Got Pregnant on the Pill? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Halx · 09-17-2003, 11:15 PM

My gf tells me that her sister got pregnant MULTIPLE times while on the Pill. This is one of the reasons why this form of birth control is out of the question for her. This article, however, sheds some light on the confounding condemnation.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...l&sid=95832302

Quote:

By Kathleen Doheny
HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Sept. 11 (HealthDayNews) -- Taken correctly, the birth control pill is exceptionally effective at preventing pregnancy.

But women who take St. John's wort, an herb often used to treat depression, as well as those who are overweight can become pregnant while on birth control pills.

That's the conclusion of a study presented Sept. 11 at the annual meeting of the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals in La Jolla, Calif.

The new findings lend support to previous research and anecdotal reports about a link between excess weight, St. John's wort and contraceptive failure.

After numerous anecdotal accounts of St. John's wort hampering the Pill's effectiveness, Patricia Murphy, a certified nurse midwife at Columbia University's Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, decided to do a more scientific study.

"St. John's wort has been believed to speed up the metabolism of oral contraceptives," Murphy says. If women metabolize them faster than they should, their effectiveness could be compromised.

Three years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) issued a health advisory saying St. John's wort could interact adversely with other medicines, including birth control pills.

In Murphy's study, she evaluated 16 women, aged 20 to 32, who all began taking the same low-dose birth control pill at the start of the four-month investigation. For the first two months, the women took a placebo herb, but did not know if it was fake or St. John's wort. Then their progesterone blood levels were measured. When progesterone reaches a specific level, it suggests you have ovulated and are fertile, Murphy explains.

For the next two months, the women took St. John's wort and their blood levels of progesterone were again evaluated.

"During the placebo [phase], one women had elevated progesterone levels, suggesting she ovulated on the low-dose contraceptive," Murphy says. But three women on the herb had progesterone levels high enough to indicate ovulation had occurred, she found.

More study is needed, Murphy says, but "things were definitely different with the St. John's wort."

Excess weight can also hamper the Pill's effectiveness, according to another study to be presented at the meeting by Dr. Paul Norris, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Miami.

Women with a body mass index, or BMI, over 25 are nearly three times more likely to experience birth control failure resulting in pregnancy than leaner women, he found. (BMI is a calculation of weight and height to assess health status; BMIs of 25 and higher are considered overweight. A woman 5-foot-4 who weighs 155 pounds has a BMI of 26.)

And an obese woman (a BMI of 30 or greater) had double the risk of pill failure compared to an overweight woman, Norris found.

Norris tracked 514 pill users who had been patients at the University of Miami's Reproductive Health Clinic from 1994 to 2002. Of the total, seven women had contraceptive failure resulting in pregnancy. Five of those seven had a BMI greater than 25, and three had a BMI in excess of 30.

Norris notes a larger study is needed, but his is not the first to link excess weight with reduced contraceptive effectiveness. Last year, researchers reported in Obstetrics & Gynecology that women taking low-dose pills and weighing 155 pounds or more had a 60 percent higher contraceptive failure rate, possibly because they metabolize the pills differently than lighter women.

To make the pill as effective as possible, experts advise women to take it exactly as instructed. When women do so, fewer than one in 1,000 will become pregnant over a year's time with combination pills -- the type that include both estrogen and progestin, according to Planned Parenthood (news - web sites) Federation of America. Five of every 1,000 women who take progestin-only pills become pregnant after a year with perfect use.

GakFace · 09-17-2003, 11:53 PM

Yikes! I'm amazed with the BMI's thingy. 5'4" and 155 pounds is a 26? I've seen women with those stats, and they sure didn't look overweight to me!

I know so many people that swear on the pill, its amazing how St John's Wart can nuetralize it....

Harshaw · 09-18-2003, 01:31 AM

That's a pretty importiant study. I've been thinking about bringing up the idea of the pill.
However the idea of the birth control pill kind of scares me. With a condom I have something tangable, with a pill it better damn well work because it would be pretty hard to put the toothpaste back in the tube. I know that if taken correctly, its probably safer than a condom, but I get a sense of security from a condom (even if I hate putting them on)

jwoody · 09-18-2003, 01:48 AM

My opinion on the matter is that the pill should only be considered for couples in long term relationships, where an unplanned pregnancy wouldn't be too much of an inconvenience. While the pill itself is probably very reliable, all it takes is a bout of diare.... diahore... dia.. the runs to render it useless.

emidew22 · 09-18-2003, 04:33 AM

I totally disagree with you, jwoody. I think the pill should be available to any one who wants to use it. If you get pregnant while on the pill, and you're not taking st. johns wart and you don't have a bmi of 25 or more, then it's probably your own fault. If you have "the runs" ( i don't know how to spell diarhea?? either) then you should know not to have sex, or to use a condom as well. There's an entire booklet of "what you should do if's" in each pill pack, so as long as you can read, you should be all set.

Sapper · 09-18-2003, 05:26 AM

The trouble here is that people take medications and other actions which are explicitly forbidden while on OBC (oral birth control). These people should re-read the frigging monograms.

