1. The Gray Lady 04.07.09 / 9pm

   Personally, I just use condoms… at least for the time being. I’ve never had a problem with them. Finding a more permanent method is not high on my priority list, but I might consider it in the future.

   I am very wary of taking hormonal birth control, because of the possibility that it might increase the frequency of my migraines, which happen too frequently already. I also have a friend whose mother has Crohn’s disease, which they are fairly certain had something to do with her use of hormonal birth control. Plus, in addition to all that, I would be afraid of the interference of human error with its effectiveness–and of the toll that would take on my physical and mental health.

   IUDs are the best method I’ve heard of so far, as far as effectiveness goes, but maybe not so ideal for asexuals. I would consider it when I’m off my mother’s insurance plan, but until then, no way. It requires the most investment from the start, but then after it’s in place, it’s not something you’d have to worry about keeping track of. I’m sure to a lot of asexuals it would sound really scary to have one put in, but I’ve heard it’s fairly easy and painless now.

   Oh, and there’s also the Fertility Awareness Method, which is always good to know just as background information, even if you are using a different method instead of that one.

   Overall, though, I’m not too worried about birth control myself, since I don’t have PIV sex very often, and my gf is probably infertile anyway. I hope you find a method that works well for you!
2. theimpossiblek 04.07.09 / 9pm

   The Fertility Awareness Method - that’s the one where you check your basal body temperature every morning, right? I’m considering that, though I’m not much of a morning person, so I may forget - and thus ruin the method’s effectiveness
   Condoms sound like the most practical alternative too. I’m kind of OCD about exchanging bodily fluids (for most my life, I’ve refused to drink out of anyone else’s cup), so that definitely seems like a “sterile” option…
3. edgeofeverywhere 04.08.09 / 10pm

   Before I knew I was asexual, I always thought I was just being sensible by preventing an accidental pregnancy (which seemed like the worst possible fate) by not having sex. However, I do remember one time when I thought, “Well, I guess I should go to the gynecologist and get on the pill,” because it seemed inevitable that my relationship was heading towards sex. But in the end, I was honest with myself that I didn’t actually want it then or ever, and didn’t go through with it. I don’t think there’s anything that would ever inspire me to take on the risks of intercourse in the absence of desire for it or for guys.
4. Hann 04.09.09 / 3am

   I was on the pill for a year or so. Mum thought it might make my periods less messy, or that was what she told me. Now i avoid too many tablets - i came off the pill when i started uni. Just because she was sexually active at uni wasn’t a reason to belive i would change. Now i don’t have need to use anything, but condoms are sensible, and it’s easy to see how they work. You never know with tablets.
5. IronWulf 04.10.09 / 2pm

   When I first started taking birth control pills, I actually did it primarily to help with my acne. The birth control part was the side effect. But I recently found an article saying that being on hormones can cause a woman to choose the wrong man. Basically it may one to find a man too similar to oneself.

   Other than that, I really see condoms and such as a way of keeping sex less messy (on the very rare occasions I may have sex in the future). And of course other “sexual activities” that are not actual sex can be safer with physical protection.
6. ily 04.10.09 / 6pm

   So you want to hear more discussion on birth control, eh…well, I’m glad someone wants to hear more about something, because I was really despairing of figuring out what to blog about tonight.
7. The Gray Lady 04.12.09 / 12am

   Yeah, the FAM does involve taking your temperature every morning, which helps to pinpoint when you’re ovulating. It also involves monitoring your vaginal mucus levels–the rule of thumb being that if there’s mucus, then you’re fertile. If you’re going to be using condoms in addition to that method, I don’t think it would be SUPER important that you do the temperature thing each and every morning, as long as you at least pay attention to the mucus levels (which tend to be more noticeable, but do keep in mind that there are some factors that might get in the way, and if you plan to do this, def. read up on that), just to get an idea of where in your cycle you’re at. At the very least, it helps to relieve any “OMG maybe I’m pregnant!!” anxiety if you know it’s not very likely.
8. ily 04.12.09 / 2pm

   Just wanted to make sure you saw it– long comment on this topic over on my blog is up. Thanks for the idea! I hope you find it a bit interesting…
9. AFlyingPiglet 04.13.09 / 9am

   I was on the pill for about a year in the 1 relationship I was in during which I felt obliged to have sex. Since then I haven’t bothered - its just 1 less thing to think about.
10. Veralidaine 07.14.09 / 10am

    What’s wrong with simply using condoms? Don’t they protect you from both getting pregnant AND getting an STD?

    (Of course I’m asking this theoretically because I doubt I’ll ever actually have sex)
11. Mad_Scientist 08.06.09 / 10am

    I use abstinence because I don’t want to have sex, but I’m pro birth control for everyone who does want it. Abstinence doesn’t seem to work for a lot of people, so they should have proper access to information and birth control.

    I support condoms over the pill (although both is of course best) because of the STD protection, the lack of playing around with one’s internal chemistry and the fact that there’s less room for deceit. But people should just pick whatever works for them, and have the information to make this choice responsibly (and share said information with their sexual partner, obviously).

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