[tej13]

Hi,
I had last taken an I pill in November 2013. I'm planning to have sex the coming weekend which seems to b my fertile days as per my period tracker.
How safe is it to take I pill after a gap of 3 months & what r d chances of getting pregnant if I have protected sex using a condom? Should I take an I pill even after having protected sex during my fertile days to avoid pregnancy?

[DoulaLC]

Hi tej13,

If the condom is used correctly... only one episode of sex per condom... it is on correctly before ANY penetration... and it is carefully removed soon after ejaculation... and there is no continued penetration after it has been removed... it is considered quite effective. Obviously any sex, protected or not, may result in a pregnancy.

A 3 month gap between using the ipill is fine, but they are not without risk, and not for use as regular birth control. If you plan to have sex on a more frequent basis, be sure to discuss alternative methods with your doctor.

[Elle16]

In one year with perfect use (meaning couples use condoms consistently and correctly at every act of sex), 98 percent of women relying on male condoms will remain pregnancy free. With typical use, 85 percent relying on male condoms will remain pregnancy free. (Hatcher RA et al. Contraceptive Technology, 18th rev. ed. New York: Ardent Media, 2004.)

[Fr_Chuck]

From Elie post, that still leaves a 2 percent chance of pregnancy when used perfectly. And a 15 percent chance as normally used.

This is close to Planned Parenthood that gives a 3 to 18 percent chance of failure.

Also the Ipill is not 100 percent effective and has possible side effects.

Have you considered a regular form of birth control, along with the condom for best protection.