If I use a male condom with spermicide and I am on the birth control pill and I take plan B right after (just in case…) is that a good form of protection? I know there is always a chance of pregnancy, but is that as good as you can get? Is it safe to take Plan B in non emergencies?

While it’s safe to take Plan B anytime you need it, you really only need to take Plan B if your Plan A failed (the condom broke or you didn’t use one, you missed a pill, etc). It sounds like you’re talking about three different Plan As — a condom, the pill, and spermicide. On their own, condoms and birth control pills are both really effective methods of birth control — but together, they’re even more effective. And though spermicide is not very effective alone, it’s a great way to back up your more effective birth control methods.

You’re right — the only 100% guaranteed way to not get pregnant is by not having vaginal sex. Using both a condom and another method of birth control — like the pill, patch, ring, shot, implant, IUD, or pulling out — can make vaginal sex a lot safer. Using them together is an extremely effective way to drastically reduce the risk of getting pregnant, and of getting or spreading an STD.

If you’ve had unprotected sex or your birth control method has failed, then it’s a good idea to take Plan B, or emergency contraception (also known as the morning-after pill). But if neither of those things has happened, then there’s no need to take Plan B.