Do Many Couples Just Use The Pill?

BD000

Long time reader, first time poster. Apologies if this is in the wrong forum for this subject. I posted this unregistered last night but it didn't show up so I said I would register and see if it worked. Anyway...

I'm curious to know how common it is for couples having sex, that do not want kids, to solely rely on the pill and not use condoms as well. My girlfriend and I use the double dutch method of the pill and condoms as we feel this is the safest way to enjoy sex without having to worry about accidents (obviously we could use every contraceptive method but we think this is enough). I'm just curious to know though how some couples are OK with just using the pill.

We trust the double dutch method cause you have the chemistry of the pill at work combined with the physical stopping of the condom at work. I don't know how comfortable I would be with simply relying on the chemistry of the pill to work ALL the time.

I know some people who have just used the pill and ended up getting pregnant. It just seems like a lot to risk for what in essence is just an extra bit of pleasure for the man in my opinion. Is using just the pill not very nerve wracking for couples? I think I would kinda nervous after the sex each time just using the pill. And in my opinion the risk is huge, like if you're pregnant its either a life changing baby or the awful ordeal of abortion, just seems like a lot to risk.

Now in fairness I have never had sex without a condom and I can imagine it is a whole lot better without one and you feel closer etc, but I can't imagine it's that much better that it is worth the risk, and to be fair I still think the sex is great even using a condom. Also I can't imagine that women notice much of a difference if men use a condom or not, so again, in my opinion, the decision to not use a condom and just use the pill seems to boil down to the simple fact that the man just wants to enjoy the sex more which seems a bit mental to me.

Myself and herself are students and talked about this and kinda said that we would be grand just using the pill when we are more setup in life and better able to cope in the event of an "accident", whatever we decided to do. But for now, definitely don't want kids and would in no way just trust the pill alone.

Would really like some opinions on this, cheers.

CBFi

Not really sure what you're asking since you have your birth control sorted and its a very personal decision. It doesnt really matter why anyone else chooses the particular birth control they do as long as it works for them, and yours does for you.

Taking the pill properly is as effective as condoms- using two methods is common among people who are very concerned about having a child when not planned and it's a good idea when you really are not emotionally and otherwise prepared to deal with a child.

Again, its very personal, but having sex without condoms is preferable to some people because it feels better and condoms can 'interupt' sex.

BD000

CBFi wrote: »

Not really sure what you're asking since you have your birth control sorted and its a very personal decision. It doesnt really matter why anyone else chooses the particular birth control they do as long as it works for them, and yours does for you.

Taking the pill properly is as effective as condoms- using two methods is common among people who are very concerned about having a child when not planned and it's a good idea when you really are not emotionally and otherwise prepared to deal with a child.

Again, its very personal, but having sex without condoms is preferable to some people because it feels better and condoms can 'interupt' sex.

Well I thought I stated it very clearly what I am asking, so not sure why you're having trouble there. Just want to get an idea of why some people just use the pill and if they feel completely safe in using it, its a curiousity thing and maybe there are some aspects of the matter I have not thought about. Just becasue something is a personal issuse dose not mean it should not be discussed did ya see what I did there

Torakx

My last GF went on the pill and it helped ruin our relationship.
She had a low immune system maybe from the hormones,not sure really, but she put on weight, got grumpy as hell,got infections and wouldnt stop taking them.

They worked but the price we paid was not worth it.
At the tie the only reason we did that was because i had to keep importing condoms as the ones here are f3cking tight lol
Next time i will just use condoms again and try be carefull with them.
In hindsight a sex shop might have been the best place to go instead of a chemist for that stuff.
Ive become more inclined toward natural methods as much as possible since those days.

I hear of other women taking the correct one for them and seems to work fine,but have no experience with this rumour.
We didnt use condoms when she was on the pill and had no scares.
She ussually remembered and asked me to remind her too,so it was a team effort there.

Next Gf i will defo bite the bullet and use condoms or start doing the job for myself lol
Anything but ask a gf to put chemicals into her body.
But thats just me.

aidan24326

BD000 wrote: »

Well I thought I stated it very clearly what I am asking, so not sure why you're having trouble there. Just want to get an idea of why some people just use the pill and if they feel completely safe in using it, its a curiousity thing and maybe there are some aspects of the matter I have not thought about. Just becasue something is a personal issuse dose not mean it should not be discussed did ya see what I did there

The pill used correctly is a highly effective contraception, more effective than condoms actually (though of course the two together is safer still).

