Vanessa Lin
It is possible to get pregnant while on birth control, but it is not common. People who get pregnant while on the pill usually do so because they forget to take their pills as often as they should. Skipping a pill for any reason can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. If you are taking a combination pill, you need to take it for seven days before you are protected from pregnancy. If you are taking a progestin-only pill, you will be protected from pregnancy after 48 hours. If you are taking Slynd, a different type of progestin-only pill, you will be protected from pregnancy right away if you start taking it within the first five days of your period.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to get pregnant on birth control | Stop taking the pill |
| Forget to take the pill | |
| Take the pill inconsistently | |
| Take the pill at the wrong time of the month |
What You'll Learn
Skipping pills
If you are taking a combination pill, you need to take it for seven days before you are protected from pregnancy. If you are taking a progestin-only pill, you will be protected from pregnancy after 48 hours. Slynd is a different type of progestin-only pill; if you start taking it within the first five days of your period, you will be protected from pregnancy right away.
If you are not confident that you can remember to take a daily pill, talk to your healthcare provider about other birth control options, such as an Etonogestrel implant, an intrauterine device (IUD), or a removable contraceptive vaginal ring.
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Forgetting to take pills
The birth control pill is a daily pill that contains hormones to change the way the body works and prevent pregnancy. The hormones in the pill control the ovaries and the uterus, preventing ovulation (the release of an egg during the monthly menstrual cycle). The pill also works by thickening the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released.
People who get pregnant while on the pill usually do so because they forget to take their pills as often as they should. Forgetting to take the pill can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. If you forget to take your pill, you may need to use another method of birth control, like a condom, for a certain period of time to remain protected from pregnancy. For example, if you start taking a progestin-only pill, you will be protected from pregnancy after 48 hours. However, if you start taking a combination pill, you will need to take the pill for seven days before you are protected from pregnancy.
If you are not confident that you can remember to take a daily pill, there are other birth control options available, such as an Etonogestrel implant, an intrauterine device (IUD), or a removable contraceptive vaginal ring. Talk to your healthcare provider about these options if you are concerned about forgetting to take your birth control pill.
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Combination pills
If you're taking combination pills, you need to take them for seven days before you're protected from pregnancy. Therefore, you should use another method of birth control, such as a condom, if you have sex during your first week on the pill.
The combination pill is a daily pill that contains hormones to change the way the body works and prevent pregnancy. The hormones in the pill control the ovaries and the uterus. Most combination pills contain a mix of the hormones oestrogen and progestogen to prevent ovulation. Pregnancy can't happen if a female doesn't ovulate because there is no egg to be fertilised. The pill also works by thickening the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released.
People who get pregnant while they're on the pill usually do so because they forget to take their pills as often as they should. Therefore, it's important to pick a birth control pill that's easy to work into your routine and take it consistently. If you're tempted to skip a pill because of side effects, talk to your doctor but continue taking them.
You can get pregnant soon after stopping the pill. Most people who decide to try for a baby get pregnant within a year after stopping the pill. This is the same timeline for people trying to conceive who haven't been on the pill.
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Progestin-only pills
Progestin is a form of progesterone, the hormone that plays a role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Progestin-only pills work by thickening the mucus in the cervix, making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and fertilise an egg.
If you want to get pregnant, you can stop taking the pill at any time. You can get pregnant soon after stopping the pill. Most people who decide to try for a baby get pregnant within a year after stopping the pill.
If you want to get pregnant while still taking the pill, you can do so by skipping pills or forgetting to take them. However, this is not recommended as it can increase your chances of becoming pregnant and make the birth control less effective.
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Etonogestrel implant
The Etonogestrel implant is a form of hormonal contraception that is placed under the skin of the upper arm. It is a semi-rigid plastic rod composed of ethylene vinyl acetate, measuring 40 mm by 2 mm, and contains 68 mg of the progestin etonogestrel. The implant is inserted and removed by a trained healthcare professional using a unique preloaded disposable applicator. It is released over three years, with the release rate decreasing over time. After removal, fertility quickly returns.
The Etonogestrel implant is a long-acting reversible form of contraception and has been shown to be one of the most effective forms of birth control. It is approved in more than 90 countries and used by about three million women globally as of 2010. It is available under the brand names Nexplanon and Implanon.
The Etonogestrel implant is a progestin that is also used in combination with ethinylestradiol, an estrogen, as a vaginal ring. The vaginal ring is available under the brand names NuvaRing and Circlet. Etonogestrel is effective as a means of birth control and lasts at least three or four years, with some data showing effectiveness for five years.
Side effects of the Etonogestrel implant include menstrual irregularities, breast tenderness, mood changes, acne, headaches, vaginitis, and others. It is important to note that the implant should be inserted and removed by a trained healthcare professional familiar with its use. If the implant is not palpable at any time, it should be localized and removed as soon as medically appropriate to manage the risks of migration.
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Frequently asked questions
You can get pregnant while taking birth control pills if you forget to take them as often as you should. If you skip a pill for any reason, your chances of becoming pregnant increase.
Most people who decide to try for a baby get pregnant within a year after stopping the pill.
If you want to get pregnant, you can stop taking the pill and use other birth control options such as an Etonogestrel implant (Nexplanon and Implanon), an intrauterine device (IUD), or a removable contraceptive vaginal ring.
The chances of getting pregnant while taking birth control pills are low if you take them consistently and as directed. However, it is important to remember that the pill does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases, so you should continue to use condoms every time you have sex, especially with new partners.
