If you use birth control correctly, your chances of getting pregnant are low, but no birth control method is 100% effective. The actual risk depends on the method you use, how consistently you use it, whether you missed or delayed a dose, and whether anything interfered with its effectiveness.
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For example, the birth control pill is about 93% effective with typical use, meaning about 7 out of 100 pill users become pregnant over a year. With perfect use, the pill is more than 99% effective.
Long-acting methods such as IUDs and the birth control implant have even lower pregnancy rates because they don't depend on remembering a daily pill or changing a method on schedule. According to the CDC's contraceptive effectiveness data, typical-use failure rates run about 0.1% for the implant and 0.1% to 0.8% for IUDs, depending on the type.
So, can you get pregnant while on birth control? Yes, but the chances vary significantly by method and circumstances.
If you're worried because you missed birth control, had unprotected sex, your period is late, or you have a positive pregnancy test, understanding your actual risk can help you decide what to do next. Our overview of evaluating birth control effectiveness and pregnancy risks covers the same ground from a slightly different angle if you want another perspective.
The chance of pregnancy depends largely on which birth control method you use and whether you use it correctly.
There's an important difference between perfect-use effectiveness and typical-use effectiveness. Perfect use means using the method exactly as directed every time. Typical use reflects real life, including missed pills, late injections, delayed patch changes, incorrect use, and other common mistakes.
Here's a general comparison:The CDC reports typical-use failure rates of approximately 0.1% for the implant, 0.1% to 0.4% for hormonal IUDs, 0.8% for the copper IUD, 4% for the injection, and 7% for the pill, patch, and vaginal ring. These numbers are annual pregnancy rates, not the chance of becoming pregnant from one sexual encounter.
For more on how these numbers compare across every method, read birth control methods, types, effectiveness, safety, and side effects and hormonal vs. non-hormonal birth control.
The birth control pill is highly effective when taken correctly, but it's easier to make a mistake with a daily method than with an implant or IUD.
With perfect use, the pill is more than 99% effective. With typical use, it's about 93% effective, meaning approximately 7 out of 100 people using the pill become pregnant over a year.
Your pregnancy risk may increase if you forget to take a pill, take pills late, start a new pack late, miss several hormonal pills, have vomiting or severe diarrhea that affects absorption, take certain medications or supplements that interfere with the pill, stop taking the pill, or have unprotected sex before the pill has become effective after starting or restarting it.
Taking one pill late does not automatically mean you'll become pregnant. The number of missed pills and the type of pill you use matter. If you recently missed a pill, see can I get pregnant if I forget one birth control pill. You can also learn more about how oral contraception works in birth control pills: how they work, types, benefits, risks.
Yes, but the chance is small.
Even with consistent use, no contraceptive method provides absolute protection against pregnancy. The pill is more than 99% effective with perfect use, but typical use is around 93%. If you take your pill every day at the recommended time and don't miss doses, your risk is much lower than the average typical-use rate. Pregnancy can still occasionally happen, though, because effectiveness is never absolute.
If you take your pill correctly and receive a positive pregnancy test, contact a healthcare professional. You may need to confirm the pregnancy and discuss your options.
It's possible, but missing one pill doesn't necessarily mean your birth control has failed.
The risk depends on the type of pill, how late the pill was, whether it was a hormonal pill or a placebo pill, where you were in your pill pack, whether you missed additional pills, and whether you had unprotected sex around the time you missed the pill.
For many combined oral contraceptives, a single missed hormonal pill can be managed by taking it as soon as possible and continuing the pack. Different instructions can apply when two or more hormonal pills are missed. That's why you shouldn't assume every missed pill carries the same pregnancy risk.
If you accidentally took two pills in one day to catch up, that can be an appropriate part of missed-pill management for some birth control pills. Read what happens if you take two birth control pills in one day for more information.
IUDs are among the most effective forms of reversible birth control.
Both hormonal and copper IUDs have typical-use pregnancy rates of less than 1% per year. The CDC reports typical-use failure rates of approximately 0.1% to 0.4% for hormonal IUDs and 0.8% for the copper IUD. The reason IUDs are so effective is that they don't require daily action. Once an IUD is correctly placed, you don't have to remember a pill or replace a patch every week.
You can learn more about this method through birth control IUDs: all you need to know, our female IUD guide, and how long does it take for Mirena to stop periods.
An IUD can occasionally move or come out, which can affect pregnancy protection. If you cannot feel your IUD strings when you normally can, feel a change in the strings, or think the IUD has moved, contact your healthcare provider.
The birth control implant is one of the most effective reversible contraceptive methods.
