My Birth Control Failed: What Do I Do?

Nothing prepares you for the feeling of experiencing failed birth control. You’re likely feeling overwhelmed and panicking right now, wondering if you might be pregnant or have an STI.

Your feelings are understandable, but there are steps you can take to gain some clarity right now. This article will highlight these steps, but if you want to talk to someone in person about your options, contact Relate Care Clinic today to connect with one of our caring team members.

Take a Pregnancy Test

Your number one worry right now is probably wondering if there’s a chance you might be pregnant. The only way to know for sure is to take a pregnancy test.

Most at-home pregnancy tests claim to be 99% accurate if taken on the first day of your missed period. While this might feel like a long wait if the failed birth control experience just happened, it’s best to wait to avoid receiving a false negative—which is when your hCG levels (the pregnancy hormone that the test detects) are too low for the pregnancy test to discern.

At Relate Care Clinic, we offer free, medical-grade pregnancy testing administered and explained by a nurse. Even if you took a pregnancy test at home, following up at our clinic will help ensure accurate results with the added benefit of an ultrasound to correctly date your pregnancy.

Is Plan B an Option?

Plan B, also known as the “morning-after pill,” is an emergency contraceptive intended to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. It is most effective when taken within 72 hours.

Plan B primarily works by delaying or preventing ovulation (the release of an egg). If ovulation is delayed, fertilization cannot occur, and pregnancy is prevented.

However, there is ongoing discussion about whether Plan B can also work in another way. Some medical sources state that if ovulation has already occurred and fertilization takes place, Plan B may alter the uterine lining in a way that could make it more difficult for a fertilized egg to implant. When a medication prevents implantation after fertilization has already occurred, it is sometimes referred to as an early abortifacient.

An early abortifacient is a drug that may end a pregnancy after fertilization but before implantation. Because of differing beliefs about when pregnancy begins (at fertilization or at implantation), some women want to carefully consider this possibility before taking Plan B.

Plan B is not appropriate for every woman, so it’s important to review your medical history and any concerns with a healthcare provider to determine whether it is a safe and suitable option for you.

Plan B can also cause side effects, which may include:

Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness
Fatigue
Headache
Breast tenderness
Bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual bleeding
Lower abdominal pain or cramps

If you have questions about how Plan B works or how it aligns with your personal values, speaking with a medical professional can help you make an informed decision.

Get STI Testing

If you’re worried that you’ve contracted an STI after the failed birth control, getting STI testing is essential.

Many STIs don’t present with symptoms, so it’s possible that you or your partner have an STI without knowing it.

At Relate Care Clinic, we offer free STI testing and treatment for the most common STIs. For more complicated conditions, we can refer you to additional community resources.

You’re Not Alone

Navigating your circumstances can feel frightening, but you’re not alone in this. At Relate Care Clinic, we understand what you’re going through, and we’re here for you.