Hello all,

This may be a silly question as my wife and I have been together for 8 years, but here goes...We have always, for the most part, used condoms in addition to the birth control pill. Our question is how effective is the pill, really? Sure it says 99.9% but what about that remaining percentage. Bottom line is that we want to be able have intercourse with out the use of condoms or the "pulling out" method. She of course would remain on the pill. Any input would be greatly appreciated. We also apologize if this topic has been covered before.

Thanks

If taken perfectly, the pill is 99% effective. This does leave a 1% chance of getting pregnant. In reality, I think the numbers are somewhere around 94-96% effective. This accounts for missed pills, antibiotics interfering with the pill's effectiveness, and just plain ol' breakthrough ovulation.

If it helps, I have been married for 9 months and on the pill for 2 years total, and we have always only used the pill (except for the week I am on my placebo pills... we use a condom just in case). I've never gotten pregnant. One of my friends also only ever used the pill for something like 7 years with all the guys she dated (and then with her husband) and never got pregnant until she went off the pill to try and get pregnant. And yet another friend has been on it for 3 1/2 years (married for that long as well) and has never been pregnant.

Of course you will also find stories of women who were on the pill and got pregnant. It CAN happen. It's always possible with the pill or any type of contraceptive.

The bottom line is, of course the only way to 100% prevent pregnancy is abstinence. But I think the pill is pretty darn effective and I am happy with its pregnancy prevention so far. :)

Just remember to take it PERFECTLY and you will be fine using it as the only method of birth control. If your wife forgets to take it one day or takes it later, then you can always use a backup method to ease your mind. Some pills are 99% accurate when used perfectly and some are up to 99.9%. As long as she takes it at the same time every day and isn't on antibiotics or St. Johns Wart or anything that interferes (also be careful if she gets sick and throws up), then it's VERY accurate.