• 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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warning signs of kidney damage

Warning Signs of Kidney Damage: Don’t Ignore These Symptoms

Your kidneys play a vital role in keeping your body healthy. They help filter waste, control blood pressure, balance electrolytes, and produce hormones. But many people don’t realize their kidneys are in trouble until the damage becomes serious. That’s because kidney damage often develops silently, with little to no symptoms in the early stages.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the warning signs of kidney damage that you should never ignore. Early detection can help protect your kidneys and improve your overall health.

 

Why Are Kidneys So Important?

Before we dive into the warning signs, let’s understand what kidneys do. You have two kidneys located on either side of your spine, just below your rib cage. Each one is about the size of a fist.

Their main functions include:

  • Filtering blood to remove toxins and waste

  • Balancing fluids and electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and calcium

  • Regulating blood pressure

  • Producing hormones for red blood cell production and bone health
     

Because kidneys are so essential, even slight damage can have a big impact on your health.

 

Common Causes of Kidney Damage

Kidney damage can result from a variety of health conditions and lifestyle factors. The most common causes include:

  • High blood pressure (Hypertension)

  • Diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2)

  • Chronic dehydration

  • Excessive use of painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs

  • Kidney infections

  • Obstruction from kidney stones or enlarged prostate

  • Autoimmune diseases like lupus
     

Now that we know what can cause kidney damage, let’s explore the early symptoms your body might show.

 

10 Early Warning Signs of Kidney Damage

1. Changes in Urination

Your kidneys are responsible for making urine. So if there’s any change in your urination pattern, it could be a red flag. Watch out for:

  • Frequent urination, especially at night

  • Foamy or bubbly urine

  • Dark-colored or bloody urine

  • Difficulty urinating

  • Decreased urine output
     

These changes can signal that your kidneys are struggling to filter waste properly.

 

2. Swelling in Feet, Ankles, or Hands

Damaged kidneys can’t get rid of extra fluid in your body. This leads to swelling, known as edema, especially in your lower limbs. If your shoes feel tighter or you notice puffiness around your ankles, it’s time to see a doctor.

 

3. Fatigue and Weakness

Healthy kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin, which helps make red blood cells. When your kidneys are damaged, you may have fewer red blood cells, leading to anemia. This causes tiredness, weakness, and trouble concentrating.

 

4. Persistent Itching

A buildup of waste in the blood due to kidney issues can cause severe itching, also called uremic pruritus. If you find yourself scratching a lot and over-the-counter creams don’t help, your kidneys could be the problem.

 

5. Shortness of Breath

Excess fluid from kidney dysfunction can build up in your lungs, making it hard to breathe. Also, anemia from kidney disease means your body gets less oxygen, which can leave you feeling breathless with even slight exertion.

 

6. Metallic Taste in the Mouth

A buildup of toxins in your bloodstream can affect your sense of taste. You might notice:

  • A metallic or ammonia-like taste

  • Bad breath

  • Loss of appetite
     

This can eventually lead to unexplained weight loss.

 

7. High Blood Pressure

While high blood pressure can cause kidney damage, it can also be a result of it. Damaged kidneys struggle to regulate blood pressure, leading to a dangerous cycle. If your blood pressure stays high despite medication, kidney function might be to blame.

 

8. Nausea and Vomiting

As waste builds up in your blood, your digestive system can become irritated. This often results in nausea, vomiting, or stomach cramps. If these symptoms become persistent, it’s important to get your kidney function tested.

 

9. Muscle Cramps

Kidney damage can lead to imbalances in minerals like calcium and phosphorus. This can trigger painful muscle cramps, particularly in your legs and back.

 

10. Puffiness Around the Eyes

Protein leaks in urine are often one of the first signs of kidney damage. This may cause puffy eyes, especially in the morning. If you're also feeling fatigued or noticing other symptoms, it could be more than just a lack of sleep.

 

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you notice one or more of the above symptoms, don’t ignore them. A simple blood test and urine test can check your kidney function, and early detection can make a big difference.

You’re especially at risk if:

  • You have diabetes or high blood pressure

  • You have a family history of kidney disease

  • You are over the age of 60

  • You take painkillers frequently

  • You have heart disease
     

 

How to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

Here are a few tips to protect your kidneys and prevent further damage:

? Stay hydrated
? Control your blood sugar and blood pressure
? Eat a balanced diet low in sodium
? Limit over-the-counter painkillers
? Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
? Get regular health check-ups

Making small lifestyle changes today can help you avoid serious kidney problems tomorrow.

 

Conclusion

Kidney damage doesn’t happen overnight, and your body often gives early signals that something is wrong. By paying attention to changes like fatigue, swelling, and urinary issues, you can catch the problem early and get the help you need.

Your kidneys are silent workers — until they start failing. So, don’t wait for obvious symptoms. Regular checkups, healthy habits, and awareness of the warning signs of kidney damage can go a long way in protecting your health.

Take care of your kidneys — because once they’re damaged, the effects are hard to reverse.

 

CTA: If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the warning signs of kidney damage, don’t delay — consult a healthcare professional today and get the right diagnosis early.

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