I wanted to go on birth control but I broke up with my boyfriend so I'm not sure. I just got a prescription from my dr just in case I change my mind. What you think? Should I still go on them?

The doctor did tell you the pill isn't effective until your really been on it for at least a full monthly cycle?

You can't just up and decide one day to start taking it and expect it to work right away. Also even if you DO its still not 100% effective... so use condoms also.

Also understand using multiple forms of birth control at once is no guarantee. We have several long time members here that got pregnant while using several forms at once... one of them did more than once. So don't treat sex casually... there is always a risk... what changes is how much of a risk it is.

Oh wow some of this I didn't know. I mean I am aware that no birth control is 100% protected but I just hope I don't get an unwanted pregnancy at the wrong time or with the wrong person.

Let me give you an example. I was on the birth control pills. Took them perfectly as directed. Used a condom every time as well. Got pregnant not once, but twice, 9 months apart.

Next, 6 years later I was told I couldn't have children because I was not ovulating. I was in early menopause. My daughter is now 20.

Last. I had cancer. Went through 6 months of chemotherapy and was told that the particular form of chemo I took would make me sterile.

My son is 11 1/2 now.

If you would be on the pill you take every day... its really not effective until you start on the second month. And again only iff you take it as you should.

Also as I am sure you are already aware... the pill doesn't provide any protection against STD's... and a lot of people have them you would never suspect... there is Herpes you would have for the rest of your life... and there is HPV, which up to 28% of the sexually active young people have that can cause cervical cancer... and all the other well known ones as well.

Also know that natural skin condoms provide no protection at all against STD's. The other types do provide a measure of protection... none foolproof and varies with proper use.

Always best to be fully aware of everything that could happen... so you can take the proper precautions and make an informed decision of your own..

Never make assumptions of others... they may lie about being STD free... or they might not be aware they have it. There are not always easily visible symptoms. And telling lies or being deceptive about previous sexual encounters is very common. A young guy will say anything he thinks you want to hear to get you in bed....and I'm a guy thats telling you this....its been a long time since I was a young guy...but some things really never change. Men and women view sex very differently on average The more you know about everything the better off you are.
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I've seen a lot of young womens lives ruined by the wrong sort of guy when they didn't know as much as they should have beforehand, .....I've always been right to the point type of person....so if I can help just one person make the right choices....I feel It's been worth the effort.

Great answers!