Am I overly cautious?

music83lover2001 · December 2009

I have been on BC (Ortho Trycyclen Lo) for about 5 years now. I originally started taking them to regulate my period. When I got married this year I was a virgin, so I never had to worry about pregnancy. Now that I am married, DH and I have been using condoms too. I have done research so I know what the pill does and how it works, but I have heard horror stories of people who took the pill religiously, same time every day, never missed one and still got pregnant (weather they are really telling the truth is hard to say, but I am giving the benefit of the doubt). Plus, I know some foods and things can interfere with the pill's effectiveness. We really don't want kids right now, so I feel better using both methods, but I know DH would like to not use condoms and I would like to stop using them also. The one time we didn't I was really nervous. I know it sounds crazy, but getting pregnant is a big deal and life changing and I would like it to be something that we plan and are ready for not something that we have be surprised with (don't get me wrong, children are a blessing, but we don't want to have kids right now). I am very careful to take my pill on time everyday. I don't think I take anything, food, medicine or herbs that would interfere with the pill. Am I alone with this feeling? I know I am probably over reacting, but what can I do to not be so worried?

realisticdreams · December 2009

I was on the pill from 15-22 years of age. I never took it at the same time...I did take it everyday though. Rarely missing, I always forgot to use a backup method when on BC too. I never got pregnant while on it.

You could chart, and only use the condoms when you are super fertile?

littlebee · December 2009

Why don't you try a different form of bc, such as an IUD? You don't have to worry about taking a pill or eating foods that would interfere with it's reliability. Plus it's effective immediatly after it's inserted.

music83lover2001 · December 2009

As stupid as this sounds, I don't know how to chart (I know the basic idea, but don't how to do it). I have never done it. I wouldn't mind implementing this. I think it would make me feel a bit better. Can you please explain it to me?

I really prefer not to use an IUD.

Difficult aren't I? Wink Smile

realisticdreams · December 2009

music83lover2001:

As stupid as this sounds, I don't know how to chart (I know the basic idea, but don't how to do it). I have never done it. I wouldn't mind implementing this. I think it would make me feel a bit better. Can you please explain it to me?

I really prefer not to use an IUD.

Difficult aren't I?

I've never done it either. Maybe you should post on a TTC board they are probably experts. I know it consists of getting your vaginal (basal?) temperature in the morning and before you ovulate your temp spikes I believe. Their are online charts where you enter the numbers and it graphs for you

pastrypuff9000 · December 2009

Charting won't work when taking the pill. The purpose of charting is to determine your fertile window, and when on BCPs there is no fertile window (no ovulation).

ETA Yes, you are being overly cautious.

realisticdreams · December 2009

pastrypuff9000:
Charting won't work when taking the pill. The purpose of charting is to determine your fertile window, and when on BCPs there is no fertile window (no ovulation).

haha..I feel stupid now.

nannewmur · December 2009

I am not aware of food causing a problem with the pill being ineffective. Maybe this is something new. Taking antibiotics while on the pill will cause the pill not to be as effective. Wasn't for sure if you meant antibiotics when you said "things" and I have known many females who were not aware of the antibiotic link.

laddiebug · December 2009

Vaginal temps aren't the only temps you can take to chart. You can just do normal oral temps and chart.

SoSayWeAll · December 2009

I used to use the pill and condoms before I got married because I was paranoid and then just the pill afterwards. I wasn't that great about taking it, and I felt like I was constantly driving myself crazy thinking I was pregnant. I got the Mirena IUD almost two years ago and I absolutely love it. Definitely look into it if you haven't.

BTW....what foods interfere with BCP? The only thing I've ever heard of is grapefruit.

jonesdouglas · December 2009

I did this before my H and I were married...Got over it real quick though (hate condoms). Maybe you can try another method??

annabelle.27 · December 2009

If you need a back-up, try a diaphragm, or spermicide.

I do feel that you're being overly cautious, but at the same time, people do get pregnant on the pill, so I can't in good conscience tell you to not worry. It's rare but it can happen. There's nothing wrong with having a back-up.

Maybride2 · December 2009

music83lover2001:
but I have heard horror stories of people who took the pill religiously, same time every day, never missed one and still got pregnant (weather they are really telling the truth is hard to say, but I am giving the benefit of the doubt).

Know that this is very, very, VERY rare. The success rate of the pill, when taken exactly as directed, is quite high.

Those horror stories that you hear about - I can guarantee you that they weren't taking their pills correctly. They probably weren't taking them at the same time every single day, or they didn't use a back-up while taking antibiotics or certain herbs (St. John's Wort decreases effectiveness of BC). Maybe they were overweight and needed a stronger pill, or maybe they just have strong hormones (like me) and needed a stronger pill (if you pay attention to your body, you can tell that you need something stronger).

