From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!ariel!houti!lime!houxg!hogpc!hogpd!avi
Newsgroups: net.singles
Title: Re: Birth Control
Article-I.D.: hogpd.31
Posted: Wed Apr 13 15:41:57 1983
Received: Fri Apr 15 21:40:49 1983
References: houti.246

Martin Studd asked about experience with the "Catholic method" of birth
control. I am assuming he does not mean ABSTINENCE. I had a room-mate in
medical school (now a resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology) who got married
and used the Billings Method as his form of birth control. They used
regular temperature readings and examination of vaginal secretions to detect
when she was most fertile.

It does not appear to have worked well. They have had three lovely children in
four years, and his wife may be pregnant again. I am not sure that they really
were trying to avoid conception or just space their kids further apart. In
any case, he is not setting a good example for his patients, because this is
the only form of "birth control" that he will prescribe to his patients.

All methods of birth control (other than bilateral oophorectomy or orchiectomy)
will fail if not used properly. One friend of mine got pregnant years after a
tubal ligation (not by me) and ended up deciding to get an abortion. Abortion
does technically fit the category of "birth" control, but I prefer methods
that involve "conception" or "implantation" control. I am impressed with
the early data on the "sponge", although it seems to have a higher
failure rate than I would like. One advantage it offers is that the man can
buy it and have it available. A disadvantage with the diaphragm was that
each woman had to be fitted for it and carry it around in her purse (or
wear it). 
		Avi Gross	[......!houx*!hogpd!avi]