Is the placebo effective for birth control?

Question

Let me start by saying, yes, I know that a "placebo" in general doesn't do anything.

My concern is that the birth control regimens use a placebo. If I have sex with my girlfriend using a condom and it breaks or leaks during the placebo stage, is she more at risk of pregnancy?

It almost makes me angry to know that doctors don't prescribe b.c all month around because it seems like this isn't much better than the rhythm method. But I think it has something to do with the "coverage window" of the pill. So how long is the pill effective after the woman stops taking it, in days?

Answer 1

As long as you have taken at least 21 active pills in a row, you can take nothing or the placebos for up to 7 days without a problem.

BCPs cause a woman not to ovulate, so there is nothing to fertalize.

Answer 2

That has always really confused me about the placebos too! But the reason that she is not able to get pregnant on those days is because she menstruates when she is on those placebos, and it is very rare for a woman to ovulate while menstruating. Even if she did, it would be almost impossible for the egg to implant in the uterus since the lining is being slughed off at this time. Plus, like you said, for the first couple of days there is still some coverage from the previous days. I guess it COULD happen and that's why the pill is only 99% effective. But I got pregnant after nearly 6 months of being on the pill, and taking it properly every day, and not taking any antibiotics...and I didn't get pregnant while on my period. My body just ovulated in spite of the pills at some point during my cycle. I'm really glad to hear you're doubling up with pills and birth control. Way to be safe!

Answer 3

ok, in a pack of pills there are 3 weeks worth of pills that actually work and 1 week of pills that are pretty much just sugar pills. the only reason that they include the last week is to get women into the habit of taking a pill everyday. i never missed them or need to be that constant, so i never took the last week anyway. birth control is way more effective than the rhythm method. how long the woman will be covered after not taking them depends on the individual woman. some women get pregnant right away after stopping and others can take months or years.

Answer 4

The birth control usually has an active medication 3 weeks of the month, then the "placebo" is just a pill to take after she starts her period. During that time she isn't likely to get pregnant

Answer 5

During her week off of taking the pill (or the placebo pill week), she is still covered for not getting pregnant (at least as much as the pill can ever be effective, which is about 97-99% depending on brand).

Answer 6

If she has been using the pill regularly for 3 months or longer than it doesnt matter what day the condom breaks she is just as protected!!