On Mirena - had a condom break. Should I be worried?

[Anonymous]

So this is embarrassing. I have a friend-with-benefits because I'm a single mom and don't have much time away from my child to date and find a nice guy. Anyway, we've been hooking up sporadically since last year and this morning the condom had a little tear in it when he took it off.

I am pretty sure the odds are VERY slim that I could get pregnant while on Mirena. I haven't had an actual period since I went on it last April, but I was so bloated and gassy last Wednesday that I suspect i was on my period. When I got pregnant before, it was exactly two weeks after my last period. So I'm pretty sure that timing-wise, we're in pretty good shape.

problem is, this guy is VERY neurotic. He is completely freaking out. It doesn't help that he knows that my pregnancy before was likely the result of a faulty condom. He wants me to get the morning-after pill. But I'm not sure it's a good idea to do something hormonal on top of the hormonal Mirena. and I'm not sure it's necessary, given the low risk of pregnancy on Mirena. (My doctor took me off the pill and put me on mirena when I turned 40.)

Has this happened to anyone else? What did you do? I'm going to try to message my doctor, but thought I'd crowd-source it first.

[Anonymous]

The majority of people with mirena don't use any other birth control, so I think you'll be fine. But what about STDs?

[Anonymous]

You'll be fine. I've had tons of sex in the last two years on Mirena and definitely without a condom. Tell him to chill. Or tell him you did take the pill.

[Anonymous]

Don't worry. Most people only use Mirena.

[Anonymous]

Mirena is one of the most effective birth control methods you could use. Don't stress.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input. I am less worried about STD's - he's super-neurotic about condom use and was dating someone seriously for a couple years until pretty recently. He says this is the first time he's had a condom break. I get tested every year, so will do all the tests at my appointment in about a month.

But yeah, I was a statistics minor, so I figure a "less than 1 in 100 chance of pregnancy" is pretty good odds. He'll probably tell me I'm being cavalier but my gut tells me we're ok.

[Anonymous]

And bear in mind that less than 1:100 is over a longer period, a year, I think?

[Anonymous]

OP here - 20:30 - exactly. That's how I read the mirena paperwork! I messaged my doctor and haven't heard back from her - didn't really expect to on a holiday weekend Sunday. I'm kind of hoping she'll say, "I would really not recommend taking a hormonal morning-after pill on top of the Mirena hormones" or something of the sort. Or that she'll tell me the odds are some super-teeny number that he will be comfortable with. Either way, my FWB relationship with this guy is probably over! Shame - I went almost two years without sex before him!

[Anonymous]

Mirena is the most effective birth control short of a hysterectomy. Seriously, you actually have a higher risk of pregnancy after having your tubes tied than with the Mirena. Morning after pill is total overkill.

[Anonymous]

Compared to an IUD, condoms are the rhythm method. This guy sounds annoying if he's this spazzed about a condom error.

That said the morning-after pill on top of mirena shouldn't matter. They're the same drug, delivered two different ways.

[Anonymous]

OP, are you still with this guy? I know it's tough to find time to mingle with a young kid, but I have faith that you will soon find someone worthy! He doesn't sound like he is.