnant at ANY point during your cycle. In fact, your period may actually be a dangerous time. Consider that the average woman ovulates on day 14 (with day 1 being the first day of your period), and that sperm *can* last in your body as long as 10 days. If you have sex on day 4, when you likely still have some menstrual flow, you *can* get pregnant. If you ovulate earlier than day 14, the chances increase. Obviously, not every sperm lives for 10 days (and a single sperm cell can't fertilize an egg; it in itself does not have the power to penetrate the egg...its "brothers" help to some extent), but do you really want to try testing the lifespan of your partner's sperm?
Next, consider this. The fertile period is usually stated as days 10-17. However, a very reliable study published in 2000 (conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (US) and published in a reputable scientific journal) determined that only 30% of women match this exactly; some are fertile longer, some ovulate earlier or later, etc. 2% of women reached their fertile window by day 4, 17% by day 7, and 70% before day 10. The reality is, you don't know exactly when you're ovulating, and tests have a very high false-negative rate.
Lastly, you *can* get pregnant after ovulation! Yes, cervical mucous begins to build up, making it harder for sperm to enter the uterus. That doesn't mean it can't. Some women don't build a lot of mucous; some men have very powerful sperm. The first couple of days post-ovulation are critical, as there is little mucous along with a viable egg!
The big question you have to ask yourself is: do you really want to figure out how your (or his) reproductive system functions the hard way?
The citation, if you have access to journals:
* Wilcox AJ, Dunson D, Baird DD. The timing of the "fertile window" in the menstrual cycle: day specific estimates from a prospective study. British Medical Journal 2000;321(7271):1259-1262.
Sperm do not survive for 10 days. Even in your citation, the fertility window is stated to be only 7 days for the most fertile of women (with the window lessening as women age) The citation you list at the bottom of your post actually contradicts other things you state in your post as well.
This quote, taken from your own citation, states " Given that the fertile interval is before ovulation, methods that anticipate ovulation by several days (such as the assessment of cervical mucus) would be particularly useful for couples who want to time their intercourse either to avoid or facilitate conception."
You say that "the first couple of days post-ovulation".... well, when using sympto-thermal methods for pregnancy prevention, you do not have ovulation confirmation until 3 days after you have ovulated. Therefore, the fact that you are still fertile a day or two after ovulation is irrelevant, because you do not now when ovulation has occurred for certain until 3 days have passed, at which point you are no longer fertile for the rest of that cycle.
You state "The fertile period is usually stated as days 10-17. However, a very reliable study published in 2000 (conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (US) and published in a reputable scientific journal) determined that only 30% of women match this exactly"
Sympto-thermal methods of fertility awareness are not based on an "average" day of fertile times for women in general. They are based on your individual fertile days, which are known by charting your own fertility signs & temperatures. So even if you are not one of the 30% of women who match predictable average patterns, sympto-thermal is a reliable method for women who are educated on how their bodies work.
You state "The reality is, you don't know exactly when you're ovulating, and tests have a very high false-negative rate." This is simply not true for women using the sympto-thermal method, which does not rely on day-specific estimates.
This quote, taken from your own citation, states " Given that the fertile interval is before ovulation, methods that anticipate ovulation by several days (such as the assessment of cervical mucus) would be particularly useful for couples who want to time their intercourse either to avoid or facilitate conception."
You say that "the first couple of days post-ovulation".... well, when using sympto-thermal methods for pregnancy prevention, you do not have ovulation confirmation until 3 days after you have ovulated. Therefore, the fact that you are still fertile a day or two after ovulation is irrelevant, because you do not now when ovulation has occurred for certain until 3 days have passed, at which point you are no longer fertile for the rest of that cycle.
You state "The fertile period is usually stated as days 10-17. However, a very reliable study published in 2000 (conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (US) and published in a reputable scientific journal) determined that only 30% of women match this exactly"
Sympto-thermal methods of fertility awareness are not based on an "average" day of fertile times for women in general. They are based on your individual fertile days, which are known by charting your own fertility signs & temperatures. So even if you are not one of the 30% of women who match predictable average patterns, sympto-thermal is a reliable method for women who are educated on how their bodies work.
You state "The reality is, you don't know exactly when you're ovulating, and tests have a very high false-negative rate." This is simply not true for women using the sympto-thermal method, which does not rely on day-specific estimates.
You CAN get pregnant during your period.
How do I know this? Because my mother on her 3rd day had unprotected sex (claiming she couldn't get pregnant) and um, 9 months later, I popped out.
She continued to smoke and drink for the first 1.5 months not thinking she was pregnant, since there was "no way you can get pregnant during your period." I'm lucky wasn't born with some terrible birth defect. Well...I technically was a twin, though the other one didn't form and was just a mass...okay, TMI, but the point remains:
You can get pregnant during your period.
And lots of women do.
And my mom is still convinced you can't or I was just some freak coincidence.
Thank god she is not in her childbearing years any more.
How do I know this? Because my mother on her 3rd day had unprotected sex (claiming she couldn't get pregnant) and um, 9 months later, I popped out.
She continued to smoke and drink for the first 1.5 months not thinking she was pregnant, since there was "no way you can get pregnant during your period." I'm lucky wasn't born with some terrible birth defect. Well...I technically was a twin, though the other one didn't form and was just a mass...okay, TMI, but the point remains:
You can get pregnant during your period.
And lots of women do.
And my mom is still convinced you can't or I was just some freak coincidence.
Thank god she is not in her childbearing years any more.
crazykay4 on July 12th, 2007 08:25 pm (UTC)Well I am a little concerned that the condoms would come in contact with the cup and break. This doesn't happen?
I just picked up my new cosmo and surprised that at 45 I have never heard of the cups. I ordered the Instead because it can be used during sex. next month Yippie, no mess. and to the other subject. Don't knock it til you try it, I used to think it was gross when I was younger too. "not only can climaxing relieve cramps, but the concentration of blood down below can trigger extra-intense orgams.!!! I am always extra sensual during, but lately has been very heavy (changes) and I hate the mess, I am gonna love my cup!!!
Yes, you are going to love your cup! They are soooo much better!!!
Insteads are nice, but I highly prefer the reusable bell-shaped cups. (Just my opinion, but to me, they are more comfortable, more reliable, and less messy)
Insteads are nice, but I highly prefer the reusable bell-shaped cups. (Just my opinion, but to me, they are more comfortable, more reliable, and less messy)
you may be right, but I was really looking for one you can wear during intercourse. I may try the other too for other times.
AWESOME! I am so glad to have found this thread. :)
I realize that I can have sex when on my period. I was just unsure about when I do get a cup, if sex would be possible. (I know, I know... I am just a little uneducated about my own body. Bah!)
It's good to know I can have one of those things in there, and still be able to be intimate with my DH.
I realize that I can have sex when on my period. I was just unsure about when I do get a cup, if sex would be possible. (I know, I know... I am just a little uneducated about my own body. Bah!)
It's good to know I can have one of those things in there, and still be able to be intimate with my DH.