I'm so sorry.

#313, where are you getting these bs numbers? They are completely, utterly off (I work in family planning research, so I know what I'm talking about). The only thing that's 99.8% effective is a copper IUD, and the only thing that's 99.9% effective is tying your tubes. The pill is nowhere close, and condoms are a bit over 80% effective as commonly used. Tons of people get pregnant while on birth control. Yes, some of that is due to incorrect use, too, but it's not like we do a great job educating people about birth control in this country with all our 'abstinence only' funding. Furthermore, many women can't use the most effective birth control because of side effects and health contradictions (for example, those who cannot take anything hormonal). So maybe get off your high horse and focus on getting the facts straight.

Apparently I sounded arrogant, but at the risk of sounding crass I need to specify again that I meant proper use and not common use, makes a huge difference its effectiveness. Working in research you of all people should know the importance of using birth control as directed and intended by the manufacturer and the fallacies that are prevalent regarding it. Personally I agree with you that the abstinence-only philosophy we adopted in this country is as ridiculous as it is ineffective and that is what I blame, if anybody. As far as the numbers I gave, which were for proper use and not the common use of birth control, I paid enough attention in health class to know what to research concerning diseases and pregnancy risks when I entered into my first long-term relationship and I research it again every few years in an attempt to be a responsible adult. Because you very nicely said I pulled them out of my ass, I looked them up again. There are numerous articles you can find with less effort than you expended in typing your response, including a very good one on the Mayo Clinic's website detailing condom use, and there are articles on the NHS website, the Mayo Clinic, WebMD, and dozens of family planning sites if you're interested in information about the pill. The numbers range from 99% to 99.9% depending on the source but every single one stresses the importance of using it as directed. Most condoms break because they were not used, sized, stored, or worn properly, and even being as generous to your hostility as the numbers permit something like 8 out of 9 pregnancies that occur on the pill happen because it was not used as directed. I am going to assume you don't need me to defend basic probability. Health issues are a valid concern, and not all forms of birth control are right for everybody. Even among the healthy I think the pill increases the risk of stroke and high blood pressure, and other nasty things.