What are the ways to NOT get pregnant besides abstinence?

DoctorNini · 2020-05-27T15:06:03+00:00

Well, none are 100% failsafe. So I would wait until you are in a situation where it might not be ideal to get pregnant, but it wouldn’t be a disaster either. I told my husband early on that abortion was not an option, and that if I would get pregnant I would keep the baby. He agreed, and promised he would marry me if that were to happen. I have a copper IUD, which I took out a week before our wedding, and got pregnant on our honeymoon. I know have one again, and am quite happy with it. Afraid that is all the advice I can give you.

justanotheracademic · 2020-05-27T18:15:03+00:00

Here's what I wish I had known before having sex for the first time, it's a lot but worth it:

Track your cycle and learn your bodies cues for ovulation and such. I use a box on each day in my planner for what day it is in my cycle (day1-day28), when i start my period, when i end my period, when i'm ovulating, if there are any out of the ordinary symptoms, etc. This helps with answering my doctors questions. I can't do hormonal bc* so I track everything constantly and use condoms, never having sex when i'm ovulating. Reading about NFP (natural family planning) can help you understand tracking your ovulation, period, etc.
If you can do hormonal bc, talk to a doctor and follow their directions verbatim. Be open about everything with your doctor, they've heard it all before.
Learn how to put on a condom, your partner might not know the correct way. Condoms are very effective if used correctly and used every time. They also protect you from STIs.
Once you are sexually active, even with only having one partner consistently, get tested for STIs and such every 3 months. Find a free/sliding scale cost clinic at your local public/safety net hospital/college clinic and establish a routine with a doctor there for testing and bc. Don't have sex with someone without proof that they've been tested and are negative for all STIs and such, trust only goes so far. Keep the paperwork that shows you are negative for STIs and such, ask your doctor for this paperwork as you're entitled to access your medical records and have a copy of them (they can't charge you for this either, if it's under a certain amt of pages).
MOST IMPORTANTLY though, have the bc/STI conversation with your partner before sex, while sober and awake/alert, in a safe/comfortable environment. Do this with every partner, no exceptions, no rushed questions before hooking up. This conversation should also include consent, safe word(s), kinks, physical/mental limitations, etc. Your health and safety is more important than an orgasm.

*When I say bc, I'm referring to birth control.

EDIT: NFP is also known as the fertility awareness method (FAM). Also, doctors typically reccomend using two forms of birth control (e.g., the pill and condoms, IUD and condoms, etc.).

EDIT 2: Before you have sex with a new partner, it's important to talk about what happens if you do get pregnant. Talk about how you both feel about abortion, adoption, etc. and don't avoid the tough questions. It's better to know how you two will handle it instead of having an 'oh crap what now' moment.

nocreativity729 · 2020-05-27T15:05:16+00:00

All of those things used correctly. Also learn about your fertility window. If you do all those things and stay abstinent during your fertility window, there’s literally no chance you’ll get pregnant.

Also merely using any combination of the above methods makes it significant less likely to get pregnant. For example, the pill and pull out. Condoms and the pill, etc

morganKxoxo · 2020-05-27T17:06:52+00:00

Awesome that you’re wanting to learn more. Birth control must be used correctly 100% of the time to be effective. That means if you’re on the pill, you HAVE to take it every single day around the same time. You can’t forget a day or 2 and expect nothing to happen.

I’ve been on the pill for years with no pregnancies because I take it very seriously. I would just keep researching your options and success rates and be acutely aware what correct usage actually means

healthyelegant · 2020-05-27T15:43:05+00:00

Apart from birth control you can get from a doctor, if you don't want to use medications or hormones, you can use the fertility awareness method or FAM, you basically learn about your body and cycles and prevent pregnancy by not having unprotected intercourse during your fertile week. You can Google it for more information and there are a bunch of podcasts that discuss how to use it properly. It's much more work than just taking a pill every day, but if birth control isn't available to you, it's a great alternative. Like others have said as well, it's more about human error than the devices you are using for birth control. I was on the pill for 10 years before switching to FAM and I was able to not get pregnant during both methods, but I used them 100% properly. I'm now pregnant, after using FAM the opposite way to actually get pregnant, so it's helpful in conceiving when the time is right for you.

Kyrstyy · 2020-05-27T15:21:49+00:00

Personally, the pill for me was more difficult than any other form of birth control to keep up on because I was 100% responsible for it and I was young and afraid I would miss a day and end up pregnant. I switched to the depo shot (every 3 months you get a shot in the arm) and I LOVE it. Chances are that your friends who got pregnant on the pill probably wasn't taking it correctly. I've been told by an OBGYN that the reason some birth controls aren't 100% effective is due to human error. If you search effectiveness of depo google says it's more than 99% effective as long as you aren't late getting your shot. IUD is most effective, more than 99% because theirs no chance of human error (forget to take it, miss the day etc) Always use a condom for extra protection and prevention against STD's. The pull out method alone is a very bad idea, but mixed with a condom and birth control you are more than likely safe.

Basically, as long as you are on birth control your chances of getting pregnant are significantly less than if you weren't at all. Take it responsibly and I'm sure you will be just fine! As others said, if you are really worried then wait until your least fertile days, but if you are having sex you are accepting their is a chance of pregnancy no matter the measures you take.

tinytiril · 2020-05-27T22:06:34+00:00

Fertility awareness method.

WhatIsThisAccountFor · 2020-05-27T15:08:13+00:00

if you use condoms and birth control correctly (it's pretty hard to use them incorrecly), you won't get pregnant.

