How effective are condoms? I'm not on the pill!?

Question

I would really like to get the pill but ive heard that it can make u gain weight, mess with ur cycle, and i just would prefer to not have that. So i was wondering if condoms are enough to prevent a pregnancy? What are the best kind to get? I heard trojans are good. Last time my bf bought the non latex. Also, when is the safest time in ur cycle to have s*x? Thanks

Answer 1

Used correctly, every time, there is about a 2% risk of pregnancy.  (Meaning 2 out of every hundred women using them will be pregnant in a year's time.)  

"Used correctly" means that you put the condom on before the p***s touches the vaginal area, you leave a space at the end for the s***n, and he pulls out promptly after ejaculation. (Otherwise the condom can get baggy around his p***s and leak/come off.) Also, store the condoms in a cool place, and be sure to avoid sharp nails/teeth/rings when putting it on.

If you want to be extra careful (and increase effectiveness to 99%+) and DON'T want to use hormonal BC, consider using a vaginal spermicide at the same time. (Foam, film, gel, etc.) Or a diaphragm.

Any reliable standard brand (Trojans, Lifestyle) is good. Non-latex are more expensive, but are just as effective for birth control. (They aren't as good for HIV prevention, however.)

If you use BC reliably, you can 'safely' have s*x at any time during your cycle.  If  you don't, it's never really 'safe.'  (THough if you want to determine your more or less fertile times, google "Natural Family Planning' for more information.)

Answer 2

Latex condoms are reported to have a 3% failure rate.  That doesn't mean that 3% of condoms don't work; it means that couples who _properly_ use condoms as their sole means of birth control over an extended period of time will have a pregnancy in about 3% of cases; interestingly, whether the time period is eight months, a year, or two years the 3% figure remains the same.

The effectiveness of condoms can be improved by using a spermicide, especially in case of a break or leakage.  I don't know much about non-latex condoms, but experts agree that unless one of you is allergic to latex that latex ones are best (most name brands like Trojan, Durex, etc are interchangeable).

For other effective birth control options, there is also the IUD, which is something your gynecologist puts inside you to prevent pregnancy.  It's very effective, modern versions are very safe, and you won't notice it's in there once it's installed (your partner won't either).  Trying to predict which times in your cycle are most and least safe for s*x is rarely effective in preventing pregnancy, even if you keep close watch on your hormonal levels by testing your blood twice daily.

The pill, taken properly, is very effective, but it some cases the hormonal changes can affect mood and body composition (it causes you to gain weight, but the gain tends to be in the chest so guys don't complain).  When done properly it is almost 100% effective, and gives you a very predictable period (ever fourth Sunday, rain or shine).

There are also surgical procedures that can be done to you and/or to your partner.  The best thing to do is talk it all over with your doctor or gynecologist to decide what's best for your needs.

Answer 3

Condoms are 100% like to keep you from getting pregnant,

Pills are maybe 99%, birth control pills can also cause breast cancer and other types of health problems.

to be safe if you want to do pills you should still always use a condom

Answer 4

I heard that condoms are about 75% effective in preventing pregnancy. There is no "safe" time to have s*x, you can get pregnant at anytime. I would recommend going on the pill, I didn't gain weight and it didn't mess with my cycle. I just would avoid the depo shot.

Answer 5

Condoms are about 90% efficient but if they tear then they are about 0% efficient. They should always be used in conjunction with a spermicide jelly which will destroy any escapees on contact. They are unfortunately the closest that I can think of paddling with socks on. The feeling is there but it is subdued.

Answer 6

condoms or more effictive to stop u from getting std's but pills don't as for getting pregnant condoms can break but u still are using protection and that is good

Answer 7

Condoms are reasonably effective in preventing pregnancy, but they SHOULD NOT BE USED ALONE, because they can break, especially if your boyfriend is at all rough or strong during s*x- and a lot of men are, at least a little bit. You need to talk with your doctor, NOT your boyfriend, about contraceptive options, and get your facts straight about the pill, which DOES NOT CAUSE weight gain in most women who take it, not these days. When the pill was first invented in the 60's, the dosage of hormones it contained were MUCH HIGHER than they are now, with the result that some women did indeed put on weight when they used it. But this is no longer true- and I am speaking as a medical coder ( which is what I do professionally) who knows this stuff because I am required to. The birth control pill also does NOT mess up a woman's cycle- in fact, many women take it TO REGULATE their cycle and make their periods lighter and more regular, as well as reduce other problems, such as the cramping and bloating which can occur in some women.