If you take your pill correctly, it will do it's job and you will be fine.

CactusGirl · December 2009

I take BC pills every morning (time varies) and sometimes I will accidentally miss a pill and just take it the next day. We do not use condoms ever, we just trust the birth control. We have been having sex for 3 years and never once got knocked up.

jpeazybreezy · December 2009

Yeah, I chart and it only makes sense if you're NOT on HBC. Most women don't ovulate on HBC. I agree that back up methods are VERY important, but I also feel like so much anxiety, especially about such a beautiful thing as sex between husband and wife, is not a good thing.

fizzybauberswed · December 2009

Just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone. I'm on BC & I take it regularly but we use condoms also because we really DON'T want children right now. I know it's a bit paranoid to do both but it gives us both peace of mind & that's the most important thing.

DaringMiss · December 2009

Here is the Planned Parenthood site for all birth control methods:

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control-4211.htm

Here is the effectiveness chart of all forms of birth control:

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/birth-control-effectiveness-chart-22710.htm

If you are truly consistent with your pill taking and don't reduce the effectiveness of the pills by doing something like taking anti-biotics (like every single woman on those "I didn't know I was pregnant" shows) you will be fine.

sydlc88 · December 2009

I was on the pill for 10 years, 7 of which I was with DH and we had sex without condoms the whole time. We never got pregnant or even had a scare until I went off the pill and started TTC. I think using condoms is overly cautious to prevent pregnancy if you're already on the pill, however, if it makes you more comfortable with the idea of having sex, then keep doing what works best for you. If you do decide to use the pill exclusively, a word of warning that any antibiotics and some other medications will decrease the pill's effectiveness and lots of times that's when ladies get pregnant while on the pill even though they take it religiously. Any time you will be taking a medication I would double check with your doctor to make sure it won't affect the BCP effectiveness.

sarahlynn1304 · December 2009

I also just wanted to let you know that my husband and I (who also waited to have sex until we were married) use both bs and condoms. While I am on the pill, sometimes I skip months too (I think that the pill may be quite strong for my body) and then we both freak out that I may be pregnant and then sex for us is ruined for a couple weeks until we figure out I am for sure not pregnant. Now that we are used to this happening, and the fact that we are so careful as to always put a condom on before foreplay and i take the pill at the same time (an alarm is set on my phone), it has become better. But my advice is that you are NOT overly paranoid if it sets your minds at ease so that you are able to enjoy sex with your husband. I infact have a hard time enjoying sex without a condom because i worry (i also do not enjoy the mess that seems to come without a condom either) Anyways, do not feel that you are alone, there are others of us out there just like you!

seneedha · December 2009

Even though I don't think it necessary, we use both condoms and BCP, too. Once I get out of school, we'll rely solely on BCP. I just think it gives me a better piece of mind so I'm not worrying about failure of BCP, though I know it's EXTREMELY rare. You're def not alone!

lifeguard · December 2009

You are being smart instead of saying. "Duh......I though I was being careful, how did I get pregnant???"

MrsI · December 2009

CactusGirl:

I take BC pills every morning (time varies) and sometimes I will accidentally miss a pill and just take it the next day. We do not use condoms ever, we just trust the birth control. We have been having sex for 3 years and never once got knocked up.

ditto this! but a little longer than 3 years closer to 4

DreamgazersEyes · December 2009

I know that high fiber foods can prevent medications from being absorbed properly, making them less effective. I found this out when I started adding flax seed to my breakfasts and smoothies. The warning was for a four hour window, two hours before and after eating the seeds. I was never able to find anything saying whether or not BCPs were one of those medications so I just switched to taking my pills at night as far away as possible from breakfast, rather than taking the chance. I haven't heard of any other foods doing that though.

DreamgazersEyes · December 2009

I also have an android phone and I downloaded an app called MyDays. It lets you set an alarm as a reminder to take your pill, tracks when you take them, when your period starts, when you have sex and when your most fertile days are (which won't apply to you since you won't be ovulating while on the pill). It has been really helpful in keeping me on track and is customizable if you have other info you want to store. There's a free version and a full version for either $2.99 or $3.99.

bnmehl · January 2010

I don't think you are being overly cautious AT ALL!!!! My husband and I are both in school and am NOT ready for a child. We've been married over 2 years and our sex life is great because we don't have the worry of getting pregnant. Lots of factors go into birth control working or not working. Kudos for being cautious especially when you know that you are not ready and just want to enjoy being married! I've used BCP only as a method and never got pregnant, but at this point in our lives, we are not ready and so we take the appropriate precautions. If it really becomes an issue of wanting to stop using condoms, then start with not using them the few days before you are going to start your cycle. That way you don't have to wait an entire month to see if you are going to get a period. That might be a way to ease into not using them as often

Am I overly cautious?

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