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Hi Cindy,
You may want to take emergency contraception, since it has been within 120 hours since the date of unprotected sex. Information is at the end of this response.
What does the information included in your pill pack tell you? It is important to keep one copy for this very reason.
The 2 pills that you missed, what week of the pill pack were they in? Are you saying it was the Sunday after your period (the first and second pill in the pack, in the 1st week)? You did the correct thing and "doubled-up" on your dose for the next 2 days, to make-up for the missed pills on Sunday & Monday. It would have looked like this:
Tuesday: Take Sunday's missed pill & Tuesday's pill
Wednesday: Take Monday's missed pill & Wednesday's pill
Thursday: Take Thursday pill as normal
I am confused, as you "doubled-up" on Thursday and Friday as well? What pills did you use for this, as now you are two pills short? (Do you have an extra "back up" pill packet?)
With most 28-day hormonal contraception, the instructions are for 2 missed pills in a row:
1. Take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the next day.
2. Then take 1 pill a day until you finish the pack.
3. You MAY BECOME PREGNANT if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You MUST use another birth control method (such as condoms, foam, or sponge) as a back-up method for those 7 days.
There is a chance that you can become pregnant when you miss two pills in a row, then have unprotected sex within those 7 days; it is lessened with using the withdrawal method, but there can still be semen (containing sperm) in the pre-ejaculate on an erect penis--even before ejaculating or having an orgasm.
If you had unprotected sex within the past 72-120 hours (3-5 days), you could use emergency contraception...and you are right on the cusp of this time frame. The earlier you take it, the better your chances of preventing an unwanted pregnancy.
Go to Planned Parenthood website (click here for information and how to get it). It is sold over-the-counter at pharmacies to women and men over 18 years of age. I would call the pharmacy first, and ask if they have "Plan B" available. (You can go to the website below, and search for Plan B providers)
Here is more information: http://ec.princeton.edu/
If you have an extra pill pack, some birth control pills may be used as emergency contraception. Here's how: http://ec.princeton.edu/questions/dose.html#dose
July 12, 2009 - 7:59pmThis Comment
I'm in a similar situation and would like some help:
July 8, 2009 - 9:25amI've been on birth control for 5 years, and changed my dosage and brand to a lower one a year ago (to Microgestin FE1-20). I have probably only missed a handful of pills in the over 5 years I have been taking them however last month I missed the last 2 pills in my pack. I had unprotected sex with my husband the day after my last pill was suppose to be taken, and missed my period for that month. I wasn't terribly worried because every 3 months or so I miss a period as the lining is so thin it just doesn't shed. But this month has rolled around and I have taken every pill in the pack and now it is time for my period but it should have started by now. I'm wondering if the stress and anxiety of worrying if I'm pregnant is causing me to be late or if I may be pregnant.
This Comment
Anon,
It sounds odd to me too. What I would usually tell you is that missing the last two days of your pills, while it isn't advised, isn't super-risky because you are just two days away from a period and you shouldn't have ovulated that month. But in that case I would definitely have expected you to have a period this month.
Stress can definitely cause a late or missed period, but I think that happens more often when a woman is NOT on the pill. Because the stress affects our own natural hormones, not the hormones coming from the pill. The pill's hormones override ours, so technically stress or other changes in our lives shouldn't affect our hormones as much as they would if we were not on the pill.
I think if I were in your shoes that I would try a home pregnancy test just to be sure. It's possible that when you missed those two pills, you did ovulate and conception did occur. Or you could call your doctor's office, run it by them and see what they think. They might tell you to try a HPT or to wait a little while longer and see what happens.
Here's what it says about missing more than one dose of Microgestin FE1-20: "If you miss 1 dose of Microgestin Fe 1/20 , take it as soon as your remember. Take your next dose at the regular time. This means you may take 2 doses on the same day. You do not need to use a backup method of birth control if you only miss 1 pill. If you miss more than 1 dose of Microgestin Fe 1/20 , read the extra patient information leaflet that comes with Microgestin Fe 1/20 or contact your doctor for instructions. You must use a backup method of birth control if you miss more than 1 dose of Microgestin Fe 1/20 . If you are not sure about how to handle missed doses, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms) until you talk with your doctor."
I realize that since you were at the end of the pack, you probably were thinking, no harm done, we're past the dangerous time, right? That's what I would have thought. Sounds like it's worth checking out, however. For peace of mind if nothing else.
July 9, 2009 - 8:53amThis Comment
I've read all the comments but I'm still wondering if I'm not pregnant.
I had intercourse on the last day of my period which was a Saturday. I didn't use any protection. I was supposed to take my 1st pill on the Sunday but I missed that. I also missed Monday's. So I took all 3 pills on Tuesday. Will I be ok?
July 7, 2009 - 11:18amThis Comment
Anon, thank you for your question, and welcome to EmpowHer!
The unprotected sex on the last day of your period shouldn't be a problem. It would only be a problem if for some reason you ovulated very very early and there was still sperm in your fallopian tubes from having sex that time.
But by missing three pills, even though you took them all (which is good), you need to use another form of birth control for seven days while you keep taking your pill. The pills prevent you from ovulating, and when you have missed even two, it increases your chances of pregnancy. You should continue taking your pills normally now, but use a condom, sponge (or diaphragm if you have one) for seven days to protect yourself from an unwanted pregnancy. After those seven days, you should be protected again.
