The New Intimacy

What sort of birth control do you use? Is it green? Does it matter?

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Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Related to: The Green Project: From Birth Control to Earth Control?

What sort of birth control do you use? Have you ever thought about whether it's green or not? Is the effect your birth control has on the earth a determining factor in your choice?
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
The Pill
67
The Shot
9
The Patch
3
The Ring
16
Family Planning
7
Natural or Herbal Methods
6
Male Condoms
59
Female Condoms
2
Diaphragm, Sponge or Cervical Cap
4
IUD
15
Tubal Ligation
9
Vasectomy
13
Essure
Yes, my birth control is green
19
No, my birth control is not green
22
I'm not sure if my birth control is green
54
It matters to me if my birth control is green and it is a determining factor in my choice
8
I'm not overly concerned with green birth control
60
I don't use birth control of any sort
20
Other - Other birth control, other thoughts. Please share?
17
Total votes: 410 (184 voters)
Poll is closed
06/29/2009
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Contributor: Mamastoys Mamastoys
I had a total hysterectomy at age 29. It wasn't for birth control but afterwards, I didn't have to worry about it. Hubby had a vasectomy shortly after our son was born because the birth control pills I was on prior to getting pregnant ran my blood pressure up.
So, I guess you can say we are green! No trash of any sort from birth control!
06/29/2009
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
I'd never even thought about my birth control having an environmental affect before I read that article. I'm a little concerned by the hormones-in-the-water problem, but not enough to stop using my NuvaRing. I figure my NuvaRing + package each month is about the same size as 1-2 condoms + packages, which doesn't seem too horrible to me in the long term. And relatively speaking, the amount of physical waste generated annually from contraceptives doesn't even compare in my mind to the rest of the waste I (we) produce in a year. I'm just glad I have a BC method that works for me and with my body. I'll "be green" in other parts of my life.
06/29/2009
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
MY choice of BC has nothing to do with being green.
06/29/2009
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
I had a tubal ligation almost exactly 10 years ago and have never regretted it. Despite very minor complications during the surgery and typical abdominal surgery healing stuff - like restrictions during healing, soreness, stitches etc - it was really not that bad.

If you know that you truly do want to have any (more, in some cases) children - it's a very practical choice. No monthly pills, no implants, no maintenance.
06/29/2009
Contributor: Raven Raven
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
MY choice of BC has nothing to do with being green.
Same here. My method of birth control is just one of those things that I chose based on several factors, none of which had a single thing to do with whether or not it was green. The pill is the only form I have ever used and I like it a lot so I don't see myself changing.
06/29/2009
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
I hear y'all. If I hadn't had my tubes tied so many years ago (like Victoria, almost exactly ten) I don't think how green things are would impact my choice much. I'd want what was safest and most reliable and if it was green, count it as a bonus.

It's some good,interesting info to have, though!
06/29/2009
Contributor: Valyn Valyn
My birth control isn't very green. I'm on the pill, and I don't think the pills themselves are made from anything organic whatsoever. The packaging is definitely not green- every month I throw out a bunch of packaging and boxes.

I'm still young, and I do think some day I would like to have children. For me so far, they have been the best option; I am under 35, don't smoke, and don't currently want anything more permanent.


I would really like to have a more green option, as I've started "going green" in other parts of my life.
06/29/2009
Contributor: Femme Mystique Femme Mystique
I don't use birth control.
06/29/2009
Contributor: Luscious Lily Luscious Lily
I'm on the pill, and we also use condoms for both a secondary BC and for, ah, mess control, lol.

Unless something drastically changes, I have no intention of having children. We've discussed it, and he admitted that he's relieved I don't want kids; he doesn't want to be a father, but he would have done his best if it would have made me happy.

