Pill Question - how it works?

[Bammer]

Now I'm a guy, and I don't really understand how exactly the pill works. I've tried to read up on it and it doesn't make much sense to me, mainly because it's not answering my question directly.

My Question:
If one is having sex with a girl on the pill, I understand that it makes it harder for her to become pregnant. I also know it is not able to prevent pregnancy.

So is birth control supposed to be used to prevent pregnancy? If a guy were to climax inside her, are the chances of her getting pregnant the same, or less likely?

I'd assume less likely and that of course, use a condom w/ spermicide to be extra safe.

However, what if a condom/spermicide was not involved?
I know the pill is not 100%, but can one be trusted on it?

I hope this doesn't seem too redundant.

[Brandye]

You did not look around much, did you?

If 100 women use the pill properly for one year, while sexually active, three will become pregnant. If 100 women are sexually active and unprotected for a year, 85 will become pregnant. The hormonal approaches are about as sure as we get on preventing pregnancy.

Look at the sticky on birth control failure rates. That has all the answers you want.

[demonbuttercup]

Try here
This explains how it actually works.
The pills does several different things to prevent pregnancy but the main is to stop ovulation.

[Gauri Khan]

so, jus like my case, Bammer and his gal can go w/o any protection while on regular followers of pills?

[browneyedgirl]

Well, no. The pill does nothing to prevent STDs, so unless you have been tested together, you should be using condoms. If you want to be extra safe, you should also use condoms as a back up method.

[Gauri Khan]

so 'only' pills(with one partner and NO cases of STDs) wont do the job(preventing pregnancy)? is that what you mean browneyedgirl?

[eminatic]

Brandye already stated the odds of pregnancy if you use the pill and no condom. the pill will not protect against STD's so it is up to the two of you to decide whether you want extra protection for that.

[Gauri Khan]

read it eminatic.. its 3 outa 100 chance.. so we can jus sail it across with the 97 others with ONLY pills I guess.. because I hate condoms and I dont derive the fun I need with condoms..

[browneyedgirl]

What I meant was just that if you're not in a long term relationship where both people have been tested for STDs, you should still use condoms. In your case, the pill should be enough. I am on the ring and don't usually use backup birth control with my boyfriend. I was just pointing out that if you aren't totally sure about the other person's history, you should be careful to protect against STDs, too, not just pregnancy. Also, no one form of birth control is ever 100% guaranteed, so if you really can't afford a pregnancy it is a good idea to use a backup form. But hormonal birth control is as close as you'll come, excluding sterilization.

[Gauri Khan]

thanks browneyedgirl!!.. and one question about STDs.. wats their cause and how are they generated to begin with..??