2020-05-27T19:09:23+00:00

No birth control is 100% accurate, artificial or authorize. If you're going to take something like the birth control pill, IUD etc please consult with a doctor who knows you well to go over what option would work best for you. Also: don't feel pressured to keep using something if you don't like how it makes you feel. Emotional and physical symptoms happen with all birth control. Someone women don't experience the symptoms at all and others can tolerate them better than others. Your experience will be unique to you on whatever you and your doctor choose.

I personally took the BC pill for many years. I preferred the brand name to the generic version. I stopped taking it 4 years ago and never looked back except for a brief stint of 3 months where I developed a blood clot.

While I am currently not using any hormonal birth control (I am not sexually active with my boyfriend) I have started tracking my cycle now that it was become regular. I use a cheap free app to keep track of when my period is coming as I hate being surprised by the mess. It also gives me a rough estimate of when I'm ovulating (most fertile)

All in all, I will tell you that your best bet based on what I've learned and heard from other women in my life is to use some form of artificial birth control. Apparently the copper IUD is best for those sensitive to hormones and a condom on top of that if you are extra paranoid. But like I said before, talk to a doctor before making any decisions.

NSFW, but your partner should wear a condom that fits him properly.

rjw223 · 2020-05-28T10:29:54+00:00

Nothing is 100% effective, but some are damn near as good as. Your best bets are the contraceptive implant, IUS (Mirena) or the depo shot - basically methods that don’t require you remembering to take anything. Off the top of my head the implant has a success rate of >99%. And if you’re still worried, use condoms as well (good idea anyway for STIs)

pearlsandstilettos · 2020-05-27T15:36:05+00:00

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Jikira · 2020-05-27T15:42:17+00:00

Making sure you take your bc as instructed. Like don’t miss a day if you do don’t have sex for seven days, take plan b, and or get an iud. I personally don’t ever want kids so while I was on the pill I follow it to the tea when I forgot I just didn’t have sex. If we had sex recently when I forgot then I got plan b as a fail safe. Most of all I just followed the instructions to the tea I think I did this twice during the three years I was on the pill. With perfect use it is vey effective. I got the iud because I had side effects. Everyone is different whatever method you choose follow the directions and focus your anxiety into following them perfectly and you will more than like be fine. If you mess up plan b.

Jayledd · 2020-05-27T18:37:07+00:00

To add with whats already been posted

With any form of birth control do as much research as you can and ask questions. In terms of hormonal birth control or IUDs give them around 3 months before you decide to switch, but always trust your gut.

Not every birthcontrol option or brand of hormones agrees with everyone the same. Research how much of each hormone is in what your taking/ putting in your body, pros and cons and % chance of pregnancy with average use.

Never be afraid to advocate for what you want when speaking to your doctor. Ex: If you're adamant about no hormones then stay firm. If they won't help you then find a walk-in clinic or a Planned Parenthood that will, PP has all types of accessible & affoardable sexual health services and provide lots of education. Lastly always follow the instructions on the birth control you receive.

Personal anecdote: I went from oral pill ( which works for many people) for about 3 months off and on, every time I took them I was overly emotional (think 24/7 pms) my doctor refused to let me change to another type of longer term, lower dose birth control (IUD or NuvaRing). After doing research, I went to a walk-in clinic. Talked to the doctor and asked for what I wanted and am now much happier on the NuvaRing.

nessabhensley · 2020-05-27T20:51:12+00:00

I am getting an IUD tomorrow. Not for birth control but for my endometriosis. I am very scared of the pain, so wish me luck. But they are cost effective and better than the pill. I am getting one with hormones put in for 3 years. (One hormone, that will ease the endo). I can't recommend the copper IUD, especially in the US. Those can hurt you and decrease fertility. But there are copper alternatives.

guess_ill_do_it · 2020-05-27T22:17:23+00:00

I don't think there is a 100% way to not get pregnant, but I recommend a form of birth control (I get the depo shot every three months, though I think the other methods might be more effective), condoms, pull out, and, if possible, the morning after pill would be a good plan. It is good you are learning now! Be careful with everything :) Have a good day and stay safe!

rachelissilly · 2020-05-28T13:59:42+00:00

You can double/triple up on methods to improve your chances of not getting pregnant. As someone who successfully did not get pregnant for 7 years on just the pill, who then wound up pregnant, we take extra precautions now! For us, that means hormonal birth control for me, condoms for him, and no sex on ovulation day.

lilacsandlemonbalm_ · 2020-06-03T03:11:16+00:00

fertility awareness method is the most dependable way to mind your fertility without risking your health. when done correctly (there is a learning curve), it is extremely effective. the book taking charge of your fertility is the resource for this.

pieorstrudel5 · 2020-05-27T16:12:58+00:00

I track my cycle with a free app called clue. It will tell you when you are most fertile. I have learned a lot about my body just from this app. So if you want to use extra caution, use protection and avoid fertile days. You can track all kinds of things in the app which are super helpful when talking to your doctor. I use the app to track my headaches/migraines. The pill when taken correctly is the way to go though!

Best advice I can give you, always have condoms with you and never sleep with a man you wouldn't want to have a baby with. Sex is way better with a man you have a quality connection with. And if something happens and you get pregnant, at least it's with someone decent.

Title	What are the ways to NOT get pregnant besides abstinence?
Author	keatsvevo
Upvotes	17
Comments	24
Date	May 27, 2020 2:33 PM UTC (6 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/RedPillWomen
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/RedPillWomen/comments/grkthg/what_are_the_ways_to_not_get_pregnant_besides/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/RedPillWomen/what-are-the-ways-to-not-get-pregnant-besides.668614 https://theredarchive.com/post/668614

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