Effective methods of birth control may be the best thing to happen to women in history aside from getting the rights to vote and being elected to public office. Birth control provided women with the power of choice when it comes to having a baby. Try the pregnancy symptoms calculator to check if you are pregnancy. Although initial reactions to birth control included worries about not being able to get pregnant later on, studies show that contraceptives do not impact fertility negatively. Depending on the contraception method used, women can conceive anywhere from a day to year after stopping birth control.
Barrier methods
Using barrier methods like condoms, sponges, diaphragms, and cervical caps, among others does not affect a woman's ability to conceive. These methods only prevent sperm cells from reaching the egg and fertilizing it. Barrier methods do not alter or affect a woman's hormonal cycle and ovulation process.
Provided that a woman has a normal ovulation and fertility cycle and that she relies solely on barrier methods for birth control, there is no reason she could not get pregnant after having sexual intercourse without using barrier methods. If a woman cannot get pregnant after stopping the use of barrier methods, she and her partner must submit themselves to a proper medical checkup to assess their sexual and reproductive health.
Spermicide gels and creams
The use of spermicides in cream and gel forms does not affect a woman's ability to conceive. Usually used with a barrier method or applied directly to the genitalia as a form of lubricant, these gels and creams prevent sperm cells from fertilizing the egg by killing them at the moment of ejaculation. Similar to stopping the use of barrier methods, there is no lag time when it comes to being able to get pregnant.
Birth control pills
Using pills or BCP as a form of birth control is a popular choice among women for its convenience and reliability. However, stopping BCP to get pregnant can be a little tricky if done incorrectly. It is generally advised that women should finish their current pill pack before stopping instead of discontinuing the intake abruptly. Since it takes months to get pill-contained hormones out the body's system and for a woman's cycle to normalize without them, it usually takes an average of eight months to a year after stopping pill intake for a woman to get pregnant.
Birth control shots
Getting pregnant after stopping an injectable form of birth control like Depo-Provera may take longer when compared to barrier methods and birth control pills. Since the effect of a shot lasts for three months, a woman hasn't really stopped the birth control until after the third month of her last shot. Even then, getting pregnant can be difficult and may take anywhere from ten to 18 months after taking the last shot.
Most forms of birth control, especially those listed above, are designed to be temporary and reversible. As such, there is no risk of infertility in using the said birth control methods. However, disability to conceive over time after stopping these birth control methods should be brought to medical attention.
Thursday, April 13, 2017
5 Reasons You Can Get Pregnant While On Birth Control
Most women rely on popular contraception methods like birth control pills and condoms to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Although the Pill and most common forms of contraception used by men and women are highly reliable in preventing pregnancies, there is still the possibility of getting pregnant while on birth control albeit being very minimal. Below are five reasons that may cause pregnancies while on birth control:
Take Free Online Pregnancy Test To Check If You Are Pregnant
Improper use of chosen contraception method
Most contraception and birth control methods are almost a hundred percent pregnancy-proof. Human error plays a large part why unplanned pregnancies occur among people practicing birth control.
One such example is the improper use of the Pill. The Pill must be taken at exactly the same time everyday. Forgetting or being late in taking a scheduled Pill intake and having unprotected sex can cause a pregnancy. Also, since the Pill is taken in cycles, a disruption in the cycle caused by missed birth control pills can be tricky to correct and cause an unplanned pregnancy without a backup or alternative form of birth control.
Condoms are also prone to misuse. Not taking the air out of the condom before putting it on can cause it to burst due the friction created by the intercourse. Also, using a condom that does not fit well can cause it to burst or slide and spill the semen during intercourse.
Diaphragms, cervical caps, and IUDs, on the other hand, need to be checked at least once a month for proper positioning. Misalignment or improper coverage can provide little pathways for the sperm to reach the egg and start the conception process.