But honestly if your girlfriend takes the pill exactly as described and is quite vigilant about it then using condoms aswell could be overkill tbh. It reduces the pleasure for both of you while the contraceptive pill is already doing the job of stopping pregnancy from happening.

It's a personal choice of course, but once the pill is taken in a 'do exactly as it says on the tin' kind of way, the chances of pregnancy are very slim. If a girl on the pill gets pregnant it's likely that she made an error in how she was taking it, like not observing the 7 day rule and that type of thing.

Herrick

I've heard that if a girl has certain illnesses or is on certain other medication it can reduce the pills effectiveness or stop it working all together, would anyone know if any of that is true?

ElleEm

Myself and my partner solely rely on the pill as our method of contraception.
I am vigilant about taking it, and careful when ill or on anti biotics as it can render the pill ineffective.
We have never had a slip up in six years.

It's a personal choice though. I know some couples who are so scared of getting pregnant that they use both the pill and condoms EVERY time they have sex. It just wouldn't work for me and my partner though.

ElleEm

Herrick wrote: »

I've heard that if a girl has certain illnesses or is on certain other medication it can reduce the pills effectiveness or stop it working all together, would anyone know if any of that is true?

If a girl has been vomiting or has diarrhea it can make the pill ineffective as it may not have been absorbed into her system. Also, most, if not all anti biotics counteract the pill so another method of contraception should be used during the time antibiotics are taken, and sometimes for a week after too, depending on the tablets. Your GP should give you the info you need though.

BD000

BD000 wrote: »

It just seems like a lot to risk for what in essence is just an extra bit of pleasure for the man in my opinion. Is using just the pill not very nerve wracking for couples? I think I would kinda nervous after the sex each time just using the pill.

Now in fairness I have never had sex without a condom and I can imagine it is a whole lot better without one and you feel closer etc, but I can't imagine it's that much better that it is worth the risk, and to be fair I still think the sex is great even using a condom. Also I can't imagine that women notice much of a difference if men use a condom or not, so again, in my opinion, the decision to not use a condom and just use the pill seems to boil down to the simple fact that the man just wants to enjoy the sex more which seems a bit mental to me.

I've relied solely on the pill in the past, with two different guys over a period of about 4 years overall, and never had any accidents, and felt fully secure with it. I was never worried I was pregnant, and being on the pill gave me the added security of being able to expect my period on a certain day with an allowance of a day either way. So there was no "waiting for it to come" so I'd know I was in the clear.

I think it's also important to mention that I find sex better without a condom, and I'm female. I know some women don't find a difference, but I don't think it's a fair view to think that having sex without condoms is something couples do purely to give the male a bit of added enjoyment. I much prefer sex without condoms and while the time isn't right at the moment for me to ditch them, when in a stable, safe, appropriate position I'd always opt to rely on the pill.

Herrick wrote: »

I've heard that if a girl has certain illnesses or is on certain other medication it can reduce the pills effectiveness or stop it working all together, would anyone know if any of that is true?

Yes. If you vomit or have diarrhoea it can leave the body unabsorbed, and if you're on antibiotics they can affect it too. However you'd have to find out what pill the girl is on and check the medical information for her specific one to know for sure.

Lolajay

I rely on taking the pill for protection

I've been taking it for 8 years - PROPERLY with 2 different boyfriends, at the start of both relationships we did use condoms for a bit but no one was a fan of them. We've never even had a scare.

In response to the person who said the pill ruined their relationship - some women are hormone sensitive and have to try a few different pills until they find the correct one for them.

Also, they don't reduce your immune system but if you are on antibiotics your pill can be compromised so maybe use condoms too or abstain from sex altogether.

It's all there in the leaflet that comes with the pill but no one ever reads it!!!!

CBFi

BD000 wrote: »

Just want to get an idea of why some people just use the pill and if they feel completely safe in using it, its a curiousity thing

I wasn't sure if you were rethinking your birth control and I was trying to get across that if you're happy with it, then doesn't matter what anyone else is doing! Personally, I have tried 'em all and still no unplanned baby (knock on wood). All are effective as long as you take them right- like people have been saying. If I could, and it just didnt suit me, I would use the Nuvi Ring over the pill as you dont have to remember to take it (so human error removed) and its doesnt go through your stomach so no concerns about vomiting, illness or antibiotics. That said, hormonal birth control, when you find one that suits you, means sex can be more enjoyable.

Ickle Magoo

OP, this is an advice forum, rather than a provider of statistics or shared personal experience forum - which is why your pre-moderated post was not approved.

Is there any aspect of contraception you require advice on?

username123

I am late 30s and have relied solely on the pill as contraception for over 10 years now.

