Birth control

[shinji]

I saw the birth control pill thread on the main site, and it says the percentage is almost 100% effective. I was wondering if that needed to be changed cause I could have sworn Brandye or EvilEvilKitten said its not that high. I just thought it would be good to keep it updated.

[dancingdoc2]

What is "almost"? 99.x%? 98, 95, 90%? Other?

Here is the report that Brandye gave. (The article is listed in the Index.)

Birth Control Failure Rates

The number she listed seems like "almost" 100% to me; others may not agree.

[RedRoses]

The Pearl Index is great for this (I think Brandy used this too?) I believe it is used over the world to rate the effectiveness of birth control

It says how many of 100 women did get pregnant after using a certain method for over a year (more precise: 1200 cycles). It distinguishes the 'theoretical number' from the 'practical number'. I think that's a big plus! You should consider that the effectiveness of using birth control depends upon both the method and the user. So there is a difference between 'method-effectiveness' (perfect use) and 'usage-effectiveness' (actual use).

Thing that does tend to bother me is that different websites do show slightly different 'versions' of this table... Especially when it comes down to the lesser conventional natural methods... Hormonal birth control is a rather steady 'top-of-the-line', however

[Brandye]

Well said, Roses. The Perl Index and a similar one that i referred use "real life experience." Mine is UK specific and the Perl is more international but, women are women and these things work the same everywhere. When any new form of birth control is being tested the controls by the manufacturer are significant. A phone call each day when to take the pill; a food diary showing everything consumed and all medications or supplements; regular checking on proper use. In the real world, women make mistakes - ignore the condom once in a while, take antibiotics, forget a pill, add a supplement that may interact.

As Redroses is bothered by different websites showing different numbers, I am bothered by textbooks that accept the results of manufacturers controlled studies. The "real life" are more meaningful and get people's attention better. We are less likely to be careless when we know there is always a risk.

In defense of some differences being reflected, data are difficult to gather from women not in a controlled study and such techniques as withdrawal are often not admitted to. Same for anal sex which does carry a pregnancy risk that is almost never shown.Similarly, we do not always know how condoms, for instance, are stored and cared for. Out of date condoms or those left in a hot glove box for months do deteriorate and manufacturers cannot be responsible for inexperienced teens using the products.

[halfBreed]

hay i need some birth control but dont hav insurance is there any good ones over the counter ty.

[nuttychick]

Originally Posted by halfBreed

hay i need some birth control but dont hav insurance is there any good ones over the counter ty

Dare I ask what you are using now???
Try family planning.. Think it has another name there..
I will leave the lecture for someone else

[shychick07]

Originally Posted by halfBreed

hay i need some birth control but dont hav insurance is there any good ones over the counter ty.

Search for health units in your area. I believe health units provide these services for free. Also, contact the Medicaid department in your state about the Take Charge program, a family planning program for women 19-44 that need birth control. Hope this helps.

[halfBreed]

thanks guys

[VanessaSky]

Originally Posted by halfBreed

hay i need some birth control but dont hav insurance is there any good ones over the counter ty.

if you look up the arch foundation mirena can be sent to you according to your income go to there website print out the foerm have a nurse or a dr fill out the rx part of the form it usually takes about 10 business days for them to get back to you