Contraception is to protect you from unplanned pregnancy. Unfortunately, this does not always happen, because contraception, regardless of the method used, sometimes fails. What could be the reasons why the method of contraception selected by the gynecologist turned out to be ineffective?

The woman and hergynecologistdecide which methodof contraceptionto choose. The gynecologist takes into account, first of all, the patient's he alth and lifestyle. The more honestly she answers the gynecologist's questions, the more she will be sure that the recommended method will be safe for her and at the same time will give a greater guarantee that there will be no undesirable fertilizationfertilization .

Effective contraception will prevent you from getting pregnant

Why contraception failed may be due to a mistake made by the gynecologist, e.g. incorrect insertion IUD whether the patient was incorrectly informed about the correct application of a given method. But it is also considered a mistake of the gynecologist to choose the wrong method for the character and temperament of a woman. This is important: an absent-minded and busy woman can forget to take the pill regularly. A method that does not require daily application will be better for her, such as an intrauterine device (spiral), a contraceptive patch. Oral medications may also be less effective when the woman is constantly taking medications, such as antidepressants. Therefore, if you talk to your gynecologist about the choice of contraception, tell him or her about your lifestyle, medications, chronic diseases, and whether you have regular intercourse.

The highest effectiveness in preventing pregnancy, measured by the so-called The Pearl index (the lower the index, the greater the guarantee) is ensured by hormonal contraception, i.e. inhibiting the development of the Graaf follicle surrounding the egg - then, despite contact with a sperm, fertilization and the formation of an embryo cannot take place. Combined tablets (Pearl's index 0.1-0.2) are the least unreliable. Hormone injections (0.3) are in second place, followed by single component pills (0.5) and IUDs (0.6). However, there are significant differences between the theoretical and practical effectiveness, resulting from errors in taking subsequent doses of hormones. It is also important that a lot of contraceptive pillscontains small doses of ethinyl estradiol (EE), which may have an impact - especially in non-perfect use - on the safety of contraception. It has been proven that tablets with 20 mcg EE inhibit the development of the Graaf follicle less than those with a higher content of this hormone.

Contraception: which weakens the effects of hormones

The effectiveness of contraception depends not only on the systematic taking of tablets, replacement of patches, discs or the correct insertion of the IUD. The following also has a significant impact on the operation of contraceptives:

  • Overweight and obesity - with a BMI over 25, the effectiveness of hormonal contraception, including patches and rings, decreases.
  • Vomiting and diarrhea - account for over 9% unplanned pregnancies. If vomiting occurs shortly after swallowing the tablet, the hormones will not be absorbed because it takes about 5 hours.
  • Antibiotics - taking these drugs (tetracyclines, penicillins, cephalosporins) is responsible for over 20 percent. unplanned pregnancies. If it is necessary to take an antibiotic, it is also necessary to take additional precautions. Contraception taken without the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. subcutaneously) is not as sensitive to the action of antibiotics.
  • Drugs - drugs that, like antibiotics, reduce the effectiveness of contraception, include antiepileptic, antifungal, antituberculosis and antiviral agents. The pill may be less effective when taken with the pills containing St. John's wort. The components of St. John's wort induce enzymes that metabolize hormonal preparations. This effect may persist for up to 2 weeks after stopping St. John's wort.

In case of failure contraception "after"

If you have not protected yourself properly and you are concerned aboutpregnancy , you can use the emergency exit, i.e. take the so-called pill "after". Its mechanism of action is similar to that of traditional hormone pills. The "after" tablet, taken before ovulation, inhibits its occurrence, and taken after ovulation, it prevents sperm from penetrating through the thickened mucus. The effectiveness of the drug is estimated at over 99% if it is taken in the first day after unprotected intercourse.

Doubtful fertility control

The Polish Gynecological Society recognizes as a failure of contraception any pregnancy in which a woman occurs despite the use of fertility control measures. As much as 50-65 percent. unplanned pregnancies are the result of such failures. Over 12 percent of these occur in the first year of using contraception. At this time, spermicides are the least effectiveare responsible for nearly 30 percent. unplanned pregnancies, oral tablets account for 8 percent. failures, IUDs - 1.1 percent, and the patch and puck are less than 1 percent. The greatest risk of contraceptive failure is among women under 25.

You must do it

If you forgot to take your pill

If less than 12 hours have passed since you swallowed the tablet, then:

  • take a forgotten tablet as soon as possible,
  • swallowed another at normal time,
  • you don't need to use any additional security.

If more than 12 hours have passed since taking the tablet, then:

  • take the forgotten tablet with the next one,
  • take the next ones at normal time,
  • you don't need to protect yourself.

If you forgot to take 2 consecutive tablets in the first or second week of use, then:

  • take 2 tablets for 2 days,
  • after this time take the pills as normal,
  • Use extra precaution when you have sex for a week, e.g. your partner should use a condom.

If you did not take 2 tablets in the third week of use, then:

  • start taking tablets from a new package,
  • Use extra security for a week.

If you forgot to swallow 3 tablets, then:

  • start taking tablets from a new package,
  • protect yourself for an additional week.
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Pregnancy