Danger of Pregnancy on the Pill

[prairiegirl]

I might should have posted this to OB, but thought I'd get more responses here. My doctor just started me on LevLite for birth control. (my husband and I dont want kids for at least 4 more years). I had problems on higher dose pills so my doc gave me this one. I looked up the ingredients online though and it scares me. Levlite™ (levonorgestrel 0.100 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.020 mg tablets, USP), a low-dose 20 microgram oral contraceptive (OC. I foud that levonoorgestrel (its the same thing that is in norplant but I'm sure the does is much lower in this pill) is category X for pregnancy. So is ethinyl estradiol. So what would happen if one accidently got pregnant while taking this pill (you know how occaisonally even with proper use they dont work, even though it is rare)? Most people dont know they are pregnant for several weeks so they'd still be taking this category X drug. It also said this pill can be used for up to 5 years.....what happens then????? I wish my doctor would explain things instead of me having to go find all this stuff. Does anyone know anything about this????

Laura

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

You need to call your doctor and ask this question. There are so many variables that no one answer could possibly fit them all.

You can read the package insert on the Berlex web site. It requires Adobe reader.

http://www.berlex.com/html/products/pi/levlite_phpi.pdf

BUT call your doctor also please.

[fiestynurse]

Birth Control pills, including Levlite, are 99% effective in preventing pregnancy when used as directed I recommend taking low dose pills at the same time every day. If you miss a pill, you need to take two right away and use another form of birth control (foam and condoms) for the rest of the month. Your chances of getting pregnant are slim if you follow these instructions.

It is important that you see your doctor every year for a physical, pelvic, and PAP and evaluate how you are doing on the LevLite.

Thousands of women take the pill every day without problems, so I wouldn't worry about it. The lower dose pills are pretty safe.

You shouldn't smoke while on the pill.

[Jolie, BSN]

I'm not sure why you are so concerned about conceiving while on the pill, unless you (like me) are bad at remembering to take daily meds. If that's the case, then maybe you should explore other means of contraception.

I know of 2 concerns for those who do conceive while on birth control pills: 1. Some pills deplete your body's stores of folic acid, which is vital in preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. For this reason, all women of child bearing age should consult their doctor about taking a daily miltivitamin supplement containing folic acid. 2. Women who conceive while on oral contraceptives have a higher incidence of twins.

[prairiegirl]

I'm not sure why you are so concerned about conceiving while on the pill, unless you (like me) are bad at remembering to take daily meds. If that's the case, then maybe you should explore other means of contraception.

I know of 2 concerns for those who do conceive while on birth control pills: 1. Some pills deplete your body's stores of folic acid, which is vital in preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. For this reason, all women of child bearing age should consult their doctor about taking a daily miltivitamin supplement containing folic acid. 2. Women who conceive while on oral contraceptives have a higher incidence of twins.

I am very good about taking pills at the same time every day. But I have known several people who got pregnant while on the pill, although I dont know if they took it properly or not. They probably didnt.