• Published on: Nov 03, 2021
  • 2 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Can A Person Get Pregnant While Taking The Pill?

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Can a person get pregnant while taking the pill?

Your doctor originally prescribed it for one reason, to prevent pregnancy

Many women use hormonal contraceptives in conjunction with other forms of contraception for added protection, but that's up to the individual or couple. Methods like condoms or diaphragms may also be more suitable for contexts where a woman is more concerned about STDs than about getting pregnant, such as same-sex relationships or long-distance relationships.

Birth control pill does not protect against STDs or other infection. The pill should be used in conjunction with a condom to prevent pregnancy and STDS. Women should also take precautions when consuming beverages containing alcohol while taking the birth control pill. This is because high levels of alcohol can interfere with contraception and increase a woman's risk of unprotected sex. Drinking a few alcoholic drinks doesn't mean you won't get pregnant, so it's important for women to always practice safe sex too.

Withdrawal bleeding, the monthly menstrual cycle, and ovulation all happen because of a hormone called progesterone. A person typically takes pills for 21 days followed by a pill-free period of seven days. During that time, their body doesn't produce any progesterone and levels gradually rise until they reach the maximum level in the middle of the cycle. The estrogen levels in her body will also increase during this time, which is what helps keep her reproductive tract in shape to support pregnancy. Pregnancy depends on cells lining up just right but that can't happen if there's no risk of exposure to sperm or if there are enough artificial hormones in play to disrupt them when they have lined up well enough.

If an egg is released while the woman is on her period and sperm can make their way to it, fertilization may occur; this is called ovulation. Pregnancy will not necessarily be avoided by using a contraceptive such as a pill if sex during your period occurs at some point when you are on active pills and ovulating.

If a person who is taking hormonal contraceptives is sexually active and also ovulatory, and there was unprotected intercourse around the time of ovulation, they can get pregnant. And contraceptive pills with estrogen do not sterilize women. If a woman is considering using the pharmaceutical as an option to not get pregnant, she must still think about other methods such as surgical sterilization or IUDs as well as having two forms of birth control every day-a form for prevention of pregnancy and another form for STD protection. If you take off your condom but use no other contraception you can get pregnant! Be safe :) And try always wearing a condom even on oral sex!

About 1 in every 4 pregnancies are the result of women who are taking oral contraceptives - which means, statistically speaking, it could happen to you! The birth control pill is designed to work primarily by preventing ovulation. A woman's estrogen and progesterone levels do not need to be low for her to become pregnant because she can still release eggs even while on birth control- although these eggs will most likely be immature and won't produce a fertilizable zygote that will attach to the uterine wall.

There is a short time space during which the woman taking birth control pills can get pregnant, and this time-space varies from 4-6 days depending on the type of pill that she's taking. Pregnancy is a possibility any time you have unprotected sex, or even when your birth control fails for whatever reason. The pill does not provide protection from STDs and the female birth control shot may also have unwanted side effects like weight gain and menstrual changes. Coworkers of mine got pregnant while still taking the pill because they forgot to take them one day (sleepy-time effect).

It's possible to get pregnant while on the pill if there is no condom used during sexual encounters between two people who are sexually active with each other because pregnancy can happen at any point in a woman’s monthly cycle. It has been proven that some babies will be born missing parts of their bodies.

The only foolproof method of not getting pregnant while taking the pill is to stick to one type and take the pills in the right way every day so that no "mistakes" can occur. The pill does not always block ovulation, so the person could get pregnant even while taking the pill. In fact, 5-8% of women on oral contraceptives get pregnant each year and evidence suggests this is because their pills aren't working properly. The chance of pregnancy while on birth control pills is also increased if a woman misses two or more consecutive doses due to less hormone in her system that week.

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Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis Symptoms and Treatment: Early Signs, Diagnosis, and Recovery

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest known infectious diseases and continues to be a major public health concern, especially in developing countries. India accounts for a significant proportion of global TB cases, despite advances in diagnosis and treatment. The good news is that tuberculosis is preventable, treatable and curable when detected early and managed properly.

Understanding tuberculosis symptoms and treatment is critical for reducing disease spread, preventing complications and achieving complete recovery.

 

What Is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also involve other parts of the body such as:

  • lymph nodes
     

  • bones and joints
     

  • kidneys
     

  • brain
     

TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.

 

Why Tuberculosis Remains a Major Health Issue

According to the World Health Organization and ICMR data:

  • millions of new TB cases are reported annually
     

  • delayed diagnosis increases transmission
     

  • incomplete treatment leads to drug resistance
     

Early detection and treatment are key to TB control.

