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Last Updated:
Sep 10th, 2007 - 18:59:21
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Question
I'm currently on the birth control pill, my question is can I get pregnant if I have intercourse during the week of my period just before I start taking the pill again?
Thank you!
Answer
It is always possible for a woman in her fertile years to become pregnant while taking the birth control pill, which is less than 100% effective in preventing pregnancy, and is even less effective than that in preventing fertilization (conception). A woman on oral contraceptives is probably no more likely to become pregnant during the week of taking the placebo pills than she is during the weeks of taking the contraceptive pills. Especially with the lower estrogen doses commonly used now, the chance of conception is always there, whether or not implantation can occur, and the exact time when a “breakthrough ovulation” occurs is difficult to pinpoint.
Dr. Robert J. Butler graduated from Northwestern University Medical School in 1982. He was on the clinical faculty of the University of Alabama School Of Medicine from 1987-1996. He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Butler is married, and father of 11 children, the youngest of which is expected next spring. He has a solo private practice of Internal Medicine in Merced, CA.
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