I used to use the double dutch method myself, but I have a contact allergy to latex so was nearly always sore after sex for years - tried non latex but they were like a flapping sock!

However, now Im at the age where I really need to get off the pill so will be discussing alternatives with my GP soon.

Ive never had an issue with reliability of the pill, but Ive always been meticulous in taking it and ensuring no risks were taken if Id had vomiting or diarrhea or on antibiotics etc... Unless you trust your partner to be absolutely meticulous then double dutch is a better plan.

Mickey Dazzler

I have found that condoms ruin the moment and completely desensitise both the feelings for the man and the woman. I have also found the the pill and can wreak havoc on a woman's hormones and libido.

My current gf and I reply of the pull out method. If you are disciplined enough it works fine. I have used this method for years with many partners and never had any accidents.

Faith

I've used the pill alone for years and have never had so much as a scare. I'm vigilant about it though, and use condoms whenever necessary. I love spontaneous sex, and my partner and I rarely go a night without one of us being half-awake and initiating sex in the middle of the night, and I find condoms ruin that.

But while neither of us want children, if I fell pregnant, we're at a stage where it wouldn't be the end of the world. If you'd prefer to be extra safe, then continue with both methods. Just a note: You can find someone who says they've gotten pregnant no matter what they've used. You'll freak yourself out if you only pay attention to these outliers. I know someone who's gotten pregnant despite using both the pill and condoms, I know someone who's gotten pregnant despite using a condom and then taking the morning after pill, and I know people who've never gotten pregnant despite very risky contraceptive choices. So bare that in mind, and avoid paying too much attention to the 1 in 1,000.

Susie_Q

I've used the pill as my only contraceptive with my OH for 4 years. I am careful to take it at the same time every day and never miss a pill. Not so much as a whiff of a scare in all those years. The pill is highly effective once it is taken properly.

nowayout1

Mickey Dazzler wrote: »

I have found that condoms ruin the moment and completely desensitise both the feelings for the man and the woman. I have also found the the pill and can wreak havoc on a woman's hormones and libido.

My current gf and I reply of the pull out method. If you are disciplined enough it works fine. I have used this method for years with many partners and never had any accidents.

would you not use different condoms then you can get ones that are extremely light, durex does them there in a tanned box and there great better than worrying that your pre-cum can still make a partner pregnant.

OP i'd much prefer the double clutch method you have to safety nets there and its not as messy as sperm over the floor or bed sheets and for the girl as well and less likely to get pregnant

BD000

This was all just a sting operation, now I am going to go to my girlfriend with all these posts and convince her I don't need to use condoms anymore jk

Ickle Magoo wrote: »

OP, this is an advice forum, rather than a provider of statistics or shared personal experience forum - which is why your pre-moderated post was not approved.

Is there any aspect of contraception you require advice on?

Sorry if this wasn't the right place to post. Can you recommend a better forum for this? It wasn't simply a stats mission, I have been wondering about not using condoms for a while and this has been quite helpful, perhaps I should have phrased the post better but thanks for leaving it up.

Mickey Dazzler wrote: »

I have found that condoms ruin the moment and completely desensitise both the feelings for the man and the woman. I have also found the the pill and can wreak havoc on a woman's hormones and libido.

My current gf and I reply of the pull out method. If you are disciplined enough it works fine. I have used this method for years with many partners and never had any accidents.

:eek: Is this some kinda joke man, I don't think I could take it seriously when someone says they use the pull out method no offence

nowayout1 wrote: »

would you not use different condoms then you can get ones that are extremely light, durex does them there in a tanned box and there great better than worrying that your pre-cum can still make a partner pregnant.

OP i'd much prefer the double clutch method you have to safety nets there and its not as messy as sperm over the floor or bed sheets and for the girl as well and less likely to get pregnant

Ya I kinda agree there too, sex can be one messy ordeal.

As to all the other posts, cheers for reply's. Think I'll be sticking with the double dutch method for the near future anyway. We both really enjoy the sex regardless of the condoms, are happier knowing its a safer method, are comfortable enough with each other not to let the condom spoil the mode (although I do agree with some posts in that it definitely can stagger the mood and probably does make us less inclined to have passionate quickies in the middle of the night, I dunno) and I can imagine it is definitely a cleaner method Cheers

LegacyUser

Double dutch,paranoid about getting pregnant but stis too!

Ickle Magoo

Okay OP, as this isn't strictly a PI, you've had a range of responses and you seem to have reached a decision, I'll lock this thread.

All the very best. :cool: