Hi,
When you are on birth control pills, you don't actually have a period (it is "withdrawal bleeding"...I can explain more if you are interested). When taking the pill, if you experience bleeding that is not during the 7 days of "inactive" pills, this is called "breakthrough bleeding" and is completely normal. Breakthrough bleeding is especially common the first few months you begin taking the pill.
Anytime you have unprotected sex, you have a chance of pregnancy. When you miss 3 or more pills in-a-row, then you need to use back-up method of birth control (condom) for the next 7 days, and follow the instructions on your pack, which usually says to throw out the pack and start a new one on that following Sunday (or Monday...whatever your start date).
Your bleeding is likely the withdrawal bleeding I was referring to, as your body thinks that you have stopped taking the pill and is responding by a "withdrawal" of the hormones by bleeding. This is not harmful to your body, but does mean you are not protected from pregnancy.
You may want to call your doctor's nurse and ask if you should start a new pack of pills since you've missed 5 pills in-a-row and had unprotected sex during that time. I'm not sure if they would want you to start a new pack, or just wait until your period starts to make sure you are not pregnant.
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Hi,
When you are on birth control pills, you don't actually have a period (it is "withdrawal bleeding"...I can explain more if you are interested). When taking the pill, if you experience bleeding that is not during the 7 days of "inactive" pills, this is called "breakthrough bleeding" and is completely normal. Breakthrough bleeding is especially common the first few months you begin taking the pill.
Anytime you have unprotected sex, you have a chance of pregnancy. When you miss 3 or more pills in-a-row, then you need to use back-up method of birth control (condom) for the next 7 days, and follow the instructions on your pack, which usually says to throw out the pack and start a new one on that following Sunday (or Monday...whatever your start date).
Your bleeding is likely the withdrawal bleeding I was referring to, as your body thinks that you have stopped taking the pill and is responding by a "withdrawal" of the hormones by bleeding. This is not harmful to your body, but does mean you are not protected from pregnancy.
You may want to call your doctor's nurse and ask if you should start a new pack of pills since you've missed 5 pills in-a-row and had unprotected sex during that time. I'm not sure if they would want you to start a new pack, or just wait until your period starts to make sure you are not pregnant.
Let me know what other questions you have
April 29, 2010 - 12:02pmThis Comment
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