Because of religious reasons, FI and I have chosen to wait until our wedding night to have sex. So now, with 8 months to go until the wedding, for the first time in my life I'm starting to look at birth control options. I feel pretty clueless, and want to make sure I'm making an informed decision. I'd always assumed I'd just go on the pill - that's what my mom, all my friends and female family members use - but now that I've done some homework, I'm a bit uncomfortable with that idea for a couple of reasons. I have consulted my doctor, read up a lot on all the types and now am just wanting some feedback from real-life ladies who use different methods.
I'm extremely pro-life, and for this reason, I'm really not comfortable with an IUD or another method that involves destruction of a fertilized egg. From my research, I've learned that some doctors believe that even the pill, the patch, and other hormone-based methods could have properties that would cause the uterine lining to thin and destroy a fertilized egg. I've had a hard time finding sources that verify how accurate that is, though. This is one of my concerns with the pill - no matter how small the odds are, the idea that by taking the pill (or using the patch or the ring) I could be destroying a fertilized egg that would be my child is really disconcerting to me. Any ladies who share similar beliefs who have dealt with religious dilemmas of birth control?
Another concern I have with the pill is that I'd be pumping my body full of extraneous hormones. I've read that birth control has links to breast cancer and in general is just not good for your overall health. I also am concerned about it impacting my long-term ability to have kids.
So that leaves condoms, diaphragms, or natural methods.
I'd be ok with natural methods - I have confidence that I could be meticulous enough with temperature taking and monitoring my ovulation - but FI has pretty much balked at the idea he might have to wear a condom on the wedding night if I was ovulating. I get it, but at the same time I feel like my overall health should overrule this. He's not unreasonable and said he definitely understands my reservations with the pill, but still really hates the idea of having to wear a condom.
I'm curious about diaphragms/female condoms. I've found very little information about them aside from a few stats. Has anyone used them? Were they effective for you? What was your experience?
I'm ok with using a method that's not 100% or even 99% effective. I'm going for at least 75%, though. If we got pregnant, it wouldn't be the end of the world. We're both stable financially and I know we could take care of a child, even though ideally we'd like to wait a few years. Because of this, I'm more willing to try newer/less known of methods.
I'd appreciate any insight - I know there are probably a lot of ladies here on the pill/patch/ring and I'd love to hear your thoughts on how it's impacted your body, your overall wellness and any side effects you've experienced or concerns you've had.