Chances of Getting Pregnant on Birth Control

Birth control is a process by virtue of which various techniques and methods are used to prevent fertilization of egg. The birth control methods include several barrier methods for contraception (fertilization prevention). Some popular forms of contraception are condoms, diaphragm, contraceptive pills, the ring, IUD and spermicides. These are used worldwide and are 99% effective when taken correctly. Rarely do women get pregnant while using any form of birth control. There are number of reasons for it. The most common reason is that people, sometimes, neglect taking or using birth control methods regularly. Second reason is the failure of birth barrier techniques.

Sexually active couples must use birth control methods properly to prevent pregnancy. Surely, the birth control techniques can be effective in preventing pregnancy, but they must be used every time before one indulges in sex. If you forget to take the birth control method (say, contraceptive pill) or used it much later than expected, you are at a higher risk of conceiving. The pills taken earlier will no more be effective and therefore, make sure that you take the pills within 72 hours of having sex. The most common contraceptive method is condom, but if the male partner does not use it properly or wears it in inappropriately, it won't be effective in stopping the fertilisation of the egg. The next paragraph talks about the failure rate of different birth control methods.

Each birth control method has different failure rate. Most effective method of birth controlling is abstinence as it is 100% effective. Out of every 100 contraceptive pills, approximately 5-8 fail. Failure rate of female condom and male condom is 21 out of 100 and 15 out of 100, respectively. 16 diaphragms in 100 fail to prevent fertilisation. 5-8 rings out of 100 fail. Spermicides and pulling out have the highest failure rate i.e. 27 out 0f 100.

Pulling out method or withdrawal method before ejaculation also has risk of pregnancy. The risk is high when the male withdraws and inserts again without urinating. Even after urination, some semen may remain in the urethra. Therefore, if a male withdraws in time, but inserts again in the same session (after urinating), the pregnancy risk is medium. Withdrawing when orgasm is nowhere near is the best withdrawal method to prevent pregnancy.

Every sexual activity has the possibilities of pregnancy and no birth control method guarantees the prevention of conceiving; therefore, it is advisable to use two birth control methods at a time to minimise every chance of pregnancy.

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