WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for August, 2001: Re: [Birth Control] Missed Pills

Re: [Birth Control] Missed Pills

From: Patti Tessler, Family Nurse Practitioner (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 21 Aug 2001 16:01:22 -0500 (CDT)

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At Tue, 21 Aug 2001, Christina wrote: >
>Hi. I began taking Ortho-Tricyclen again a couple of months ago. During my second month of being on the pill, I missed <3 pills>
of my second week <and doubled up for the next 3 days to make up>

Sounds like a good approach. Backup method is key after missing pills. But given your experience with condoms, abstinence from vaginal sex might be a better backup method for you and your partner.

>A few days
>after I missed the <3> pills, I did have some spotting, but not
>enough to assume menstruation.

Technically, no bleeding on the pill is really menstruation. We call it "breakthrough bleeding" when it's unexpected, and "withdrawal bleeding" when it comes during the placebo pills. "Menstruation" is bleeding that happens about 2 weeks after ovulation. Hopefully, you didn't ovulate at all. <snip> >I had sex on day 28, and on day 1 of new cycle... both
>times my boyfriend ejaculated <and> the condom broke. I
>think I either took my day 1 pill on Sunday (as scheduled) or Monday
>morning....

Going into the next cycle, the chances of pregnancy are probably not very high due to missing prior pills. Taking pills late in the first week of pills is more likely to result in pregnancy than missed pills later in the cycle.

> What effect
>does missing those three pills (around the normal time of ovulation)
>have on my body's process? Could it have messed up my ovulation period?

There should be no ovulation during your second month of pill use, if pills are used correctly. After missing three pills, the hormones in your body seem to have dropped enough to bleed, although breakthrough bleeding could occur during the first three months of use even if pills were taken without error. Please write again if you're not clear on the lack of ovulation on the pill.

>...it's day 10 of my new cycle. I know I must wait until after I miss
>a period to take a BC test for accuracy.

Not true. You should wait until at least 10 days after a possible conception. This week or next week should be fine for a pregnancy test.

Please check our archives for information on reducing the risk of condom breakage and for information on emergency contraception.

--
Patti Tessler, BSN, MSN, RN, CS
Family Nurse Practitioner

Next message: Patti Tessler, Family Nurse Practitioner: "Re: pregnancy"
Previous message: Patti: "Biopsy Results About Breakthrough Bleeding"
In reply to: Christina: "[Birth Control] Missed Pills"
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Reply: Christina: "Re: [Birth Control] Missed Pills"
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