[Amorphose]

This afternoon I used a VCF film with my boyfriend. We've been having a lot of birth-control related complications--I can't take hormonal birth control because of depression/lack of libido, and he can't keep an erection with a condom. So, after about 2 months of no sex, I saw these at the drugstore. I read the pamphlet THOROUGHLY, and nowhere in it did it say that you needed a backup method to achieve the supposed 94% efficiency rate. We had sex, and he climaxed inside me.

However...

After reading through about 3 hours of websites, I'm discovering that almost no one uses these as the only method, and that they're supposed to be as a backup to diaphrams and condoms and whatnot. And that the realistic rate of pregnancy prevention is closer to 80% than 94%. I'm terrified.

It was just the one time, and I used it correctly as far as I know. I got my period on the 8th this month, which unfortunately puts me right in the middle of my cycle. Do I need to go get a Plan B method? Is it likely from just one time? If anyone can reply quickly, I'd be so grateful for some advice.

I'd really prefer not to take it because I was going to get an IUD at the end of the month, and switching up my period schedule might ruin that. However, an abortion doesn't sound like a much better option either.

[LanaBear]

Due to where you are at in your cycle... I would take Plan B, better safe than sorry unless you are open to the possibility of a pregnancy.

[Mes T]

I'd take plan B, and it might not mess with your cycles at all. I've only taken it once before but it didn't affect me one bit.

[ItsASecret]

I doubt the effectiveness is even 80%, plan B would be your best bet in this situation.

[Amorphose]

Thank you all for the advice. I do believe that the film on its own is too risky for me to rely on. It should be illegal for the packaging to be that misleading.

What I didn't realize before is that copper IUDs can be used as emergency contraception all on their own. I'm giving my doctor a call this afternoon to see how quickly I can make an appointment--that way I can get some permanent birth control and avoid shooting my body full of hormones, hopefully.

These forums are so great--getting advice from other people who have been through it is so much more comforting than reading dry advice and statistics from medical websites.

[lizzardb63]

I think Plan B is only 84-87% itself. My friend's sister took plan B and still got pregnant. The Copper IUD is probably your best bet because it is effective as soon as its in place. Lasts up to 10-12 yrs too.

[ItsASecret]

I think Plan B is only 84-87% itself. My friend's sister took plan B and still got pregnant.

Plan B is actually going to be higher than that because it contains several times the dose of progesterone compared to regular birth control rendering pregnancy nearly impossible. That is why it is considered 'emergency birth control'. However it is not recommended as the only form of birth control, and it will not at all work if a woman is already pregnant (at any stage).