The CDC lists a typical-use failure rate of about 0.1%, meaning fewer than 1 pregnancy per 100 users in a year. The implant is highly effective partly because there's little opportunity for user error. You don't have to remember a daily pill or weekly patch change. Certain medications can still affect hormonal contraception, though, so tell your healthcare provider about medications and supplements you take.
Learn more about this option in our birth control implant guide and birth control pill vs. implant.
The birth control shot is approximately 96% effective with typical use, meaning about 4 out of 100 people may become pregnant over a year. With perfect use, effectiveness is more than 99%.
One of the main reasons the typical-use rate is lower is that people sometimes receive their next injection later than recommended. If you use the shot, keeping track of your next injection date matters. Read more about this method in Depo shot birth control: how it works and can you get pregnant on the birth control Depo shot.
The birth control patch and vaginal ring are both about 93% effective with typical use. With perfect use, each can be about 99% effective.
The main difference between typical and perfect use is often whether the method is used according to its schedule. For the patch, that means replacing it as directed, as explained in weekly birth control patches and birth control patch vs. the pill. For the ring, that means using and replacing it according to the instructions for the specific product. If you're considering a vaginal ring, you can read how effective is the birth control ring and how to use the birth control ring.
Birth control can become less reliable when it's not used according to its instructions. Common factors include:
Missing or delaying doses. This is particularly important for methods such as the pill, where consistency matters.
Starting a method incorrectly. Some methods require backup contraception for a period of time when started outside certain points in the menstrual cycle.
Not replacing the patch or ring on time. Delaying scheduled changes can reduce contraceptive protection.
Delaying a birth control shot. The shot needs to be administered according to its recommended schedule.
Medication interactions. Some medications can interfere with certain hormonal contraceptives. Always tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist which birth control method you use.
Vomiting or severe diarrhea. Depending on the contraceptive, gastrointestinal illness can interfere with absorption of oral medication.
Stopping birth control. Once you stop using contraception, pregnancy can become possible.
Yes, depending on the circumstances.
The phrase "unprotected sex" can mean different things. If you were using birth control correctly, you may still have been protected even if you didn't use a condom. For example, someone who takes their birth control pill correctly and has sex without a condom is still using a contraceptive method.
However, if you missed pills, started your method late, had a contraceptive failure, or weren't yet protected after starting a method, the risk can be different. If you recently had sex and think your birth control may not have worked, emergency contraception may be an option. Read when to take Plan B to learn more about emergency contraception timing.
Emergency contraception can reduce the risk of pregnancy after sex when contraception was not used or may have failed. The sooner appropriate emergency contraception is used, the better. It's not intended to replace regular birth control, though.
Different emergency contraception options have different timing, medication, and effectiveness considerations. If you're unsure which option is appropriate, speak with a healthcare professional or pharmacist as soon as possible. You can also read how much does emergency contraception cost.
Birth control can sometimes change bleeding patterns, so a late or unusual period doesn't automatically mean pregnancy. Possible pregnancy symptoms may include a missed period, breast tenderness, nausea, fatigue, increased urination, changes in appetite, and mild cramping, though these symptoms can also occur for reasons unrelated to pregnancy.
The only way to know for sure is to take a pregnancy test. If your period is late, you may find is your period 4 days late and when to worry after missing a period helpful. If you're trying to determine when to test after sex, read how soon after unprotected sex you can reliably take a pregnancy test.
If you're concerned about pregnancy while using birth control, timing matters. A pregnancy test taken too early may not detect a pregnancy.
If you have a missed period, a pregnancy test may be appropriate. If you don't have predictable periods because of hormonal contraception, testing based on the timing of sexual activity can be more useful. If the first test is negative but your period remains absent or pregnancy symptoms continue, consider repeating the test or speaking with a healthcare professional. You can also review pregnancy tests at two weeks: when to test.
A positive pregnancy test means you should contact a healthcare professional to confirm the pregnancy and discuss your options.
If you want to continue the pregnancy, prenatal care can help you understand the next steps. If you don't want to continue the pregnancy, abortion may be an option depending on where you live, your pregnancy stage, and your medical circumstances. You don't need to make the decision based on fear or pressure. A qualified healthcare professional can explain the available options and help you understand what may be appropriate for you.
Birth control significantly reduces the overall chance of pregnancy. However, if pregnancy does occur while using certain contraceptive methods, it's important to seek medical care if you develop symptoms that could indicate an ectopic pregnancy, which happens when a pregnancy develops outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube.
Seek urgent medical attention if you have a positive pregnancy test accompanied by severe or one-sided pelvic or abdominal pain, shoulder pain, fainting or severe dizziness, heavy bleeding, or significant weakness. These symptoms require prompt medical evaluation. If you're weighing risks related to estrogen-containing methods specifically, our article on birth control and blood clot risk covers a separate but similarly urgent set of warning signs worth knowing.
