When Birth Control Fails

There's always a chance that your birth control won't work. Prepare yourself and learn the common reasons for contraception failure, and what you can do to prevent it.

RU486 - Abortion Pill

RU486 - The Abortion Pill

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

Happy couple being intimate

7 Ways to Make Your Birth Control More Effective

Medically reviewed by Keri Peterson, MD

Overweight woman on bathroom scales

Birth Control Methods for Overweight Women

Medically reviewed by Alyssa Dweck, MD

Birth control failure

Pregnancy on Birth Control

Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD

Two young women smiling on park bench.

Obesity and Contraception Effectiveness

Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH

Contraception, patch

What to Do If Your Contraceptive Patch Falls Off

Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH

Woman Checking Pregnancy Test Kit

Birth Control Failure & Unplanned Pregnancy Help

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

crisis pregnancy centers

Beware of Crisis Pregnancy Centers

Medically reviewed by Alyssa Dweck, MD

Abortion laws for minors vary greatly by state.

Abortion Laws for Teens by State

By Denise Witmer

Woman holding home pregnancy test and looking worried

Preventing Birth Control Failure

Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH

Doctor explaining prescription medication to patient in clinic

Process for a Medical Abortion: RU486 Pill Use

Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD

Check up visit in doctor's office

Early Abortion Machine Vacuum Aspiration Procedure

Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD

Woman looking at pregnancy test

How Do You Interpret Birth Control Failure Rates?

Fact checked by Sheeren Jegtvig