Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBirth DefectsDiscontinuing UseMiscarriage MythsRisks
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Birth Defects
Discontinuing Use
Miscarriage Myths
Risks
If you’ve been taking thebirth control pilland discover you are pregnant, you may wonder whether this could harm a developing fetus or if there’s a chance that it may lead to amiscarriage(sometimes called spontaneous abortion) or stillbirth.
Most research suggests that you need not worry. Some types of birth control may cause complications, but, for the most part, using birth control pills or other hormone delivery devices (such as theOrtho Evra patchorNuvaRing) is relatively safe.
This article discusses birth control and miscarriage risk. It explains the potential risks of taking oral contraceptives or using other birth control during pregnancy. It also dispels common myths.
Birth Control Pill and Birth Defects
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), no evidence shows takingcombination birth control pillsorprogestin-only pillswhile pregnant will cause harm in any way. It does not increase the risk of birth defects or cause pregnancy complications.
It’s important to note that there has not been a lot of research on this subject. This is not because of oversight or lack of interest. Medical ethics would not allow research that may place a pregnant person or the fetus in harm’s way.
Most of the data is derived from epidemiological research comparing people who have used birth control pills during early pregnancy with those who haven’t. In this regard, there has been little difference in the number of birth defects, miscarriages, or stillbirths between either group.
The CDC notes that progestins taken in early pregnancy slightly increase the risk of hypospadias (a birth defect where the opening of the urethra is not located at the tip of the penis) in babies assigned male at birth.
However, the studies leading to this conclusion are older and were mostly of people taking progestins for infertility or to prevent pregnancy loss and not the low doses of progestins in birth control pills.
If You Think You May Be Pregnant
It’s still not recommended that you continue taking birth control if you’re pregnant, despite the fact that you’ve been using birth control medications up until pregnancy is confirmed.
There is no evidence to suggest harm to the fetus.But if you think you may be pregnant, take a pregnancy test to know for sure. If you can’t take a pregnancy test for any reason, consider using other forms of contraception (such ascondomsor thesponge) until you can.
Pregnancy Risk While On Birth Control
Although abstinence is the only method of birth control that ensures 100% effectiveness for preventing pregnancy, perfect use of contraceptives is nearly 100% effective.
Perfect use means that a contraceptive is used correctly every time, while typical use accounts for common human errors, such as forgetting to take a contraceptive pill on time. Effectiveness rates vary as follows:
Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as anintrauterine device (IUD)and permanent contraception methods liketubal ligation(having your tubes tied) are more than 99% effective.
Birth Control and Miscarriage Myths
Most birth control methods don’t cause any harm to the fetus when they are used during early pregnancy. There are some common misunderstandings about the difference between birth control and medication abortion pills.
Birth Control Pills
Some people believe that if they continue to take the birth control pill while pregnant, they may have a miscarriage. This is not true, and there has never been any evidence to suggest that. Taking the birth control pill while pregnant doesn’t cause a miscarriage.
Emergency Contraception
Another myth is that usingemergency contraception(such asPlan B One-Step) while pregnant may cause the spontaneous termination of your pregnancy. This is again not true. These pills have no effect once a fertilized egg has been implanted.
Medication Abortion
There are specific medications that can end a pregnancy if desired. This is a form ofmedication abortionand is not considered birth control.
A medication abortion works through a different method than hormonal birth control. Known as Mifeprex (mifepristone) or RU-486, theabortion pillhas been FDA-approved in the United States since 2000.
Legal Challenges to Mifepristone Use
Theavailability of mifepristonein the United States has recently been in the hands of the courts. In April 2023, a federal judge in Texas issued a ruling to suspend its FDA approval. This decision affected the drug’s status nationwide but was quickly appealed and stayed, allowing for the continued sale of mifepristone.
The case was referred to the Supreme Court but sent back to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in August 2023 to roll back FDA actions that allowed expanded access to the drug.
Why Do People Have Abortions?
Risks of Continuing Birth Control
Some birth control methods can cause harm when used during pregnancy. Below is a breakdown of common birth control methods and their risks if used during pregnancy.
