Can I Get Pregnant Using Birth Control Pills?
By: Zalmy Shams
Tags: Birth Control, Contraception, Birth Control Pill, Pregnancy

Birth control pills

If you are a sexually active couple, you need to consider many aspects before choosing the appropriate contraceptive method. These aspects include effectiveness, safety, availability, and acceptability. Many females take birth control pills to avoid unintended pregnancy. They are a type of contraception that is 99% protective against pregnancy if taken correctly and regular on time. Birth control pill normalizes menstruation, reduce the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer. The birth control pill is also called “the pill” because they come in pill shape, and women take it (by mouth) one pill daily. They are considered an effective technique of birth control. However, several reasons like vomiting, missing the pill, and taking certain medicines can decrease the pill’s effectiveness, which may cause unintended pregnancy.

Types of birth control pill

Combination pills

The combined oral contraceptive pill includes synthetic forms of feminine hormones that prevent the egg’s release during menstruation. Pregnancy can happen if sperm get into the ovum. Contraception works to stop this pregnancy by keeping the egg and sperm distance or halting an egg’s discharge, called ovulation.

Progestin-only pills

Progestin-only pills are also called mini pills. They contain only progestin without estrogen. These pills are the best option for those women who can’t use estrogen due to health issues such as strokes or blood clots. Progestin-only pills don’t contain inactive pills; they have all active pills in the cycle. If your age is 35 years and you are a smoker as well, the mini pill is a suitable pill for you.

How to take birth control pills

Choose a suitable time in the day for your first birth control pill. Progestin-only pills consist of 2 types of pills. First is a 3-hour pill which you should take within the same three hours of the same time every day. Second is 12-hour progestin-only pill which should be taken within 12 hours of the same time every day.

In case of taking combined pills, take one pill daily for 21 days consecutively. After that, don’t take any pill for seven days. You would start your period during these seven days. Start your next pills’ pack on the 8th day, whether your periods finished or not.

How do birth control pills work?

A combination pill prevents your body from the ovulation process so that your ovaries become unable to release an egg each month. They also thicken cervical mucus in your body. The mucus is liquid with your cervix, facilitating sperms to reach the uterus for fertilizing an egg. The thickened mucus prevents sperms from entering the uterus.

Mini pill or progestin pill works in several ways. They help to thicken your cervical mucus and by thinning your endometrium. The endometrium is the lining in the uterus where an egg establishes after fertilization. Suppose this lining becomes thinner, an egg can’t be established, which will protect you from pregnancy. Moreover, a mini pill is also helpful to stop ovulation.

Effectiveness of the birth control pill

The above mentioned both birth control pills are very effective if you take it appropriately and daily. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these pills’ success rate is 99.9% when used correct and regular. However, nine women out of 100 would get pregnant in the case of irregular use. Taking the pill regularly is difficult; that’s why 9 out of 100 women have unwanted pregnancies each year. The pill is effective if you take it regularly at the same time daily. For best protection, you should take progestin pills within a three-hour time-span daily. However, combination pills are somewhat flexible because you can take them on the same day within 12 hours.

Why you get pregnant using birth control pills?

While the birth control pill is considered very effective in preventing pregnancy, but few factors can decrease its effectiveness. Therefore, the result turns into an accidental pregnancy.

Vomiting: If you vomit, the pill will reduce its effectiveness. Due to vomiting, the pill either comes back or not properly absorb in your body. In case of vomiting, you must take another pill to retain its effectiveness.

Missing: If you miss pill a day, your hormone level may increase, and get pregnant. That’s why manufacturers propose to take the pill on a daily basis for effective results. If you can’t take the pill daily, you should consider other birth control methods.

Variation in time: The birth control pill is effective when you take it regularly and at the same time daily. At the same time, usage can maintain your hormone levels stable. You should take the pill within the same three-hour time daily. In the case of missing, you should avoid having sex or use other birth control methods.

Certain medicines: Some medicines, like certain antibiotics or herbal supplements, can affect pill efficiency. If you are taking some herbal supplements or antiseizure and anti-HIV drugs, then you should use backup contraception like a condom. In that case, consulting your doctor is the best suggestion.

How to prevent pill failure?

Read the packaging of the pill and carefully follow the instructions.

Use period tracker apps, which are also helpful in providing pill reminder.

Always try to take the pill within the same time daily.

If you experience irregularity in pills, use a backup method of birth control like condoms or pulling out.

Keep extra stock of pills at your home to avoid irregularity in case if existing pack runs out.

Benefits of birth control pills

Combination pills help to normalize or lighten your menstrual cycle. They are suitable for women with heavy or irregular periods.

They make periods lighter and shorter and protect you from anemia.

They protect you all the time. You are tension free about birth control during intercourse.

They are effective than other birth control methods.

You can stop them anytime without any hurdle and can get pregnant if you want.

Moreover, they prevent your skin from acne, protecting bones from thinning, endometrial and ovarian cancer, and severe menstrual pain.

Progestin pills have some other benefits, such as useful for those who can’t bear estrogen therapy. They are effective in birth control for women who smoke or have a history of blood clots. They are the appropriate birth control method for breastfeeding mothers. Moreover, women who are older than 35 years can use progestin pills.

Side effects of birth control pills

Although birth control pills are effective and safe for women, they also contain some side effects. Using birth control can decrease your sex drive. Every woman reacts differently to the hormones as some feel nausea. They may cause you bleeding between periods or breast tenderness.

If you face these side effects for more than a month, you should talk to your doctor. The doctor may suggest another birth control pill.

Conclusion

The birth control pills are very effective to prevent pregnancy when you take correctly and constantly. But they lose their effectiveness in the case of irregularity; vomiting or taking interfering medications. The pills are also helpful to protect you from several problems like uterine and ovarian cancers, migraines and acne. Some women face pills’ side effects like decrease of sex drive, breast tendering and bleeding, but these issues are not permanent. It will be great if you choose the pill’s brand according to your doctor prescription.