He's actually brought up the topic of him eventually getting a vasectomy, and I've told him I want my tubes tied/blocked (whichever is medically the best idea at the time). I'd get it done now, but it's almost impossible to find a doctor willing to perform a tubal ligation on a 21 year old woman except for medical reasons. They all assume that I'll change my mind in a few years and try to sue them.
06/29/2009
Contributor: Goodkittygnbad Goodkittygnbad
I have the Implanon (3 year implant). I guess it's more green than others as there isn't a lot of packaging to throw away, but, that wasn't my reason for getting it.
06/29/2009
Contributor: imp imp
If I need to the shot but for the past 6 years I've not had to worry as partners have had the snip.
06/29/2009
Contributor: Backseat Boohoo Backseat Boohoo
I take the pill (Loestrin 24 Fe) and use male condoms when I'm having penetrative sex.
06/30/2009
Contributor: adirondacker adirondacker
My girlfriend is taking the pill, which pill idk and I have only ever seen the case with the pills in them and don't know how much other packaging waste comes with it. Then I always wear a condom because we feel you can never be too sure. The condoms aren't very green but I always recycle the box them come in and try and buy in bulk, primary to save money but that also cuts down on packaging waste. When it comes to going green I am all for it but I think bringing a baby into this world would cause more trouble then throwing away condoms and pill boxes in my particular situation.
07/01/2009
Contributor: Nashville Nashville
I've tried.. let me think here... The Shot, The Ring, the Patch, the Mirena IUD, a Diaphragm, and The Pill (Yaz, Yasmin, Ortho, Ortho Tri-lo, among some strange pink pack I was prescribed when I was a teenager). Out of all of them, I had little concern if they were green, I was more concerned with how they worked for my body.

With PCOS and Endo you have to go through a lot of trial and error finding the right birth control and often can't be flexible... so if your birth control has a negative effect on the environment, it's a small price to pay for regulated periods and reduced uterine/ovarian pain.
07/01/2009
Contributor: Luscious Lily Luscious Lily
Quote:
Originally posted by adirondacker
My girlfriend is taking the pill, which pill idk and I have only ever seen the case with the pills in them and don't know how much other packaging waste comes with it. Then I always wear a condom because we feel you can never be too sure. The ... more
You know, I never thought of it that way, but you're right. There probably isn't any option less "green" than bringing a person into the world to be a consumer of green and not so green products for an average of 50 years. I'm not knocking having kids by any means, just agreeing that this is another way to look at it.
07/01/2009
Contributor: Viv Viv
I find that being gay is a very green form of birth control.
07/02/2009
Contributor: spicywife spicywife
I've thought about how our "condom waste" isn't very green but I doubt there could be such a thing as biodegradable condoms. That would be neat though, if they could still prevent pregnancy. The new wave of eco-friendly birth control!
07/16/2009
Contributor: Alan & Michele Alan & Michele
I had a vasectomy at age 38... but it didn't turn anything "green" down there


Alan
07/16/2009
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
I was on the pill for years before we had kids. When we knew we weren't going to have any more, my husband had a vasectomy, and I haven't used anything since.
07/16/2009
Contributor: Liz2 Liz2
At present, we use male condoms. My out of control hormones necessitated getting of the pill. Prior to the pill, i have used a diaphragm and anti-spermicides.
I do want children sometime so waiting for things to level off and I will probably try an IUD.
07/16/2009
Contributor: J's Alley J's Alley
Let's see, we use condoms when really trying to avoid pregnancy (like right before a deployment). I have used BCP, but I am allergic to estrodile (estrogen substance your body makes as well as what is used in most BCP), and I have PMDD...or as J calls it...psycho woman syndrome. My hormones are very off and so I struggle with birth control.

We began using NFP (all natural 100% green), and it works better than BCP and condoms...three pregnancies all while on the pill!!!

Is green a factor? No, not at all. I would rather waste a little than accidentally get pregnant at a very bad time. Sorry, but it's the truth for me.
09/05/2009
Contributor: Saraid Saraid
Well, I consider what I use as a form of birth control, but some medical practitioners give me hell. Withdrawal.

