Birth Control

LegacyUser

Hi,

I know this should probably be in another forum but I am a frequent poster (and not subscribed) so I can only really post here.

Basically, I started seeing a girl a couple of months ago and we began having sex straight away. I also lost my virginity at this time.

I had read up a lot about contraception and all that before the time, so I knew what to do in regards to the condom etc...

We've been sexually active a lot since, many times a week, but the other day the condom broke (only while going in, I pulled out straight away), and this was quite a sobering occurrence.

I've talked to her before about going on the pill, but she's had hormonal problems in the past and doesn't want to.

I'm basically wondering, what is the real effectiveness of using condoms as birth control in a relationship such as this? I don't mean the 97% statistic frequently quoted, I mean real life experiences.

I'm aware of how to correctly use one and also to avoid exchanging any other fluids down there besides ejaculate, but even still its said 3 in 100 women will get pregnant each year when using condoms as a contraceptive, and going by the amount we have sex it just seems inevitable (and it would suit neither of us to have a child on the way at this point in our lives).

So that's all I'm wondering about, advice would be greatly appreciated.

Ickle Magoo

Afaia, the 3% failure rate is based on people who used condoms as a form of birth control, it had no relevance whether that was for the first of fiftieth time. I don't think it always comes down to proper usage either - nothing mass produced to be ultra-thin yet contain microscopic spermatozoa from reaching their target is going to be 100% glitch free, unfortunately.

You would definitely be reducing the odds if you combined condoms with another form of contraception. A trip to the Docs would be the best place to work out which contraception is best suited to your OH, taking hormonal issues into account. Best of luck.

tenchi-fan

You could combine it with natural family planning methods.

If a girl is not in her fertile period she has an extremely low chance of getting pregnant. If you pull out before ejaculating the chance is reduced even further. Now if you wear a condom too..... the chance of her getting pregnant will be extremely low.. a fraction of a percent.

There are other methods of contraception she could use apart from the pill (she should talk to her GP). Combined with condom use and you won't be a dad anytime soon.

Ickle Magoo

The pull out method has failure rates of anything up to 30% & condoms 3% - and that's used properly, how anyone thinks that combines to make a fraction of a percent is exactly why you should be seeking medical advice on the matter. Using natural family planning methods involves ensuring your OH has a regular cycle and she keeps good track of it and you are both able to abstain if and when required.

Best of luck

tenchi-fan

Ickle Magoo wrote: »

The pull out method has failure rates of anything up to 30% & condoms 3% - and that's used properly, how anyone thinks that combines to make a fraction of a percent is exactly why you should be seeking medical advice on the matter.

0.3 x 0.03 = 0.9%

Ickle Magoo

A) 0.3 x 0.03 = 0.009

it's still the same risk value, decimalising a percentage doesn't make it a fraction of a percent, it just makes it the decimalised form of the same percentage risk.

magneticimpulse

Your girlfriend really needs to talk to GP or Family planning clinic. You cannot rely just on condoms. It sounds like the 2 of you are young, pre-20s? Is she underage, is this why she cannot get the pill? Did she take the morning after pill after the condom broke? I think it such a case the morning after pill should always be taken.

As you said, you only lost your virginity and condoms are new to you despite you saying you know how to use one....there must have been air inside as it broke! Ive never seen a condom break, but Ive seen many condoms slide off. Ive tried many times putting condoms on guys and I always have the "air" inside issue. Usually I let them put it on themselves for this reason.

Condoms are good, but its always better if the girl can use a form of contraception as well.