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

Can A Person Get Pregnant While Taking The Pill?

  • WhatsApp share link icon
  • copy & share link icon
  • twitter share link icon
  • facebook share link icon

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.

Read Blog
Sitting Immediately After Eating – Good or Bad

Sitting Immediately After Eating – Good or Bad?

After a heavy meal, many people instinctively sit or even lie down. While it may feel comfortable, the timing and posture after meals play a huge role in how your body digests food. The question is: Is sitting immediately after eating good or bad? Let’s explore the science and traditional wisdom behind this everyday habit.

What Happens to the Body After Eating?

When you eat, your stomach works to break down food, and blood flow is directed toward digestion. Your position during this time can either support or disrupt the digestive process.

The Effects of Sitting Right After Eating

If you sit upright after a meal, it usually doesn’t cause harm. But slouching on a sofa, reclining, or lying down can lead to:

  • Slower digestion
     

  • Acid reflux or heartburn
     

  • Bloating and heaviness
     

  • Discomfort in the upper abdomen
     

Lying Down – The Biggest Mistake

Lying flat right after eating allows stomach acids to move upward into the esophagus, leading to reflux. This is especially risky for people with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) or chronic acidity.

Why Gentle Walking Helps

Health experts recommend a light 10–15-minute walk after meals. It doesn’t just aid digestion but also helps regulate blood sugar levels, especially after dinner. However, avoid intense exercise immediately after eating, as it may divert blood away from the digestive system.

Posture Matters – How to Sit Right

If you must sit, ensure your back is straight and upright. This supports the stomach’s natural movement of food into the intestines. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, a common practice in many cultures, is also believed to help digestion by promoting mindful eating and proper posture.

Best Practices After Meals

  • Wait at least 2–3 hours before lying down or sleeping.
     

  • Prefer light activities like walking instead of sitting for long.
     

  • Avoid tight clothing that compresses the stomach.
     

  • Stay hydrated but don’t drink too much water immediately after meals.
     

Who Should Be Extra Careful?

  • People with acid reflux or GERD
     

  • Individuals with obesity
     

  • Pregnant women
     

  • Those with diabetes, as post-meal spikes in sugar can worsen if inactive
     

Conclusion

So, is sitting immediately after eating – good or bad? The answer depends on posture. Sitting upright is fine, but slouching or lying down can harm digestion and increase acidity risk. For best results, take a gentle walk and maintain an active lifestyle. To assess digestive health and rule out underlying issues, you can book a Comprehensive Digestive Health Package or Liver Function Test at SecondMedic with expert doctor advice today.

See all

Live Doctor consultation
Live Doctor Chat

Download Our App & Get Consultation from anywhere.

App Download
call icon for mobile number calling and whatsapp at secondmedic