Chances of getting prego

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2004
Chances of getting prego
2
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 5:50pm
Okay, I am just amazed at how this little pill I take at the same time everyday can prevent me from getting pregnant.

I take it at the same time everyday. I have my cell phone alarm set so I will be reminded when I get to work. But here is my question, and I am sorry if this sounds stupid..,,



My boyfriend and I have sex everynight. If I take it at the same time everyday, just because I have alot of sex does not increase my chances of getteing pregnant, right? We don't use anything else, just the pill. But I don't want any surprises. I know the pill is like 99% effectice, which is really high. But more sex doesn't mean bigger chances or does it?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 6:33pm
Hi beerchick, welcome!

>>I know the pill is like 99% effectice, which is really high. But more sex doesn't mean bigger chances or does it?

Yes it does. But your chances of an unintended pregnancy are still very, very slight. If you take your pills correctly, aren't sick and throw or have diarrhea up within 2 hours after taking your pill and if you aren't taking medicines or supplements that will decrease the effectiveness of your pills then you are quite safe. But, if you have his swimmers inside you every day and you have a rare protection failure there is a greater likelihood of an unintended pregnancy than if you had intercourse only once or twice a week. If that really concerns you, you might want to consider using an additional method such as condoms, sponge, diaphragm or cervical cap which will increase the overall effectiveness of your protection. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Take care,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 09-20-2004 - 10:38pm
If I remember how the statistics are calculated correctly, 99% effective means that out of 100 couples who use the pill PERFECTLY for a year, one couple will get pregnant. It doesn't take into account how much sex is involved, necessarily. The way I usually look at it, right or wrong (statistically), for me it works either 100% or 0%. If I don't get pregnant, it works! And if I do get pregnant, it doesn't. In reality, Jill is probably correct--the more times you have sex, if the pill didn't work 100% for you, the more likely you would be to get caught. Conversely, if you hardly ever had sex, you'd be nearly guaranteed not to get pregnant!

But if you're really concerned about how effective the pill is, you can always use another reliable form of visible contraception like a condom to give you more confidence.

Good luck!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control