All said and done, condoms are still FAR more likely to fail than OBC. The only down-fall with OBC is that it does NOT prevent transmission of STDs.

rockogre · 09-18-2003, 05:32 AM

The pill is 99.97325% effective when held tightly between the knees.

My oldest daughter got pregnant while on the pill. She's over weight. I'm guessing she didn't know about the knees method.

jwoody · 09-18-2003, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Lawrence Fishburn, Boyz 'n the Hood
'pill ain't gonna stop yo' dick fallin' off!

Wise words.

Averett · 09-18-2003, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rockogre
The pill is 99.97325% effective when held tightly between the knees.

My oldest daughter got pregnant while on the pill. She's over weight. I'm guessing she didn't know about the knees method.

That cracked me up!

From what I understand, if you don't take the pill at around the same time every day it'll also screw things up.

StormBerlin · 09-18-2003, 10:15 AM

That's why Depo is a better option for those who are overweight and taking St. John's Wort. And it's cheaper. I heard somewhere that if you get pregnant on any kind of hormonal birth control that the chances of having a deformed baby increase quite a bit... don't know if it's true tho.

billege · 09-18-2003, 10:54 AM

And if you're not overwieght, Depo will fix that for you, quick, fast, and in a hurry. In fact, one can hear the fat cells multiplying from Depo.

a1t3r3g0 · 09-18-2003, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GakFace
Yikes! I'm amazed with the BMI's thingy. 5'4" and 155 pounds is a 26? I've seen women with those stats, and they sure didn't look overweight to me!

I know so many people that swear on the pill, its amazing how St John's Wart can nuetralize it....

You sure about that? I'm 6 feet tall and I weigh 153, but I've still got a belly on me. I think you are way off on the weight estimates of 5'4 women that you have seen.

Hard8s · 09-18-2003, 04:47 PM

Once again to go back to what they teach in high school, there is no form of birth control that is 100% effective! Don't know why people don't understand that one? It always amazes me when these stories come out. There are no guarentees in life. Hell you don't even have to have intercourse to get pregnant! A little goo still on her hand from a guys blast (hand job, blow job, etc.) and she scratches the wrong place, and bam! Pregnant. Nature works in mysterious ways, and them little swimmers are pretty good at their jobs! All we can hope to do is stop 99.99999% of them, but eventually one of them little buggers is going to find that elusive egg. Just remember if you're going to have sex, be prepared to live with the consequences.

lady · 09-18-2003, 06:13 PM

Diarrhea, vomiting, antibiotics can all make the pill much less effective in preventing pregnancy.

I'd heard that the pill was less effective for women who are overweight, but I didn't realize that the BMI "cut-off" point was so low. That would affect a heckuva lot of women out there...

sixate · 09-18-2003, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by a1t3r3g0
You sure about that? I'm 6 feet tall and I weigh 153, but I've still got a belly on me. I think you are way off on the weight estimates of 5'4 women that you have seen.

I agree. Plus, a women has a lot less muscle than a man. For those who don't know.... Muscle weighs a lot more than fat. A man who is 5'6" tall and 155 pounds would absolutely look much thinner than a woman who was the same height and weight. Simple fact is most people just don't realize just how out of shape they are, and most don't care either.

striker3303 · 09-18-2003, 10:00 PM

No I have never gotten pregnant while on the pill. But that would truly suck for any female that did. Could there be a law suit for that?

laxative · 09-18-2003, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lady
Diarrhea, vomiting, antibiotics can all make the pill much less effective in preventing pregnancy.

I feel fucking stupid. I never even thought of it. I knocked up a bulemic chick on the pill a couple years ago. Duh.

Steph · 09-19-2003, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GakFace
[B]Yikes! I'm amazed with the BMI's thingy. 5'4" and 155 pounds is a 26? /B]

That's totally overweight. I'm 5'10" and 170 lbs and that's a healthy weight.

viejo gringo · 09-19-2003, 09:47 AM

I still say, the only safe way is to put it in double and
let the squirty end hang out...

09-20-2003, 12:28 AM

On the History Channel, Modern Marvels: High Tech Sex, said that a 'pill' for men should be out within a year. Should bring an interesting twist on birth control in society.

JStrider · 09-20-2003, 10:13 AM

arie just started on the pill earlier this week... ill have to make sure she definently reads the literature... and brings it so i can read it too...
definently dont want any mistakes...

MacGnG · 09-20-2003, 10:59 AM

well at least they are looking into what causes these problems, rather than dismissing it.

soopadoopa · 09-21-2003, 10:46 AM

OK what's the deal on the diarrhea? My wife's a nurse and says she doesn't know anything about it, unless it's because of dehydration. This could be important info for us.

09-17-2003, 11:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
GakFace Go Ninja, Go Ninja Go!! Location: IN, USA	Yikes! I'm amazed with the BMI's thingy. 5'4" and 155 pounds is a 26? I've seen women with those stats, and they sure didn't look overweight to me! I know so many people that swear on the pill, its amazing how St John's Wart can nuetralize it.... __________________ RoboBlaster: Welcome to the club! Not that I'm in the club. And there really isn'a a club in the first place. But if there was a club and if I was in it, I would definitely welcome you to it.

