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

Can A Person Get Pregnant While Taking The Pill?

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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Top 5 Blood Tests You Shouldn’t Skip After 40

As we grow older, our bodies go through many changes — some are visible, like graying hair or slower metabolism, but others happen quietly inside. After the age of 40, the risk of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, thyroid disorders, and kidney problems increases significantly. The good news? Most of these conditions can be detected early with simple blood tests.

Regular health checkups and blood tests can help you stay ahead of potential problems. They can alert you before symptoms even begin, giving you the chance to take control of your health in time.

In this blog, we’ll look at the Top 5 blood tests you shouldn’t skip after 40, why they’re important, and how you can easily get them done — even from the comfort of your home.

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

What is it?
The Complete Blood Count is a common blood test that checks the levels of different cells in your blood — red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Why is it important after 40?

Detects anemia, which is common in both men and women over 40
Helps identify infections and inflammatory conditions
Can point toward more serious issues like blood cancer in rare cases

What it includes:

Hemoglobin
Hematocrit
White blood cell (WBC) count
Platelet count

How often to test:
Once a year, or as advised by your doctor.

2. Blood Sugar Tests – Fasting & HbA1c

What is it?
These tests measure the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. The fasting blood sugar test checks your sugar level after 8–10 hours of fasting, while the HbA1c test shows your average sugar level over the past 2-3 months.

Why is it important after 40?

Type 2 diabetes is very common in people above 40, especially in India
Early detection can prevent complications like nerve damage, eye problems, and kidney disease
Many people have prediabetes and don’t even know it

What it includes:

Fasting Blood Glucose (FBS)
Postprandial Blood Sugar (PPBS)
HbA1c

How often to test:
Every 6–12 months, or more often if you're overweight, have a family history, or symptoms of diabetes.

3. Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Test)

What is it?
A lipid profile checks the levels of different types of fats (lipids) in your blood — especially cholesterol and triglycerides.

Why is it important after 40?

Helps assess your risk of heart disease, stroke, and artery blockages
Detects high LDL ("bad cholesterol"), which builds up in arteries
Encourages healthy lifestyle changes before medications are needed

What it includes:

Total cholesterol
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein)
HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)
Triglycerides

How often to test:
Once a year, or every 6 months if you're overweight, smoke, or have a family history of heart issues.

4. Liver Function Test (LFT)

What is it?
This test checks how well your liver is working. The liver is responsible for digesting food, filtering toxins, and regulating many body processes.

Why is it important after 40?

Modern lifestyle increases the risk of fatty liver disease, even in non-drinkers
Long-term use of medications, alcohol, or unhealthy diets can silently damage the liver
Detects hepatitis, jaundice, and other liver issues early

What it includes:

SGPT (ALT), SGOT (AST)
Bilirubin
Alkaline Phosphatase
Albumin

How often to test:
Once a year or as recommended, especially if you drink alcohol, are overweight, or take regular medications.

5. Kidney Function Test (KFT)

What is it?
This test checks how well your kidneys are filtering waste and balancing fluids in your body.

Why is it important after 40?

Kidneys often get damaged silently due to high blood pressure, diabetes, or painkillers
Early detection can prevent serious kidney damage or the need for dialysis
Many Indians are at risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) without knowing it

What it includes:

Blood Urea
Serum Creatinine
Uric Acid
Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium)
eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate)

How often to test:
Yearly, especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney problems.

Other Important Tests After 40

While the above 5 are essential, don’t ignore these additional tests:

Thyroid Function Test (TSH, T3, T4) – for energy, weight, and mood balance
Vitamin D & B12 – deficiencies are common in Indian adults
ECG or TMT – if you feel chest pain or breathlessness
Prostate Test (PSA) – for men over 45
Pap Smear & Mammogram – for women to detect cervical and breast cancer

How to Book These Tests Easily in India

Getting a blood test today is simple and stress-free. You don’t even need to visit a lab anymore.

At SecondMedic, you can:

Book blood tests online through our website
Get home sample collection by trained professionals
View your digital reports online within 24–48 hours
Consult our doctors based on your results

Conclusion

Turning 40 is a milestone — and a reminder that your health needs attention. Don’t wait for symptoms. These simple blood tests can alert you to hidden problems and help you take action before it’s too late.

Remember, good health starts with awareness. Be proactive, not reactive.

If you care about your long-term well-being, Top 5 Blood Tests You Shouldn’t Skip After 40 should be part of your annual health routine. Book them today on SecondMedic and stay a step ahead in your health journey.