Can the birth control pill fail?

To begin with, it is good that you are very clear: there is no contraceptive method that is 100% effective, unless it is a vasectomy or tubal ligation, which are definitive methods in which sterility is induced.

Therefore, the birth control pill can fail in the same way as other popular methods such as condoms, IUDs or contraceptive patches. However, these types of pills, when taken well, have a very high effectiveness rate that can reach up to 99%, which means that if you read the pills’ leaflet, you are aware of the proper way to ingest them and you know in which cases you should reinforce protection, the chances of pregnancy are very low.

The quickest answer would be: because of ourselves. The truth is that birth control pills come with a detailed prospectus which explains in which cases its effectiveness can be reduced and what measures to take in this regard, however, the majority of women who use pills do not usually read the leaflet in detail and therefore do not know in which cases its effectiveness can be reduced.

The reasons why birth control pills fail most frequent are:

Do not always take the pill at the same time

The instructions clearly explain that to ensure greater effectiveness, the contraceptive pill must always be taken at the same time or at very close times of the day. Taking the pill at a different time each day significantly reduces its effectiveness and can lead to an unwanted pregnancy, therefore the best solution is to set an alarm so that this does not happen.

Forget one or more pills

Forgetting to take a birth control pill is always a significant risk, however depending on the week of your cycle in which the forgetfulness occurred, the consequences may be greater. In some cases, the use of an alternative protection method such as a condom is recommended for the following 7 days, in others it will be necessary to ingest the emergency pill since the risk of pregnancy can be significant. To clarify this point, we invite you to read our article what to do if I forget a contraceptive pill.

Taking other medications at the same time

The leaflet also indicates that antibiotics, so common when we suffer from infections, medications to control seizures and some antidepressants significantly reduce the effect of the contraceptive pill. If you are following any of these treatments you must use the condom to be protected from pregnancy, otherwise there is a significant risk of pregnancy.

Suffering from diarrhea or vomiting

Any stomach or health condition that causes frequent vomiting and diarrhea can affect the absorption process of the contraceptive pill, causing us to expel it before our body has been able to absorb its properties. If you have had diarrhea or have vomited a little, it is important to use a barrier method to ensure the effectiveness of the pills, that is, opt for a condom as well.

Stop taking pills in the middle of the cycle

It is important to remember that birth control pills are not a game and that we should never stop using them in the middle of the menstrual cycle without having finished the package. This can increase the risk of pregnancy if you have been sexually active in the previous days.

Ingestion of medicinal plants that reduce their effectiveness

Just as certain medications can affect the effectiveness of pills, certain medicinal plants also have side effects, even if they are natural. A clear example is St. John’s wort, however there are different plants that affect the hormonal effectiveness of the pills, so before starting any hormonal treatment it is advisable to consult your doctor first or investigate its interaction with the pills.

Always take the pills at the same time of day. The best thing to avoid forgetting is to set an alarm on your cell phone to remind you of the event. When your doctor orders you any type of treatment, always ask about the effects of medication on pill effectiveness. If your doctor tells you to use an extra protection method such as a condom while the treatment lasts, it is essential to listen to him. Whenever you consume antibiotics, you must use a condom during sexual relations and up to a week after completing the treatment. Vomiting and diarrhea can leave you unprotected, so it is important that in these cases you also use a condom during these episodes and up to 7 days after them. Never stop taking pills in the middle of your menstrual cycle without consulting your gynecologist. If you want to suspend its intake, do so when you have finished the package. Don’t change pills without consulting your gynecologist. Not all hormonal loads are suitable for you, if you make a change you must be completely sure that the brand you choose has the same hormonal load as the pills you currently consume. Keep a leaflet of your pills so that you can consult it if you have any questions and this way you have the information at hand when you need it. If you notice any adverse reaction when starting to take the pills, such as nausea, severe headache, vomiting or great discomfort, consult your gynecologist.

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