09-18-2003, 01:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
Harshaw Is mad at you. Location: Bored in Sacramento	That's a pretty importiant study. I've been thinking about bringing up the idea of the pill. However the idea of the birth control pill kind of scares me. With a condom I have something tangable, with a pill it better damn well work because it would be pretty hard to put the toothpaste back in the tube. I know that if taken correctly, its probably safer than a condom, but I get a sense of security from a condom (even if I hate putting them on) __________________ This too shall pass. Last edited by Harshaw; 09-18-2003 at 01:51 AM..

09-18-2003, 01:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
jwoody Shackle Me Not Location: Newcastle - England.	My opinion on the matter is that the pill should only be considered for couples in long term relationships, where an unplanned pregnancy wouldn't be too much of an inconvenience. While the pill itself is probably very reliable, all it takes is a bout of diare.... diahore... dia.. the runs to render it useless. __________________ .

09-18-2003, 05:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
Sapper Insane Location: The Internet	The trouble here is that people take medications and other actions which are explicitly forbidden while on OBC (oral birth control). These people should re-read the frigging monograms. All said and done, condoms are still FAR more likely to fail than OBC. The only down-fall with OBC is that it does NOT prevent transmission of STDs. __________________ rm -f /bin/laden

09-18-2003, 05:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
rockogre I aim to misbehave! Location: SW Oklahoma	The pill is 99.97325% effective when held tightly between the knees. My oldest daughter got pregnant while on the pill. She's over weight. I'm guessing she didn't know about the knees method. __________________ Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American G. I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom

09-18-2003, 04:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
emidew22 Upright Location: Boston	I totally disagree with you, jwoody. I think the pill should be available to any one who wants to use it. If you get pregnant while on the pill, and you're not taking st. johns wart and you don't have a bmi of 25 or more, then it's probably your own fault. If you have "the runs" ( i don't know how to spell diarhea?? either) then you should know not to have sex, or to use a condom as well. There's an entire booklet of "what you should do if's" in each pill pack, so as long as you can read, you should be all set.

09-18-2003, 10:15 AM	#10 (permalink)
StormBerlin Happy as a hippo Location: Southern California	That's why Depo is a better option for those who are overweight and taking St. John's Wort. And it's cheaper. I heard somewhere that if you get pregnant on any kind of hormonal birth control that the chances of having a deformed baby increase quite a bit... don't know if it's true tho. __________________ "if anal sex could get a girl pregnant i'd be tits deep in child support" Arcane

09-18-2003, 10:54 AM	#11 (permalink)
billege Watcher Location: Ohio	And if you're not overwieght, Depo will fix that for you, quick, fast, and in a hurry. In fact, one can hear the fat cells multiplying from Depo. __________________ I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence: "My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."

09-18-2003, 04:47 PM	#13 (permalink)
Hard8s Addict Location: Wherever I am!	Once again to go back to what they teach in high school, there is no form of birth control that is 100% effective! Don't know why people don't understand that one? It always amazes me when these stories come out. There are no guarentees in life. Hell you don't even have to have intercourse to get pregnant! A little goo still on her hand from a guys blast (hand job, blow job, etc.) and she scratches the wrong place, and bam! Pregnant. Nature works in mysterious ways, and them little swimmers are pretty good at their jobs! All we can hope to do is stop 99.99999% of them, but eventually one of them little buggers is going to find that elusive egg. Just remember if you're going to have sex, be prepared to live with the consequences. __________________ If ignorance is bliss, then wipe this smile off my face!

09-18-2003, 06:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
lady Addict Location: Vancouver, BC	Diarrhea, vomiting, antibiotics can all make the pill much less effective in preventing pregnancy. I'd heard that the pill was less effective for women who are overweight, but I didn't realize that the BMI "cut-off" point was so low. That would affect a heckuva lot of women out there... __________________ Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win By fearing to attempt.

09-18-2003, 10:00 PM	#16 (permalink)
striker3303 Tilted Location: Olympia, WA	Dude, I'm a DUDE No I have never gotten pregnant while on the pill. But that would truly suck for any female that did. Could there be a law suit for that? __________________ Green mustard is the salvation

09-19-2003, 09:47 AM	#19 (permalink)
viejo gringo Registered User Location: Deep South Texas	I still say, the only safe way is to put it in double and let the squirty end hang out...

09-20-2003, 12:28 AM	#20 (permalink)
mepitans Guest	On the History Channel, Modern Marvels: High Tech Sex, said that a 'pill' for men should be out within a year. Should bring an interesting twist on birth control in society.

09-20-2003, 10:13 AM	#21 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	arie just started on the pill earlier this week... ill have to make sure she definently reads the literature... and brings it so i can read it too... definently dont want any mistakes... __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

09-20-2003, 10:59 AM	#22 (permalink)
MacGnG Know Where!	well at least they are looking into what causes these problems, rather than dismissing it.

09-21-2003, 10:46 AM	#23 (permalink)
soopadoopa Crazy	OK what's the deal on the diarrhea? My wife's a nurse and says she doesn't know anything about it, unless it's because of dehydration. This could be important info for us.