Hi,
I’m in a monogamous relationship and have an IUD, but have always used condoms for added protection. I read the buddy system article and saw that there wasn’t a huge efficacy difference in adding condoms vs withdrawal. If STDs aren’t a concern, does it make sense to keep using condoms, or would withdrawal as a back up be just as effective?
Back-Up With IUD?
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Alice O
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Re: Back-Up With IUD?
Hi Reelgirl,
Good eye! As you can tell from the Buddy System article, IUDs are incredibly effective at preventing pregnancy on their own--99.2% effective with typical use. IUD + condom is 99.88% effective, and IUD + withdrawal is 99.78% effective. (For comparison, a condom by itself is 86% effective on its own, and withdrawal is only 73% effective.) So if STIs are not a concern, given that the difference in effectiveness between IUD + condom and IUD + withdrawal is so small, it is up to you which combination you would prefer/feel more comfortable with.
Re: STIs, how long have you been sexually exclusive with this partner and when was both of your last STI check?
Good eye! As you can tell from the Buddy System article, IUDs are incredibly effective at preventing pregnancy on their own--99.2% effective with typical use. IUD + condom is 99.88% effective, and IUD + withdrawal is 99.78% effective. (For comparison, a condom by itself is 86% effective on its own, and withdrawal is only 73% effective.) So if STIs are not a concern, given that the difference in effectiveness between IUD + condom and IUD + withdrawal is so small, it is up to you which combination you would prefer/feel more comfortable with.
Re: STIs, how long have you been sexually exclusive with this partner and when was both of your last STI check?
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Reelgirl
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Re: Back-Up With IUD?
Hi Alice,
About a year. My last check was in December, but I haven’t ever discussed it with him.
About a year. My last check was in December, but I haven’t ever discussed it with him.
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Sam W
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Re: Back-Up With IUD?
Got it. So, it sounds like a good next step would be to discuss your STI status with each other just so everyone is on the same page ( you can also find the recommend guidelines for STI testing while in a relationship in this article: Safe, Sound & Sexy: A Safer Sex How-To ). Do you feel like you know how to get that conversation started?
And you to whom adversity has dealt the final blow/with smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go/turn to and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain/and like the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
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