Is Your Birth Control Pill Effective In Controlling Pregnancy?

Measuring the effectiveness of the birth control pill

Birth control pills are the most popular and widely accepted form of contraception. These pills are synthetic forms of the hormones estrogen and progesterone and they stop the ovaries from releasing eggs thus stopping ovulation and fertilization is avoided.

Different brands of pills are available in packs of 21 or 28 pills. Although the birth control pills have shown a 99.7% success rate, it does depend upon how regularly and timely the pills are taken. The birth control pills are taken from the first day of the menstrual periods or the first day after an abortion. One pill is taken every single day till the entire pack is finished. If a 28-day pack is used, a new pack should be started immediately after the old pack is over. If using a 21-day pack, one pill has to be taken for 21 days and a gap of 7 days given before starting on the new pack immediately.

Mistakes in taking the pill on time reduce the effectiveness of the pill and may result in pregnancy. The most common way for a woman to get pregnant while still on the pill is to starting the next pack 1 day late. If this happens, 2 pills should be taken as soon as possible and 1 pill thereafter each day. If the next pack is started 2 days late, 2 pills should be taken per day for 2 days and then continued as usual. In both cases, a backup form of contraception is advisable for 2 weeks. If the new pack is started 3 or more days late, the clinic should be consulted.

The other way to mess up the protection of the pill is by forgetting to take the pill during the cycle. If 1 pill is missed, it should betaken as soon as possible and the next due pill should be taken as usual. This might mean taking 2 pills in a day. Many women miss 2 pills in a row in the first 2 weeks and this increases the chances of conceiving. If this happens, she should take 2 pills on the day she remembers and another 2 pills the next day and then continues as usual. Extra precaution for birth control should be taken for a week in both cases. If she misses 3 or more pills in a row anytime, 1 pill should be taken every day till Sunday. On Sunday, a new pack of pills should be started and the old one kept aside. Back-up contraception is advised for 2 weeks.

Birth control pills also have their efficiency reduced if they are taken in conjunction with certain medications like medicines for migraines, tuberculosis, anti-seizure or even antibiotics. Back-up contraceptive methods are advisable in such cases and the medical provider should be provided with all the relevant medical history before starting on the pills.

Birth control pills are highly effective in controlling pregnancy provided they are strictly taken regularly without missing a dose.