This is completely legitimate; how well do condoms work ?

[Magnum357]

*** Do not reply unless you have a serious answer and have used a condom before as birth control, I don't want any replies from some nerd in his parent's basement who has no knowledge of this subject***

Ok here is the deal.

I am extremely paranoid about getting my girlfriend pregnant. We have been sexually active for a few months now and so far in the clear. We've always been safe, using spermicidal condoms. I recently purchased a tube (enourmous thing) of spermicidal KY to use in addition. From your personal experience, has just a condom always proved to be safe? I know they have scientific statistics for crap like this but I wanted some first hand opinions.

She has suggested going on DEPO but I don't want her to.

So, opinions on condom safeness?

 

[txgixer]

Double wrap if you are really worried about it

Actually, when used correctly, they are pretty effective, but they are not the best protection nor the worst either

Here is a link

 

[Magnum357]

Originally posted by: txgixer
Double wrap if you are really worried about it

Actually, when used correctly, they are pretty effective

Double rapping creates more friction and increases the risk of the condom breaking.

 

[bmacd]

Originally posted by: txgixer
Double wrap if you are really worried about it

Actually, when used correctly, they are pretty effective

^^the means he's joking, i hope. Having her take birth control shouldn't be thrown out the window so soon...it's pretty effective as long as she remembers to take it. Don't double wrap!!!!

 

[txgixer]

Originally posted by: Magnum357

Originally posted by: txgixer
Double wrap if you are really worried about it

Actually, when used correctly, they are pretty effective

Double rapping creates more friction and increases the risk of the condom breaking.

Turn on your sarcasm meter

 

[Magnum357]

Originally posted by: txgixer

Originally posted by: Magnum357

Originally posted by: txgixer
Double wrap if you are really worried about it

Actually, when used correctly, they are pretty effective

Double rapping creates more friction and increases the risk of the condom breaking.

Turn on your sarcasm meter

Hah I was so serious when I made this topic, all in the mind set for a serious topic, of serious proportions. Didn't notice. MUAH!

 

[Spooner]

honestly, next to maybe the wheel, birth control pills are the best invention EVER

have her think about it more

 

[Magnum357]

Yeah we have talked about it. I am worried it would mess her up though, apparently depo can do horrible things to a woman.

 

[iamwiz82]

orthotricyclin<sp?>

 

[Spooner]

Originally posted by: Magnum357
Yeah we have talked about it. I am worried it would mess her up though, apparently depo can do horrible things to a woman.

side effects are different for every woman, but they say that if one brand effects you badly, you can switch brands and have it work wonders

pill + condom = she'll never get pregnant

been doing it for years

 

[tcsenter]

What is this "condom" you speak of? heh

They're as good as any other birth control method. Actually I've read they are slightly less effective than birth control pills, but I've read another study which showed them to be equally effective. Nothing is 100%.

I think that using a spermicidal lubricant such as KY (the liquid stuff is far better) or similar product if you can tolerate it (some people are sensitive to nonoxynol) in addition to the pill or condom is going to give you added protection but again it cannot equal 100%.

 

[Rainsford]

Nothing's 100%. But your doing a pretty good combination of things. I'd say you're pretty safe, but if you're really worried, abstain. That's the only 100% way to not get a girl pregnant. But if that's not an option for you, I'd say you have a good chance to having no issues with what you're doing.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: txgixer
Double wrap if you are really worried about it

Actually, when used correctly, they are pretty effective, but they are not the best protection nor the worst either

Here is a link

TX, I hope you were trying to be funny with that link. Obviously the American Life League is going to downplay the effectiveness of condoms since they don't want people running around fornicating and offending God.

The condom's biggest flaw

The condom's biggest flaw is that those using it to prevent the conception of another human being are offending God. God intends that sexual intercourse should take place only between a man married to a woman. If people follow God's plan for human sexuality there would be no problem with sexually transmitted diseases. Furthermore, each and every act of marital intercourse must be both unitive and open to procreation. Any action, including condom use, which has as its purpose to render procreation impossible is intrinsically evil. Those married couples who, for just reasons and not by selfish motivation, wish to space the births of their children, can avail themselves of the morally acceptable natural methods of birth regulation which are based upon selfobservation and the use of infertile periods. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2368-2370).

Condoms are effective birth control when used properly (esp in conjunction with another spermicide as you are), but there's always going to be the "oops" factor with them coming off or breaking. If you really want peace of mind, the pill is really the best solution (although nothing is 100%).

