Expert: Diane Cheryl - 7/16/2008

Question
I am almost 18, and am currently having regular sex with my boyfriend every week. Abstinence is not an option as sex is a healthy part of our relationship. We are using male condoms as our current form of protection. I would like to use something different, and more reliable. All those horror stories about broken condoms are getting to me.

The pill seems like a good option, but I'm not sure if I want my hormones moved around. I am suffering from depression and I don't want that to get worse.

I am taking St john's Wort for my depression and Minocycline for acne.

Thank you.

Answer
I just found your question in the question pool so not sure who you wanted to answer it. I'll give it a try. I know you don't want to do abstinence but that is what I would recommend first off. Condoms are not very effective. I get lots of questions weekly and a lot of questions are women getting pregnant with the guy using a condom. You are right about the hormones in the pill and also a lot of other methods such as depo, IUD, patch, etc also use hormones which I don't believe are healthy. So that is all I can basically tell you. You will have to make your choice and I hope this has been helpful for you. If you want to talk more, my email is DCHERYL51@yahoo.com
Talk soon.

Diane Cheryl