Birth Control Failure Rates

[Caitlain]

Originally Posted by sera300

In another post Brandye states it's drawn upon empirical data & the WHO reports.

Empirical data would still have a "source" though. I am curious as to what it was. The source used most (in the US, anyway) is Contraceptive Technology, which is the handbook used in the vast majority of OB-GYN courses in medical schools here.

http://www.contraceptivetechnology.com/table.html

The figures there are far lower than they are as presented by Brandye, so I am curious as to what her source(s) is/are.

If the WHO report is the one I think it is, those were global figures and include third world countries where access to contraception and instruction in its use are not exactly on the same level we have in the first world. And therefore would have little practical relevance to any discussion with people using the Net to figure out what method to use.

Anyway, I was just curious as to what the sources were for her figures.

[demonbuttercup]

FDA
I found this one on the FDA site.

Plus I think you have to differeniate between what is "perfect" use and "typical" use.???

[sera300]

Empirical data can be based on the number of observations asserted by the person performing the study. As you are aware, drug studies (the ones released by the manufactures) are performed in the perfect world where there is no error.

The WHO (World Health Organization) includes data relevant to all populations and as you can see may users log in from remote sites such as India. Therefore, the relevance of her material is what I have adapted for counseling patients since it's more realistic in my medical opinion. I'd prefer to tell some women there is a 8% failure rate v. 2% and be too conservative.

I used to follow the tables as you are reading but as you know different researchers have different numbers. Geography & education plays a large part in the outcome as does culture & Socio-economic conditions; hence, the reason my study on a subject a topic such as "child abuse" may not correlate with national standards. Looking at the client base, I prefer the margin of errors which she has stated.

Many times I end up dealing with the "errors" due to lack of Gyn availability and I did ask her at one point prior to instituting the change in info. the sources. If you read data from other fertility based scholarly articles you will see they give higher stats! If I find the thread I post it for you.

[AlwaysUnsure]

Ive got some 'Extra Safe' condoms, i saw them in the condom guide...and i guess its the best for 1st time users and that little bit more protection?!

[Newtolove]

how are they extra safe ? thicker ?

[AlwaysUnsure]

They say...

An ever so slighty thicker condomwith extra lub that gives you greater reassurance without effecting sensitivity

i mean they sound extra safe?!

[Brandye]

They are not "extra safe." The vast majority of unintended pregnancies with condom use are a result of "lingering" or very fast sperm. That is, the open end is the biggest source of sperm getting into the vagina. That is the reason all the condom manufacturers recommend immediate withdrawal.

As for the numbers games and the various sources, you will find my numbers on real life useage fall within the ranges found by FDA, WHO, NHS and other agencies. There are a few regions here in Scotland where they keep their own data and give (bad) advice based on that. The smaller the sample size, the less reliable.

Caitlain,

I am familiar with your handbook, a copy of which is right behind me. Let's just say that not all textbooks are as rigourously vetted as they need to be.

[AlwaysUnsure]

Thats all gobbly goop to me

I was just wondering if they are that little bit better to use rather than a normal one [ this is for 1st time ]

[Brandye]

No, they are no safer. The few "breakages" that occur are minor compared to the number of sperm that swim around the open end next to the man's body and get into the vagina.

Reread the first three lines of my post. If you do not understand that, I recommend you immediately cease all copulatory behaviour until you DO understand it.

Does not matter whether the first time or the 3,784th time, they protect no better against renegade sperm than any others.

[AlwaysUnsure]

I got the 1st paragrah but not the second

but that does help