Given all the ways the Pill discourages fertilization it's hard to believe that anyone can get pregnant while using it. And in fact, the Pill does have an effectiveness rate of over 99 percent when used correctly, (taking an active tablet every day during the 21day cycle). However, because women do forget to take a pill now and then, actual effectiveness in realworld use is about 97 percent.
ARE YOU A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR OCS?
You and your doctor should discuss the pros and cons of birth control pills. In general, pills might not be right for you if you:
Are pregnant
Are over 35 and a heavy smoker (more than 15 cigarettes a day)
Are over 50 years of age
Begin getting migraine headaches after you start using the Pill
Are about to have major surgery which would immobilize you
Are breastfeeding
Have had a child in the last two weeks
Additionally, OCs might not be right for you if you have or have had in the past:
Problems with blood clots (thrombophlebitis or cerbrovascular accidents)
Heart disease
Cancer of the breast or reproductive tract
Liver problems or cancer
Kidney disease
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Active gallbladder disease
Congenital hyperbilirubinemia (Gilbert's disease)
Conditions which would make it difficult to take a pill every day (mental retardation, psychiatric illness, substance abuse)
That may sound pretty good, but remember that it does fall short of total certainty. For example, even assuming the Pill is 99.5 percent effective, 84,000 of the 16.8 million women currently using OCs will have an unintended pregnancy, even if they take their pills correctly every day! If you are concerned about accidental pregnancy while using OCs, you should use a backup method—like a condom or spermicide—each time you have sex. In addition to allaying your fears about getting pregnant, a latex condom, unlike the Pill, will help protect you from the viral types of sexually transmitted disease.
