News Flash: Birth Control = Rubber Stis = Glue
Women under 30 years old are incredibly fertiletheir ability to get pregnant is at its peak. In the U.S., about three in four sexually active women under 30 are using some type of birth control. But many of them ask me, does using birth control now hurt my chances of getting pregnant in the future? Sigh of relief: it does not.
All reversible birth control methods will help prevent pregnancy while youre using them, but none have long-lasting effects on your ability to get pregnant when you stop. Thats why people who use the pill but accidentally forget to take it for a few days can get pregnant that month.
Lets look, for example, at how long it takes for women to get pregnant when they quit the pill compared to when they quit non-hormonal fertility awareness methods . A big study of over 2,000 women who quit the pill after using it for an average of seven years found that 21% were pregnant in one month and 79% were pregnant in a year. Women who stopped using FAM had very similar rates of pregnancy, with 20-25% pregnant in one month and 80% pregnant in a year. In other words, women who quit the pill get pregnant just as fast as other women, even if theyve used the pill for years.
Okay, so birth control doesnt hurt your chances of having a baby in the future. But there is something that does: untreated sexually transmitted infections . By the age of 25, one in two young people having sex will get an STI.
Both Terms Refer To Products Or Home Remedies That Wash The Hormones Out Of Your System After Stopping Hormonal Contraceptives Like Pills Or The Hormonal Intrauterine Device
It only takes a few minutes to remove, and a local anaesthetic will be used. Birth control without insurance can turn out to be pricey because you may sometimes need an exam before you can get the prescription, and the exam can be expensive. He or she will gently pull the implant out by holding on to the tip.
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Think You Might Be Pregnant Even Though Youre Taking A Birth Control Pill
Okay, now that we know what kinds of contact can get you pregnant, you may be wondering can I get pregnant if Im on the pill?? The short answer is yes, but the likelihood is small. You may be wondering, just how effective are they really? Very effective. Many are advertised at 99% effective but heres the catch, this is for perfect use, which means the birth control pill must be taken every day at the same time to be most effective.
Obviously, nobody is perfect so the real-life effectiveness of the birth control pill is subject to your routine. In reality, perfect use is difficult for many people. Typical use, for you know a real human being, is around 91% effective. So what are my odds for getting pregnant while Im on the pill? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
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How Well Does The Birth Control Shot Work To Prevent Pregnancy
The birth control shot is an effective birth control method. Over the course of a year, about 6 out of 100 typical couples who use the birth control shot will have an accidental pregnancy. The chance of getting pregnant increases if a girl waits longer than 3 months to get her next shot.
In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends on a lot of things. These include whether a person has any health conditions or is taking any medicines that might affect its use. It also depends on whether the method is convenient and whether the person remembers to use it correctly all of the time.
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What To Do If You Think Youre Pregnant
If you think you may be pregnant, find out as soon as you can so you can begin prenatal care. Over-the-counter pregnancy tests are extremely accurate. Take more than one if you want. You can even ask your doctors office for an at-home test.
Alternatively, make an appointment to see your doctor to discuss the symptoms youre experiencing. As part of the routine checkup, your doctor will likely conduct a pregnancy test. You can request one, too. By the end of the appointment, youll know if youre expecting or not. Take this quiz to see whether you might have the symptoms of pregnancy.
With typical use, birth control pills are still a highly effective form of pregnancy prevention. You can actually make it more effective by following a few simple strategies:
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Pregnancy Symptoms On Birth Control Can Include The Following:
Bloating: A bloated belly may happen because of hormone changes, which can also slow down the digestive system. You might feel constipated or blocked up. Constipation can also escalate the discomfort of abdominal bloating.
Fatigue: Fatigue may develop during pregnancy at any time. However, tiredness is commonly expected during early pregnancy. Progesterone levels skyrocket, which can cause sleepiness.
Frequent need to pee: Early gestation boosts your bodys blood volume. This increased blood flow means the kidneys work harder to process more fluid, leading to more liquid in the bladder. Also, hormonal shifts can mean more trips to the loo.
Mood changes: Estrogen and progestin levels rise during pregnancy, affecting your mood. The altered hormones can cause a person to feel more reactive than usual. Heightened emotions can be upsetting, so getting support from a therapist can remind you that youre not alone.