If you think you may be pregnant despite using birth control, start by considering what happened. Ask yourself what birth control method you're using, whether you missed or delayed any doses, whether you started or restarted the method recently, whether you used it exactly as instructed, whether you took any medications that could interfere with it, when you last had sex, whether your period is late or different from usual, whether you need emergency contraception, and when you should take a pregnancy test.
This information can help a healthcare professional assess your situation more accurately. If you frequently worry about forgetting pills or missing scheduled contraception, you may want to consider a method that requires less daily or weekly maintenance. Our guide to birth control options in Los Angeles and what to ask before booking a birth control appointment can help you prepare for that conversation.
If preventing pregnancy is your highest priority, long-acting reversible contraception is among the most effective options. The implant and IUDs have typical-use failure rates of less than 1% per year. The pill, patch, and ring are also highly effective when used correctly, but their typical-use effectiveness is lower because they require regular action.
There's no single "best" birth control method for everyone. Your health history, side effects, preferences, plans for pregnancy, access to healthcare, and comfort with each method should all be considered. For a comparison of two specific options, see birth control pill vs. implant: which is right for you.
Teenagers can become pregnant while using birth control, but the risk varies according to the contraceptive method and how consistently it's used.
For a teenager or first-time birth control user, it's completely reasonable to have questions about how effective a method really is, what happens if a pill is missed, whether side effects are normal, when protection begins, whether condoms are still necessary, what to do after unprotected sex, when to take a pregnancy test, and what options are available if pregnancy occurs. There's no need to feel embarrassed about asking a healthcare professional these questions.
Birth control can prevent pregnancy, but condoms are also important for reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections. Most hormonal birth control methods, including pills, implants, IUDs, patches, rings, and shots, don't protect against STIs.
If you've taken a pregnancy test and it's positive, being on birth control doesn't prevent you from discussing abortion care if you don't want to continue the pregnancy.
In California, abortion is legal and protected. California law gives pregnant people the right to choose abortion before viability, and abortion is also permitted later when necessary to protect the person's life or health. You don't have to be a California resident to receive abortion care in the state. California also protects reproductive healthcare privacy, and people under 18 can independently consent to abortion care in California without needing permission from a parent or guardian.
Medication abortion may be available through telehealth in California. According to the California Department of Public Health, eligible patients may be able to receive abortion medication by mail after a telehealth visit with a qualified provider.
If you're considering an abortion, Her Smart Choice can help you understand your options and determine whether a telehealth consultation may be appropriate for your situation.
The chance depends on the method and how it's used. The birth control pill is about 93% effective with typical use, while implants and IUDs have typical-use failure rates of less than 1% per year.
Yes, but the chance is low. With perfect use, the pill is more than 99% effective. No birth control method is completely effective, so pregnancy can rarely occur even when the pill is taken correctly.
It's possible but uncommon. Birth control pills are highly effective when used correctly, but no method provides absolute protection.
The implant and IUDs are among the most effective reversible birth control methods, with typical-use failure rates of less than 1% per year.
It's possible, but missing one pill doesn't automatically mean you'll become pregnant. The risk depends on the type of pill, how late it was, where you were in the pack, and whether additional pills were missed.
A missed period, pregnancy symptoms, or a positive pregnancy test can indicate pregnancy, but symptoms alone can't confirm it. A pregnancy test is the most practical way to check.
Not necessarily. If you used your birth control correctly, emergency contraception may not be needed. If you missed pills, started contraception late, or had another contraceptive failure, emergency contraception may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
Yes. Hormonal contraception can change bleeding patterns and may make periods lighter, irregular, or sometimes absent. A late period does not automatically mean you're pregnant.
Taking two pills in one day doesn't itself increase pregnancy risk. In some situations, taking two pills on the same day is part of the recommended way to catch up after missing a pill. Your risk depends more on whether you missed doses and which contraceptive you use.
Contact a healthcare professional to confirm the pregnancy and discuss your options. If you don't want to continue the pregnancy, you can ask about abortion care, including medication abortion where appropriate.
So, what are the chances of getting pregnant while on birth control? The answer depends on the contraceptive method and how consistently you use it.
The birth control pill is about 93% effective with typical use, while the implant and IUDs have typical-use failure rates of less than 1% per year. Pregnancy becomes more likely when pills are missed, contraception is used incorrectly, scheduled injections or replacements are delayed, or another factor interferes with the method.
If you're concerned after sex, don't assume that a late period automatically means pregnancy. Consider whether your contraception was used correctly, whether emergency contraception could be appropriate, and when to take a pregnancy test.
If your test is positive and you're considering abortion, Her Smart Choice can help you understand your options. In California, abortion remains legal and protected, and eligible patients may be able to access medication abortion through telehealth.
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