vegan contraception

[Rochellita]

Just wanted to throw this into discussion (maybe it belongs under general discussion- but it is a product discussion really)

Always an interesting issue, and those of us who are not celibate have to deal with whether we like it or not! So although this may be a bit personal, I'm curious as to how people (especially the non-celibate women on the forum) evaluated their choices for contraception?

[Renecarol25]

The shot is vegan. I've never been on any other form of birth control so I don't know about anything else. In a related subject (hormones and all) I can't believe people actually take those horse pee pills. How does one think something like that up? I mean who goes lets try horse pee and see what that does nobody's try'd that before.

[Daniel]

Now that I have a good job that actually offers health insurance the first thing I'm planning to do is get a vasectomy. Been wanting to get one for quite awhile. Its vegan, there aren't any negative side effects to your health (actually, I here it helps keep your cholesterol low), enviromentally sound (no needless waste), and once it is done you never have to worry about it again. Woo-Who!

[Mary]

Apparently there is an increased risk of testicular cancer, as Neil found out after he had his done. Also, he discovered that he was one of the one in a hundred men with a third tube, so if you need a vasectomy make sure they figure out before the op how many tubes you've got so you don't need the operation twice.

Other than that the only side effect is that you walk like Clint Eastwood for a couple of weeks.

Of course for women the equivalent operation is more serious in terms of side effects and its invasive nature.

Not having sex is a hundred percent safe mind you - just a bit frustrating!

[H]

What do they make out of horse pee?! I thought they were made out of pig hormones or something.

Is that the three month injection that's vegan? I want to go on it just so I don't have to have the 'monthly's!

[Renecarol25]

Depo is an 3 month injection.. usually takes 2 shots (that's a full 3 months of weird irregular bleeding though usually lite with no cramping) before it stops. Once it stops it stops until you are late getting your shot so get them on time. People experience some side effects.. but I think there are some forms of side effects with every drug. The most common is weight gain. I actually managed to lose 15 pounds when I first went on the shot. I had gained about 10 pounds over the course of the summer and went on a diet to loose those added pounds. And managed to drop more than I gained. To me I think the benefits outweigh the risk. No period no pregnancy. Unlike pills which aren't necessarily reliable and condoms can break.

PREMARIN - PREgnant MARe urINe what I like to call horse pee pills is a drug to treat symptons of menopause.

[Daniel]

Apparently there is an increased risk of testicular cancer, as Neil found out after he had his done.

Guess they decided to leave that one out of the brochure, eh. Oh well, I still think the certain benefits are worth the possible risks.

[Strix]

The shot is vegan..

I didn't know that. That's good to know.

[funfetus]

Now that I have a good job that actually offers health insurance the first thing I'm planning to do is get a vasectomy. Been wanting to get one for quite awhile. Its vegan, there aren't any negative side effects to your health (actually, I here it helps keep your cholesterol low), enviromentally sound (no needless waste), and once it is done you never have to worry about it again. Woo-Who!

I've been talking about getting a vasectomy forever, but I know I don't quite have the foresight to know I won't regret it. Eh. Do you have any children? I understand it can be very difficult to find a doctor willing to perform a vasectomy on a young, childless man.

[Mary]

It was very difficult for my Dad to get a vasectomy, and he had two children, and a wife who would almost certainly die if she got pregnant again. So if he found it hard I imagine it would be even harder for a bloke with no kids.

Neil managed to get by the doctor by pointing out he had spina bifida, and didn't want to risk passing it on. On the other hand I know other animal rights blokes who had it done no problem. Maybe things are easier now in the UK than they were in the seventies, and easier than in America.

You might have to cross the pond to get it done.

[Pete]

I'd quite like kids at some point, so chopping is not an option. I use condomi (sp?) condoms as they are vegan (although we all hate those little rubber horrors )

[Strix]

Funfetus, you can get a reverse vasectomy, but you're right: it would be wise to be sure before you have one so as not to have to make that decision. You are pretty young to have decided that, ff. Most men your age wouldn't consider it; yet you say you've wanted to for a long time. That's pretty unusual.

If I ever decided I wanted a child, I would adopt; I do not want to have children. There are so many unloved, abandoned, or otherwise needy children in the world that I could love

[Renecarol25]

I love my daughter so much she is my whole world. I do wish I had waited until I was older to have children though. I think being young (22 at the time) was a major factor in my not wanting to have any more kids. But hey I'm still young (relatively speaking) so that might change one day. I don't think I'd want to take any permanent measures though.

[Daniel]

A vasectomy is only reversible for a short amount of time after the operation. Although, sometimes they reverse themselves and that could be a problem.

Anyway, I don't want to have children. I don't mean this in any misanthropic (human hating) way, but there are far to many humans on this planet, and we need to start regulating ourselves NOW! Ever human born means more homes and roads will be built to the detriment of free-roaming animals, who's own homes and roads (habitats and corridors) will be destroyed. In my opinion the solution to the human over-population problem is the same as the solution to the pet over-population problem. No more breading. Most my friends from high school have between 1 and 3 kids, all of which were the result of a lack of family planning, aka "accidents."

Those interested can down load the following pamphlet.

Population, the Environment and the Future for Animals
http://friendsofanimals.org/brochures/population.pdf

[Mary]

Anyway, I don't want to have children. I don't mean this in any misanthropic (human hating) way, but there are far to many humans on this planet, and we need to start regulating ourselves NOW! Ever human born means more homes and roads will be built to the detriment of free-roaming animals, who's own homes and roads (habitats and corridors) will be destroyed. In my opinion the solution to the human over-population problem is the same as the solution to the pet over-population problem. No more breading. Most my friends from high school have between 1 and 3 kids, all of which were the result of a lack of family planning, aka "accidents."

I know it may seem hypocritical, given that I have a child, and he is the most frabjous and wonderful thing that ever happened to me - but again I find myself agreeing with Daniel (and Strix - though I wouldn't be allowed to adopt, unfortunately. Social Services would look at my activities and point out that I was an Animal Rights nutter!) The world is full of unhappy unloved children, and it seems selfish in the face of world overpopulation to have your own child. On the other hand, I know exactly how wonderful it is to have your own baby, and how desperate women can feel to have one. After all, we are the same as any other mammal and get broody.

There is no way I am going to say I was wrong to have Séamus - but I won't have any others. Not just because Neil doesn't want them either, since I had made the decision years before I met him, but for environmental and animal rights reasons as well. Besides, not every child is going to turn out how their parents expect. How would any of us feel if our kids rebelled against us and started eating meat?