Nausea: Oddly enough, what causes morning sickness still needs to be fully understood. But experts believe AM nausea could arise because of a hormone called HCG that appears after impregnation. Staying hydrated and snacking on saltines can subdue morning sickness, but ensure you contact your MD if you cant keep fluids down.
If you notice nausea more often than normal, consider it one of the most indicative signs of pregnancy on birth control . But double-check with appropriate testing and medical care.
What if Im not pregnant but showing signs of it?
If On Birth Control Can You Get Pregnant From Precum
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Early Signs Of Pregnancy On Birth Control
According to Planned Parenthood, pregnancy symptoms can mimic pre-menstrual syndrome or side effects of hormonal birth control.
For example, hormonal contraception can induce breast tenderness, menstrual shifts, or mood changes. Thus, signs of pregnancy can be mistaken for PMS or a mild reaction to the pill, IUD, or patch .
Staying in close contact with a trusted medical professional, tracking your period, and paying close attention to bodily changes are essential to sexual health.
Also, its beneficial to be aware of signs of pregnancy while on birth control so youll recognize them if they occur.
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 todays 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:
- Forgetting to take birth control: Many people forget to take the birth control pill at the same time every day, or they might skip a pill too often. Alcohol or drug use might be a culprit here. While alcohol and recreational drugs do not directly affect birth control pills, they can affect your ability to remember to take your pill when required.
- Illness: If you are sick, you may vomit your birth control pill along with everything else that failed to absorb into your body in time.
- Diarrhea: If you have severe diarrhea that lasts for many hours of days at a stretch, the pill will pass through your body quickly without getting absorbed.
- Incorrect timing: Some people forget to start the next cycle of pills as soon as theyre supposed to. Skipping a few days between each pack of birth control pills will make them less effective. Start your new pack of pills or replace the patch or ring as directed on time to avoid getting pregnant.
Because most birth control has hormones, it is important to use them as directed to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg.
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Resuming A Normal Period Can Take Some Time
Some women who stop taking birth control may experience a delay in returning to normal ovulation and menstruation. Most women resume a normal menstrual cycle within a month after stopping birth control. Women who take longer than this may want to consult an OB-GYN or fertility specialist to check for any underlying health conditions or problems.
You Took Medication That Affects The Pill
The hormones in birth control pills need to be absorbed by your body before theyre effective at preventing pregnancy.
Like many other medications, most birth control pills are absorbed in your gastrointestinal tract, after which theyre metabolized in the liver by specific enzymes. Taking other medications that affect the same enzymes can lower absorption and make the birth control pill less effective.
Medications that can affect birth control pills include antibiotics such as rifampin and rifapentine, antifungal medications such as griseofulvin and several medications used to treat and manage epileptic seizures.
Many antiretroviral medications, including those used to treat HIV, can also affect the enzymes that metabolize hormonal birth control and reduce its effectiveness.
Finally, some health supplements and herbal remedies may interact with birth control pills and make them less effective. For example, the popular herbal remedy St Johns wort is linked to a higher risk of unexpected pregnancy in women who use oral contraceptives.
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Is The Contraceptive Implant The Same As A Matchstick
The contraceptive implant is a small waxy rod approximately the same size as a matchstick, says Dr Judith Holmes. It sits just under the skin in the upper arm. It contains progestogen, which is released into the blood stream steadily over a period of three years. How does the contraceptive implant work?
Medications That Interfere With The Pill
Some medications can make the pill less effective. These medications include certain antibiotics, such as rifampicin, and antifungal drugs, such as griseofulvin.
A person backup contraception while taking these medications and for 48 hours after finishing the course.
Other long-term medications and supplements may also affect how well birth control pills work. These include:
- epilepsy drugs, such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine
- antiviral medications for the treatment of HIV
Birth control pills are very effective if a person takes them correctly and does not miss any pill days. People can also take steps to prevent unintended pregnancies while taking the pill. These include:
- reading the packaging and following the instructions carefully
- taking the pill at the same time every day
- using an app that tracks periods and provides pills reminders, such as these period tracking apps
- always getting a new pill pack at least 1 week before the last pill pack is due to run out
- always taking missed pills as soon as possible
- using a backup method of contraception, such as a condom, if a person misses two or more pills in a row
If a person is concerned about not being able to take their pills consistently, they should speak with a doctor or gynecologist about other birth control methods. Several options are available that do not require people to take a pill daily, such as an IUD.