Inconsistent usage of contraception methods
Inconsistency in the use of contraception methods also contribute to the number of unplanned pregnancies that occur while on birth control. Missed birth control pills or having unprotected sex without condoms “just this one time,” is enough to cause a pregnancy. Since sperm can live inside the woman's reproductive system for days, having just one unprotected encounter is enough to cause a pregnancy even if the succeeding sexual intercourse made use of contraceptives.
Other antibiotic medications
Taking antibiotic medications have been found to affect and interfere with the efficacy of birth control pills. Antibiotic medications can decrease the levels of steriod plasma concentrations in the pills which can drastically alter their effects. If pills are taken along with antibiotic medication, it is advised that women and their partners use backup birth control methods to augment the decreased efficacy of the pills. Backup contraceptives can come in the form of sperm gels, creams, and condoms.
Broken condoms and other barrier methods
Breakage is the prime cause of failure for barrier methods of contraception. Broken condoms and other barrier methods provide a way for the sperm to escape and reach the egg. Condoms are usually broken due to the increased friction and pressure during intercourse. Using the right-sized condoms and proper latex-safe lubricants can help minimize condom ruptures. Other barrier methods can benefit from monthly checkups to assess and maintain the right fit.
Believing there is a safe time for unprotected sex
There is never a safe time for unprotected sex. Studies have shown that while most women get pregnant during their mid-cycle or fertile days, some also get pregnant on days that normally considered as non-fertile. As such, it is advised that protection should always be used whenever one has sex to prevent unplanned pregnancies.
Take Free Online Pregnancy Test To Check If You Are Pregnant
Improper use of chosen contraception method
Most contraception and birth control methods are almost a hundred percent pregnancy-proof. Human error plays a large part why unplanned pregnancies occur among people practicing birth control.
One such example is the improper use of the Pill. The Pill must be taken at exactly the same time everyday. Forgetting or being late in taking a scheduled Pill intake and having unprotected sex can cause a pregnancy. Also, since the Pill is taken in cycles, a disruption in the cycle caused by missed birth control pills can be tricky to correct and cause an unplanned pregnancy without a backup or alternative form of birth control.
Condoms are also prone to misuse. Not taking the air out of the condom before putting it on can cause it to burst due the friction created by the intercourse. Also, using a condom that does not fit well can cause it to burst or slide and spill the semen during intercourse.
Diaphragms, cervical caps, and IUDs, on the other hand, need to be checked at least once a month for proper positioning. Misalignment or improper coverage can provide little pathways for the sperm to reach the egg and start the conception process.
Inconsistent usage of contraception methods
Inconsistency in the use of contraception methods also contribute to the number of unplanned pregnancies that occur while on birth control. Missed birth control pills or having unprotected sex without condoms “just this one time,” is enough to cause a pregnancy. Since sperm can live inside the woman's reproductive system for days, having just one unprotected encounter is enough to cause a pregnancy even if the succeeding sexual intercourse made use of contraceptives.
Other antibiotic medications
Taking antibiotic medications have been found to affect and interfere with the efficacy of birth control pills. Antibiotic medications can decrease the levels of steriod plasma concentrations in the pills which can drastically alter their effects. If pills are taken along with antibiotic medication, it is advised that women and their partners use backup birth control methods to augment the decreased efficacy of the pills. Backup contraceptives can come in the form of sperm gels, creams, and condoms.
Broken condoms and other barrier methods
Breakage is the prime cause of failure for barrier methods of contraception. Broken condoms and other barrier methods provide a way for the sperm to escape and reach the egg. Condoms are usually broken due to the increased friction and pressure during intercourse. Using the right-sized condoms and proper latex-safe lubricants can help minimize condom ruptures. Other barrier methods can benefit from monthly checkups to assess and maintain the right fit.
Believing there is a safe time for unprotected sex
There is never a safe time for unprotected sex. Studies have shown that while most women get pregnant during their mid-cycle or fertile days, some also get pregnant on days that normally considered as non-fertile. As such, it is advised that protection should always be used whenever one has sex to prevent unplanned pregnancies.
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