Approximately 65% of those who identify as women in the United States use some form of birth control. Birth control pills and other contraceptives are used to prevent conception (getting pregnant). Show
However, this does not mean that you cannot get pregnant while on birth control. Besides abstaining from sexual intercourse, there is no form of birth control that has a 100% success rate. That is why it is important to understand the importance of using birth control properly. This article will explain why and how birth control pills can fail and also discuss any signs of early pregnancy to watch out for so you can be best prepared. Can You Get Pregnant on Birth Control?The short answer is yes; you can get pregnant on birth control. However, we need to dig deeper to understand why and how this can happen. Birth control pills are 99% effective, and they seem to have a better record of working correctly than humans! Approximately nine out of one hundred birth control pill users will get pregnant. Have questions about birth control? Chat with a doctor through K Health. Get Started Why Does Birth Control Fail?Hormonal birth control tends to fail when not used correctly. It is easy to forget doses or medical appointments in today’s fast-paced world. Stress and other obligations can all contribute to not using your birth control precisely as directed, which can increase your risk of pregnancy. In very rare cases, birth control can fail even when used perfectly. Common reasons why hormonal birth control fails include:
Because most birth control has hormones, it is important to use them as directed to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg. If any of the above occurs, your body’s hormone levels will change immediately. This may cause your body to ovulate, increasing your pregnancy chance. Preventing Birth Control FailureTo prevent birth control failure, one thing you can do is to maintain a strict protocol of its usage and follow instructions thoroughly. If you find it difficult to keep track of your daily birth control pill intake, then set a reminder on your phone. It can be a simple daily alarm that rings at the same time each day when it is convenient for you to take your pill. If taking a daily pill is difficult for you, other home contraceptive options like the patch, the vaginal ring, or a longer-term option like an implant, Depo shot, or IUD may be a better option for you. AppsThere are also plenty of apps and calendars available online to help you keep track of your contraceptive pills. These apps will help you with natural family planning, aid in keeping track of your cycle, and monitor your ovulation cycles. Additional ProtectionEven if you use birth control or monitor your fertility cycles, you may still want to consider extra protection like condoms. Condoms are available for both penises and vaginas. Condoms are barrier methods of contraception that also help keep STIs and STDs at bay and can provide additional protection from pregnancy. It is important that you practice safe sex and consensual sex at all times. It can take up to several weeks for hormonal birth control to take effect. Use a backup method of birth control for a start to avoid an unplanned pregnancy for the amount of time directed by your prescriber or pharmacist. Have questions about birth control? Chat with a doctor through K Health. get started Symptoms of PregnancyIf you miss a period in your menstrual cycle, take a home pregnancy test to see if you are pregnant. Take another test 7 days after your missed period, even if your first test is negative. You can also book a blood test with your doctor or primary care for pregnancy confirmation- though this is rarely needed unless you’re experiencing signs of a complication. When you’re on birth control, it is easy to ignore the early signs of pregnancy, such as:
How K Health Can HelpDo you know you can access affordable primary care with the K Health app? If you have any concerns about the efficacy of your birth control method or would like to get an expert’s opinion about how to prevent pregnancy, speak to or chat with one of our doctors at K Health. Download K to check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed, text with a doctor in minutes. K Health’s AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and is based on 20 years of clinical data. Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do you know if you're pregnant on the pill? If you are on the birth control pill, it can take a few days and sometimes even several weeks for pregnancy symptoms to get noticed. Look for early signs of pregnancy, including a missed period, nausea, tenderness in the breasts, and a persisting headache. You may take a home pregnancy test to check, but sometimes you may need to do another test after a few days to a week to get a more accurate result, depending on your cycles. Your primary care provider or doctor can help you figure out the right time to test and the best kind of test to take. What makes birth control fail? Hormonal birth control is a very effective way to prevent pregnancy. However, they are not 100% effective. Most often, birth control fails due to improper or careless use. If you forget to take the pill, take it at inaccurate times or skip the pill multiple times in a month, they will be more likely to fail. Aside from abstinence, no birth control is 100% effective even when used properly. How likely is it to get pregnant when not on birth control? There is a high chance that sexually active people who have not yet undergone menopause will get pregnant when not on birth control. Most will get pregnant within one year of trying, particularly during the period an egg is released from the ovary. K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. How effective is birth control without pulling out?Under “real life” circumstances, the pill is even more effective than pulling out, with a 91 percent to 92 percent effectiveness rate compared to the 78 percent success rate from the pull out method.
How do you know if you're pregnant while on birth control?How do you know if you're pregnant on the pill? If you are on the birth control pill, it can take a few days and sometimes even several weeks for pregnancy symptoms to get noticed. Look for early signs of pregnancy, including a missed period, nausea, tenderness in the breasts, and a persisting headache.
Can you get pregnant on the pill if he doesn't pull out?The pill works by preventing ovulation, which means that there's no egg for sperm to fertilize if it gets inside your vagina. So to answer your question, if you're on the pill, you're protected from pregnancy, even if semen gets in your vagina.
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