this post was submitted on 13 Jan 2026
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If your oral contraceptives cause you any significant side effects, it makes sense to consult a gynecologist to change the prescription. There are many options out there, and correctly chosen ones should not typically cause them.
In terms of pregnancies, oral contraceptives can be both more or less efficient that condoms depending on the mode of usage for each (and also discipline, don't skip either). Besides, for many couples accidental pregnancy is a bit of a change of plans, but not something that will warrant abortion or make children unwanted. Again, case-dependent.
It's okay to choose condoms as well, as long as partners are happy about it. If that gives you a peace of mind, you can even combine both measures at the same time! It's only important to remember that there are two (or more) partners involved, and all being happy about the choices made is crucial for great intimacy. Do not ever force someone to take pills if they don't want to, and discuss your options if someone has issues with condoms. Maybe the issues are with latex condoms specifically, with polyurethane options providing less allergenicity and better sensitivity. Maybe a diaphragm can be your option. Or maybe something else. You can always discuss, you're not on a gender war or something, you're partners.
Personally, I can't wait for male contraceptive pills to hit the market. Not only it will provide a solution to this specific problem, shifting responsibility for proper selection of contraception and any issues coming with it onto the people who need it the most, it will also provide men with more agency about their reproduction. Finally, you can combine male and female contraceptives to get unparalleled non-barrier protection with good insurance in case one partner misses the pill. Win all-round.
IUD's can be great too. My wife has used them for years. Reduced period frequency and severity, higher effective rate of contraception, no need to worry about taking a pill late or missing one. Her gynecologist said it will probably reduce pre-menopausal symptoms too when she gets older. And it's pretty easily removable.
There was a couple of weeks when she was sore from the initial placement, and the same whenever it gets changed. They keep on getting approved to last longer and longer- the most recent one was good for 8 years, but there's a good chance it will get extended before it needs to be replaced as more research is done.
Not for everyone, but great for a lot of people.
I saw one in an efficacy chart for different contraceptives that IUDs were slightly better than tubal ligation (literal sterilization)! Given the side effects etc. of the latter, it seems like 'getting your tubes tied' has become completely obsoleted by modern IUDs.
To be fair, this is likely about hormonal options, which is the primary reason people might be concerned about oral contraception mentioned in the post.
Regular copper IUDs have their track record a bit worse, but still going very strong.
Also, using IUDs ideally requires checking if the device is still set right after each period - not doing so may increase one's chances of getting pregnant.
Absolutely! Know a few folks who use IUD's, and heard mostly positive feedback.
On another personal note, sexual discomfort is obviously an important factor to account for when talking about intimacy and love, so it shouldn't be seen as stupid and unimportant, as portrayed here.
That should not overpower any health concerns, not least because they are too sources of discomfort, but it should be taken into account.
Talk it through with your partner - you're in it together, and there's almost certainly an option for both of you. Feel free to explore something other than pills and condoms as well if you need it - the world of contraception methods is huge.
If oral contraceptives have too many side effects, just don't have oral sex. Easy.
I have used up all my friday and saturday pills, what to do, only have sex on mondays now?
If you have 3 day weeks, then yes, that's the only solution.
4Head
Lol
Yeah but then the person can't make a comic to shit on men.
I'm so very tired of these pointless gender wars, honestly.
There are better and more productive ways to voice general concerns - there truly exists a pressure on some women to use hormonal contraception, and this is bad - it's not okay to pressure your partner in matters of health and intimacy. But what helps is getting to the root of the problem.
The root is sexual discomfort on one side and anxiety on the other standing in the way of intimacy. So, maybe there are other unexplored options to resolve this conflict in a way that is comfortable to all sides? The world of contraception is very rich, and tries to cater to everyone's use cases.