• 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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Signs Your Body Is Not Digesting Protein Properly

Signs Your Body Is Not Digesting Protein Properly

Protein is one of the most important macronutrients. It builds your muscles, supports your skin and hair, and helps in immune function. But what if your body isn’t breaking it down properly?

Let’s explore the key signs your body is not digesting protein properly, why this happens, and what you can do to fix it naturally.

 

What Happens During Protein Digestion?

When you eat protein (like eggs, meat, or legumes), your stomach produces hydrochloric acid (HCl) and pepsin to begin digestion. Then, enzymes from your pancreas break proteins down into amino acids, which are absorbed by your small intestine.

If any part of this process is disrupted, your body may fail to get enough amino acids—even if you're eating enough protein.

 

Common Signs of Poor Protein Digestion

1. Bloating and Gas

If you regularly feel bloated or gassy after protein-rich meals, it may be due to undigested proteins fermenting in your gut. This can also lead to discomfort and smelly flatulence.

Tip: Try smaller meals and add ginger or apple cider vinegar before meals to aid digestion.

 

2. Muscle Weakness

Even with regular workouts, you may struggle to build or maintain muscle. This could mean you're not absorbing enough amino acids, which are vital for muscle repair and strength.

Tip: Check for zinc or B-vitamin deficiencies, which affect protein metabolism.

 

3. Hair Loss & Brittle Nails

Protein forms the base of keratin, which keeps your hair and nails strong. Poor digestion can result in thinning hair or slow nail growth.

Tip: Add biotin-rich foods and ensure your protein intake is paired with proper digestion support.

 

4. Fatigue and Low Energy

Amino acids help make neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. If you’re not absorbing protein properly, you might feel tired, foggy, or depressed.

Tip: Add enzyme-rich foods like pineapple (bromelain) and papaya (papain) to your diet.

 

5. Foul-Smelling Stool or Undigested Food

Visible food in your stool or very foul-smelling bowel movements are signs that digestion is incomplete. You may also notice loose stools or diarrhea after eating protein.

Tip: Consider getting a stool test to check for fat or protein malabsorption.

 

Causes of Poor Protein Digestion

  • Low stomach acid (Hypochlorhydria)
     

  • Pancreatic enzyme deficiency
     

  • Gut inflammation (IBS, IBD, SIBO)
     

  • Liver or gallbladder issues
     

  • Aging (natural enzyme decline)
     

  • Zinc or B12 deficiency
     

 

Relevant Tests You Can Book from SecondMedic

You can check for underlying causes through:

  • Serum Total Protein Test
     

  • Serum Albumin Test
     

  • Stool analysis
     

  • Vitamin B12 / Zinc profile
     

  • Digestive enzyme panel
     

All these are available through SecondMedic.com, often with home collection via Thyrocare.

 

How to Improve Protein Digestion Naturally

 1. Chew Your Food Thoroughly

Digestion begins in the mouth. Chewing helps enzymes break food down faster in the gut.

2. Eat in a Calm State

Stress affects stomach acid production. Eat slowly, without distractions.

3. Use Natural Digestive Aids

  • Ginger
     

  • Apple cider vinegar
     

  • Lemon water
     

  • Herbal teas (peppermint, chamomile)
     

4. Include Digestive Enzymes

Supplements with protease help in breaking down proteins. Look for broad-spectrum enzyme blends.

5. Optimize Gut Health

Add probiotics like yogurt or fermented foods (kimchi, kanji, kefir) to help nutrient absorption.

 

When to See a Doctor

If symptoms persist despite dietary changes, consult a gastroenterologist. Chronic protein malabsorption can lead to:

  • Nutrient deficiencies
     

  • Immune weakness
     

  • Muscle loss
     

  • Hair thinning
     

Early testing and treatment can prevent long-term health complications.

 

Conclusion

If you're experiencing bloating, fatigue, hair loss, or weak muscles—even with a protein-rich diet—your body might not be digesting protein properly. Identifying and addressing the root cause can improve your digestion, energy levels, and overall health.

Don’t ignore the signs your body is not digesting protein properly. Start by checking your symptoms, improving your diet, and booking the right lab tests through trusted platforms like SecondMedic.

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