What makes birth control not work

When it comes to avoiding these common birth control mistakes, taking on the responsibility of birth control and being sure to avoid boo-boos are the best ways to go. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Sexual Health. Reviewed: August 31, Medically Reviewed.

Always talk with your doctor about birth control interactions before taking new medications, including vitamins or over-the-counter medications. Ask if the medication or supplement will interfere with your birth control effectiveness. You can use backup forms of birth control in addition to oral contraceptives when taking medications that interfere with the effectiveness.

If you forget to use a backup method, you can take over-the-counter emergency contraception for up to five days after intercourse. For long term medications, such as retrovirals, diabetes medications, or anticonvulsants, it is best to talk with your provider about other contraception methods , such as long-acting reversible contraception or injectable progesterone.

Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug. By Cheryl Maguire May. Top Reads in Drug Info. Can you mix Trintellix and alcohol? These drug interactions can impact the amount of hormones in the blood, potentially rendering the Pill less effective. They can also increase the risk of other, more dangerous hormone-related effects, like thromboembolism, a sometimes-fatal condition that happens when a blood clot breaks away and clogs a blood vessel elsewhere in the body.

The herb is most commonly taken for depression and related conditions like anxiety. But it might increase the breakdown of estrogen, according to the National Institutes of Health , making oral contraception less effective. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

Missing a pill or starting a pack late. If you have inflammatory bowel disease or other digestive disorders. Taking certain seizure or migraine medications. According to the United States Food and Drugs Administration FDA , for most reliable results, a person should take the test 1—2 weeks after their first missed period.

While birth control pills are generally very effective, they can sometimes fail to prevent pregnancies if a person does not use them correctly and consistently. Anyone who is concerned about the effectiveness or convenience of their method of contraception should speak to a doctor.

If a person misses taking more than one pill, they should use a backup contraceptive method for at least 7 consecutive days of retaking the pill. There are four hormonal IUDs available in the US, and a person can speak with their doctor about which may best suit them.

Read on for more. Different types of birth control can delay or stop periods, depending on how a person uses them. Learn about types of birth control that stop periods…. Plan B may work less effectively in people above a certain BMI, but people can still take it to reduce the chance of pregnancy.

Plan B One-Step is an over-the-counter emergency contraceptive pill for people with female reproductive organs. Read more here. Can a person get pregnant while taking the pill? Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. How effective is the pill? Five reasons for pill failure Tips for preventing pill failure Early signs of pregnancy Outlook Birth control pills are a popular and effective method of contraception.

Five reasons for pill failure.