QuestionMy boyfriend and I have had sex about 7 times since 3 months ago, all times
with condoms and they never broke. I've taken a blood test and it came out
negative. What are the chances of a blood test being wrong? Also, if using a
condom is such a trustworthy protection against pregnancy, how did teen
pregnancy become a problem? Did a lot of teen mothers not use any
contraception?
AnswerDear Casey,
There is virtually no chance of a blood pregnancy test being wrong.
As a method of birth control, condoms are statistically very effective. In one year with perfect use (meaning couples use condoms consistently and correctly at every act of sex), 98% of women relying on male condoms will remain pregnancy free. With typical use, 85% relying on male condoms will remain pregnancy free. So it all depends on the use of the condoms. The fact that "typical" use decreases so dramatically should partially answer your teen pregnancy question.
Most young girls do not insist on condoms and are very rarely prepared by being on another birth control method. The pressure of giving in to the act, peer pressure, immaturity, a false sense of being loved... many reasons play into the "why" of not using condoms as young teens. Unfortunately, this has also caused a rise in the number of STD cases and HIV cases among teenagers in our country.
The additional benefit to condoms over any other method of birth control is that it also protects both people against STDs and HIV transmission. Talk about a bonus! These days, my personal suggestion would be that any woman, whether she is on any other form of birth control or not, INSIST on condom use unless she is in a committed, monogamous relationship with a partner she KNOWS is disease-free. Hopefully, if it becomes a habit, she will never think about NOT doing this - no matter how much she has had to drink or whatever the circumstances may be.
I hope this information has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
