Would you trust the pill

LegacyUser

Im 24 and terrified of getting my gf pregnant shes on the pill but use condoms too,Has anyone and opinions on this?

Talliesin

I one looked at this in a purely rational way then the pill used on its own has a very high success rate if used correctly.

Therefore the chances of getting pregnant while using it are very low.

It's then simply a matter of deciding if that very low risk is acceptably low enough for both of you.

Of course that "simply" is one of the two places this falls down. The other one is that nobody can think about something that will change their life as dramatically as an unwanted pregnancy can in purely rational terms. It just links into too many things that you will naturally not think entirely rationally about.

As such if you are going to feel worried relying solely on the pill, you will not be able to enjoy sex and express yourself sexually as well as if you are also using condoms.

Because condoms work in an entirely different way to the pill they do indeed add another layer of protection because there is no interaction between the pill and the condoms so the risk-analysis is simple - for a pregnancy to occur both forms of contraception need to fail at the same time. The chances or this happening is the percentage chance of failure or each mutilplied together. So it's very, very low.

As well as this, there is of course the fact that barrier contraception is the only type that will help protect against some STIs which is a factor if either of you has ever had sex before (even if you only ever had protected sex, since it could have failed to protect you that time, but then succeed in protecting your partner the next time, and analogously in protecting you from something she has).

So in all. Yes, the pill on its own is very reliable. It's up to each individual to decide if that reliability is enough for them (the only 100% guarantee is to never engage in any act that could possibly get sperm anywhere near her vagina). If you feel more confident depending upon condoms as well don't worry about the math, just keep using condoms.

frizzefreckles

I have been on the pill for two years and so far no babies. There is no such thing as 100% protected. You only get that by not having sex and lets face it that's no fun. Providing your girlfriend takes the pill correctly you should be fine (again there are no guarantees in this life). However if you are going to worry about getting her pregnant by not using condoms it will take the enjoyment from having sex, and it's not worth it.

muckwarrior

My ex girlfriend had 4 friends that got pregnant while on the pill. One of those whilst using condoms as well! On the other hand there are lots of people who have sex for years on the pill and never get pregnant, but personally I wouldn't have a huge amount of confidence in it.

LegacyUser

I am on the pill but my boyfriend and I still use condoms. Even though the pill is more effective than condoms we feel better with condoms because we can see them working. As in, we fill them with water after and know there's no leakages.

Poppy84

I have been on the pill for the last 6 years, been with my boyfriend that long, no problems with it we havent used condoms since the first few times together after we got sti tests didnt see the point in using condoms as well as the pill, as the pill is protecting against pregnancy and if we're both clean no need for the condom, but then I am in a long term relationship.

Anyway i believe whole heartedly in the pill, i do know there were a couple taken off the market due to them not being up to standard but your gf's GP wouldnt have perscribed these in the last 2/3 years.

But remember its up to your gf to take this properly if not this could lead to pregnancy. What might put your mind at ease is if you read the leaflet that comes with the pill, it explains the ins and outs and will put your mind at ease.

Any qs lemme no

LegacyUser

Hi Op,

My girlfriend started taking the pill recently, and we have decided to use condoms also to be safe. Ironically enough the condom broke on the first night we did it using both condom and pill. We were quite worried about this going to sleep that night, but we rang the doctor in the morning to see what the story was, he said straight out there was nothing to worry about as long as she was taking the pill right. Ive looked at a few other resources on the web too and generally I feel quite confident about it. We will keep using the condoms too, and I recommend you do also, if anything just to put your mind at ease as there's nothing worse than worrying about getting your girlfriend pregnant!

rannerap

ive been on it 2 years and no babies:)althoughy you do get the odd scare lol

Stargal

Sarannewrap wrote:

ive been on it 2 years and no babies:)althoughy you do get the odd scare lol

Lol? Seriously? :rolleyes:

OP take Talliesin's advice - you are protected using your current methods and the odds of her getting pregnant are very very low. Don't let this worry you so much that it affects your enjoyment of sex.

runswithascript

I would trust the pill, just not a girl I just met who claims to be on the pill...

PeakOutput

iv been trusting the pill for the last year or so with my gf and there have been no problems i wouldnt do it with a random girl i just met but theres other reasons for that

if you know you can trust her to take the pill properly then i don see a problem.....theres also this thing that goes in her arm and lasts ages from what my gf told maybe thats an option

PeakOutput

muckwarrior wrote:

My ex girlfriend had 4 friends that got pregnant while on the pill. One of those whilst using condoms as well! On the other hand there are lots of people who have sex for years on the pill and never get pregnant, but personally I wouldn't have a huge amount of confidence in it.

that is exceptionally hard they must of been really determined sperm

if they take the pill properly there is probably way less than 1%failure

Gazza22

Talliesin wrote:

It's then simply a matter of deciding if that very low risk is acceptably low enough for both of you.