 

Common Tuberculosis Symptoms

TB symptoms often develop gradually and may be mild in the early stages, leading to delayed diagnosis.

Persistent Cough

A cough lasting more than two to three weeks is a hallmark symptom of pulmonary TB.

The cough may:

  • be dry or productive
     

  • worsen over time
     

  • sometimes produce blood
     

 

Fever and Night Sweats

Low-grade fever, especially in the evenings, is common.

Night sweats that soak clothing or bedding are a classic TB sign.

 

Unexplained Weight Loss

TB increases metabolic demand and reduces appetite, leading to significant weight loss.

 

Fatigue and Weakness

Persistent tiredness and reduced stamina occur due to chronic infection.

 

Chest Pain

Chest discomfort or pain may occur during coughing or breathing.

 

Symptoms of Extra-Pulmonary TB

When TB affects organs outside the lungs, symptoms depend on the site involved and may include:

  • swollen lymph nodes
     

  • bone or joint pain
     

  • headaches or neurological symptoms
     

  • urinary issues
     

 

Why TB Symptoms Are Often Ignored

Many TB symptoms resemble common infections or general weakness.

This leads to:

  • delayed medical consultation
     

  • prolonged transmission
     

  • disease progression
     

Awareness improves early detection.

 

How Tuberculosis Is Diagnosed

Diagnosis involves a combination of:

  • sputum tests
     

  • chest X-ray
     

  • molecular tests such as CBNAAT
     

  • blood tests and imaging for extra-pulmonary TB
     

Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.

 

Tuberculosis Treatment Explained

TB treatment involves a combination of antibiotics taken over a fixed duration.

Standard TB Treatment

For drug-sensitive TB, treatment typically lasts:

  • 6 months
     

The regimen includes multiple antibiotics taken in phases to ensure complete bacterial clearance.

 

Importance of Treatment Adherence

TB bacteria are slow-growing and resilient.

Stopping treatment early can result in:

  • incomplete cure
     

  • relapse
     

  • drug-resistant TB
     

Completing the full course is essential.

 

Drug-Resistant TB

If TB bacteria become resistant to standard drugs, treatment becomes longer and more complex.

Drug-resistant TB requires:

  • specialised medications
     

  • longer treatment duration
     

  • close medical supervision
     

Prevention of resistance depends on correct treatment from the start.

 

Side Effects of TB Treatment

Some individuals may experience side effects such as:

  • nausea
     

  • loss of appetite
     

  • mild liver enzyme changes
     

Most side effects are manageable with medical guidance and do not require stopping treatment.

 

TB and Public Health

TB is not just an individual health issue but a community concern.

Effective TB control requires:

  • early diagnosis
     

  • treatment adherence
     

  • contact tracing
     

  • public awareness
     

India’s national TB elimination programmes focus on these strategies.

 

Preventing Tuberculosis

Preventive measures include:

  • early detection and treatment of active TB
     

  • improving nutrition and immunity
     

  • adequate ventilation in living spaces
     

  • screening close contacts
     

BCG vaccination offers partial protection, especially in children.

 

Living With and Recovering From TB

With proper treatment:

  • symptoms gradually improve
     

  • infection becomes non-contagious
     

  • normal life can be resumed
     

Regular follow-up ensures complete recovery.

 

When to Seek Medical Help

Consult a healthcare provider if experiencing:

  • cough lasting more than two weeks
     

  • unexplained weight loss
     

  • persistent fever or night sweats
     

  • blood in sputum
     

Early action saves lives and prevents spread.

 

Long-Term Outlook After TB Treatment

Most individuals who complete treatment:

  • recover fully
     

  • regain normal lung function
     

  • return to daily activities
     

Long-term complications are rare with timely care.

 

Conclusion

Tuberculosis symptoms and treatment must be understood clearly to combat this preventable and curable disease. Persistent cough, fever, night sweats and weight loss should never be ignored. Early diagnosis, complete treatment adherence and regular follow-up are essential for curing TB and preventing transmission. With proper medical care and public awareness, tuberculosis can be effectively controlled and eliminated as a public health threat.


 

References

  • Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Tuberculosis Epidemiology and Treatment Guidelines
  • World Health Organization (WHO) – Global Tuberculosis Report
  • National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) – Government of India
  • Lancet Infectious Diseases – TB Diagnosis and Treatment Outcomes
  • National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Infectious Disease Indicators
  • Statista – Global Tuberculosis Burden and Trends

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