Birth Control

[choobley]

So, I recently went on the pill, and I have been taking it religiously for nearly a month. My doctor told me to take it for a month before relying on it as my primary birth control. So I'm pretty excited, you know? Sex without a condom, woo hoo. But recently, I've been hearing from some girls at my school thatbayou shouldn't depend on the pill because it isn't as reliable as condoms. So I guess what I'm asking is: Is it safe for me to have sexI without condoms as long as I'm on the pill and I know that my partner is STD-free? Thanks!

[boomtiing_ox]

The pills like 98% effective with typical use whilst condoms are only about 88% effective with typical use (don't quote me), but I know condoms are less effective. So yes it's fine to have sex without a condom whilst using the pill, that's the whole point of using it right

[flamingoccm]

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boomtiing_ox wrote:

The pills like 98% effective with typical use whilst condoms are only about 88% effective with typical use (don't quote me), but I know condoms are less effective. So yes it's fine to have sex without a condom whilst using the pill, that's the whole point of using it right

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^^Yep! The only reason the pill would be less effective is if you had been on antibiotics (which can reduce the effectiveness of the pill for one FULL cycle) or if you're not taking it as directed (missing pills, not taking them at the same time every day).

[ayeayeaye]

The pill can be very effective when used correctly, especially since you've been to see  a doctor it's hopefully matched up to your health and hormone-levels. Things your friends could be referring to: pills that aren't contraceptive at all (they exist and are meant to regulate hormone levels), forgetting to take the pill, and the fact that sometimes the pill DOES fail. Things like radical changes in your hormone levels or other medication can reduce its efficacy. And it's x% effective, not 100%, so there's that slim, slim chance that even under normal conditions something can happen.

My advice is: continue taking the pill but use a condom as well. With these two methods it'll be even less likely that you'll get pregnant. Even if you know that your partner is STD free condoms are a good idea, because some things (like AIDS or hep C) can be caught not only by having sex but through other things as well (poorly sterelised piercing needles, sharing razors, infected blood transfusions, anything where blood might get in contact with the virus) so even if they're not cheating on you it can still happen... plus when you're a teenager and hormone levels are through the roof cheating can happen.

[fosterfan2006]

- In the end, the pill is more effective than condoms (if taken perfectly, same time every day, not missing one!).  The reason being is that the pill suppresses ovulation, so you never release an egg, so you can't get pregnant.  (Missing a pill might cause your body to ovulate).

- Condoms, on the other hand, stop sperm (they have no effect on you).  So, basically, you end up using condoms even while you're ovulating.  If the condom breaks during this (crucial) time, the odds of getting pregnant go up.

If both are used perfectly (independently of each other) they can be great methods of birth control.  Both can be like 98-99% on their own.  If combined (which some people do, it's totally up to you), then you can imagine how much slimmer the odds get of becoming pregnant.