Sometimes women continue to have spotting on the day their period would have been due, even though they are already pregnant. A few rare women continue to have periods throughout their pregnancies, especially if this tendency runs in the family. If are still having pregnancy symptoms, get a pregnancy test to be sure. (More about menstrual irregularities.)

It is unlikely that a single incident like this would result in pregnancy. However if you keep taking chances the odds are that sooner or later you will get pregnant, as you are using a method of birth control known as "withdrawal." Using withdrawal as birth control can also spread STDs. (More about withdrawal)

Some couples think they are practicing abstinence, while participating in variety of sexual activities. Oral sex, anal sex, mutual masturbation, and other similar activities do not qualify as abstinence. If you are involved in these practices, you are fooling yourself if you think you are not having sex. Most of these activities can still result in pregnancy and almost all can result in sexually transmitted disease. (If I have to spell it out....)

Whether or not you can get birth control pills without your parents knowing depends on the laws in your state. Usually this is possible -- however, I do not recommend it. Your parents are responsible for you and the consequences of your behaviors. You should talk to them first about your decision to become sexually active and use birth control pills. If you get pregnant or get AIDS then your parents will be involved whether you like it or not. They might even be left footing the bill for your medical care, abortion, baby, and/or funeral. Considering that they are supporting you, this is not fair to them. You owe it to them to discuss your choice to be sexually active and take prescription drugs. They may not agree, but they should know. If you are not mature enough to discuss this important and potentially life-changing activity with the people who love and care for you, then chances are that you are not mature or responsible enough for a sexual relationship. (More about hormonal methods of birth control.)

Sometimes women get pregnant while taking the Pill even if they take every single one on schedule. No method is 100% effective -- one in ten women using the pill get pregnant every year. (More about hormonal methods of birth control.)

Conception is most likely to occur if you have intercourse near the time of ovulation. For women with regular cycles, ovulation occurs about fourteen days before the onset of menstruation. But it is possible to ovulate anywhere from twelve to eighteen days before menstruation, depending on the woman. Sperm can survive for several days inside of a woman. Although most sperm die within three days, they have been known to survive for as long as a week under certain conditions. Once released, an egg is viable for twenty-four hours. The fertile period is from several days before, to one day after, ovulation. However, your fertile period may not occur at the same time each month. (Fertility chart.)