How reliable is the pill?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
How reliable is the pill?
3
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 12:22am
I have been using aleese as a birth control for a while and my boyfriend and I always use a condom with spermicide just to make sure I don't get pregnant. I want to be more intimate with him and let him have his orgasm inside me but he doesn't want to unless he is sure that I can't get pregnant until after we get married(later this year-yea). Ladies are you sure that we can take it to the next step and not worry about a new addition?Please let me know!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2004
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 7:24am
I have used a couple variants on Triphasil for 4 1/2 years with never any backup (and my now husband and I are not shy flowers, it's not like we only do it once a week or something) and have never had a problem. I've had a few "scares" but everyone has those. Never gotten pregnant.

Supposedly you are 99.8% protected or something on BCPs, so pretty much guaranteed but not quite. At any rate, there is never a 100% guaranteed method other than abstinence. I think the odds are very very much in your favor that you will not get pregnant. But of course, there is still risk. It's up to you if you feel comfortable. There are ladies on here who have gotten pregnant on the pill, but realize that they are probly more of a rarity than they seem.

So my advice is to not worry about it and just take your pills faithfully. An on that subject, I am not the most careful person. I know my pill taking can and has varied from about 6 AM to about 1 PM fairly frequently. And usually at least once a month I take a pill really late - anywhere from 5 PM to 11 PM. And, like I said, never been preggo.

So take it as you may - good luck either way!!

Susan

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 7:53am
Hi kimiko2004, welcome!

As Susan said, there is no 100% effective method of contraception except abstinence. The pill will vary in effectiveness depending on how scrupulous you are about taking it correctly. Taken correctly it can be better than 99% effective. You and your partner will have to decide if that is a level of risk you and he are comfortable with. Millions of women successfully use nothing but the pill. I used only OTC for 3 years, and only used back-up when on antibiotics, with no problems, except a missing libido. If you haven’t already done so, read Taking your pills correctly in the FAQs at the top of the board. There you will find some tips on how to get the most protection from your pills. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 9:02am
As long as the pill is taken correctly--as in not forgetting (skipping) any pills or taking them too late of your normal time you should be protected.NOTHING is 100% but the pill is an effective form of birth control if it's taken correctly.I've used it as an "only" means of protection for a long time and didn't have any "surprises"....