That's essentially it OP. If you 100% don't want to get your gf pregant, the best option for you is to continue your current practice of the pill combined with condoms. This gives a really really low chance of pregnancy if both are used correctly.

My gf and i use condoms combined with the pill aswel and it really puts my mind at ease because when we used to use just one form, we would be a nervous reck if her period was even out by a few days. For me, the stress isn't worth not using a simple condom.

Byrno

If you take the pill properly it is safer than a condom only (0.01-1% annual pregnancy rate, depending on the type used, compared to a 2% annual pregnancy rate). Most "failures" of the pill are related to poor compliance rather than failures of the pill itself.

Talliesin

This is true. That said "poor compliance" can include not realising how sick you are if you are sick enough to reduce its effectiveness.

The pill alone is a very effective method (zero effectiveness against STIs of course). It's a method that I personally am happy to use with my partner.

But if you're going to have a worry at the back of your mind about it, that's going to but a hell of a downer on the sex.

Byrno

You're right there Talliesin, didn't mean to come across as if I was accusing women of being at fault when the pill doesn't work! As with most things in life there are other factors. Basically my point would be if you were previously prepared to take the risk of using a condom, there is no reason why you shouldn't take the risk of a pill if you are in a stable relationship as the risk of pregnancy is lower.

Carrigart Exile

Trustpill wrote:

Im 24 and terrified of getting my gf pregnant shes on the pill but use condoms too,Has anyone and opinions on this?

Is this because you do not trust the pill or you do not trust your girlfriend to keep taking the pill? If you use a condome than you are taking responsibility for your procreation and if you are both using your contraceptive correctly I think you got it nailed.

BostonB

muckwarrior wrote:

My ex girlfriend had 4 friends that got pregnant while on the pill. One of those whilst using condoms as well! On the other hand there are lots of people who have sex for years on the pill and never get pregnant, but personally I wouldn't have a huge amount of confidence in it.

My experience is similar.

de5p0i1er

I know a girl who got pregnant while on the pill so I wouldn't trust it 100% I think your better off using as much protection as you can get.

Nick_oliveri

GF uses the pill, i use teh condoms. Although initial penetration is hardly ever with a condom on. Heat of the moment thing i suppose. Probably not a good idea.

Bradidup

Trustpill wrote:

Im 24 and terrified of getting my gf pregnant shes on the pill but use condoms too,Has anyone and opinions on this?

As someone mentioned the Pill has zero tolerance against stds, Very true, Hiv can remain undeteted in the body for up to 10 years before it shows any symptoms. Tests are free in any sti clinic. http://www.ifpa.ie/sti/clinics.html

LegacyUser

Hmm great advise lads but one more question define takening it right,she takes it every day and i always remind her?

Nevyn

The ideal situation is that the oral contraceptive pill is take at roughly the same time every day.

Talliesin

And being aware that illnesses that cause vomitting, diarhea or other upsets of the digestive system could prevent it being absorbed properly (same as with all oral medications).

Also. Read the leaflet.

hunnymonster

I trust the pill 99% AND willing to deal with the other 1% should it arise. I really enjoy the spontaniety of the pill.

lady_j

Keep using both, esp if youre that worried. Nothing is 100% effective. I have been on the pill a number of years, however I guess cause I cant physical see the baby making juice being stopped, I prefer using condoms also! The problem with the pill is that vomiting or diarrohea/ antibiotics etc can stop it being effective, and as sperm lives for 5 days in your system this can be a problem...

I think if you're using both then you're doing your best and try and relax!

lady_j

trust pill wrote:

Hmm great advise lads but one more question define takening it right,she takes it every day and i always remind her?

I think if my boyfriend reminded me everyday Id hit him. You look after your end, she can look after hers then you should be fine

dudara

I've been on the pill for over 6 years, and not a single scare. But then I am anal about it, I know the leaflet inside out and am very aware of the effects of illness, antibiotics and anything else that can affect the effectiveness of the pill.

The pill itself is fairly trustworthy, it's often the human factor that causes the problem. Many women assume that once they're on the pill, that they're fully protected, while in reality, it takes some work and thought.