(no subject)

[carebeardork.livejournal.com]

i recently got put on the pill and i have a few questions.
Is it necessary to still use a condom?
and if not
Is it necessary for my boyfriend to pull out?

Comments

[kdiddy.livejournal.com]

It depends on you, really. The pill alone has something like a 98% success rate, which means that there are still people who get pregnant while on the pill. If you feel like odds are generally stacked against you then, yes, continue to use condoms. Even with both methods there is still a tiny chance of pregnancy. After going through the stress of one unplanned pregnancy, the boyfriend and I use both methods. We're paranoid, what can I say? Pulling out doesn't really protect you since I'm sure you've heard about pre-cum. My personal preference is for condoms anyway since there's less cleanup involved afterward.

[alitaorg.livejournal.com]

what did the gynocologist say?

[carebeardork.livejournal.com]

she didnt address these questions, which is why i am asking.

[alitaorg.livejournal.com]

makes me wonder what gynocologists are good for...;P

[mangofandango.livejournal.com]

The simple answer is no and no.

The more detailed answer:

the pill doesn't protect against STIs, so depending on your situation, that is something to consider. Also, the pill is very effective, but it does have that small failure rate (less than 1% if taken perfectly, about 5% with typical use). Whether or not you want to double up on protection is based on how comfortable you are with that, but the reality is that it's very safe to do as long as you take your pills correctly. I relied solely on the pill for nearly a year with no problems (I just got an IUD on monday, so no more pills for me. :))

The same applies to your boyfriend pulling out. The pill's effectiveness is based on the assumption that your partner will ejaculate inside you, so it's fine to do that, as long as you're comfortable.

[rusty-sunshine.livejournal.com]

The pill has a very high success rate and is meant to be your only form of birth control if you so choose. Depending on the day you started (first day or Sunday) you will need to be protected for a certain number of days after your start. After that, if you take your pills every day on time, you should be able to go condom-free without worry, and he would not have to pull out. Read the literature that came with your pills for more details on when protection from the pill begins.

[isolt.livejournal.com]

The pill is some of the most effective birth control out there. You will only need a condom if you need STD protection (which you do if you and your boyfriend haven't been tested or aren't monogamous).

[kdiddy.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm bad, I forgot to mention the STD consideration. It was addressed by others, though.

[katlynel.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to disagree with a previous poster and state that withdrawal does improve the effectiveness of the Pill (withdrawal is about 80% effective used alone, so it'd make the Pill 80% more effective). You don't have to use it or condoms if you don't want to and you're okay with the small risk. In my case, I have my boyfriend withdraw, partly because it makes me feel safer but mostly because semen is very irritating to my vagina; it burns, makes my secretions smell funny, and makes me prone to yeast infections, not to mention making a huge mess.

[jigglyqueen.livejournal.com]

I'm on the depo jab which is kind of similar regarding the question you are asking, and the way i think about it is this:

If I'm with somebody who I know would stand by me and could support me if the worst DID happen, I feel more comfortable about going without a condom.

It doesn't seem logical written down because I do NOT want children because Im only 17! But in my head that is what determines whether I should use condoms aswell or not (of course, if you don't know somebody's sexual history then you should use condoms anyway).

[xlibbyx.livejournal.com]

The reason that I went on the Pill was so that my boyfriend and I didn't have to use condoms, but as said previously if STDs are an issue, or having to deal with the mess it makes, then you're best off sticking with condoms. And doubling up on protection can never be a bad thing.

Also, now that we've had sex without condoms neither of us really likes doing it with them. Hopefully if Depo works out for me we won't have to (the Pill made my blood pressure rocket) but maybe that's something to consider also.

[dyingaloneagain.livejournal.com]

I made a huge mistake because of the pill. My doctor didnt tell me u had to wait a full month for themt o take full effect or something of that nature and i got pregnant. I truly did. but its totally up to u. I personaly use a condom because i feel more protected that way and It protects against STD's because I never know if hes going around and doing things hes not suppost to if u know what i mean :)

[raea.livejournal.com]

like everybody else said, as long as you're absolutely sure you're both disease free, you should be ok without condoms or the pull out method. if you were a first day starter, you're protected immediately. sunday starters are protected after a week. you're also protected during the placebo week of pills too. whether or not you use backup is just a matter of preference.

just remember to take your pills at relatively the same time every day because missing pills can decrease their effectiveness. some antibiotics can have a negative affect as well, so if you're taking anything it's best to use some form of backup protection and/or ask your pharmicist about about drug interactions with what you're taking specifically.

[starlightjes.livejournal.com]

you gotta wait a full 3 months before the pill is completely effective...thats what i was told by my doc at least..

[mangofandango.livejournal.com]

Actually, if you're a first day starter, you're protected right away. If you start on Sunday, you're protected after a week. Doctors are sometimes very conservative about this because they want to make sure you get in the habit of taking it consistently and correctly before relying on it entirely, and also because some people have side effects such as vomiting in the 1st three months that can cause problems (if you throw up the pill, it's not effective, that sort of thing).

The information that comes with any pill gives starting and effectiveness information as well. :)

[angelrain.livejournal.com]

I'm about to go on birth control and we wanted to try letting him come inside me without a condom, but as has been said, there's a chance of getting pregnant either way. My plan is to use something we found at a grocery store called VCF, Vaginal Contraceptive Film. it's like a big listerine strip, a flat, thin peice of wax-paperish stuff that you put inside you and it dissolves into spermicide. It's 94 percent effective, the pill is 98 percent effective.

[princessern.livejournal.com]

be careful if you have never used spermicide before because a lot of women are allergic to it...i know i am. it makes my whole vagina really dry and itchy for a couple days...not fun at all.

[angelrain.livejournal.com]

Much thanks for the warning, but yea, I have used it before. Those little strips didn't cause me any irritation, and paired with birth control, I think they could really be effective

[princessern.livejournal.com]

ok, just making sure.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

It depends -- Do you want to protect yourself from STDs, as well? Condoms are a good idea, if so.

[starkewpie.livejournal.com]

My boyfriend is the only person I've had sex with this millenium and vice versa, so we feel safe not using condoms. We're both allergic to the spermicide too... it buuurns! If you're taking the pill regularly and are in a monogamous relationship and you've both been tested for STD's at least 6 months after you've had sex with someone else... then you don't necessarily need a condom. The extra safety is very good of course, and if you continue to do so I applaud you. You will need to wear a condom if for some reason your pills aren't working, like if you have diarrhea or vomiting for any reason, or if you are taking antibiotics.

One of my favorite things about the pill is having my boyfriend come inside me. It's an emotional bonding thing for me and I'd be sad if we weren't able to do that.