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I have been taking birth control pills for about a year now but I used them to regulate my period. I stopped for about 4 months and got back on it again last month. However, I was on vacation and missed 2 pills or sometimes 3 pills in a row last month but still kept on taking them like, 2 the next day then 2 the day after. I also took them in different time of the day. I had my period last week and it just ended on Sunday last week. This whole week I have been good on taking my pills and only missed a pill.
I had unprotected sex today and was just wondering how much last month would affect my chances of pregnancy and if I should worry about being pregnant
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Last month's "inconsistencies" with taking your pill would not effect this cycle. Once you have your menstrual period, it means you are not pregnant from that previous cycle.
I am concerned, however, about your future pregnancy risks, because even after your period you said, "I have been good this whole week on taking my pill"..."and missed only one".
Unfortunately, it is not about "being good" or "being better than I was last month", but missing any number of pills will decrease the effectiveness rate of the pill (it is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken consistently and correctly). In order to have the pill work, and have sex without condoms, you have to take the pill every day, 100% of the time.
Missing one pill, and taking it as SOON as you remember, is OK...but for your future, you may want to look at other birth control methods (one that you do not need to take every day; there are so many options available for you!). Please know that most/all women have missed a pill here-and-there, and if it is literally one pill, taken as soon as remembered, there is no indication that you would need back-up protection(in other words, your pill is still effective at preventing pregnancy).
Would you like information on other types of birth control?
Take care!
January 17, 2010 - 7:28amThis Comment
Thank you so much! And yes I did take the missed pill as soon as i remembered. So I really shouldn't worry anymore right?
January 17, 2010 - 12:09pmThis Comment
You can confirm this with the patient information pamphlet that comes with your pill pack, but most birth control pill instructions say that if you miss one pill, take it as soon as you remember, then there is no need for back-up protection.
In other words, no, you should not worry about missing one pill, this one time.
Please know that if you continue to "miss only one pill" often, however, that this would change the effectiveness rate of the pill. Have some back-up condoms, just in case, to save yourself any worry!
January 17, 2010 - 1:05pmThis Comment