Birth control works as a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. But sometimes it’s normal to get a pregnancy scare if your partner finishes inside you. Birth controls generally keep you safe from falling pregnant. But their potency may be determined by how correctly you use them and your cycle time. All things being equal, you shouldn’t get pregnant if your partner finishes inside you.
How efficient is birth control?
Hormonal and copper IUDs are the most effective, with 99% efficacy. Patches and rings have a 91-99% success rate, and pills are 91-99% effective. Shots are up to 99% effective. Male condoms protect 82-98% of the time and are the only birth control method that protects against STIs. The only birth control methods with a 100% efficacy record are abstinence, vasectomy, and tubal ligation.
Here’s why any of these birth control pills may fail
- Hormonal implants and IUDs are meant to stay in your uterus. They may fail if they fall out, move out of place and slip into your cervix. You might not notice that your IUDs have moved except a doctor or qualified nurse checks it to confirm.
- Condoms may fail if they have leakage or breakage. Use them every single time you have sex. To use condoms correctly, leave a half-inch of space at the tip. Do not hold the rim of the condom when removing to avoid spillage.
- If you fail to use the pill every day and at the same time of the day, the pill may be unable to prevent pregnancy. Precision is important here because your hormone level needs to be consistent for the pill to work. Any imbalance might result in pregnancy. To use pills correctly, take the pill daily and at the same time each day. There is usually a three-hour window that you should try not to exceed. Start a new pack immediately. Use an alarm To avoid missing your pills, buy a new pack a week before you exhaust the old one. If you find that taking a daily pill is posing a challenge to you, see your doctor. s/he can prescribe an alternative that suits your convenience.
- Shots may fail if you miss your next appointment, receive your next dose late, and when it is improperly given. To use it correctly, take your next shot at the right time.
Birth control pills taken within six days of the first day of your period, take effect immediately. This means it’s okay to have sex. But If you begin anytime after six days, it takes another one month for the pills to begin working to prevent pregnancy. If you must have sex, use another birth control until you have completed one full cycle.
In most cases, women who become pregnant while taking oral or the shot contraceptives miss a dose or two, or take a dose at a different time (i.e., in the morning instead of the evening). Antibiotics are also capable of reducing the efficacy of the pills. Vomiting after taking the pill prevents the body from absorbing it, and pregnancy may occur if you have sex without taking another one after vomiting.
Emergency pills can help if you have missed a pill, or had unprotected sex. You have a window of 3-5 days to take emergency pills. EC reduces pregnancy risk by 95%, but should never be used as a permanent birth control method.
Be wary of the withdrawal method: you can get pregnant if your partner ejaculates outside your vagina but close to the vaginal entry. Sperms can swim hard and fast and if you are ovulating they can get you pregnant. Even if he withdraws before ejaculating, some semen can still escape from his penis during intercourse.
If you miss your pill, what can be done?
It doesn’t take a lot to get pregnant. One sperm and an egg are more than enough to conceive a child. And this can happen with one-time sex – all the more reason extra care is needed instead of leaving it to chance.
Always take your missed pill as soon as you remember that you have missed a pill. Even if it means taking two the next day, that is if you remember you missed a pill the previous day. If you have missed two pills, take two pills the day you remember and two pills the next day. That puts you back on schedule.
If you have missed more than two, visit your doctor. Meanwhile, use an alternative birth control method if you must have sex until you are back on schedule. If you are unsure of your safety at any time, use a condom each time you need to have intercourse, especially if you are polyamorous. Condoms protect you from STDs.
Have a pregnancy scare?
Sometimes a missed or late period doesn’t always mean you are pregnant. Sometimes, hormonal imbalance and other medical conditions may be the reason why it is late. But you may be able to tell if you are pregnant or not with these early signs.
- Breast tenderness
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Moodiness
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
It might still be hard to tell because you may get some of these signs before your cycle begins. It’s best to use a pregnancy strip or meet with your doctor to confirm the situation with a blood/urine test. For any questions about birth control, you can contact Zoey or you need to consult with online health professional about your sexual health.