One other thing to keep in mind is to be aware of where your gf is in her monthly cycle before you have sex. Women will typically ovulate 12-14 days after the start of their last period, so you might want to avoid sex around that time in case of an "accident" since that's when she's most likely to conceive.

 

[notfred]

Condoms seemed to work well enough, as I never got anyone pregnant while using one. I did, however have them slip off once or twice, which is scary. The more legitimate concern w/ me was that we'd still have sex even if we were out of condoms (no, we don't have that much self-control). Also, I jsut don't like them very much. My girlfriend is on ortho-cyclin now, and we much prefer that. Also: My girlfriend tried Depo before the pill, it gave her a bunch of nasty side-effects. They haven't occured w/ the pill.

 

[Spooner]

Originally posted by: Rainsford
Nothing's 100%. But your doing a pretty good combination of things. I'd say you're pretty safe, but if you're really worried, abstain. That's the only 100% way to not get a girl pregnant. But if that's not an option for you, I'd say you have a good chance to having no issues with what you're doing.

dude, why'd you edit your post down that much? it was a good post

 

[amnesiac]

Have her go on some birth control like ORtho Tricyclin. I don't know of these "horrible things" that depo does either.

Going on the pill:
- Regulates cycle
- Relieves menstrual cramps and other symptoms
- Eliminates acne
- Balances mood swings
- Reduces risk of pregnancy (duh!)

Then you'll have less to worry about.

Also, it's in the opinion of many medical personnel that spermicide is largely ineffective in real world use. Not that it's a bad thing to use but you don't have to worry so much about that, just make sure the condoms are used properly and you'll be fine.

 

[Jzero]

Depo rocks. My gf has been on it for over a year w/ no side effects. It's very effective, especially if you use condoms, too.

 

[NutBucket]

I would say get the pill b4 the depo. The pill seems to be more agreeable to most bodies.

 

[xospec1alk]

anywhere i can find firsthand experience with orthotricyclen? gf doesn't really want to go on the pill....condoms have worked pretty well for us tho, although we got a few scares here and there

 

[Legendary]

If you really want to be safe, pill + condom is the way to go. You're "extremely paranoid about getting [your] girlfriend pregnant" so you should definitely talk to her and consider it thoroughly.

 

[Vette73]

Using a Lubed Condom AND the pill is about as close to not having sex. But only using one raises your chances of getting pregnat and/or a nasty itch(or worse, STD's)

Also for people that don't like regular condoms, look for one that is made from Polyurerthane. It transmits body heat better so it feals like you don't have one on. But the FDA has not tested them for protection against STD's, just birth control. So if you are worried about STDs then stick to a regular condom until both of you can be tested for STDs.

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: Spooner

Originally posted by: Rainsford
Nothing's 100%. But your doing a pretty good combination of things. I'd say you're pretty safe, but if you're really worried, abstain. That's the only 100% way to not get a girl pregnant. But if that's not an option for you, I'd say you have a good chance to having no issues with what you're doing.

dude, why'd you edit your post down that much? it was a good post

Eh, my first post seemed too argumentative, and I've been trying to avoid arguments lately on AT

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Rainsford

Originally posted by: Spooner

Originally posted by: Rainsford
Nothing's 100%. But your doing a pretty good combination of things. I'd say you're pretty safe, but if you're really worried, abstain. That's the only 100% way to not get a girl pregnant. But if that's not an option for you, I'd say you have a good chance to having no issues with what you're doing.

dude, why'd you edit your post down that much? it was a good post

Eh, my first post seemed too argumentative, and I've been trying to avoid arguments lately on AT

Yea, well I disgaree, what do you have to say to that

 

[KEV1N]

In my experience, condoms with spermicidal lubricants are effective, as I've never gotten anyone pregnant. If you're worried about it slipping off just reach down and check that it's still there once in a while. Sometimes when you use condoms with a separate spermicidal lubricant it gets really slippery and is hard to manage.

And for the polyurethane, I tried it and it feels like you're using a condom made of grocery bag.

I understand that it's easier to talk about getting BC pills than it is to actually get them, whether it be because you're a teenager or otherwise. Avoiding statistics, I've found that condoms are pretty good and allow me to sleep at night.

 

[Electric Amish]

Condoms have always worked for me and my wife.

She's been off and on BC's. Only used the condoms when she was off. Thank god she finally was able to go back on!

amish