Any time you miss pills, this can cause spotting. The birth control pills contain synthetic hormones that "mimic" the natural ones your body makes, and when you miss 3 pills within a week, your body thinks it should start "kicking in" the production of natural hormones (to supplement the lack of synthetic hormones), but then when you add back the synthetic hormones from your pill, your body then goes back to trying to prevent ovulation...and all of this back-and-forth can cause some spotting. You can see why...it's created a little shift in your body, and your period may be different this month: longer, shorter, lighter, heavier, or it may be late or occur sooner.
You did not mention if you doubled-up on your pills on Tuesday (from your missed pills from Sunday and Monday). Here is what it should have looked like:
Sunday--oops, missed pill
Monday--oops, missed pill
Tuesday--oops, pill Tuesday took late and take Sunday's missed pill
Wednesday--take Wednesday's pill and Monday's missed pill
Thursday--back to regular schedule
After you begin doubling-up, it is important to use back-up protection (condom) for the next 7 days. You did not mention if you and your boyfriend used a condom, but I'm assuming you did not? May I ask why, after you knew you missed your pills? This really does put you at increased risk for a pregnancy, unfortunately. As I'm sure you know, the pill is 99% effective when taken consistently and correctly every time; when you miss 1, 2, 3 or more pills, it can significantly decrease the effectiveness.
You may choose to use emergency contraception: Plan B or Plan B One Step, as it is effective up to 120 hours after unprotected sex (if you are over the age of 16 or 17; call your pharmacy before hand). If you are already pregnant, it does not harm the pregnancy.
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Hi Michelle,
Any time you miss pills, this can cause spotting. The birth control pills contain synthetic hormones that "mimic" the natural ones your body makes, and when you miss 3 pills within a week, your body thinks it should start "kicking in" the production of natural hormones (to supplement the lack of synthetic hormones), but then when you add back the synthetic hormones from your pill, your body then goes back to trying to prevent ovulation...and all of this back-and-forth can cause some spotting. You can see why...it's created a little shift in your body, and your period may be different this month: longer, shorter, lighter, heavier, or it may be late or occur sooner.
You did not mention if you doubled-up on your pills on Tuesday (from your missed pills from Sunday and Monday). Here is what it should have looked like:
Sunday--oops, missed pill
Monday--oops, missed pill
Tuesday--oops, pill Tuesday took late and take Sunday's missed pill
Wednesday--take Wednesday's pill and Monday's missed pill
Thursday--back to regular schedule
After you begin doubling-up, it is important to use back-up protection (condom) for the next 7 days. You did not mention if you and your boyfriend used a condom, but I'm assuming you did not? May I ask why, after you knew you missed your pills? This really does put you at increased risk for a pregnancy, unfortunately. As I'm sure you know, the pill is 99% effective when taken consistently and correctly every time; when you miss 1, 2, 3 or more pills, it can significantly decrease the effectiveness.
You may choose to use emergency contraception: Plan B or Plan B One Step, as it is effective up to 120 hours after unprotected sex (if you are over the age of 16 or 17; call your pharmacy before hand). If you are already pregnant, it does not harm the pregnancy.
September 24, 2009 - 12:09pmThis Comment
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