Using
Vitamin C to Prevent Conception
(Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin
C also know as Ascorbic acid can be used in a variety of ways to prevent
conception. Of course the best prevention is to keep the sperm out of the vagina
in the first place. If, for example, a condom breaks, or unprotected intercourse
occurs during a woman's fertile time, two tablets may be placed within the
vagina next to the cervix as soon as possible. This increases the acid levels in
the vagina. The sperm need an alkaline environment to survive; fertile mucus.
Tablets
of Vitamin C could also be placed inside the vagina just before intercourse,
giving them just enough time to dissolve. Hopefully making things acidic enough
to kill the sperm upon ejaculation. This can be irritating however, and another
source only recommends this in emergency situations. 2 500 mg tablets (non-chewable)
placed inside the vagina immediately following unprotected sex, or condom
rupture, twice a day for 3 days. Soothe afterwards with aloe vera and
acidophilus If you are interested in home
made spermacides you may want to check out what I have collected about this
topic.
If
you know fertilizing intercourse took place less than 72 hours ago, you might
want to consider Emergency
Contraception offered by the medical establishment, as it may be more
effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy, find out more for yourself.
Vitamin
c can be taken internally as an emergency contraceptive during the time between
ovulation and when menstruation is expected. Apparently the ascorbic acid
interferes with the production of progesterone. Progesterone is needed to
prepare the uterus for pregnancy as well as maintain a pregnancy.
Look
for the synthetic form of vitamin c, it should contain no bioflavinoids, and
should say in the ingredients ascorbic acid. It is easily obtained from the
local grocery store or pharmacy.
Rebecca
Chalker in her book, A
Woman's Book of Choices lists a dosage of 6 - 10 grams over the course of a
24 hour period for 5 to 10 days, not to exceed 10 days. You will have to
determine the correct about for your self; consider body weight, and whether you
take vitamin c on a regular basis might need to take 10 gram dose rather than a
lower one. You have to decide for yourself, so listen closely to your body.
There
can be side effects from taking mega doses of vitamin C. Most of the more
serious ones occur from extended use. With 10 day maximum used here, these are
unlikely to occur. The short term side effects you may experience are
constipation or diarrhea, headaches, upset stomach, abdominal cramps, hot
flashes, and/or rashes. However, I have not had anyone tell me they experienced
any of these symptoms. The only one I experienced was constipation.
People
who take anti-coagulants, who have sickle-cell anemia, or who have difficulty
metabolizing vitamin c should not take mega doses of vitamin c with out the
supervision of their physician.
If
you would like to read more about the effects of taking mega doses of vitamin c
over long periods of time visit: http://www.el-dorado.ca.us/~tstout/articles/vitc.shtml
http://udel.edu/~thaodam/megadose.html