If you take birth control pills and are worried that you might be pregnant, you may wonder whether the hormones in your pills can interfere with a pregnancy test. The short answer is no. Birth control pills do not affect pregnancy test results.
Home pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced after a pregnancy implants in the uterus. The hormones used in birth control pills, such as estrogen and progestin, do not contain hCG and generally do not cause a pregnancy test to become falsely positive or negative. The Office on Women's Health specifically notes that most medicines, including birth control, do not affect home pregnancy test results.
However, a pregnancy test can still be negative when you are actually pregnant if you test too early. This is particularly important if your period is late, you missed birth control pills, started a new pack late, or had unprotected sex.
If you are concerned about an unexpected pregnancy or are considering abortion care, knowing when and how to test can help you make decisions about your next steps.
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No, regular birth control pills should not affect the result of a pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests detect hCG, while birth control pills contain hormones such as estrogen and progestin.
The important distinction is that birth control itself does not interfere with the test, but the timing of the test can affect its accuracy.
Pregnancy tests look for hCG in urine or blood. Your body starts producing hCG after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. As pregnancy progresses, hCG generally rises, making it easier for a test to detect.
Home pregnancy tests usually analyze urine. Blood tests are performed by healthcare professionals and can detect pregnancy earlier in some circumstances.
This means a pregnancy test does not look for birth control hormones. It is looking specifically for hCG, and that's why taking a pregnancy test while using birth control pills is possible and generally reliable when the test is used correctly and at an appropriate time.
If you want to understand how different contraceptive methods work, read birth control methods, types, effectiveness, safety, and side effects.
Yes, although the risk is relatively low when birth control pills are used correctly.
The pill works primarily by preventing ovulation and also changes cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to reach an egg. No contraceptive method is 100% effective, and pregnancy can become more likely when pills are missed, taken incorrectly, or when certain medications or supplements, such as rifampin, some anti-seizure medications, certain HIV medicines, and St. John's Wort, reduce the pill's effectiveness. Severe vomiting or prolonged diarrhea can have a similar effect. Our guide on evaluating birth control effectiveness and pregnancy risks breaks down the specific effectiveness rates and what typically causes them to drop.
If you think you may have missed pills or used your birth control incorrectly, taking a pregnancy test can help determine whether you may be pregnant. You can also read how birth control pills work, including their types, benefits, risks, and effectiveness and can I get pregnant if I forget one birth control pill.
The best time to take a home pregnancy test depends on your menstrual cycle and when you may have become pregnant.
For many people, testing on or after the first day of a missed period provides a more reliable result. Testing too early can produce a false negative because there may not yet be enough hCG in the urine for the test to detect.
If you have irregular periods or your birth control makes it difficult to determine when your period should arrive, timing can be more complicated. In that situation, think about when you last had sex that could have resulted in pregnancy. If you test too soon and get a negative result but still suspect pregnancy, repeat the test after several days.
The FDA notes that home pregnancy tests can be highly accurate when used correctly, but sensitivity varies by product and by how early you test relative to your missed period, since ovulation and implantation timing can vary from cycle to cycle.
For more guidance, see how soon after unprotected sex you can reliably take a pregnancy test and pregnancy tests at two weeks: when to test.
Yes. Changes in bleeding patterns are common with hormonal birth control.
Depending on the type of pill and how you take it, you may experience lighter bleeding, spotting, irregular bleeding, or no bleeding during certain cycles. This can make it difficult to tell whether a late period is related to birth control or pregnancy. A late period does not automatically mean you are pregnant, and if you're on a method where skipping periods is intentional, our article on whether it's harmful to skip your period on birth control explains why that's usually fine.
However, if you have had sex and there is a possibility that your contraception did not work as expected, taking a pregnancy test can provide useful information.
You may also find these Her Smart Choice resources helpful:
If stress rather than pregnancy seems like the more likely explanation for a bleeding change, can stress cause spotting while on birth control is worth a look too.
A negative pregnancy test does not always completely rule out pregnancy, especially if you tested early.
Possible reasons include testing before enough hCG had built up, ovulating later than expected, implantation occurring later than expected, an irregular menstrual cycle, the test not being used correctly, diluted urine, or a pregnancy that's earlier than you thought.
The FDA recommends following the test instructions carefully. Using first-morning urine can also improve the chance of detecting hCG because it is usually more concentrated.
If your test is negative but you continue to suspect pregnancy, repeat the test after several days. If you continue getting negative results while your period does not arrive, consider contacting a healthcare provider. A provider can discuss whether another pregnancy test or blood testing is appropriate.
A positive pregnancy test while taking birth control should be treated as a possible pregnancy.
Birth control pills do not normally cause a positive pregnancy test. A positive result generally means that hCG has been detected. The Office on Women's Health recommends contacting a healthcare provider after a positive home pregnancy test so the pregnancy can be confirmed and next steps can be discussed.