The main reason for using condoms is not pregnancy prevention- it's prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, or STD'S, including AIDS, hepatitis B, C, D, E, and F, Human Pampilloma Virus ( or HPV) which causes cancer in women in later life, as well as other diseases like syphillis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and the like. Condoms DO prevent the transmission of such diseases, provided that they are used correctly and consistently every time a couple has s*x.

There IS NO SAFE TIME in ANY woman's cycle to have unprotected s*x, unless you WANT TO CONCEIVE and get pregnant- PERIOD !!! You can get pregnant even during your period- many women have. Also, for most women, all it takes is having s*x once without protection- and they wind up as mommies. THINK about that, before you jump in the sack next time. How eager are you to be a mom?? You need to ask yourself that, because that's where you are headed.

I would make an appointment with your doctor, and have a discussion about contraception options with him or her. Condoms have a roughly 50% failure rate, so they are really not the best option if want to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. The pill is a much more effective way to minimize the risk- and it also allows you a degree of freedom which is hard to get with condoms. There is also the contraceptive shot, which you may want to consider. That is given once each quarter, on day 5 or 6 of a normal menstrual period. The advantage with this is that you don't have to worry about birth control for the next 3 months after you have had the shot- and failures are rare with it. That may work better in your situation.

Good luck- I hope I helped.

Answer 8

USe a condom AND take the pill. Not all pills make you put on weight. Condoms are around 99% safe.

Answer 9

condoms are surely a good way protect yourself from std and other stuff ......but it is never claimed to give 100% results .......

Answer 10

The only way to prevent pregnancy is three simultaneous BC

pills

condoms

and spermicide

Unless you're mature enough to be a mother, you should either NOT have s*x, or should use all three BC methods at the same time.

Really?? You want to s***w around, but you don't ant to take BC.. You're a mess.. sorry.. but it's true... Grow up.. Keep your legs closed until you do..

Answer 11

Condoms are 99% effective when used properly and they "appear" to remain intact. However, if the condom breaks or gets a whole, you will be completely vulnerable to pregnancy, as though you were using nothing. I got pregnant once when my husband and I were only using condoms at the time. He always checked to make sure nothing happened to them, and nothing did, but I still wound up pregnant.

Yes, many women have problems with the pill. But, many don't. You can always try, and if you don't like it stop. Also, there are other methods that when combined with condoms work quite well. They make spermicide as a film or suppository that is 87% effective by itself, so combined with condom usage it really helps just in case something happen to the condom.

Also, yes, latex condoms are the best. It really doesn't matter what brand, they are all tested, but some people like brand names.

As for safest time on cycle... sorry, but I can't give any advice on that question exempt to say that there REALLY is no safe time. The human body is not a perfect machine. Even little things can throw off your cycle (diet, exercise, stress, illness...). And, just because you have a regular period does NOT mean you ovulate at the same time, all the time. Look at it this way, Catholics often use the "rhythm method" (trying to figure out when they ovulate and avoid having s*x at those times because they aren't allowed to use BC). Now, how many Catholics are there in the world? Exactly. Trying to guess and wonder when you are ovulating is a pain, and not very effective. You are better off ALWAYS using protection.

Good luck, and no matter what stick with condoms. They are your only defense against disease also!

Answer 12

If you're going to be having regular s*x with someone you trust and know is free from STIs (husband/long term boyfriend) then you might want to consider the pill. It can make you gain weight and mess with your hormones a bit, but you could always try it and then come off it if you don't like it.

No condom is 100% effective against pregnancy (they can break) but buy a well known brand or one that says "extra strong" on the label. I think condoms have around a 95% protection rate, whereas the pill is around 99%. A combination of the two would probably be safer.

There's no need to buy non-latex unless you or your boyfriend is allergic to latex. They can be less comfortable and more likely to break.

Also, the best time in your cycle to have s*x would probably be just after your period, but please don't rely on this without using contraception! It's extremely unreliable and can't protect you from infections like condoms can.

Answer 13

the more expensive . the better they work . condom broke 2 days ago after my boyfriends first time getting cheap condoms . 2 hours ago i had to take plan b morning after pill . so be careful and get the good condoms . make sure you love her .

hope i helped = ]

Answer 14

Condoms are not 100% safe, neither is the pill.

Answer 15

well comdoms are known to break or rip but they can prevent a pregnancy.

plus pills can mess u up.