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Birth Control Pill Question...
Hey, there. I am new to the nest. I have kind of an embarrassing question.
I have been on birth control pills for about five years (and I love them). My FI and I have always used a second form of birth control (either condoms or withdrawal) just in case. I am starting to wonder if the second form of birth control is silly (it kind of interferes with our sex life). I really do not want to get pregnant right now, but I am kind of sick of worrying about the "backup" birth control. I always take my pill regularly, and I am not on any supplements or antibiotics that could screw with the pill. Should I just stop worrying and rely on the pill only? Are there any other things I can do to make the pill more effective (or rather, avoid making it less effective)? My mom and FMIL have me all worried. According to them, me and my FSIL were conceived when our mothers were on the pill! I am pretty sure my mother skipped a dose, but my FMIL said she didn't. The pill isn't 100% effective all of the time...so is a backup a good idea?
Re: Birth Control Pill Question...
My biology professor told the class that hormones are absorbed better if taken with food- specifically something with some fat in it.
Be generally healthy. A friend of mine got pregnant while on birth control (though I believe it was the patch) and her doctor said it was probably because she was overweight.
Have you talked to a doctor about your concerns??
Have you explored any other birth control options (or backup options) besides what you're currently using?
I am pretty healthy for the most part. We haven't really explored any other backup options. My FI is worried I will be allergic to spermicide and I really don't think I would feel comfortable with things like female condoms, diaphragms, ect.
Honestly, I just want to skip using a backup every now and then. For example, sometimes we don't have a condom, and we don't feel like worrying about withdrawal. Is pregnancy a huge risk if we occasionally skip the backup?
Do speak with your Doctor to put you more at ease.
I was on the pill 10 years with no pregnancy scares. I was generally very good about taking my pill on time, (bedtime was best for me to remember) but if I was off by an hour here or there, it didn't affect me. Not to say that is the case with everyone, but I believe there is a small 'window'. Now if you miss one altogether, a back up is a good idea.
We're on our 7th year with no backup. I am very very careful about never missing it and taking it at the same time each day (before bed). If there's ever any worries about things (like if I have to take antibiotics) then we do use a back-up method.
Check with your doctor and make sure you are careful. Hopefuly it works for you.
Married Bio
We never used a backup until I went off BCP, paid no attention to timing or anything, and had no scares. According to my sister (a women's health nurse), if you ACTUALLY take the pill around the same time every single day as opposed to just saying you do like a lot of people who mysteriously wind up PG on the pill, there is virtually no risk of getting PG. The makers-of put the 'not 100% effective' warning on there to save themselves from lawsuits and expensive medical trials (says my sis).
If you are really, really against getting PG right now, though, and really want to ditch the second method, you could always just be extra careful during those few days of ovulation, rather than every single time. That would at least be a semi-backup without worrying about withdrawal or barriers.
I wouldn't be too worried, though. Stay on track with taking your pill, and don't worry much about it. Stressing kills the mood!
If the pill is working, you should not be ovulating at all.
http://www.pfli.org/faq_oc.html
You can ovulate on the pill and it still work. I ovulated on the pill and never got pregnant.
My wife and I decided on a different form of BC. She had the injection. I am not sure of all the details but it was a low dose, slow release, implant of a similar drug as the pill that is in the upper arm and it is effective for a minimum of 3 years. If we decide to have children before that it can be removed. Anyway, my Wife decided on this as she can be somewhat forgetful and didn't want to rely on the pill. The doctor said the implant is 99.9% effective and I can attest is has been effective for almost two years. It cost about the same as 1 year supply of pills. Something to talk with your FI and your doc about.
Ender...I don't want the shot. Period. I have no problem with my current BCPs, just my back ups.
Natsnow, withdrawal is technically a form of birth control (people use it to try to prevent pregnancy, right?). The packet that comes with my BCPs lists it as a form of birth control. However, its effectiveness is up for debate. Again, I am only using it as a backup (to make myself less paranoid about becoming pregnant). I would never just use withdrawal.
Everyone who mentioned talking to my doc...My doctor kind of sucks when it comes to talking about these things. I already asked her about it and she gave me a very generic answer ("if it worries you, use a backup. The Pill isn't 100% effective"). She's just the family doc. I know, I need to find an actual gyno.
Thanks everyone for your help! I have another quick question. I am going to try to take my pill at the exact same time every day (by setting a clock). I always take it before bed, but I have about a three hour window when I go to bed. How long should I take my BCPs at the same time before trusting it as my sole form of bc?
This website is from "Pharmacists for Life International". There is definitely some bias there.
The main mechanism of action of the birth control pill is suppression of ovulation. It is also thought to work by thinning the lining of the uterus and changing the cervical mucus.
My point is, even if you did ovulate on the pill, it is not something that you could predict by charting, so it would be pointless to try to use extra protection during that time.
You're absolutely right. I was just pointing out that people can and do ovulate on the pill when others said you do not if the pill is working correctly.
the "withdrawal" method does not work...trust me lol. We got twins this way... so go for the condom over that method!!!
My sister told me after the fact that her fertility doctor informed her "pre-***" can actually have more sperm than a full ejaculation.....scary thought.