And yes, it's green, which does influence my decision, but also I can't take any kind of hormone and my boyfriend hates the feel of condoms. That leaves us with withdrawal until he can get money to get his vasectomy done.
09/05/2009
Contributor: Liz2 Liz2
Quote:
Originally posted by Saraid
Well, I consider what I use as a form of birth control, but some medical practitioners give me hell. Withdrawal.

And yes, it's green, which does influence my decision, but also I can't take any kind of hormone and my boyfriend hates ... more
I hate to say this but withdrawal is almost like doing nothing. Anyway, funny thing how guys adjust to condoms when they know a condom or no intercourse!
09/05/2009
Contributor: J's Alley J's Alley
Quote:
Originally posted by Liz2
I hate to say this but withdrawal is almost like doing nothing. Anyway, funny thing how guys adjust to condoms when they know a condom or no intercourse!
I agree 100%. I told my J back in June that I was ovulating a week before he left...so "you have one week with me, I am ovulating. Condom or abstain." There was no hesitation, and he HATES condoms. They will cave if they have to be careful.

@Saraid ~ I agree with Liz2, withdrawal has a failure rate of anywhere between 18-27% crazy high, just be careful.
09/05/2009
Contributor: Saraid Saraid
Quote:
Originally posted by J's Alley
I agree 100%. I told my J back in June that I was ovulating a week before he left...so "you have one week with me, I am ovulating. Condom or abstain." There was no hesitation, and he HATES condoms. They will cave if they have to be ... more
I'm not trying to fight or disagree with you by any means, but you might be interested in reading this article about the rate of success with withdrawal link
09/05/2009
Contributor: spicywife spicywife
Quote:
Originally posted by Saraid
I'm not trying to fight or disagree with you by any means, but you might be interested in reading this article about the rate of success with withdrawal link
I don't know enough about withdrawal success to say much about it.

But - If you are going to use withdrawal, you might want to consider using fertility awareness to compliment the withdrawal method. We used the fertility awareness method and it was 100% successful (for us ) at preventing pregnancy. We also used it as fertility charting to become pregnant which was successful. I will use it again after I'm done breastfeeding. But it's *not* for everyone and you have to truly know your body and apply the concepts correctly. I received excellent instructions and practiced the methods and became very comfortable with it and knew when I was ovulating and when I wasn't. It takes awareness and patience so it's definitely not for everyone. It's not 100% either. Many people practicing this method will used condoms if there are any doubts about whether or not they are fertile.

We use condoms now because it's not recommended to use this method while breastfeeding since it may not be accurate.

The body gives signals and there are many women that can accurately chart their fertility to prevent pregnancy. I know of many women that do this on an ongoing basis and successfully prevent pregnancy.

Ultimately, you have to chose the correct method for you. Everyone has the right to chose which birth control is comfortable for them.

I am concerned about withdrawal simply because of the pre-cum. If I understand this correctly, some men can release some sperm before they actually ejaculate.
09/09/2009
Contributor: SexySkye SexySkye
Well, we've been using condoms but that's only until next month when I get a paragard IUD. They were out of them this month! Can u believe that? LOL I have the worst luck! Anyway, I think the paragard is pretty dang green considering I will only need to take it out once every 10 years. I'm hoping it works for me without negative side effects.
09/10/2009
Contributor: Darling Dove Darling Dove
I use Nuvaring. One side note though, most people dont/cant use herbal birth control since they are actually illegal or restricted in many places. They are illegal because any herb which will reduce the liklihood of getting pregnant will usually also, if you do get pregnant, kill the embryo or simply starve it to death. I don't believe in this day and age that herbal birth controls are truly an option anymore.
09/11/2009
Contributor: Heather Heather
There is always the option of no intercourse. Yes you can have an active sex life without it. Withdraw can work but is very risky. My husband calls it Vatican roulette. We are as green as they come with this one but only because we use nothing for the most part. Due to medical issues we are limited and need to look into either surgery for one of us or wait until menopause. I must tell you when you are limited you become more creative. This is one reason why I entered into this community looking to keep things interesting.
09/11/2009