T O P I C R E V I E W
mspearfruit
Member # 96327
posted 07-23-2012 03:43 AM
I've seen stories on the Internet about people who claim to still have gotten pregnant while properly using a condom. I also saw one woman write that she got pregnant while using a condom AND birth control and it really, really scares me. I don't want to take birth control because I'd rather leave my hormones alone if I can, but I'm worried that using just a condom may not be enough to prevent pregnancy. Is it really possible to get pregnant if you have used a condom properly? I can't figure out if these women are telling the truth or if they're just trying to scare paranoid girls like me.
BrightStar171
Member # 64549
posted 07-23-2012 07:26 AM
You cannot get pregnant if you have used a condom properly and the condom has not failed in some way. I mean, simply by definition, if a condom is used properly and has no leaks or breakage, and didn't slip off, and doesn't spill when it's removed, there is no way that semen could enter the vagina. That said, if you're planning on having sex just using condoms, you should be aware that condom failures can happen even if you do everything right- as in, you can put it on properly, and use enough lube, and store your condoms properly, and so forth, and theoretically, you could still have a condom break during sex. It would be much less likely, but it could still happen. And really, you shouldn't give too much thought to random people on the internet. First of all, it;s very easy for people to say what they want whether it's true or not, but it's also important to remember that it's easy for someone to say they used a method of birth control "properly," but if the method they learned as "proper" isn't actually, then you can't really use that story as a data point. And there's just no way to know if someone out there on the internet actually had some sort of decent sex education or not.
copper86
Member # 95710
posted 07-23-2012 09:56 AM
BrightStar171's absolutely correct in the above post. There is an article on Scareleteen about "The Buddy System," where it shows effectiveness ratings for one method of birth control alone (like condoms) and then the combined effectiveness ratings of two methods, like condoms and withdrawal. That is a very useful article to read; especially because it gives statistics on effectiveness. Condoms are highly effective methods of birth control, but if you feel at all nervous about just using condoms, you can back them up with another method. There's another article here called "Birth Control Bingo!" that walks you through the process of choosing birth control options that are right for you and your body. I hope you're feeling better, and that you have a good day! I myself have been spooked from those types of stories online, but you should really take those "tales" with a grain of salt. That is why, if I have a question, I always come here and try to avoid Google. The volunteers and staff here are very knowledgeable about sex education and are always nonjudgmental and understanding.
WesLuck
Member # 56822
posted 07-23-2012 02:37 PM
And so are most of the site visitors too, including the wonderfully caring Peer Ambassadors!