Does that help? Have you had unprotected sex since Saturday?
July 8, 2009 - 9:25amThis Comment
So, if i missed three pills (mon,tues,and wed,) thurs nite i took four ... 3 missed and thursdays...but i had sex with my fiance today i remembered b4 we had sex to take three of the pills... (i usually take it late like.. 11:30 pm) but should i get a morning after pill to make sure nothing happened? and also for next 7 days use condoms and or not do anything.. ? and how do i go about asking the doctors about getting that pill? The receptionist there is not so nice and when i have a question well i am nervous to call and all that... :/ This site is really helpful all the info and comments do help. Its awesome to be able to go and find other comments from real ppl, i feel silly but knowing i am not the only one helps ...
May 12, 2011 - 11:17pmThis Comment
Hi Curious1,
May 13, 2011 - 9:34amThank you for your question. Taking 4 pills in one day may upset your stomach. Otherwise, what you did was (generally speaking) equivalent to taking emergency contraception. You still may want to use backup protection such as condoms, withdrawal, spermicide, or abstinence for the rest of your pack of pills just to be safe.
If you practice safe sex, you shouldn't need to get emergency contraception in the future, but just in case you ever do, you can request it from the pharmacist (for instance, the one where you get your birth control pill prescription filled).
Also for future reference, to help with the issue of dealing with the "not so nice" receptionist at your doctor's office, all you have to do when you call the office is say, "Hi, I'm a patient of Dr. So-and-so, I would like to speak with a nurse please." She should immediately connect you with a nurse, or ask to have the nurse call you back if the nurse is busy. If you''re setting up an appointment, of course you will need to deal with the receptionist, but otherwise, you can gracefully and quickly side-step her. Hope that makes sense.
Good luck and let us know how you're doing.
For more information, please review these articles: Missing Birth Control Pills and Concerned About Pregnancy: Q&A, and Oops! Missed Birth Control Pill Advocacy Sheet.
This Comment
Thank you for the reply. I was worried so I took Plan B on Wed Jul 8. I know that it's effective for 5 days since the day of the unprotected sex and I was getting to the end of the 5 days so I'm worried that it didn't work. I have had unprotected sex a couple times since but my boyfriend didn't ejaculate inside of me either times. I'm still a little worried and I really don't want to wait a couple of more weeks to find out if I'm late or not. Would it be wise to take a pregnancy test? How long does it take after unprotected sex before an egg gets fertilized? Thanks.
July 14, 2009 - 10:25amThis Comment
Hi,
I know the wait is difficult, but the entire process takes about two weeks (from ovulation of an egg...to fertilization...to implantation). This is the reason that pregnancy tests do not pick up any of the pregnancy hormone until about the time of a missed period: ovulation occurs about two weeks before menstruation, so after the time an egg is released (ovulation), possibly fertilized then implanted...it would be about the time of your period that your body would be actually pregnant ("pregnant" meaning a viable pregnancy with a fertilized egg implanted in your uterus), and this is when your body produces the "pregnancy hormones" that are picked up on a pregnancy test.
Is that too detailed of an answer?
The short answer: there is no getting around waiting until you have your period. If you do not receive your period, you can take a pregnancy test at that time. (Taking Plan B may alter the time your period comes, so don't let that alarm you).
I'm curious though---did I read this correctly--that you were worried you were pregnant, and took Plan B on 7/8. "It's effective for 5 days" (this is inaccurate!)...and so because you misinterpreted that it is "effective for 5 days", you decided to have unprotected sex a couple of times after 7/8?! Are you kidding me?! I'm sorry for being so flabbergasted, but if you are really worried about being pregnant once, why would you increase your chances of being pregnant by having MORE unprotected sex, "a couple of times"?!
Plan B is not "effective for 5 days" (future). Plan B is effective 72-120 hours after a prior incident of unprotected sex (past).
In other words:
- Taking Plan B on 7/8 does not protect you for the next 3-5 days.
- Taking Plan B on 7/8 helps to protect you from the PREVIOUS 3-5 days of a prior incident of unprotected intercourse.
- Plan B works best within 0-72 hours (immediately after to 3 days) after the incident of unprotected sex, and is less effective as you near closer to the 120 hours (5 days).
- Even more important: Plan B is only 80% effective at preventing a pregnancy! It is extra assurance, and clearly states that it is not to be used as the only form of birth control. The 80% effectiveness rate is within the first 72 hours, and drops lower as you near the 120 hours. Compared this to condoms and birth control pills, that are up to 99% effective.
Why are you and your boyfriend continuing to have unprotected sex, when you've already had one "scare"? Condoms are readily available, as are birth control pills. Do you have a gynecologist that you can see, or other clinician to obtain a prescription for a hormonal contraception that is 99% effective?
Please take control of your own health, and plan for happy and healthy sexual experiences that include being well-informed and protected.
I wish you the best.
July 14, 2009 - 1:31pmThis Comment
If I haven't taken my birth control pills in 5 days and I take it on the 6'th day and have sex will I still be covered if I continue taking them? If so, how long should I continue to take them for so I can get off of them for good and go on Mirena?
July 2, 2009 - 10:38pmThis Comment