Hello, I'm Dr. Emily, a board-certified OB/GYN. I understand that you're asking about the chances of getting pregnant while on birth control pills. This is a very common question and one that deserves careful consideration.

It's important to know that birth control pills are highly effective when taken correctly. However, there are some factors that can increase the risk of pregnancy.

**Here's a breakdown of the key points:**

* Typical Use vs. Perfect Use:
* Typical use refers to how effective the pill is when people use it in the real world, including forgetting to take a pill or starting a new pack late. The typical use effectiveness of combination birth control pills is about 91%. This means that about 9 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year while using the pill under typical conditions.
* Perfect use refers to how effective the pill is when people use it exactly as directed, without any mistakes. The perfect use effectiveness of combination birth control pills is about 99.7%. This means that about 3 out of 1,000 women will get pregnant each year while using the pill perfectly.
* Factors Affecting Effectiveness:
* Missing pills: Even missing a single pill can decrease the effectiveness of birth control.
* Taking pills at different times: Taking pills at different times each day can also decrease their effectiveness.
* Certain medications: Some medications can interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills.
* Vomiting or diarrhea: Vomiting or diarrhea can prevent the pill from being fully absorbed into the body.
* Certain health conditions: Some health conditions, such as liver disease, can also affect the effectiveness of birth control pills.
* Other forms of birth control:
* If you're concerned about the effectiveness of birth control pills, there are other forms of birth control available, such as **long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)** (e.g., intrauterine devices [IUDs] or implants), which are even more effective than the pill.

In conclusion:

Birth control pills are a highly effective form of contraception when taken correctly. However, there are some factors that can decrease their effectiveness. If you are concerned about your risk of pregnancy, it is important to talk to your doctor about your specific situation. They can help you determine the best birth control method for you and provide personalized advice and support.

Remember: **It's always a good idea to use two forms of birth control if you're concerned about getting pregnant.**

I hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to ask any further questions.
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But to be fully effective, birth control pills need to be taken correctly. Missing even a few doses greatly increases your chances of pregnancy: while only 0.1 percent of women get pregnant when using the pill properly, pregnancy rates soar by 30-80 times when pills are missed.read more >>