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

They don't sell different sizes condoms in the UK do they?

We absolutely do have various sizes of condoms in the uk! Even many sexual health clinics give out condoms in a range of sizes.

There is actually a company that sell condoms in something like 24 different sizes.

Never ever had a pregnancy scare when using condoms only. Not when I was 16 and not in the 2 years between pregnancies and the 4 years after the last one.

I did with dh for about 6 years until his vasectomy got the all clear. The 3 times I got pregnant were all without a condom (one early miscarriage so not as much time spent pregnant as it sounds like)

In some countries like Japan, condoms are the norm and the hormonal methods have been slow to catch on, I don't even think the pill was available to Japanese women until about 2001.

They do break sometimes, it is best to have a packet of emergency pills in the house at all times, especially these days. I don't know why FPCs won't give these to women as a precaution, it would save so much hassle.Though they don't always work if you have already ovulated.

Condoms and tracking ovulation on Flo app.

Only got pregnant this year when ttc .

I tried to do this for a while and it ripped and I needed to get the morning after pill. I'm thinking about the copper coil now as hormonal contraception doesn't agree with me either, and the ripping situation really stressed me out

Why don’t you get a Persona contraceptive kit and use that as well. It tells you what your fertile and infertile days are. Handy for TTC too 😊

We only use condoms and pretty much have done exclusively for the past 6 years. The pill makes me slightly unhinged, which I didn’t realise until I came off it.

I assume they work well. I’ve only ever fallen pregnant whilst on the pill and 2 weeks after stopping it with DC2 so I assumed we are relatively fertile.

I can't use the pill for medical reasons. Never had a pregnancy scare. Actually used withdrawal for 10 years with an ex with no problems.

Have always got pregnant within a month of trying to get pregnant.

I now haven't had a period for four years and DP has had the snip. Its great

We have used pull out method for 5 years with no issues. However we have been TTC for 10 months now with no luck so maybe something else is going on...

How about trying a copper IUD? So much easier than any other form of birth control and statistically more effective.

Just use condoms with OH and we've been together 5 years. Apart from a possible chemical pg a few years ago we've been fine

I stopped the pill for the reasons you describe OP and we started solely using condoms and did so for about 7-8 years. It took a good few months for my cycle to settle down after I stopped birth control. No pregnancy occurred until we planned it and it occurred a lot quicker than we thought it would, which I'd bet money is due to having a regular cycle after coming off birth control years ago.

I have no plans to use hormonal contraceptives ever again. I put up with 6 years of literally non-stop bleeding before I said fuck this.

No accidents in 7 years.

I wish DH would just get a vasectomy but he’s not ready to “close that door”, even though neither of us want anymore kids.

I've been off contraception for 6 years now. Never used condoms because my husband can't orgasm with them. Just followed my natural cycle with an app and only had sex during times when we were very unlikely to get pregnant. No unplanned pregnancy's and for pregnant the first month we tried to. We have had sex during times when I was fertile but he came outside.

' Fell pregnant'

Asking for responses on a parenting website isn't a good way to collect reliable data about the efficacy of contraceptices. Fortunately, it's been done a variety of times.

FWIW, I can't use hormonal contraception either and I have never had a broken condom. I'm now on the copper coil because it allows for greater spontaneity though.

To minimise risk of failure, don't use vaseline as a lubricant, open the packet carefully, and always check for leakage afterwards. I always used Durex extra safe for peace of mind. They're slightly thicker.

If you're considering starting a family, I assume you're on good enough terms to measure his erect penis's circumference and diameter to find a brand that fits well. Condoms are sold to fit nominal widths, and this is expressed in the small print on the packaging..

P.S. the chart I linked above shows IIRC (I have it saved) typical use.

Condoms are generally quoted at 95-98% effectiveness for correct use.

I came off hormomal contraception in my early 20s.

I've fallen pregnant twice whilst using condoms. They are not 100% effective.

No contraceptive is 100%.

We’ve used condoms exclusively (and carefully) for 15 years. No accidents. Three planned pregnancies in that time conceived first month each time so we’re pretty fertile. I came off the pill she 21. Just felt it was messing with my body too much.

Another one here - used conforms or withdrawal for 15 years, no accidents. Got pregnant twice in the first 2 months of properly trying (one chemical pregnancy lost at 5 weeks, one child).

Hormonal contraception didn't agree with my body so we used condoms but on a longer term, I had a diaphram which is an option well worth looking into. My only contraception failure was on the pill; I was so nauseus I missed a couple of days. Yup I do know what we should have done, but didn't.

I never found a hormonal birth control that didn’t make my migraines awful, so condoms most of the month and abstinence when ovulating were my method for years. DH has since had a vasectomy.