My boyfriend won’t have sex with me since I came off the pill as he hates condoms

DEAR DEIDRE: Since I’ve come off the pill my boyfriend won’t have sex with me.

I’m 24 and he’s 25. We’ve been together for two years.

I stopped taking the contraceptive pill three months ago to give my body a break from all the hormones. And I feel so much better for it.

I’d been on it since I was a teenager and didn’t really know myself without it.

My boyfriend said he’d support me but I feel he resents me now.

He dislikes having sex with a condom. He says he can’t feel anything and it ruins the mood for him.

I know what he means but I still think he’s being selfish.

Now we’re basically in a contraceptive stand-off. We haven’t had sex for the past six weeks. This is ruining our relationship.

DEIDRE SAYS: It would be a shame to end your relationship over this, although no woman should be pressured into adopting any contraception she does not want to.

Instead, discuss other non-hormonal methods of contraception with your GP, such as the copper coil or diaphragm.

It might also be worth experimenting with other kinds of condoms. “Ultra-thin” and “ribbed” condoms are made with enhancing pleasure in mind.

And far from ruining the mood, many men find it an intensely sexy experience when their partner puts on the condom for them.

My support pack Guide To Contraception will provide more help for you.