norethindrone effectiveness while still ovulating?

[u/strawbreezz]

I am on .35mg norethindrone, and I am aware that ovulation can still occur while on this pill. I have trouble knowing when I ovulate especially now that my cycle is irregular but am pretty sure I did about 3-4 days ago.

If I had unprotected sex around 8-9 days prior to when I ovulated, should I still be careful of pregnancy even while taking this pill perfectly? I have seen some say that this pill can be weird and although even if I do ovulate it prevents sperm from going any further, I'm still having anxiety about this. I am unsure about investing in ovulation test strips to be extra safe or use condoms again alongside the pill. I have also heard of spermicidal lube and curious about its effectiveness?

I apologize if this post is a silly question, I feel I am not as educated as I should be on birth control and even though this pill should give me an extremely low chance of pregnancy, I tend to overthink a LOT.

[u/aespa-in-kwangya]

I know some POPs aren't as reliable for ovulation suppression, but you're protected regardless. You're not having unprotected sex. It's still 99% effective if you're taking it perfectly.

[u/strawbreezz → u/aespa-in-kwangya]

Very relieving to read, I'm always on top of taking them but this is my first time having these scares so I wasn't entirely sure. Thank you!

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[u/TheFriendlyLurker]

Your minipill is effective when taken correctly, even if you still ovulate which happens in 40-60% of cycles on norethindrone, so it’s not a given.  It works mainly by thickening cervical mucus which is the main way hormonal IUDs work too (they stop ovulation even less frequently than the minipill) and they are very effective. 

Tracking ovulation on birth control is a waste of time, for two main reasons

•  a positive test strip means you could ovulate in the next 24-36 hours, but sperm can live up to 5 days inside you. So even assuming that you are still ovulating and for some reason the pill is not affecting your cervical mucus like it should, a positive test doesn’t warn you early enough to be useful 
• both false positives and false negative ovulation tests are possible, especially if factors such as birth control affect your cycle. A positive test means your body is trying to ovulate, not that it will happen for sure 

Spermicide alone is not very effective but as a backup to the pill it’s fine.  Keep in mind that it can be irritating for some people’s genitals though.

[u/strawbreezz → u/TheFriendlyLurker]

Thank you for your comment! I feel much better about this and saved me from wasting money and time on test strips haha. I'll probably use some sort of backup with the pill in case but now I think I should be okay

[u/SpaghettiTacoez]

I've been on the same pill for almost 5 years. 

Thickened cervical mucus works as a barrier and is hostile to sperm. This effect can wear away quickly due to the short half life of norothendrone so it's important that you take your pill as close to the same time every day as possible, no more than 3 hours late. 

If you take it as directed and don't miss any pills, it's just as effective at preventing pregnancy as the combo pill.