To JUST use condoms?

[Whoistoknow]

How many of you rely solely on condoms and have been fine (as in no unplanned pregnancies?)

Realising that pretty much every hormonal contraception disagrees with me and I’m fed up of it. I really want to give my body a break and just use condoms, particularly as we are likely to want to start a family in the next few years (not right now though!)

GP was horrified at the thought of me getting my implant removed and not taking the pill or anything instead. Felt like a naughty teenager!!!

Interested to know whether this is an ‘unwise’ thing to do if we don’t want a baby right now or probably ok? The side effects are bad with every pill or contraption I have had so I almost think I’ll just have to risk it!!

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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

If you're going to use condoms only, I'd start tracking your cycle and avoid sex during fertile days...

That's what I do, using the Clue app. Dead easy.

And I guess I'd look at national numbers that tracked condom failures resulting in pregnancy rather than poll people here...
I think your GP looked for a reason.

12 years together using condoms only. 2 kids both planned and conceived first month of trying. No accidents or issues.

We only used condoms from when we met to when we wanted a baby. Didn't avoid fertile days, in fact that's usually when I want it most! No pregnancy until we wanted it, which happened the first month we tried. I'm allergic to latex so we used skyn, seems reliable from our experience! I'll never use anything hormonal again - I believe they caused me all kinds of trouble when I was younger. We'll go back to condoms after this baby, and once we've finished having babies if my periods are better than before babies I'll try the copper coil, if they're still heavy & painful my husband will consider a vasectomy - but actually neither of us mind the condoms!

Another one here.

I've been with DH for 12 years and for the last 7 we have relied solely on condoms

We haven't had any unplanned pregnancies/scares, only got pregnant when we wanted to and planning to rely solely on them again until we start ttc again.

I think if you're sensible about it, they are a pretty good method of contraception.

I'm not sure, we used condoms for five years, had three failures, after which I took MAP, also failed. I had three abortions in my late 30s and early 40s.

I'm 47 now, and I had 3 failures pretty late in my contraceptive life due to condoms.

And I know how to use them. It wasn't ignorance. Statistically I'm obviously an outlier, but it happened.

Completely and always for 7 years since the pill didn't work well for me. (Minus when I had my second) so actually 4 years. I had the 'shock' don't you use other things too!

Condoms are 98% effective the pill is only 91% effective. I have used condoms for ten years with no unplanned pregnancies.

Youngest child is 12, only ever used condoms and no scares or issues.

@BetteDavisWeLuvU

I used Dianette for 20 years, up to 7 years ago, now I am on Co-cyprindiol. It is the same just a different (brand) name,

My GP tried to get me off Dianette for a number of years ‘because of the (expense!) risks’, since Co-cyprindiol came out, (and is much cheaper), suddenly the risks are ok now.

*Condoms only. They are fine when used sensibly.

I suspect an element of their fail rate/reputation is that they are very suited to spontaneity so get used to by a high proportion of drunk people and over excited teens, so there's probably a high rate of misuse.*

Probably in a lot of cases but nope, not here!! Sober as judges and very sensible, careful Doing of TD (God, I haven't made it sound terribly exciting have I?!) No leaping off wardrobes or chandelier-swinging...

Just unlucky...we've since also bought another box as we don't want to use anymore from last night's batch in case they were dodgy.

17 years using just condoms here. No issues, only planned pregnancies.

I've been with dh 10 years. 3 planned pregnancies, no mishaps and only condoms.

Condoms only for 25 years here. 3 planned dc. Like you OP anything hormonal does me in, and drs have always talked to me like a naughty teenager about not using additional contraception.

They only fail mostly because people don't use them right. Never been an issue always work fine.

Exactly Fucketty.

No drunk youths here.

In 22 years I have only ever used condoms except for a while in my 20s when I just used the pill. The pill gave me headaches so I went back to condoms. No pregnancies except the two we planned.

@Tinty whaaattttttt wow thank you so much!! I did not even know that. I have such horrible periods since have DC so that should hopefully sort that out too. And my terrible hairline spots! Brill.

Condoms are 98% effective the pill is only 91% effective.

That is a seriously misleading statistic, @ToothFairyNemesis. You're comparing the perfect use statistic for condoms with the typical use statistic for the pill.

To give the full context, typical use for condoms is 82% effective. Perfect use for the pill is 99% for both combined and progestogen only.

A couple brief stints on hormonal contraception and didn't like it so it's been condoms basically all the way. Only became pregnant when I wanted to.

@PuntoEBasta I was assuming from the op’s post she was mature enough to use condoms properly.

Nine years interrupted by 2 planned pregnancies. It worked for us because we wouldn’t have minded if the children were a bit earlier or later. I would be happy to have a third so happy to rely on condoms now too. I think it is more risky so in previous relationships I was on the pill but I hated it so when I knew I would be happy to have a child I was happy to take the risk.

Nope not unreasonable hormonal birth control doesnt agree with me not been on it for 4 years only pregnancy was planned

Like all contraception, they work very well when used correctly.

Make sure no-one's drunk, you've got the right fit, and aren't using anything out of date and you'll be fine.

And if you're using latex condoms, NO oil-based lubes. Silicone- or water-based only.