Birth Control Failure Rates

[-wittyphrasehere-]

My friend was concieved with both condom and pill.
You know when you're not wanted when...

[Mr. Hide]

Originally Posted by sera300

Let me be the first to congratulate you and your g/f on your upcoming pregnancy is you decide to use withdrawal alone!!!! Apparently YOU have not read the studies NOR done the empirical research on sperm presence. Take a microscope and look in your urine post ejaculation about 4 hours later--post void. Have you ever thought either you or your g/f are infertile? Or just damned lucky? Go tell Brandye, she is full of **** with what she is saying; seen with her own eyes, as well as the same for me with what I see. Both in patients and medical research. Don't interpret research you are not familiar with, you are doing yourselves a great disservice.

Source: Zuckerman Z, Weiss DB, Orvieto R, Does preejaculatory penile secretion originating from Cowper's gland contain sperm? Journal of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics 2003; 20 (40): 157-159.
The conclusion was YES in fact preejaculatory fluid contains spermazoa and advocates against the use coitus interruptius as a method of birth control.

Please read my post in it's entirety before you decide to obnoxiously criticize me. I state in my post that we are using both birth control and withdrawal. All that I was saying is that the 40% pregnancy rate for those who use withdrawal alone almost certainly factors in those who do not pull out in time. Obviously, this is not "correct/perfect use." No I have not done the empirical research as I'm 17. I apologize. However , I did not "interpret" any studies or research but simply restated their findings. Forgive me for not posting all of my sources - at one point, I looked into the issue rather extensively, read a number of studies, and concluded that at the very least there is very little consensus within the medical community on the presence of sperm in "pre cum." Perhaps I am wrong. I am not saying that anyone is full of anything and it would be irresponsible to rely on any findings but those that claim the greatest risk for using withdrawal alone.

Mr Hide,

Sperm is always present in the male genito-urinary tract. Whether it is generated with the "pre-cum" or is just lingering is immaterial. Most urine samples of men show the presence of sperm. During sexual arousal, the number of sperm present increases dramatically. They aare even swimming out on their own not awaiting the big event.

Sperm is generated in the testes and supplied to the prostate on demand - or when storage space is used up - where it mixes with the semen awaiting ejaculation. When you wait too long, it simply discharges itself as in nocturnal emission.

You are correct that the male often does not withdraw in time. That is reality. You also point out that you and your g/f use of contraceptives. Nothing wrong with that but advocating withdrawal as a sole means of contraception is doing a disservice to all those young men who are too anxious to get in there bare.

I thought that the acidic qualities of urine kill sperm and one of the uses of "pre cum" is to neutralize that acid in the urethra (sorry, I don't know if thats the correct body part). If so, how can sperm be found in urine? Are they dead? In any case, I don't believe I ever advocated the use of withdrawal alone - I only mentioned that the 40% failure rate for the use of withdrawal seemed quite low if it was "used correctly." Thanks for the replies.

[HardNgood]

Originally Posted by Mr. Hide

I have a comment regarding withdrawal as well. There is no way in hell that IF DONE PROPERLY 40% of women become pregnant when that is the only form of contraception used..

N'uff said

[michelle2004]

I read that a large number of women can be allergic to spermicide, is this true? I have very sensitive skin so I never have my guy use condoms with spermicide on them. However one of my close friends in a nurse practioniar and she is always on my case about using two methods of birth control. I can't take the pill because it interfers with some other medication that i am using. I am scared of IUDs.

I had a pregnancy scare in Jan., because I thought the condom leaked, because there was WAY more fluid after sex than normal, but I took a preg. test and everything was fine.

Any suggestions?

[pozzolane]

Well if we're just going by statistical birth rates given X contraceptive, then any combo of the list Brandye gave would just be multiplied together right? Should be just statistical math. So for pill and condom.

should be 10/100 * 3/100 = .3% or 3 for every 1000... Using both.

ps. I have a cousin who became pregnent while using both the pill and a condom. So I now its at least possible.

[sera300]

Originally Posted by michelle2004

I read that a large number of women can be allergic to spermicide, is this true? I have very sensitive skin so I never have my guy use condoms with spermicide on them. However one of my close friends in a nurse practioniar and she is always on my case about using two methods of birth control. I can't take the pill because it interfers with some other medication that i am using. I am scared of IUDs.

I had a pregnancy scare in Jan., because I thought the condom leaked, because there was WAY more fluid after sex than normal, but I took a preg. test and everything was fine.

Any suggestions?

Have you looked at progesterone only BCP's? Depo shots? Since you are single, you still need the condoms, so if the other two does not work for you, perhaps a barrier method such as a Cervical cap or Diaphragm with condoms?

Some women are irritated by spermicides. But you have to try it for yourself to see if you have a problem with it. Try the VCF...

[michelle2004]

Originally Posted by sera300

Have you looked at progesterone only BCP's? Depo shots? Since you are single, you still need the condoms, so if the other two does not work for you, perhaps a barrier method such as a Cervical cap or Diaphragm with condoms?

Some women are irritated by spermicides. But you have to try it for yourself to see if you have a problem with it. Try the VCF...

BCP conflicts with my medications I am currently on and I think Depo would do the same thing, plus I think the depo shot is kind of scary, because is disrupts your natural cycle so much. I am scared of becoming barren.

Are diaphrams hard to use? I obviously have never used one....and where do you get them?

[sera300]

I found a cervical cap easier to use then a diaphragm, plus it can stay in for a few days; therefore, it makes sex less orchestrated. It's not like, "Ok honey, have to go put the diaphragm in!" Both work well and if used w/condoms you should be fine as far as STD prevention & pregnancy prevention. Both of these you have to be fit for by your doctor. They tell you to use a spermicidal jelly with them, I did not, and if you are using condoms I BELIEVE you can skip it--Brandye can clear that one up. i believe the jelly was only a back up if you used this method alone.

[Brandye]

I have not looked at this thread for quite a while. So, some updates in response to posts.

Mr Hide, you have good book learning but some is out of date. For decades we thought that precum was there to neutralize acidity. The current theory is that it is actually a lubricant that helps the glob of semen pass easily. You could also say that if a hormonal system fails because of a dietery supplement, that was not correct use. The number I give are not theoretical or advertised success rates; they are real life experiences of thousands of women reporting what happened.

Michelle, a few women do react to spermicides - not many. Two of the three most commonly used, including Non-9, are detergents. And women who react to detergent may have problems. Read the labels and you will find the ingredients. If you react to one, try one of the others. This is a trial and error effort.

As a long ago diaphragm user, I did not find them hard to use. But there are lots of jokes around about their springing around the room after they were squeezed with the jelly on the fingers. I still have some patients using them but many have replaced them with the sponge. Another idea a few patients have come up with is to use the disposable menstrual cup as a cervical cap. Not a recommendat but for women who find they fit, you do not need to see us doctors.

If a medication interferes with one hormonal form of birth control, it will interfere with all. Talk to your doctor.

[Cloud007]

Originally Posted by Brandye

Very few condoms break outright or leak. Too often we like to tarry awhile before withdrawing. That is when most of the damage is done. They have been know to shred and it is a bit of a shock to watch your partner witdraw, from you, with shreds of condom hanging from him. That is why we recommend vaginal spermicide with condoms.

Thank you for suggesting the thread to me.

As for this, I asked what the chances were getting her pregnant when I would ejaculate in her while using a condom.

From what you are saying, leakage at the top is the only way or tear right? What if it didn't tear and I came out fast enough before I might possibly leak. Is it still safe?

Im sorry if I am confusing before hand. Im not thinking straight, sorry :S