[Brad90]

Hi,

My girlfriend and I are thinking about having sex with just the pill. She's ok with it, but I'm torn about using condoms. She takes the pill very carefully. Given that, would using condoms increase the safety to any real degree? (FYI, we're both clean.)

[Little]

You should look at the wikipedia article that compares effectiveness of different types of birth control. I'm not sure the exact article name, but if you search for those terms, you should find it.
There, you'll find cited sources for percentage effectiveness of various kinds of birth control. The Pill is somewhere around 98% effective. Condoms are less so. The Pill also has much higher "normal use" (versus perfect use) than condoms do. So realistically, no, the condom is not going to significantly increase your protection against pregnancy. There are only 2 more percents it could possibly increase.

Your girlfriend needs to keep very close tabs on her Pill taking, follow the instructions, and avoid any listed foods or drinks that might lower the effectiveness of the Pill. Some citrus juices can do this. The Pill is also ineffective when used with antibiotics. Keep the condoms around, as it won't hurt you to use them if ever you're in doubt.

[Harmony]

the problem with the pill is that it places all of the responsibility on the woman. Some of this is within her control (taking it, and regularly), and some of it is beyond (whether it is effective and the consequences on her body).

As a man, if you're happy to use condoms (some men are not, and women seem to notice and complain about the difference less than men) I'd say you'll be making life much easier for her. If you thoroughly lubricate (ideally with her saliva) your penis before putting the condom on and can put it on without getting any air trapped in it you wont even notice it is on.

To be double safe you can withdraw when you cum and for extra fun can just pull the condom off and cum over her (as long as she doesn't mind of course).

My experience of women on the pill is that some find one that suits them early on while others have problems like bloating and weight gain (with no increase in boob size which annoys them) and others have no problems for years until they come off of it. I know a girl with acne all over her back and shoulders from coming off of the pill. My first GF went on the pill and increased 2 cup sizes over-night with no other physical side effect (YAY!) but went absolutely crazy (or crazier than normal and had to come straight off of it.

My ex GF's mum was a sexual health nurse and didn't like the pill.

I'd say if you can settle on condoms you'll have more peace of mind and wont cause any upset to your GF's hormones.

And, trust me, there's a word for men who let their GF's take 100% control of the birth control in a relationship: fathers.