Hi,
Yes, there is always a risk when you miss pills that you increase your chances of becoming pregnant. The more pills you miss, the higher your chances of pregnancy.
Missing one pill, and taking it as soon as you remember, does not seem to increase your risk of pregnancy too substantially...but any more than one missed pill, especially if they are missed in-a-row, can substantially increase your risk. How much can it increase? Unfortunately, there is no "number" or "statistic", as it depends on too many factors.
The reason: sperm can live inside your body for up to 3-5 days after intercourse, and stopping the pill for a few days afterwards may start your body in its natural progression of its cycle (ovulation, etc).
You can take emergency contraception (Plan B or Plan B One Step) if you are unable to take your birth control pills this evening, and "EC" is available without a prescription (you must be age 17). Call the pharmacy beforehand, to make sure they have this available, and you can purchase it over-the-counter.
The other option you have: call your GYN and let them know of the situation. Many offices will gladly call in another prescription for you at a pharmacy you have access to (I assume you are out-of-town, and do not have access to your birth control prescription at home?). Your GYN office would much rather you have an extra pack of pills, and double-up on your pills starting today (for the one you missed yesterday), and prevent you from missing another one this evening!
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Hi,
Yes, there is always a risk when you miss pills that you increase your chances of becoming pregnant. The more pills you miss, the higher your chances of pregnancy.
Missing one pill, and taking it as soon as you remember, does not seem to increase your risk of pregnancy too substantially...but any more than one missed pill, especially if they are missed in-a-row, can substantially increase your risk. How much can it increase? Unfortunately, there is no "number" or "statistic", as it depends on too many factors.
The reason: sperm can live inside your body for up to 3-5 days after intercourse, and stopping the pill for a few days afterwards may start your body in its natural progression of its cycle (ovulation, etc).
You can take emergency contraception (Plan B or Plan B One Step) if you are unable to take your birth control pills this evening, and "EC" is available without a prescription (you must be age 17). Call the pharmacy beforehand, to make sure they have this available, and you can purchase it over-the-counter.
The other option you have: call your GYN and let them know of the situation. Many offices will gladly call in another prescription for you at a pharmacy you have access to (I assume you are out-of-town, and do not have access to your birth control prescription at home?). Your GYN office would much rather you have an extra pack of pills, and double-up on your pills starting today (for the one you missed yesterday), and prevent you from missing another one this evening!
October 27, 2009 - 8:11amThis Comment
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