About one in three Dutch people take the contraceptive pill because of menstrual complaints, hormone problems or to avoid getting pregnant. Although the pill is a very reliable method of contraception, there is a chance that you will still get pregnant. Because you can still have blood loss during your stop week, this is more difficult to detect. So watch out for these five signs.
Reliability
If you take the pill properly according to the advice, the chance of getting pregnant when using it is less than one percent. So out of a hundred women, less than one gets hit pregnant through the pill. Curious how you can tell that you are pregnant and whether the symptoms are different than when you are not using a contraceptive pill? We list everything for you.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a pregnancy on the pill are no different than when it is planned. However, during the off week you can, despite a pregnancyhave blood loss. So-called withdrawal bleeds, which are controlled by hormones in the pill, continue when you are pregnant. Also good to keep in mind: you can confuse some symptoms of a pregnancy with complaints associated with the withdrawal bleeding during the stop week. These five symptoms can indicate a pregnancy while on the pill:
1. Bloating
Bloating can indicate that you are pregnant. This is due to progesterone, a pregnancy hormone that causes you to retain more fluid and your intestines to work less quickly.
2. Sensitive breasts
You may also suffer from tender breasts. Your body produces the pregnancy hormones estrogen and progesterone. This makes them more sensitive and makes them feel heavier.
3. Blood loss
The fertilized egg attaches to the endometrium, causing blood loss. Very normal at the beginning of a pregnancy and therefore no reason to panic. However, this is sometimes confused with having your period.
4. Unexplained Fatigue
Have you been very tired lately and have no idea why? You may be pregnant after all. Hormonal changes in your body can make you very tired. Even at the beginning of a pregnancy.
5. Go to the toilet more often
A baby grows in your womb, causing it to grow and press against the bladder. As a result, you may have to go to the toilet more often than usual.
When unreliable?
Are you not taking the pill consistently? Then there is a greater chance that you will get pregnant while you are using it. But when exactly is the contraceptive pill unreliable? These are the times when the pill doesn’t work and you can get pregnant:
- If you take the pill too late;
- If you do not take the pill at the same time;
- If you start too late with the next pill pack;
- If you are vomiting or have diarrhea.
Don’t want to get pregnant? Then make sure you don’t forget the pill and use it correctly. Are you still in doubt, and do you recognize the above symptoms? Take a pregnancy test to be sure or visit your doctor.
Source: Women’s Health, Things for Women | Image: iStock
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