To think condoms are as good as the pill

[Ribrabrob]

I don't use the pill because I don't like the idea of putting hormones into my body (however can completely understand why others choose to take it and have no issue with it). I also do not feel comfortable with other forms of contraception such as the implant, injection etc. Therefore my one and only method of contraception is to use condoms (always).

Am I naive and unreasonable for thinking this is a reliable and safe method of contraception? (I'm more than happy to be told that I am). Should I look further into other methods?

)For context, I used the pill for a very short time in my teens and I did not like it. It made me feel ill)

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If you've found this page in search of condoms that have been tried and tested by fellow Mumsnet users, you might find our guide to the best condoms useful. Hope this helps! MNHQ

As long as they're used properly (ie put on before a penis goes anywhere near your vagina) i believe they're comparably good to other methods like the pill, implant etc.

Condoms used properly can be very effective, as can a diaphragm.

They can split or can be compromised by other lubricants or oils etc.
Most condoms (if used correctly) operate with approx 98% success rate, but that's 2 failures in 100 - so have a think how often you're having sex and what that equates to.

I wouldn't rely on a condom in a long term relationship.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/how-effective-contraception/

91% effective mini or combined pill (so 1 in 10 will result in a pregnancy)

Mal condom is 82% effective (so 1 in 5 will result in pregnancy)

I have tried a few different pills and the implant and haven’t really like any for various reasons. I’m now on the Evra patch and have been for over a year and actually really like it. I find a lot of people haven’t heard of it though. :)

No YANBU.

The NHS website says that the combined contraceptive pill is more than 99% effective with 'perfect use' and 91% with 'typical use' (I doubt many people use it with 'perfect use' tbh, I mean I've been on it in the past and definitely missed the odd pill sometimes due to forgetfulness and that's without the fact that some medication can interfere with it, that diarrhea and vomiting can interfere with it etc). Male condoms with 'perfect use' are 98% effective, and 82% effective with 'typical use'. So there's very little difference between the two and I actually think it's easier to achieve 'perfect use' with male condoms than with the pill as you can't avoid having diarrhea for example but it's easy to use male condoms properly i.e putting them on before a penis goes anywhere near your vulva, buying the right size condom, making sure the condom is in date, and then on the rare occasion if there is a split you can go and get the MAP asap whereas if your pill failed cos of diarrhea you'd probably not even think about it until much later so MAP less likely to be an obvious option.

The copper coil is non hormonal and is in situ for 8 years. It can also be removed very quickly if needs be.

Condoms are fine, but not something I would use in a long term relationship IMO - it’s a bit like having sex inside a sandwich bag

As they also prevent STI's I'd say they're better

I wouldn't rely on a condom in a long term relationship

The problem is some of us don’t have much choice. I can’t take any form of hormonal contraception.
Condoms have always worked fine for us.

I was on the pill for years and it definitely contributed to my depression. Felt miles better when I came off of it.
Used condoms from then on, and have just put my 5 month old son down for a nap. I am adamant I was using them properly.
After I gave birth at my 6 week check my doctor told me they’re only around 85% effective even when used properly so that explains a lot. I’m using them now so hopefully I don’t get “unlucky” twice.

Mal condom is 82% effective (so 1 in 5 will result in pregnancy)

This is incorrect. 80% success rate means 1 in 5 will fail, but that does not mean it will result in pregnancy.

Tbh though having sex entails the risk of pregnancy. No matter what precautions you take you have a risk of pregnancy and that's something all sexually active people should understand and really consider before they make a decision to have sex or not. I'm not trying to fearmonger or anything but it is what it is.

Interesting I actually thought they were more reliable than the pill. Everyone I know who has an accidental pregnancy claims they were on the pill.

We used condoms for a year between me coming off the injection and TTC. In that time, we had 2 broken condoms and I took the MAP both times. Other than those 2 occasions, they were fine.

The big problem with condoms is that if they go wrong (ie split) then it is too late. (Obviously could take the MAP but just looking at the condom.)

Where as if you go wrong taking the pill then you have time to realise and either abstain, use a condom or choose to take a chance.

These days “checking my pills” is me and dh’s definition of foreplay!

I'd never fit inside a sandwich bag never mind getting my not-so-slim OH in there as well.

I’ve always found them 100% effective. All hormonal contraception makes me feel awful and condoms do the job perfectly. My doctor had a right go at me for not getting another form of contraception after dc1 was born. She told me that if I just used condoms then I needed to be prepared to use map or have an abortion because there WILL be an accident. I’d been using condoms with dh for 12 years before we stopped and had dc1 (planned).

If you use them properly and at the right time I consider them 100% effective. I remember getting really irritated when Rachel in Friends got pregnant when they used a condom. They kept saying ‘but it says they’re not totally effective.’ As far as I have experienced they are totally effective if they are used at the right time and don’t split. If it hasn’t split and there’s been no pre cum going anywhere it shouldn’t then you won’t get pregnant.

My DH and I have used condoms only for the last 11 years as I can’t take hormonal contraceptives.

We’ve had about 2/3 condom splits where I’ve taken the MAP but otherwise it’s been fine.

I got pregnant first attempt twice so we’re obviously fertile and therefore feel pretty confident in the effacacy of them.

I won’t pretend I like the feel though and we have had the odd incident where prolonged fumbling as killed the mood.

DH is booking a vasectomy and I can’t bloody wait.

Ted That is incorrect, male condoms are about 98% effective with perfect use, see the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/how-effective-contraception/#male-and-female-condoms. Not trying to nitpick but there is a significant difference between 98% and 85% tbf.

This is incorrect. 80% success rate means 1 in 5 will fail, but that does not mean it will result in pregnancy.

Apologies - I forgot the solution to unwanted pregnancy means no pregnancy

Pregnant twice on the pill, never with condoms.

And the added protection against infections is a pretty nice deal too.

One's far more effective than the other.

The combined pill, used correctly and consistently, has a 0.3% annual failure rate.

The condom, used correctly and consistently, has a 2% annual failure rate.

The combined pill is far more effective. Though obviously it doesn't protect against STIs.

I think if your happy with condoms they protect against pregnancy and ask Sti,s the only thing I can see being a problem is what if you run out ?

If you don't have a choice because you object to the pill, or there's some other medical issue, then sure, condoms might be your only option.
I said I would not rely on them in a long term relationship because they aren't 100% effective, and in the course of a long term relationship with a lot of sex, there's a good chance pregnancy can still happen. Withdrawal would also help (with a condom).

They are a GOOD method, but not perfect. It's a matter of mathematics, and 2 times out of 100, they could fail, which exposes you to the risk of pregnancy. The pill isn't perfect either and there are side effects to the pill.

Ultimately, the pill is mathematically more reliable than a condom, but if you have no option other than a condom, I'd consider withdrawal before ejaculation too.

For the record, perfect use of a condom is approx 98% effective. 'Real world' usage of a condom suggests 82% effectiveness (based on NHS figures).

Oh absolutely, if they’re used correctly then they are very reliable.
The issue is if they split/come off/get nicked on something and a hole gets pierced (eg in a handbag etc) then that reduces the reliability.
For me the pill gives me better peace of mind as it feels like any ‘slippages’ are covered, but of course it’s completely personal choice - do what’s best for you