Has Birth Control Been Effective for you?

[SirMack]

Just curious, as my girlfriend has been on Alesse, the Pill, for over a year, and the entire time she has only missed once. But the months that she took it perfectly I didn't have to use a condom, and its been working great. The month she missed I used a condom for a month after that just to be safe.

I was told by the company, and by her doctor, that it is literally 100% effective if you take it perfectly and don't drink, smoke, or take any other meds. She doesn't drink smoke, or take any other meds so he says she shouldn't even have to worry.

But lately I have been hearing friends and such talking about how they got pregnant and how they were on 'the pill' and it kind of spooks me. Now, did they *ReallY* get pregnant on the pill? or do you think there were other factors involved in them getting pregnant? Like were they taking other drugs, missing doses, etc and just don't want to admit it?

Would love to hear your opinions.

 

[SirMack]

doublepost

 

[b fold the truth]

Does drinking and smoking really affect the effectiveness of the pill?

B True

 

[Puddles]

I've never heard of any of those things interfering with the effectiveness of the pill. If you miss only one pill, chances are very slim of getting pregnant, so don't drive yourself nuts with worry, just take precautions.

 

[SirMack]

Does drinking and smoking really affect the effectiveness of the pill?

B True

I spoke with several birth control companies, as well as her doctor and mine, and they all stated that alcohol, narcotics/illicit drug use, smoking, and even antibiotics have been known to reduce the effectiveness.

Thats what I was told, who knows if its true.

 

[38DoubleDamnGood]

I spoke with several birth control companies, as well as her doctor and mine, and they all stated that alcohol, narcotics/illicit drug use, smoking, and even antibiotics have been known to reduce the effectiveness.

Thats what I was told, who knows if its true.

I am personally on the pill and have never gotten pregnant while taking them. The only true statement that you did receive is antibiotics do counteract the pill ... the pill is not working while you are taking antibiotics...it is basically a sugar pill at that point...I recommend that you do use a condom during this time...

Alcohol & narcotics, slows down the eggs from accepting the sperm...think about it, it makes sense...as for smoking, that can cause blod clots that is why it is not preferred to smoke and take the pill.

I swear by the pill and do not like using any other protection...

Let me not leave out, that I am a nympho

 

[grlpwrd]

I don't think pills are 100% effective because I have married friends who ended up with a few "surprises" ..kids!! I think if you're going to do the deed you realistically need to accept the small chance that the girl will get pregnant. You should double up protection if you really want to make sure, though, with a barrier method. I know..TMI, but I used to work in a STD Clinic in Seattle and I've seen everything!! lol

Personally, I don't use BC b'cuz I'm happily married and use the natural rhythm method.

 

[Ceebs]

Effective, yes. Comfortable, no. I've yet to try a BCP that I could tolerate - although Alesse had the fewest side effects of those I've taken. How much did the people who got pregnant on the pill weigh? I read recently that having a bodyweight of over 155 pounds can reduce the effectiveness of the pill by up to 60% (!!) - maybe the more weight one carries, the higher dose of hormones one needs?

All things considered, IUD's have an even lower failure rate than that of the pill - 1 in 1000 versus 1 in 100 for the pill. There's even a non-hormonal IUD that releases copper into the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine wall. You can read about it here: http://www.paragardiud.com/. I'd love to get one of those, but my gynecologist says I'm too young (22), so diaphragm it is...

 

[Taps]

I know a lot of girls who've had a depo-prevera (sp?) shot, and they say it's waaaaaaaaaay better than the pill. No wierd side effects or anything.

 

[SirMack]

I know a lot of girls who've had a depo-prevera (sp?) shot, and they say it's waaaaaaaaaay better than the pill. No wierd side effects or anything.

All the gals I've known that have gone on Depo have gained a TON of weight, not to mention their moods change drastically and it doesn't go away the entire time their on that Depo Stuff.

Besides, that stuff is crazy strong. I'd wait a few more years until they have compiled enough data to give it a thorough analysis of the true side effects from it. All their data right now is clinical studies and such, not a whole lot of real world studies available. So far though it looks good.

THe pill really is the best though, if you can remember to take it every night, forever.