[stressed]

Just how much safe is it to use condoms as sole method of protection?

[lizzardb63]

As long as the condom is the correct size and on the penis correctly, condoms are 98% effective. 1% less than the pill. I feel they are safe as long as they are used correctly. ps- my boyfriend and I use condoms as our sole protection for over a year, no problems. I trust them.

[Guest]

I agree with Lizzardb63...depending on what you read, condoms are between 97 - 99% effective in protecting against pregnancy and STDs. I think most brands of the pill claim a 99% effective rate for protection from pregnancy.

[KaytiC]

And to not forget that the pill has to be taken correctly and at the same time everyday for the full 99% effectiveness. Nothing is foolproof so there should always be a little concern, however I would not lose sleep over it.

[lizzardb63]

For whatever reason u cannot be on regular birth control there is always plan b if anything crazy should happen.(not to be taken regularily) I can't be on bc because it makes me depressed and anxious

[stressed]

Thank you all

[Ashlee T.]

After many years on BC, I'm finally getting the hang of condoms again. Long as you're using them correctly, and be SURE if you use any lube it's WATER BASED as oil based lubes, lotions, baby oil etc will all damage the condom. If I was having sex daily or something it might be a hassle, but a couple times a week is NOT worth spending the entire month on synthetic hormones IMO. If you wanna be extra safe, just have him pull out in addition to wearing the condom. The good thing about condoms is you can usually tell when one breaks and if there were to be an accident, you'd most likely know it and could get the morning after pill.

[WildChild]

As long as you aren't allergic, double up your protection by using one that comes with a spermacide.

[lizzardb63]

Yes, but never use two at once! (causes friction which can rub holes in them or make them break) less is more!

[Peace~]

actually i read that by 98% effective, they meant that it is MORE than 98%. What I mean is that the 98% represents that the chance of preventing pregnancy in your fertile period.

e.g.
suppose your period is 30 days
you can be potentially fertile for 10
using just 98% would mean that if you have sex on a random day, there are 29.4 days of prevented pregnancy (0.98 x 30)
but some sources actually mention that the 98% only applies to the 10 fertile days. Because 20 days are infertile, and 98% of the 10 days are prevented by the condom, the prevented pregnancy days are actually 29.8 ( 20 + 0.98 x 10 )

just some food for thought =P i'm a bit mathy