Condoms...are they enough

[Lynne2019]

Hi. So if I'm not on birth control and I'm having sex, is just a condom enough? I know it's jot as safe, but is it like extremely risky to be doing this?

[Lynne2019]

Thank you so much for your help, I appreciate it. (:

[AnnieBrooke]

An IUD is an intrauterine device, basically a little piece of plastic in a shape like a loop or a T, whose presence in your uterus causes the uterus to refuse to accept an embryo for implantation.  Google "IUD" to see how they work (they are very effective) and the different types.  I had one when I was not married and it was a big improvement over the Pill.  It's a one-time activity to get one put in, and it stays until you have it removed.

Again, condoms are the only way to prevent transmission of disease and viruses, no matter what kind of birth control you already use.  And it's not exaggerating to say that some of those diseases are life-threatening and some of the viruses are permanent once you get them.  So please don't let some horndog talk you into going without a condom, no matter what your back-up birth-control method is.  He wants to play, he wears protection.  Someone who presses you on this issue is simply a jerk.  There are LOTS of guys to sleep with (practically every guy in the world would say yes to sex), don't waste your time on jerks.

[Lynne2019]

I can't exactly get on birth control. It's complicated. And I'm not having sex a ton, I've only done it three times and don't plan on having it soon, but I was curious. Especially since guys just automatically assume I'm on the pill and try to get inside me without a Condom but it just seems like a very weak protection system.
I know I should know this, but what is an IUD???

[Pilis123]

The best thing is to have a combination of both condoms and the pill.I was told by my physician that condoms are only 50% effective; if used properly. They do protect against STD's. yet you should consider going on the pill or getting an IUD as well in order to decrease your chances of unplanned pregnancy by 98%.

[AnnieBrooke]

Not "extremely" risky, but certainly more risky than if you got an IUD or went on the Pill and also used condoms.  When I was in college the mantra was "condoms are only 80% effective."  I assume that statistic included risks of slippage, putting it on improperly, taking it off and then having contact, leaks, breakage, etc.  A condom that work perfectly would be more than 80% effective, but condoms don't always work perfectly because they are a moving part in a process, and there is no fallback to protect you.

I would definitely use condoms in this day and age even if I was on another method of birth control, because they protect against STDs, herpes and AIDS where nothing else does.  But I'd be on birth-control pills too, or an IUD.