Efficacy and tenths of a difference
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Efficacy and tenths of a difference
| Sun, 10-24-2004 - 7:55pm |
So, as I`ve mentioned a few times before, I`m really up on switching from Depo to Nuvaring. One thing I`m slightly worried about, however, is the difference in perfect use. 99.7% for Depo and 99% for Nuvaring. Since the perfect use in Depo is the same as actual use and it doesn`t seem to me that perfect use for Nuvaring is hard to acheive, these numbers seem pretty accurate for my purposes. And even though it`s only seven-tenths of a difference, it still bothers me - I`m young, in college, and the LAST thing I want is a pregnancy! Logically, I know that this miniscule .7 is not statistically significant and that Nuvaring is considered extremely effective birth control. Anyone in similar situations with tips on how to overcome this reluctance?
Lena


Think of it this way - if you get a 99% on your Orgo final or if you get a 99.7% on your Orgo final - it amounts to the same thing, right? :-)
Caitlin
If you absolutely do not want to become pregnant right now, then it would seem most prudent to use a method that has the highest possible effectiveness, or at least to use condoms in addition to the Nuva Ring. I can't tell you not to worry, because I've been in that situation and I did worry. A few tenths of a percent difference in what I was using compared to the best methods out there meant my risk was several times higher, and that meant I worried enough to use a backup method to help my odds.
Personally, that 1% has -never- bothered me enough for me to use an additional method of contraception. The way I look at it, it's not that I'll be okay 99-98% of the time, either it works for me 100% or not at all. And because I know it works for me, I don't worry. But if it did worry me, knowing that only abstinence is 100%, I'd use an additional method that I trusted just as much (like condoms). And I felt this way when I was in college and earlier in my career and when I was in grad school.....
If you're cool with it, fine! But if you're not, that's okay too.
Co-cl for Birth Control
I took the pill for almost 10 years, and I tended to trust that it was going to do the job for me. I had a few scares over the years, but I'd say one can count that as the "cost" of having sex.
Incidentally, I fell in the .1% of women that DID get pregnant on the pill, with PERFECT use. Does that mean I think I should have second guessed my birth control all those years? No, it worked then, I'm happy that it waited until I was mature enough to make the appropriate decision when it happened, and I've gone on with my life. Would I trust hormonal contraception FOR ME now? Not on your life. But, I'm the exception, I got pregnant - 999 other women didn't the year I did... Judie's right, it works for you, or it doesn't. For most women, it does! I could probably have used it for another 10 years without an oops, but once it failed me, I couldn't trust it any more, so I've gone on to a better (for my husband & me) method.
To the OP, you have to decide for yourself if you trust what you're using, and then try not to worry unless your body gives you reason to worry! Good Luck, whatever you decide.