Below, we answer some of the questions that people often ask about birth control pills.
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Can You Be Pregnant While Having Withdrawal Bleeding
Is a withdrawal bleed still a sign youre not pregnant? The short answer is yes. A withdrawal bleed is still a sign that youre not pregnant, says Dr Wild. And on the flip side, if you dont bleed when you expect to then you should do a pregnancy test, if there is a chance that you could be pregnant.
When can you take a pregnancy test when on birth control?
Especially because tests on the market today often say 3 days before your missed period for best results. What does it mean if you dont get your period from birth control? Its best to test at least 19 days after having sex.
Preventing Pregnancy Without Hormonal Birth Control
Even though the majority of research shows hormonal birth control doesn’t cause infertility, there are other risks and side effects associated with it, and some people simply prefer to avoid it. Does this mean you have no way to prevent pregnancy? Of course not!
You may want to consider barrier method options that can provide an effective way to avoid pregnancy while not interfering with your hormones. These options include contraception like condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps.
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Special Info On Progesterone
It happens. We get busy and our routines change all the time! If youre taking progesterone-only birth control pills, taking pills on time is more crucial than other kinds of birth control options. They may be less effective if you take them more than three hours later than usual. So if youre taking progesterone-only birth control pills and you have taken your pill more than 3 hours after your usual time you should use a backup method of birth control, like condoms, for the next 2 days any time you have sex.
If taking the pill at the same time every day just isnt for you, you may want to consider using another method of birth control or combined-hormone pills. Want to think less about a birth control routine? Consider a long-acting reversible method such as an IUD, implant, or a birth control shot.
Can You Get Pregnant If You Have An Implant
The birth control implant is a flexible plastic rod about the size of a matchstick that is placed under the skin of your upper arm. It releases a low, steady dose of synthetic progestin to thicken your cervical mucus and thin the lining of the uterus, preventing pregnancy.
Nexplanon is actually the most effective birth control option out there, with a failure rate of only .05 percent. That means that out of 10,000 women, only five using the implant will get pregnant within a year. This is almost always due to incorrect insertion rather than the implant itself.
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How Long Does It Take For Birth Control Pills To Work
The time it takes birth control pills to work depends on when you start taking them and what type of pills you use. You may begin taking the birth control pill any day of the month. It is however, advisable to use a backup birth control method, such as condoms, for about a week once you start taking the pills.
Combination oral contraceptive pills
- When started within five days after the first day of your period, the combined pill will protect you from pregnancy right away.
- If you get your periods on a Monday morning and you start taking the combined pills any time before Saturday morning, you will be instantly protected from a possible pregnancy.
- If the pills are started at any other time, it is best to use an additional method of birth control, like a condom, for the first week after you start taking the combined pills.
Progestin-only pills
- Progestin-only pills, POPs or mini pills can be started any day of the month. They will protect you from pregnancy after 48 hours of taking the first pill.
- In this case, you must use another method of birth control to prevent pregnancy during the first two days.
You must always discuss with your nurse or doctor about which birth control pill option would be best for you.
What Does The Implant Do To Periods
The implant can have an effect on your menstrual cycle. Whilst this isnt something to worry about, its definitely something to consider before opting for this form of contraception. Many women experience period changes, either becoming lighter, heavier, longer, irregular or stopping completely . You may also experience spotting whilst on Nexplanon. Check out our blog about spotting whilst on contraception.
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Can Birth Control Cause Infertility
Rachel Gurevich is a fertility advocate, author, and recipient of The Hope Award for Achievement, from Resolve: The National Infertility Association. She is a professional member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and has been writing about womens health since 2001. Rachel uses her own experiences with infertility to write compassionate, practical, and supportive articles.
Meredith Shur, MD, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as a certified medical examiner.
Can birth control harm your fertility? The short answer is no. Women who have used hormonal birth control are just as likely to conceive as women who have never used hormonal contraceptives.
A three-year study of 3,727 participants found that long-term use of oral contraceptives did not affect their ability to have children in the future. In fact, people who had used combined birth control pills for more than three years were found to be more fertile than the study participants who had used them for less time.
As with oral medications, studies have also shown that there is no impact on future fertility with other forms of hormonal contraceptive, either. Whether you choose a vaginal ring, patch, intrauterine device , implant, injection, or birth control pills, your ability to get pregnant later in life should not be affected by these methods.
