T O P I C R E V I E W
porcelainbackbones
Member # 101209
posted 12-25-2012 01:09 PM
So I've been on the pill over a year now, and last month I had finals, was in the process of moving into a new apartment, ect, and was very stressed and didn't take my pill a couple times. I missed about three pills twice and therefore had two "periods." However, I resumed taking my pills and during this time had sex with my boyfriend. However, he pulled out before he came. When it came time for me to take the placebo pills at the end of the 28 day cycle, I didn't bleed at all. So my question is, is this something to do with me bleeding before in the month, stress, or could I be pregnant? Please help :/ Thank you!
Heather
Member # 3
posted 12-25-2012 01:11 PM
Did you make up any or all of the pills you had missed?
porcelainbackbones
Member # 101209
posted 12-25-2012 01:20 PM
No, I just started taking them again. I had taken 5 after missing 2 earlier the previous week. Thanks for the quick reply [ 12-25-2012, 01:22 PM: Message edited by: porcelainbackbones ]
Heather
Member # 3
posted 12-25-2012 01:23 PM
Okay. So, first off, if there's a next-time-around with this, when you miss a pill, it's very important to make the pill up. So long as you do that, then at most, you'll probably only wind up with typical use effectiveness of the pill. The effectiveness might not even go as low as that. But when you don't make up missed pills, then you do potentially botch up your pill. And when you miss three or more, at that point, what's advised is to stop taking the pills for that cycle, take a placebo week, then start the new pack, using a backup method from when you started missing pills until you've been in your new pack for at least once week. So, since you didn't make up pills or, from the sounds of things, do that, and you have not yet had your withdrawal bleed as expected, I'm afraid pregnancy certainly is a real possibility here. If, through all of this your partner used withdrawal perfectly, it's a much smaller risk, but since that tends to be one of the two least effective methods of contraception in typical use, that wasn't a backup that gave you a high level of protection. So, I'd go ahead and take a pregnancy test now.
Heather
Member # 3
posted 12-25-2012 01:25 PM
Just saw your edit: so you missed three one week, but the week before missed two, and then took five? If the last post I gave didn't give you all the info you needed on taking your pills properly, sounds like you could use a review. And if you're missing pills a lot like this, it also might be wise to consider switching to a different method that works better for you, like one you don't have to remember every day.
porcelainbackbones
Member # 101209
posted 12-25-2012 01:29 PM
Okay. But could the lack of withdrawal bleed have anything to do with the bleeding earlier in the month at all? I'm going to get a test as soon as I can :/ I'm really scared.
Heather
Member # 3
posted 12-25-2012 01:31 PM
Yes, it could. But I'd still go ahead and test since you know you did have a risk. I know it's scary (which is why, let's make sure, after you test, we do some talking about using contraception methods that work and finding the right one for you, okay?). But it is something where not knowing is never helpful. And no matter the result, we're happy to help see you through it and give you what support you need.
porcelainbackbones
Member # 101209
posted 12-25-2012 01:32 PM
And I know missing pills isn't good...I'm going to look into alternate methods of birth control. But yes, I missed five pills that month. Two in the first week, three later on, then I took five for the five days before I had sex then took them after.
Heather
Member # 3
posted 12-25-2012 01:35 PM
Yeah, you bungled it. It happens. But let's start with that test so you know what you are or aren't dealing with, okay? Then we can talk more about other methods, maybe also about negotiating condoms with your partner, etc.
porcelainbackbones
Member # 101209
posted 12-25-2012 02:03 PM
Correction actually after looking at my pill packet: I had sex right before I was meant to get my period! Also, I have a doctor's appointment this week so maybe I can talk to my doctor. [ 12-25-2012, 02:04 PM: Message edited by: porcelainbackbones ]
Heather
Member # 3
posted 12-25-2012 02:11 PM
Regardless of when you had sex, I'm afraid you'll need to accept you had real pregnancy risks here. For sure, you can ask your doctor to run a pregnancy test for you, if that's how you'd like to test.
porcelainbackbones
Member # 101209
posted 12-27-2012 01:34 PM
Update: I took two tests and they both came out negative!
Heather
Member # 3
posted 12-27-2012 01:36 PM
Wahoo! I'm about to step out for a little bit, but when I'm back, if you want to talk now about considering better methods for you and/or negotiating condom use so you've a good backup, just let me know.