Quote:
Originally Posted by mixedsubstance
I definately second this, because I have learned from personal experience. One of the times I used this method alone, I got pregnant. It's not worth the risk. I'd highly recommend her taking a more long-term approach, such as the Nuvaring or IUD.
See this useful thread:
http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/tilted-...h-control.html
Rahl- you'll see from this thread (and she can do research on other methods, such as the Nuvaring and IUD) that they are 99% effective. I've had the Nuvaring (change out once/month) for over 3 years with no problem, and switching to the IUD (5-7 years for me) in 2 days. Most insurance co.'s cover those also.
I just don't understand why- if she's on the pill and taking it every day like she's supposed to- you shouldn't need the withdrawal method. |
Of course there are those rare super-fertile people that get pregnant on one reliable birth control.(Though usually after great thought one realizes they were using antacids or antibiotics while on the pill, or other known causes of birth control failure) I work with a nurse who swore she was a beacon of fertility having gotten pregnant 3 times while on the pill, only to come to terms with the fact that she had been taking antacids each time. Read all of the information that comes in the little pill pamphlet and make sure that you are following the directions to the letter and you will find it is quite uncommon for failure under the proper conditions. Mistakes may happen, but it is very often due to human error. If your concern is that she does not always remember to take the pill, then you need to change to a different form or help her remember. Depo-Provera, Nuvaring, and IUDs are often a better choice to those patients.
Personally, if I am was that concerned about pregnancy I would consider not having sex or surgical sterilization. It cannot possibly be all that rewarding to use the pull-out method, and condoms are a real drag in my opinion it takes away from the experience. However, since you are inquiring on a second method the spermicides are (depending on where you look) between 19-50% effective. While that is quite sufficient for someone who is already using another method, one may also consider what the point would be in using a second method if it were so ineffective. Spermicides are far better utilized with a barrier contraceptive such as the diaphragm, cervical cap or condoms. Of course she cannot be using two hormonal methods at one time, that would be far too great a risk to her health. That pretty much leaves you with a choice of pull-and-pray, rhythm, barrier or a hormonal method if you need dual-action so to speak.
As far as risk goes, there is a risk of irritation with any cream, gel, foam, condom, cervical cap, diaphragm, or inserted IUD.. you get the idea. There are also the risks with hormonal contraceptives of stroke, increased risk of heart disease, deep vein thrombosis (blood clots), depletion of several nutrients including vitamins B2, B6, and B12, folate, vitamins C and E, magnesium, and even CoQ10. They also can contribute to depression, migraines, and anemia to cervical dysplasia (the precursor to cervical cancer) with the pill.