I am a little confused as to what pills you missed, and when your "period" came (or, this could have been breakthrough bleeding), as it sounds like you missed pills a few weeks ago, then had a period, then had unprotected sex? You start your new pack on "a Sunday", and seeing as today is Sunday, I'm wondering if you meant today or next week? The timing is important when you missed your pills, when you doubled-up on the missed pills, when you had sex anytime this cycle.
Basically, yes, anytime you have sex within the seven days after you miss 2 or more pills in-a-row, without back-up method (condom), then your pills are not as effective at preventing pregnancy. That is important! If you missed pills a few weeks ago ("Week 2", as you said), and only had sex without a back-up birth control yesterday, then your pill would be effectively protecting you from pregnancy during your sexual encounter yesterday, assuming you are taking the pill as directed.
When used consistently and correctly every day, about the same time of day, your pill is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. You mentioned that you do not take your pill the same time every day, and you said, "I know this is bad". Don't be hard on yourself, but I assume you choose to use hormonal contraception, such as the pill, because of it's high effectiveness rate at preventing pregnancy. When you do not take it the same time of day, every day, the effectiveness rate of the pill is no longer 99% effective. (An hour or two would not make much of a difference, if taken every day). I just want you to know that you have a few choices to make, and you have all of the control to do so. If you are not able to take your pill the same time every day, there are many other birth control options available for you...we can guide you through some of them if you'd like!
The biggest question is: did you have sex (without a back-up birth control method) within the 7 days after you missed your pills?
If I'm misunderstanding, here is the information I would need to know, so we can know exactly what your situation is:
Week 2 of Pills (is this correct?)
(insert date, Wed): missed Wed. pill
(insert date, Thur): missed Thur. pill
(insert date, Fri): doubled up on pills (Wed + Fri)
(insert date, Sat): doubled up on pills (Thu + Sat)
Week 3 of pills (is this correct?)
(insert date, Sun): started "period" (actually, withdrawal bleeding)
Monday-Friday: took pills as usual
(12/19--yesterday, Sat): sexual intercourse
Week 4 of pills (is this correct?)
(12/20--today, Sun): start the white "sugar pills"
Week 1 of new pill pack (is this correct?)
(12/7--next week, Sun): start new pack?
Is the above information correct? If not, please correct it in your next post, so we provide you with the most accurate answer.
Comment Reply
Hi Amber,
We promise..we'll be nice! :-)
I am a little confused as to what pills you missed, and when your "period" came (or, this could have been breakthrough bleeding), as it sounds like you missed pills a few weeks ago, then had a period, then had unprotected sex? You start your new pack on "a Sunday", and seeing as today is Sunday, I'm wondering if you meant today or next week? The timing is important when you missed your pills, when you doubled-up on the missed pills, when you had sex anytime this cycle.
Basically, yes, anytime you have sex within the seven days after you miss 2 or more pills in-a-row, without back-up method (condom), then your pills are not as effective at preventing pregnancy. That is important! If you missed pills a few weeks ago ("Week 2", as you said), and only had sex without a back-up birth control yesterday, then your pill would be effectively protecting you from pregnancy during your sexual encounter yesterday, assuming you are taking the pill as directed.
When used consistently and correctly every day, about the same time of day, your pill is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. You mentioned that you do not take your pill the same time every day, and you said, "I know this is bad". Don't be hard on yourself, but I assume you choose to use hormonal contraception, such as the pill, because of it's high effectiveness rate at preventing pregnancy. When you do not take it the same time of day, every day, the effectiveness rate of the pill is no longer 99% effective. (An hour or two would not make much of a difference, if taken every day). I just want you to know that you have a few choices to make, and you have all of the control to do so. If you are not able to take your pill the same time every day, there are many other birth control options available for you...we can guide you through some of them if you'd like!
The biggest question is: did you have sex (without a back-up birth control method) within the 7 days after you missed your pills?
If I'm misunderstanding, here is the information I would need to know, so we can know exactly what your situation is:
Week 2 of Pills (is this correct?)
(insert date, Wed): missed Wed. pill
(insert date, Thur): missed Thur. pill
(insert date, Fri): doubled up on pills (Wed + Fri)
(insert date, Sat): doubled up on pills (Thu + Sat)
Week 3 of pills (is this correct?)
(insert date, Sun): started "period" (actually, withdrawal bleeding)
Monday-Friday: took pills as usual
(12/19--yesterday, Sat): sexual intercourse
Week 4 of pills (is this correct?)
(12/20--today, Sun): start the white "sugar pills"
Week 1 of new pill pack (is this correct?)
(12/7--next week, Sun): start new pack?
Is the above information correct? If not, please correct it in your next post, so we provide you with the most accurate answer.
December 20, 2009 - 2:08pmThis Comment
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