is this ok?
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is this ok?
| Mon, 08-09-2004 - 11:15am |
Hi. I first wanted to say how helpful this board has been. I recently started having sex and also started using the pill as birth control. I have been on the pill for about 4 months now. For the first couple months I was using the pill with condoms as a back up. However, during the last month my bf and I have not used condoms while having sex. I am very meticulous about taking the pill and have never missed taking one. I'm wondering if it would be ok to continue this not using condoms. My bf and I are in a monogamous relationship and are both free from STDS. I know the ways that pills may be ineffective in terms of if i throw up after taking it or if i'm taking medication like antibiotics. I just feel more comfortable having the back up but i'd still like to know if i'm taking a risk. Thanks

I, too, have been on birth control and have been having intercourse for about the past 5 months. I use the pill and my boyfriend and I also use condoms. We are both STD-free, just like you and your boyfriend, but we just like the security of the extra protection. We only put the condom on when he is going to ejaculate, which means the majority of sex is condom-free (very nice!). Yes, there is semen in pre-ejaculatory fluid, but much less than in the semen itself. Using the condom GREATLY reduces the risk of pregnancy (from 1 in 99 to 1 in 9603), so we can basically have worry-free sex. I wouldn't say you are taking a risk, per say - I have plenty of friends who only use the pill but no condom and have not had any pregnancy scares - but using a condom makes a huge difference in your chances of getting pregnant. A condom may not be as fun as the real deal, but at least you won't freak out every month!
Hope this helped!
After 4 months, you should be good to go. If you do throw up, miss more than 2 pills in a row, or take antibiotics you may want to use a back up method. Otherwise, have fun!
I've been using some form of hormonal birth control for 7 1/2 years, only using backup when absolutely necessary, and we've had no problems whatsoever. But we're okay with the statistics and are happy with things the way they are.
What you do is up to you!
Co-cl for Birth Control
- always check if there is any interaction with the medications and antibiotics you are taking and even then take your meds 4-6 hours after you have taken the pill.
- have regular check ups.
- be careful if you have any bleading when taking the pill. You might need a higher level of hormones.
- I still use a back up in those few days when I am not taking a pill before I get my period.
All the best.