Combined effectiveness of 2+ methods

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Combined effectiveness of 2+ methods
7
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 5:59pm

OK, we all know the arguments against using withdrawal as a primary method, but what if it's used in conjunction with a spermicide? It seems to me that the chances of pregnancy would be pretty slim. Does anyone here know -- or has anyone used these methods together?

As a secondary question on this topic, how does one go about calculating the combined effectiveness of 2 or more methods, whatever they may be?

Thanks!




Lilypie Pregnancy tickers



iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2002
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 9:24pm

You multiply the effectiveness of the two methods together.


For instance:


Perfect use of spermicides (15% failure) and withdrawal method (4% failure):


0.15 x 0.04 = 0.006


which equates to 0.6% risk of failure.


Then with TYPICAL use of spermicides (29% failure) and withdrawal method (27% failure):


0.29 x 0.27 = 0.0783


which equates to just under 8% risk of failure.


For perfect use of the withdrawal method, your partner would have to be very good at controlling his orgasms, and pulling out early enough that no ejaculate ends up inside of you, or on the outside.

 


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2005
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 9:39pm
good advice--charting would help chart fertile times and help even more....I used spermicides for a short time in combination with the pill....
Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Tue, 10-03-2006 - 9:58pm
Thanks ladies, I appreciate the input! I have been charting and using FAM for almost a year now, and really love it. I just would like something other than condoms to use during my fertile window, because they have been unsatisfactory, and there's no way we're going to abstain! ;-) That's what made me think of the spermicide/withdrawal combo.



Lilypie Pregnancy tickers



iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 10-04-2006 - 12:05am

Hi singer74, welcome!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Thu, 10-05-2006 - 6:27pm

I hadn't really considered the diaphragm until just now, even though I do know about it. The idea of a cervical cap bugs me because I'd be worried about it getting bumped out of place.

As for the diaphragm, this may be a silly question, but -- how much do they cost and what if I hate it? I don't want to waste a lot of money. Once we get married (which will hopefully be within a year), I'm sure we'll just "risk" w/d anyway, because we'll be wanting to conceive relatively soon (I'm 31, he's 34 and we're childless).

Another question -- if we decide to go the spermicide + withdrawal route, would adding a diaphragm to the mix afford that much more protection? Just a thought. Finally, I should also mention that I seem to be prone to yeast infections. Maybe having to leave the diaphragm in for a while after intercourse could cause an issue?

Thanks for the advice!!




Edited 10/5/2006 6:32 pm ET by singer74



Lilypie Pregnancy tickers



iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 10-05-2006 - 8:48pm

Hi again singer74,


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Fri, 10-06-2006 - 12:28pm
Thanks for the guidance Jill. I am taking everything under careful consideration. AF is coming on, so in a few weeks I'll let you know what we're up to. :-)



Lilypie Pregnancy tickers