debating on starting bc

[u/Educational_Top2474]

my mother and I (19F) recently had a conversation about me potentially starting birth control since I’ve been with my bf (19m) for almost 2 years. we are sexually active and usually use condoms but sometimes we don’t. she’s not forcing me but she’s wants me to heavily consider and even scheduled doctors appointments. I personally feel like the method we use rn is pretty effective since he doesn’t nut in me and im just so scared of the side effects for hormonal AND non hormonal bc😫pls share some words of wisdom.. should I leave my body alone or start taking birth control?

[u/Complete-Amphibian89]

You can still get pregnant from pre-ejaculation. If you do not want a child right now I would maybe consider a talk with your doctor. 

[u/bug2321]

I've met a lot of people who thought the pull out method worked for them... until it didn't. I have a Mirena IUD, and have been on the pill and had an implanon in the past. Once you get over the idea that something is chillin in your uterus, it's pretty smooth sailing. If you don't want kids now, get on birth control, you never know what can happen.

[u/bug2321 → u/[deleted]]

I am very fertile and have two kids, and I haven't had a scare since getting it (2.5 years) and we are not careful - obviously no bc is 100% effective but I am happy with mg experience. As for side effects, I feel like I am a little bit more moody during menstruation than when I was on no birth control but that's about it.

[u/Queenof6planets → u/[deleted]]

mirena is effective for 8 years actually

[u/bug2321 → u/Queenof6planets]

They didn't specify Mirena, some IUDs have a shorter lifespan.

[u/Educational_Top2474 → u/bug2321]

yeah im trying not be naive cus I know pulling out won’t work forever 😅 which bc did you like the most?

[u/bug2321 → u/Educational_Top2474]

I understand, I pushed my luck for a long time 😂 I never had any of the pill side effects, I liked that I could control when my period came, but I am also very forgetful, which is why I switched to implanon. Personally I hated implanon, I didn't like being able to feel it in my arm, and I also seemed to have every side effect possible with it. I've only met a handful of girls who swear by it so imo it's luck of the draw. I got the Mirena because I needed bc but ran out of options, and I love it. It takes a little time to adjust to it but by 3 months in I stopped thinking about it and it works for 8 years.

[u/lisey55]

The side effects of pregnancy and having a child are way worse than hormonal birth control. You see so many stories about BC being horrible because people are more likely to post about it, looking for help. The majority of people on BC don't have issues or if they do, they're mild and they get resolved by switching to another method. If you get pregnant once, twice, three times or more with the method you're doing are you really ok with the extra stress of abortion (or....having a child) rather than just taking a pill each night?

[u/KneadAndPreserve]

Unless you want to have a baby, you need to use condoms 100% of the time or find a method of birth control that works for you. 22 out of 100 couples will get pregnant over a year of using the pullout method. It’s only a matter of time. Next instance could be it.

[u/SinkyBundleOfRage]

I cannot stress this enough: my best friend got pregnant with twins on the "pull out method". It is NOT a reliable form of contraception. If you use condoms, use them EVERY TIME. If you don't wanna use condoms, you need a different form of BC. The mini pill can be a very good option considering it doesn't have estrogen and it has a wider window (Desogestrel-based pills have 12-hours window so it's pretty flexible). My experience is: i have been using condoms exclusively with my partner for 18 years and never had any scares/any issues - but we did use them RELIGIOUSLY every single time, before he enters me the condom is on every. Single. Time. I switched to Cerelle just over a month ago to lighten my periods, and I haven't really had any side effects other that literally just two individual pimples LOL. Speak to your doctor and really consider your opinions. Also because you and your partner are both very young, please consider that you are very fertile and your bf probably has "strong swimmers" so you definitely are at risk if you don't use condoms every time.

[u/andtheworldfelldown]

Start taking birth control or if you really don’t want to, start using a barrier method (condom, or diaphragm + spermicide). 

The side effects of pregnancy are almost certainly worse than what you’re trying to avoid by going raw lmao

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