The contraceptive pill is the number 1 contraceptive and, with a Pearl index of 0.1 to 0.9, is considered a very safe method of contraception. In terms of safety, it ranks ahead of condoms and IUDs, provided that it is used correctly.
An unwanted pregnancy despite taking the pill is quite possible, although it is usually due to application errors. By taking the pill very conscientiously, pregnancy can almost always be avoided. However, in the case of any miscarriage, there are several ways to maintain protection.
The morning-after pill may be a way to prevent pregnancy in the event of a pill breakdown.
If you are protected from pregnancy even though you forgot to take the pill?
Contraceptive protection from the pill depends on several factors of taking it. If a pill has been missed, the time at which the missed pill was taken is decisive. If the time of taking the pill was delayed by more than 12 hours due to the missing intake, the Contraception protection depending on the time of the cycle no longer guaranteed its. In this case, another contraceptive such as a condom should be used.
If sexual intercourse has already taken place despite delayed pill intake, the first 72 hours or. 120 hours, the "morning after pill" must be taken to prevent an unintended pregnancy.
Can you be pregnant if you have lost the pill?
Missing a pill means that protection is no longer guaranteed. The artificially maintained hormone level must be sufficiently high to ensure protection against conception.
For the necessary hormone level, the pill intake must never be interrupted for more than seven days and must be taken regularly for at least seven days in a row to build up the protection. Moreover, the pill intake must not be delayed by more than 12 hours. At irregular intake therefore the protection is reduced and lead to pregnancy.
Can you become pregnant despite taking the pill if you have drunk alcohol??
Drinking alcoholic beverages has no effect on contraception to begin with, although a few points need to be considered. When drinking one or two glasses of champagne or wine, which do not yet affect consciousness to any great extent, contraceptive protection is fully guaranteed. It becomes dangerous when, due to the alcoholic state, the Forgotten to take the pill is. Since the pill should always be taken at approximately the same time, it makes sense to set up a daily reminder, for example on your cell phone via a pill app. This makes it easier to take the pill regularly, even if you have had a bit more to drink.
Protection by the pill in combination with alcohol becomes uncertain if by the consumption of alcohol intolerance symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. If vomiting occurs within a few hours of taking the pill, the active ingredients may not have been fully absorbed and the hormone level may be too low to provide contraceptive protection. The same applies to an intolerance to alcohol consumption, which manifests itself in the form of diarrhea. Many women cannot tolerate alcohol in large quantities and as a result suffer from diarrhea, which, like vomiting, can weaken the effect of the pill. In both cases, it is important to additionally use a safe contraceptive method, such as barrier methods, to ensure safety.
Furthermore, after such an event, after finishing the blister, the next blister of pills can be taken immediately without a break. This makes sense in order to keep the hormone status sufficiently high so that the contraceptive effect does not diminish.
How to become pregnant despite taking the pill regularly?
Despite taking the pill regularly, pregnancy is generally possible. Due to gastrointestinal complaints such as vomiting or Diarrhea the protection may be reduced. During this time, additional protection with another contraceptive is recommended.
The effect of the contraceptive pill can also be influenced by taking other medications such as antibiotics, some antihistamines or St. John’s wort. It is therefore advisable to check with a pharmacist or doctor whether the medicines can interact with each other.
Diseases that affect the metabolism can also lead to a reduced effect of the preparation. These include Crohn’s disease (inflammatory bowel disease), celiac disease (gluten intolerance), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), and anorexia (anorexia) or bulimia (binge eating disorder).
When does it make sense to take the morning-after pill??
The "morning-after pill" is an emergency contraceptive that has been available without prescription in pharmacies since March 2015. The preparation consists of high doses of progestogens and inhibits or delays ovulation. The pill is taken once within the first 72 hours (equivalent to 3 days: Pidana) or. with another preparation within 120 hours (corresponds to 5 days: ellaOne) after unprotected sexual intercourse.
In the following situations it is recommended to take the "morning after pill" to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
- Without contraceptive
- After inadequate protection by a condom: for example, if the condom tears or slips down
- After insufficient protection by the pill: For example, when the pill is forgotten or when it interacts with other medications
- After misuse of another contraceptive method (such as contraceptive ring, contraceptive patch)
- After unwanted sexual intercourse without adequate contraception
Sexual intercourse should not last longer than 72 hours or longer if the "morning-after pill" is taken, depending on the preparation. 120 hours ago. The sooner the pill is taken, the better the effect of the medication can prevent pregnancy. In women with increased body weight, it is discussed whether the effect of the "morning-after pill" can be reduced.
The normal hormonal contraceptive pill should continue to be taken despite the use of a morning-after pill in order to avoid irregularities in the cycle. However, protection is not guaranteed until the next cycle.
The ZAVA contraceptive service can provide advice and issue a prescription (not for the morning-after pill).
Can you become pregnant despite taking the morning-after pill?
The morning-after pill is more effective the sooner it is taken after unprotected intercourse.
Within the first 24 hours prevents the preparation with levonorgestrel 95 percent all unwanted pregnancies. Between 24 and 48 hours the "morning after pill" only prevents 80 percent. If the pill is taken more than 48 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse, the percentage drops to 58 percent from.
Despite taking the "morning-after pill" in time, pregnancy can still occur. The drug does not provide 100 percent protection, with approximately one to three out of every 100 women becoming pregnant despite taking the emergency contraceptive. Thus, depending on the preparation, the failure rate is approx. 1 percent. If pregnancy is suspected, such as not having a period for more than seven days, affected individuals should see a doctor for early detection of a possible pregnancy.
Can make you feel pregnant even though you are not?
The signs of pregnancy such as the absence of periods, changes in the breasts, fatigue, circulatory problems and nausea can also be due to other causes.
Caused by Missing of the period can be psychological stress, taking medication, being underweight or menopause.
A Change in the breast is accompanied, among other things, by weight gain or loss, or can be observed with the use of novel creams or sun exposure.
Persistent Fatigue can be triggered by lack of sleep, stress or infections and thus complement the complaints. Gastrointestinal infections, medication, changes in eating habits or anxiety are also responsible in some cases for the described Nausea responsible.
Pregnancy symptoms such as dizziness and circulatory problems can often be attributed to low blood pressure, especially in young women.
If symptoms persist, a pregnancy test should be carried out or repeated, or a doctor should be consulted to rule out other possible causes.
What to do if there is a suspicion of pregnancy?
If you suspect an unwanted pregnancy, the first important step is to take a pregnancy test. If the test is positive, it is important to see a gynecologist as soon as possible to see the gynecologist important. This person will conduct further examinations, discuss the procedure and advise affected persons about the continuation of the pregnancy or the possibilities of an abortion.
What are the options if you have become pregnant unintentionally?
Pregnancy should first be confirmed by a gynecologist using blood tests and/or a vaginal ultrasound. The gynecologist informs and advises on other options concerning the continuation or termination of the pregnancy.
Comprehensive counseling by a specialist as well as discussions with relatives and trusted persons are important in order to make the best decision for yourself and the unborn child.
If you want to terminate the pregnancy, there are different options available depending on the week of pregnancy, ranging from medication through the abortion pill to surgical procedures, which are selected individually.
Beverley Kugler has been the medical director of ZAVA Germany since November 2018. She is currently on parental leave. She studied medicine at University College London (UCL) and graduated with honors in 2010. She subsequently worked at various hospitals in London before becoming part of ZAVA’s German medical team in 2016.
Last modified: 12 Feb 2019
Gatje, Christine Eberle, Christoph Scholz, and others (2011, 2015) Thieme, Kurzlehrbuch Gynakologie und Geburtshilfe