Why can you still get pregnant after using birth control?

This is an automatically translated article.

This article is professionally consulted by Dr. Nguyen Van Thanh - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital. Doctor has many years of experience in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Currently, there are many methods of contraception in use. However, perhaps abstaining from sex is the only method of contraception that is 100% effective. All other birth control methods can sometimes still fail and lead to pregnancy.

1. Birth control pills

Oral contraceptives may contain hormones that stop ovulation. If used correctly, it can be a contraceptive with an effectiveness rate of up to 99.7%. However, in reality, so many women forget to take their pills every day, so the percentage drops to 91%.
Some other reasons why the drug may not work as it should, such as:
Vomiting or diarrhea for more than 48 hours Take birth control pills and also take the antibiotic rifampicin, the antifungal drug griseofulvin, antiepileptic drugs , or herbal supplements Being obese . Some studies have shown that birth control pills do not work for women who are overweight or obese. In case of pregnancy after taking oral contraceptives or any problems related to the above causes, please consult your doctor. Talk to your doctor to find a more effective birth control method, or maybe use a condom as a backup.
If you skip a birth control pill, take it as soon as possible. If you've missed more than two birth control pills, take them as soon as you remember and continue taking them every day, and use a back-up method like condoms for the next week. If you're using the mini-pill or progestin-only pill, take it within 3 hours of each day. For example, if you usually take one pill at 7 a.m. and then take it after 10 a.m. on the same day, you're more likely to get pregnant.

2. Patches and IUDs

The patch and ring are similar to birth control pills. You can use a vaginal IUD (Nuvaring) or place a patch on your abdomen, upper arm, buttocks, or back (Ortho Evra).
Like birth control pills, these two are 99% effective if used correctly. But if you don't follow its standard, the efficiency will drop to 91%.
Patches and IUDs won't work properly for a number of reasons such as:
You don't put in a new IUD on time each month or it comes out of your vagina more than 2 days in a period need to use it. Or the patch may not work as it should if it falls off or if you don't put in a new one at the right time each week. You use certain drugs. And similar drugs and supplements can be unreliable in how the IUD and patch work. You can increase body mass if this method is not used correctly. Studies have found that the contraceptive patch does not work properly for women who weigh more than 90kg. If you use one of these methods and it doesn't work or you forget to follow the instructions for use, you can use it again or replace it within 48 hours (if it's been more than two days, use the save method for the next 7 days).

3. Contraceptive injection

You may receive Depo-Provera or birth control injections about every 3 months. The effect of this compound is that it contains the hormone progestin, which stops ovulation. It works perfectly as well as being 99.8% effective. Sometimes some people forget to inject their medication on time.
It is important that you take your birth control shot within 10 to 15 weeks after your last shot. If this is longer than prescribed, you should use a backup method of birth control for a week.

4. Implants for birth control

This is a thin rod, about the size of a match, that the doctor will implant in your arm. It then works by releasing hormones that prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years. It is really easy to use, as it already exists in the body. Moreover, you also no longer have to remember when to use it and how to use it. This method results in both standard and outright use of more than 99.9%.
If you have had a contraceptive implant for 3 years and you still do not want to get pregnant, you must see your doctor to replace another implant. Otherwise, you will have a better chance of getting pregnant when the old implant has worn off.

5. IUDs (IUDS)

The IUD is used by the doctor placing it in a woman's uterus. They are 99.2% more effective whether you use it at all or not.
Unlike other birth control and birth control methods, you can't forget to use it or use it improperly. Once the IUD is inserted into a woman's uterus, it will then work for 3 to 10 years. There are two types of IUDs: copper (ParaGard) and hormonal (Kyleena, Liletta, Mirena, and Skyla).
In case, you still get pregnant while using the IUD, it usually happens because the IUD has partially or completely slipped out of the uterus. If this happens, you should see your doctor right away. Because, there may be a risk of life-threatening complications such as an ectopic pregnancy. You need to be thoroughly examined when this happens. Even if the pregnancy is in the correct position (uterus), the doctor will still need to try to remove the IUD because there is an increased risk of miscarriage if it leaves the position.

6. Barrier method

Birth control methods such as a diaphragm barrier, cervical cap, or male/female condom can help prevent sperm from entering a woman's uterus. However, the reliability of these methods is lower than that of hormonal methods of contraception. And this situation can still happen, that is the probability of getting pregnant when using a condom.
For example, the male condom is 98% effective with proper use, but if done incorrectly it is only 82% effective. That means 18 women who regularly use condoms with their partners can get pregnant within a year, if the condom breaks or the condom is not inserted correctly.
However, this method works better when combined with spermicide - this is a type of birth control chemical that works to prevent sperm from reaching an egg.

7. Reproductive Awareness Method (FAM)

This is also called the "natural family planning" method of the Muslims. This information will help you to track your menstrual cycle to know when you ovulate. To do this, you need to monitor your basal body temperature every day, check your cervical mucus, or chart your cycle.
If you use at least one of these methods and follow it completely, there is a less than 5% chance that you will get pregnant. However, this is not an easy task for all women. So that's why the effectiveness rate of these methods only hovers around 76%.
If you use a combination of fertility awareness methods, its contraceptive effect will work better. But this is not a good choice for people with irregular menstrual cycles.

8. Some early signs of pregnancy

If you miss a period on birth control, get tested to make sure you're pregnant. Signs of pregnancy include: fatigue, bloating, increased urination, moodiness, nausea and tender, swollen breasts...Most pregnancy tests will be positive when you miss your period. first month.
You should talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you suspect you are pregnant or get a positive result on a rapid pregnancy test. Conversely, if you miss a period and have a negative pregnancy test, you should still seek medical advice from your doctor or specialist, unless you are taking a form of birth control that prevents regular cycle. Although very rare, false negatives are possible.
In a nutshell, the only method of birth control that is 100% effective is not having sex. There are several reliable methods of birth control, but it depends on how they are done and followed as prescribed. . So, if you are concerned about the risk of pregnancy, you should talk to your doctor to find the right solution.
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Reference source: webmd.com