Actually, what decreases the pills' effectiveness most is the use of antibiotics, and I hope your prescribing doctor and/or the pharmacist told you that it is necessary to use a backup method of birth control (condom) while using antibiotics?
As far as missing pills...you are right, anytime you miss a pill, the effectiveness decreases. This decrease is more substantial with the more pills you miss. I am assuming you "doubled-up" on pills after you missed a pill? If so, then missing one pill and taking it as soon as you remembered usually does not increase your risk of pregnancy (your patient information brochure should explain this...most of them say that backup protection is not needed if you only miss one pill, and take it as soon as you remember).
Your cramps may be an indicator of your period coming, and missing three pills within the last three weeks, plus taking antibiotics (and whatever condition you have/had, that caused you to take the antibiotics) could cause some cramping. Some women experience cramping that is mistaken for menstrual cramping (in the uterus), when it is actually in their digestive track and caused from "digestive distress" (gas) from new medication.
I wish there were a number we could give you to tell you how significant the decrease in your pills' effectiveness is, but there just isn't such a number. The use of antibiotics can significantly decrease the effectiveness of the pill, more so than missing one dose. However, the cramping you are experiencing may be the sign of your period coming soon; please let us know!
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lauraleef,
Thanks for your question!
Actually, what decreases the pills' effectiveness most is the use of antibiotics, and I hope your prescribing doctor and/or the pharmacist told you that it is necessary to use a backup method of birth control (condom) while using antibiotics?
As far as missing pills...you are right, anytime you miss a pill, the effectiveness decreases. This decrease is more substantial with the more pills you miss. I am assuming you "doubled-up" on pills after you missed a pill? If so, then missing one pill and taking it as soon as you remembered usually does not increase your risk of pregnancy (your patient information brochure should explain this...most of them say that backup protection is not needed if you only miss one pill, and take it as soon as you remember).
Your cramps may be an indicator of your period coming, and missing three pills within the last three weeks, plus taking antibiotics (and whatever condition you have/had, that caused you to take the antibiotics) could cause some cramping. Some women experience cramping that is mistaken for menstrual cramping (in the uterus), when it is actually in their digestive track and caused from "digestive distress" (gas) from new medication.
I wish there were a number we could give you to tell you how significant the decrease in your pills' effectiveness is, but there just isn't such a number. The use of antibiotics can significantly decrease the effectiveness of the pill, more so than missing one dose. However, the cramping you are experiencing may be the sign of your period coming soon; please let us know!
October 15, 2009 - 12:41pmThis Comment
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