I'm very forgetful, and at times I forget to take the pill. My boyfriend and I have unprotected sex, so I was wondering if I miss a day with out taking the pill what are my chances of getting pregnant? How long before the sperm dies?

I am sexually active and I have a boyfriend and I have been on the the pill (I have tried a few different brands) for about 21 months now and have always had some problems with my mood/personality/I've turned into a huge bitch since I have been on it. The pill I am on right now, Ortho-Tricyclen Lo, has given me the least problems with this but I strongly feel like I am still pretty psychotic (I know that more than pills has to be blamed for this but I know it must have something to do with it). I need to know if I should go off the pill and use condoms (which I don't want to do) or if I should try a different birth control method (I though the Copper IUD looked good but also kind of scary) or maybe if I just need therapy or something. I like being on the pill for other reasons but I am sort of freaked out by how I am sometimes.

I am 22 and had my first sexual experience with my boyfriend 6 moths ago after a year of dating. We have a very nice relationship and love each other. I have taken pills and we always use a condom. For some reason, even though it doesn't hurt, many times I am very turned on and have natural lubrication but end up drying up completely after a few minutes. It is very frustrating for both of us because KY is not the same, plus I'm too young to be dry. I want to be with him and we make love at least 2 or 3 times a week. This problem has been going on for months now and it has been more noticeable lately. It has happened while I have been in and out of the pill. I feel we have enough foreplay, if not why do I start very wet? Is there any reason why this is happening? I don't see any signs or have ever had an infection... Can stressful situations in life bring this at all?

I heard about a male birth control pill a few years ago but have not heard anything about it since. Does it even exist? Other than the condom, I feel like it's always the woman's responsibility. I know that the consequences of unprotected sex are heavier for women but I would love it if it wasn't always the woman who had to throw her body out of whack by taking birth control. That said, the pill and other hormonal birth control methods all seem to have some health risk involved (increased breast cancer risk, cardiovascular risk, etc.) I know we need to protect ourselves, but it seems extreme to take all these health risks to avoid pregnancy (considering the fact that many people who use birth control do not even use a condom or protection against STIs). I just think that if a man loved a woman, he would not want her to increase her risk of certain health problems by taking the pill. Is the condom really a dependable method for someone like me who refuses to take hormonal birth control? There are just so many choices to make when becoming sexually active.

Hi, I am on Ortho Tricyclen Lo, and I have been taking them for almost a month now. I am on my placebo pills, but haven't had my period yet. Is that supposed to happen? On day 3 of taking my pills, I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend, and three weeks later I have been feeling very sick, low energy, nauseated and bloated, and have been very moody. I'm hoping it's side effects of the pill, but I'm not sure.

My boyfriend and I have had a sexual relationship for over 5 years now. I've always been on birth control, but recently (1 week ago) switched to another pill. The past 2 weeks he has been ejaculating inside of me.
Two questions: does my risk of pregnancy go up since I am in the middle of transitioning between pills AND how do I clean myself since he has been finishing there? I hear so many different views on douching, but I don't feel clean and would like to do something about it. Thanks so much.

If I want to stop my period a few days early, is it safe to take my pill on Wednesday rather than Friday?

I'm 16 and thinking about having sex with my boyfriend for the first time. If I do choose to have sex with him I want to be as safe as possible. Of course we'll use a condom, but as I said I want to be as safe as possible so I was wondering about birth control pills. I've heard of the "morning after pill" and of "the pill." What's the difference? I found this info. on 'the pill' but I'm not sure it's accurate:

Combination Pill
This pill contains estrogen and progestin. The combination pill works in two important ways. First, it prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. Second, it causes the cervical mucus near the opening of the uterus to thicken, making it close to impossible for sperm to enter.

Progestin Pill
Unlike the Combination pill, the Progestin pill contains no estrogen. This absence of estrogen means that the ovaries will still release an egg each month. But because the progestin causes a thickening of the cervical mucus (liquid near the opening of the uterus), it's close to impossible for sperm to enter and fertilize the egg

Also I was wondering is if I do choose to have sex with my boy friend, I would not be confiding in my parents, so I would need to get birth control pills on my own or with my boy friend. Would a prescription from my doctor be absolutely neccesary?

It's pretty obvious I don't know much about protecting myself when it comes to sex. But from your site I've gotten so many answers it's awesome! I've learned things about my body I never knew were SO important, and the great consequences of unsafe sex. But I haven't found much about these pills, I was hoping I could get some answers from you. I'd really like to learn more about this even if i don't have sex with my boy friend now I know I'll need to know later if I do. Thank you!!