COCs or Progestin-Only Pills
Combined estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives (COCs) and progestin-only pills are two different types of birth control pills. COCs contain synthetic forms ofestrogenandprogesterone, while progestin-only pills contain only synthetic progesterone.
While there’s no evidence suggesting birth defects or a miscarriage can occur if you take birth control pills while pregnant, some research suggests an increased risk of wheezing, asthma, and rhinitis in children who were exposed.
Progestin and Ectopic Pregnancy RiskProgestin-only forms of birth control are associated with a slightly higher risk ofectopicpregnancyif they fail to prevent pregnancy. However, there isn’t a higher absolute risk of ectopic pregnancy when compared to using no contraceptive.
Progestin and Ectopic Pregnancy Risk
Progestin-only forms of birth control are associated with a slightly higher risk ofectopicpregnancyif they fail to prevent pregnancy. However, there isn’t a higher absolute risk of ectopic pregnancy when compared to using no contraceptive.
IUDs
If you become pregnant with an intrauterine device (IUD), there is a higher risk of complications such as miscarriage, preterm birth, and infections.
Call your healthcare provider immediately to discuss your options. If you wish to continue the pregnancy, your ob/gyn will likely recommend removing your IUD. Doing so early in a timely fashion can reduce those risks.
Risks of Getting Pregnant With an IUD
Implants, Shots, and Vaginal Rings
Contraceptiveimplants,injection shots, and vaginal rings same types of hormones found in birth control pills and carry the same risks.
There is no evidence to show using these can cause birth defects or miscarriages if used in early pregnancy.
However, some, like the Nexplanon implant, increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Signs of Ectopic PregnancyEctopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg implants in a place other than the lining of the uterus (endometrium). Symptoms can include:Low back painSudden pain in the abdomen or pelvisShoulder painAbnormal vaginal bleedingFaintingAn ectopic pregnancy can rupture a fallopian tube and may need immediate medical attention.
Signs of Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg implants in a place other than the lining of the uterus (endometrium). Symptoms can include:Low back painSudden pain in the abdomen or pelvisShoulder painAbnormal vaginal bleedingFaintingAn ectopic pregnancy can rupture a fallopian tube and may need immediate medical attention.
Ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg implants in a place other than the lining of the uterus (endometrium). Symptoms can include:
An ectopic pregnancy can rupture a fallopian tube and may need immediate medical attention.
Barrier Methods
There are no risks when using barrier-method birth control during pregnancy. This includes:
These methods are used to physically prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg and typically do not involve hormones. Using condoms while pregnant can prevent sexually transmitted infections.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Summary
Unintended use of hormonal birth control during early pregnancy carries a very low risk of birth defects or miscarriage. However, if you find yourself pregnant, you should discontinue use and talk to your ob/gyn.
Condoms and other barrier birth control methods are safe to use in pregnancy. IUDs, however, can cause miscarriage and increases the risk of preterm birth.
Intentionally taking hormonal birth control while pregnant will not induce a miscarriage. If you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about your options.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food & Drug Administration.Birth control.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hypospadias.
Gavin L, Moskosky S, Carter M, et al.Providing quality family planning services: recommendations of CDC and the U.S. Office of Population Affairs. Appendix D: contraceptive effectiveness.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2014;63(RR-04):47-47.
Food & Drug Administration.Information about mifepristone for medical termination of pregnancy through ten weeks gestation.
NPR.The abortion pill mifepristone has another day in federal court.
Yamamoto-Hanada K, Futamura M, Yang L, et al.Preconceptional exposure to oral contraceptive pills and the risk of wheeze, asthma and rhinitis in children.Allergol Int. 2016;65(3):327-331. doi:10.1016/j.alit.2016.02.012
Kopp-Kallner H, Linder M, Cesta CE, Segovia Chacón S, Kieler H, Graner S.Method of hormonal contraception and protective effects against ectopic pregnancy.Obstet Gynecol. 2022;139(5):764-770. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004726
Curtis KM, Jatlaoui TC, Tepper NK, et al.U.S. Selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use, 2016.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2016;65(4):1-66. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr6504a1
National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Nexplanon—etonogestrel implant[drug label].
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ectopic pregnancy.
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