WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for November, 2001: Re: [Birth Control] Accidentally started with wrong week of pills

Re: [Birth Control] Accidentally started with wrong week of pills

From: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 1 Nov 2001 09:39:15 -0600 (CST)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Sandi: "Uterus"
Previous message: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD: "Re: Confused about lab results....."

At Wed, 31 Oct 2001, ekrg wrote: >
>Thank you for your time.
>
>I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 4+ years and rarely have memory
>lapses. Recently my life has been very busy and stressful and I've been
>somewhat mentally distracted. Last Friday I was supposed to start the
>new month of pills, and last night I realized that I have taken 5 days
>worth of the dark blue pills (the ones for the week before your period)
>rather than the white ones, which I was supposed to be taking.
>
>I'm sure I need to use an alternate method of birth control at least
>until I get another full period and start the pill again correctly, but
>I have two questions.
>
>What is going to happen to my body due to this mistake (will I get my
>period again next week, will I spot for a month, etc.)? and What should
>I do to get back on track with my pills? Should I stop taking them
>totally until I get a full period? Should I start tonight with a new
>month of white pills as though nothing had happened? How should I handle
>this?
>
>Thanks again.

There are several options here, but I think the easiest would be to finish the pack as you are. Your bleeding pattern during your "period time" could be varied. I would start a new pack correctly when you would normally related to the period pills. I would also use an alternative method of birth control during the coming cycle. You may have some spotting during the next cycle, but keep taking the pills as directed... Lynn

--
Lynn D. Montgomery, MD
Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Rocky Mountain Perinatal Center
Missoula, Montana

**Note:  Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship.  This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options and/or interventions.

**Private e-mails cannot be entertained due to time constraints, consequently no private e-mails will receive a response.

**Thank you for your understanding ;-)

Next message: Sandi: "Uterus"
Previous message: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD: "Re: Confused about lab results....."

use when must restrict search to only the women's health forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: