Does anyone just use condoms?

[AirRaidShelter]

I don't want a coil inserted because I'm a wimp and not keen on the pill as it took me along time to regain periods when i stopped it. Would you just use condoms? Or too risky?

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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

Condoms always. Only ever fell pregnant when actively trying. Our family is complete, so if a condom ever was to fail (not happened yet in 20 years), I'd take the MAP or, worst case, have an abortion.

Thankfully they seem to work fine for us.

I’ve just had implant removed and didn’t want to carry on with hormonal contraceptives as want to start ttc after wedding next year and I’m hoping it might help with some issues I’ve been having.
Bought our first packet on Saturday. Tried to use them but DO couldn’t get it unrolled, it nearly cut the circulation off when he did bless him. Think we might need to explore some different options.

Yes, only contraception we’ve used for more than a decade. Only pregnancies were planned (so far 🤞) // the idea of the coil is unpleasant to me, I hated how I felt on the pill.

We use just condoms and neem oil afterwards just in case

I know people may not agree but maybe a trigger warning in the title? Reading the amount of posts about how people are super fertile or pregnant every time they try in a few months is quite hard for the few of us with severe fertility issues. Apart from that boring little request, I don’t have to worry about using them now as in a female/female relationship but they used to work fine (though that may have been the infertility).

I used them for about a year, 22 years ago.

They did split a couple of times (no idea why) and the final time resulted in an unplanned pregnancy (and he is 21 now!). Guess I am one of the 2% failure rate. I do think 98% success rate is very good though.

Yep!!

@Maddiemademe sorry but that is ridiculous

We did. No longer, as our fourth child is evidence of the 2% failure rate.

We were still quite excited to be having a fourth, but now DH is getting a vasectomy. Condoms aren't foolproof and also are easy toforget in the heat of the moment (we have, though not for the case above!). I think they're a good option for when you don't really want a baby not when you really don't want a baby.

We also felt a bit off about the plastic. They are pretty much the definition of single use plastic!

Yes.

Not ridiculous for women suffering it

And quite unkind. No one needs to know you are super fertile and get pregnant straight away as one poster suggested. You may find it ridiculous and I don’t care, it is called just having a bit of compassion to those who are infertile and do find these things hard to read. I know not all indertile struggle with this but many do. It was just a suggestion that would be easy to do.

@RavenLG

We had a similar problem with some durex condoms being too small on DP ( and haha) but different durex condoms are different sizes so we just check the back of the box and go for the bigger ones

They are pointing out their fertility to show that the condom is likely to have prevented conception, that's all.

Thanks @KronksSpinachPuffs
Length not the problem just girth, and honestly didn’t think he was excessively girthy lol! They were just boots own brand thin touch, noticed nominal widths on the back so have found some with a few extra mm hopefully it will help but they won’t be too long! Never thought I’d be still trying to master condoms at 32

40 something female and have been successfully and regularly using condoms for many years (many of those single) without problems. ‘Always have some available in bed side drawer and handbag.

No unwanted pregnancy scares and no STDs.

We did. Used nothing else for 5 years and never had any scares. Stopped using them on honeymoon and got pregnant on the first try, also same again on this baby(due in 4 weeks) stopped and pregnant again on first try.

I’m sorry @Maddiemademe. I will admit I really didn’t think about those with infertility reading the thread. As a PP said I was just including the one time I did get pregnant as an indication that condoms have worked well the rest of the time as I’ve had no pregnancies other than the planned one. I for one am sorry if I’ve upset anyone

Yes, I'm 30 and have never been on the pill or any other female contraception and I don't plan on ever starting.

Apart from using a diaphragm for about a year I have only used condoms for around 30 years.

I had two pregnancies, both when not using them, so they did work. I did take the morning after pill a couple of times once when one split (about 30 years ago) and once due to drunkenly not using one.

I still use them but doubt I am really fertile now, am very much on the edge of the menopause.

Only ever used condoms my entire adult life (15 years of being sexually active now). Never had a scare.

We were using them after dc2 & although we were using them (I thought properly) I still got pregnant with dc3.

I couldn’t trust them after dc3 was born & didn’t have sex till I was sterilised when he was 6 months old

Condoms get a bad rep because people love to blame their surprise child on a fake condom failure. “The condom split” is more socially acceptable than “we had unprotected sex”.

Also through improper or careless use when your/inexperienced or drunk.

nearly cut the circulation off when he did bless him. Think we might need to explore some different options

Condoms aren’t a one size thing! You can buy brands that have very specific fits!

@Maddiemademe sorry you feel like that but people are only commenting on falling pregnant easily to illustrate they work, it's relevant. You can see from the title the thread is going to be about preventing pregnancy/contraception use.