BCP question

[big916]

correct me if im wrong the bc pill chemically makes a woman's body think it is pregnant. therefore no egg going down the fallopian tube. so why is there still a chance that the pill doesn't work?

and to brandye or anyone that can answer; the stats brandye gave on contraception failure rates are a little confusing on how they calculated them. "out of 100 women that have sex for a year this _____ many pregnancies can occur." how do they figure how many times a woman is having sex?

[EvilEvilKitten]

Various reasons why not:

1. Nature doesn't always work as planned
2. 'pilot error' - missed a pill or some other screw-up
3. the chemicals aren't exactly the mix that's effective for her

But BCPs are extremely effective when all is said and done.

[RedRoses]

Next to preventing ovulation, BCP also makes the cervical mucus thicker, making it hard for spermcells to enter the womb. And if there does occur an ovulation and a spermcell does make it all the way, BCP makes the inner lining of the womb less comfortable for any fertilized egg to implant itself in. So that's why pregnancy hardly stands a chance!

However: even when perfectly used, there's a very small chance it doesn't work. Or; it doesn't work well enough. I'm one of those women as mentioned in 3) in which the own cycle is constantly trying to break through. Also: I am here on this planet, so I am proof conception is possible, even though the BCP my mom took was of higher doses than nowadays prescribed. Don't ask me whether there's a connection between the two My mom has always told me I'm part of a very fertile bloodline, so that could be it. I'm also much interested in research on the effects on children conceived while mom was on BCP. So far there is no evidence it will harm the baby. But what does it do in the long run? I'm guessing this is tough research to perform, since there are so many other variables during pregnancy and a lifetime.

[Ducy]

One thing that caused so many people to have kids while on BCP was certain drug interactions. If I'm not mistaken certain anitbiotics as well as the herbal supplement St. Johns Wart counteract the effects of bcp.

I know one woman who assumed birth control worked only first less fertile and that her natural fertility plus the powerful sperm her husband had just was too much. She then also proceeded to tell me how she had been feeling a little depressed at the time she concieved and how she had taken a herbal tea containing St. Johns Wart and how it helped her get through the depression (since the excitmenet of a child helped snap her out of it)

The look on her face when I told her that actually counteracts the pill was priceless...apparantely she was on bcp again and was taking the supplement, so she was terrified she was pregnant.

Nowadays its common knowledge but back in the 80's and 90's it wasn't so highly known.

I personally hope that the male contraceptive comes out soon. Because as much as I trust bcp, somethimes I worry that my partner forgets to take it on time. And from what I understand, its pain free and can last several months for the male versions. (Just a burst of waves from an ultrasound machine...perhaps this is why I never had a kid after having a testicular ultrasound and several unprotected forays with my ex.)

[RedRoses]

That's very true, Ducy. St. Johns Wart and antibiotics come with a warning. And if a woman on BCP gets them at the pharmacist that keeps all your prescribed and non-prescribed medication on record, they will tell you as an extra warning for this interaction.

You're right those were different days; they even told my mom that BCP was 100% effective, any failure would be due to misuse. My mom can't recall being on any other medication. Interesting would be she had switched brands shortly before and was told she could experience some adjusting side-effects to it for 3-6 months, but it would be perfectly effective. As far as I know, they still consider switching brands safe today, but I'm not sure. She had no side-effects. She had suddenly felt a bit sick and indisposed for a day after a few weeks. Counting backwards that's around the time I was conceived. There's actually a chance she felt this way because she was ovulating. While I was a little girl my dad once told me (admittedly in a rather melancholic mood late at night) that I was a fighter from the day I was conceived and that's why he was sure I would make it through anything in life.

[big916]

looking at the numbers it seems that a condom along with spermicide is the most fair contraception plan and just as effective as the pill. this way no one has to be on hormones(if they do ever come out with a male bcp) and you protected from disease as well.

[EvilEvilKitten]

hormones - eh - they're very similar to the ones that would be there were she pregnant so if you want to know how she'd handle pregnancy being on BCPs would give you a clue. And there's the benefit of decreased menstruation and it's attendant issues to be considered.

[Ducy]

I would rather risk the hormones. Especially with the horror stories I have heard with spermicide.

[big916]

Those would be ducy?

[Ducy]

Itching and burning assosciated with the nonoxyl 9 (a detergent) used in some spermicides. Also my ex developed a severe rash, and discharge (yellowish brown) and was stuck with special creams and pads for 2 weeks. Tje worst I heard was the combination of rough sex and the spermicide led to incredible pain, and tissued damage...picture scraping your elbow then pouring detergent and rubbing it in. Now transfer that feeling to the interior of your eurethra.

Most girls I've been with hasn't been able to use spermicides without some sort of burning sensations.

And besides most women want condoms for bc and go with the pill to regulate and help their cycles.