You do not need to take another type of birth control simply because you are taking a pregnancy test. Instead, focus on confirming the result and getting appropriate medical guidance.
If the pregnancy is unexpected, you have options. Those may include continuing the pregnancy, adoption, or abortion care, depending on your circumstances and preferences.
Emergency contraception and regular birth control are not the same thing.
Emergency contraceptive pills work primarily by delaying or preventing ovulation. They do not terminate an established pregnancy.
Taking emergency contraception can also cause temporary changes in your menstrual cycle, including an earlier or later period. If your period is delayed after emergency contraception, taking a pregnancy test can help determine whether pregnancy occurred.
If you are researching emergency contraception, you can read when to take Plan B and how much emergency contraception costs.
Missing birth control pills can increase your pregnancy risk depending on how many pills you missed, when you missed them, and the type of pill you use.
If you recently missed pills and had unprotected sex, do not assume that a negative pregnancy test immediately rules out pregnancy. If you test before hCG has reached detectable levels, the result may be negative even if conception occurred.
You can learn more about whether you can get pregnant after forgetting one birth control pill and, if the missed dose involved taking a makeup pill, what happens if you take two birth control pills in one day.
If you are unsure what to do after missed pills, speak with a healthcare professional rather than relying only on symptoms or bleeding patterns.
Accidentally taking birth control pills before realizing you are pregnant does not mean that the pregnancy test will be inaccurate.
If you receive a positive pregnancy test, contact a healthcare professional to discuss what happened and what care you need. Do not continue taking medications simply because you are unsure about the result. A clinician can review the specific contraceptive you were taking and your circumstances.
If you are considering abortion, getting an accurate pregnancy result is an important first step.
If you have a positive pregnancy test and do not want to continue the pregnancy, Her Smart Choice can help you understand your abortion care options and what steps may be appropriate for you.
This is especially important if you are considering medication abortion because eligibility can depend on how far along the pregnancy is and other health considerations.
Medication abortion uses medications to end an early pregnancy. The California Department of Public Health states that medication abortion remains available in California and that some patients may be able to receive abortion medication by mail after a telehealth visit with a qualified provider.
A telehealth consultation can be convenient if you would prefer to discuss your situation from home. During a consultation, a qualified provider can review your pregnancy timing, medical history, medications, and available options.
California also protects abortion access. Under California law, a person who is pregnant has the legal right to choose abortion before viability, with additional protections when abortion is necessary to protect the person's life or health. California also recognizes a right to privacy related to abortion care.
If you are under 18, California law allows people of any age to independently consent to abortion care.
If you are in California and think you may be pregnant, you do not have to make the decision alone. Her Smart Choice can help you learn about available reproductive healthcare services, including options for abortion care and telehealth consultations. If you're also rethinking your contraceptive plan going forward, 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.
No. Birth control pills do not normally make a pregnancy test positive. Pregnancy tests detect hCG, while birth control pills contain contraceptive hormones such as estrogen and progestin.
Birth control pills themselves should not cause a false-negative pregnancy test. However, testing too early can cause a false negative because your body may not have produced enough hCG for the test to detect.
Yes. You can take a home pregnancy test while using birth control pills. You do not generally need to stop your pills before taking the test.
Birth control does not reduce the accuracy of a pregnancy test. Home tests can be almost 99% accurate when used correctly, according to the Office on Women's Health, although accuracy depends heavily on when you test. Testing after the first day of a missed period is generally more reliable.
Consider repeating the pregnancy test after several days, particularly if you tested early. If your period remains absent or you continue to have concerns about pregnancy, contact a healthcare provider.
Yes. Birth control pills are highly effective when taken correctly, but no contraceptive method is completely effective. Typical use of the pill is about 93% effective.
If you are pregnant and considering abortion, a healthcare provider can advise you about your options. Your provider can also tell you when and how to restart contraception after abortion care based on your chosen method and individual circumstances.
Some patients in California may be able to receive medication abortion through telehealth and have medication sent by mail after consultation with a qualified provider. Eligibility and the appropriate care pathway depend on individual circumstances.
Birth control pills do not affect pregnancy test results. A pregnancy test detects hCG, not the hormones found in contraceptive pills. You can take a pregnancy test while using birth control, and you do not generally need to stop your pills before testing.
The bigger issue is when you take the test. Testing too early can produce a false negative even if you are pregnant. If your period is late, you missed pills, had unprotected sex, or have other reasons to suspect pregnancy, take a test at an appropriate time and repeat it if necessary.
If you receive a positive result and the pregnancy is unexpected, you have options. If you are considering abortion care in California, Her Smart Choice can help you learn about available services, including telehealth consultations and medication abortion options when appropriate.
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