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What Are The Repercussions Of Missing A Dosage Of Cerazette?

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Posted on Fri, 29 Jul 2016
Question: Hi. I usually take the pill every evening around 18:00/18:30. I've been on this pill for 5 months and not missed one. I took the cerazette pill on thursday 7.06.2016 at this time. I forgot on friday at 18:00 and remembered at 9:00 on the Saturday. Took the missed pill and took the pill again at 18:00 on Sat. 9.06.2016(my usual time). Had un protected sex at approx. 10:30 on Sunday morning (10.06.2016) and took the pill again at 18:00 on Sunday evening and today again(Monday - 11.06.16) at the correct time. Is there a chance that I may have been unprotected and have I put myself at risk of pregnancy? I know that on Friday that there was a XXXXXXX of 15 hours lateness in taking the pill but do you think that there was enough hormone in my system to prevent this? Really really worried....
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jacqueline Brown (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You have the same level of protection as if you didn't miss a pill

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I would be happy to answer your question today.

Deviation from your daily pill schedule, as long as you took the pill you missed and the next one on time, will not increase your risk of pregnancy as long as you have not been off hormones for longer than 24 hours. Many women are not as adherent to taking the pill at the same time every day, but unless you miss two pills in a row you will not have enough of a drop in your hormone levels to trigger ovulation.

So you did everything correctly in preventing pregnancy after forgetting a pill. Therefore, I would not worry about being at risk for pregnancy in your situation.

I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today, and that my advice was reassuring. If you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best wishes ,

Dr. Brown
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Jacqueline Brown (30 minutes later)
Thank you very much for your answer Dr. Brown.

It puts my mind very much at ease. Can I ask a follow up question though. Cerazette is a mini-pill, thus progesterone only pill. As you know, no oestrogen. It states that you must take it within a 12 hour window in order to be protected and I didn't do that on the Friday at the normal time, it was almost 15 hours. Thus, 3 hours later than the stated time. I did as stated above take all the other pills plus the one I missed. I've been reading forums and some of the info indicates that it could be possible. Sorry for being a bit paranoid but is there a slight chance that this could be the case.

I absolutely respect your opinion and thrilled to hear that I am okay but just to ask.

Thanks so much in advance,

XXXX

doctor
Answered by Dr. Jacqueline Brown (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You still will not decrease the effectiveness over the baseline

Detailed Answer:
Progesterone-only pills are only 92 percent effective in preventing pregnancy as a baseline in women who are not breastfeeding. That means 8 percent of women per year will get pregnant on the XXXXXXX pill even with perfect use. When women are breastfeeding, the effectiveness approaches 99 percent.

The deviation from your schedule for only 15 hours should not significantly affect the effectiveness of the pill, however the brand of pill you take is less effective than combination oral contraceptives, which are more than 99 percent effective.

So there is no more reason to be concerned because of missing the pill than the baseline 92 percent effectiveness of the mini-pill. If you desire more effective contraception, unless there are medical reasons you cannot take estrogen, a combination pill will be more effective.

I hope this clarifies the situation for you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brown

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Jacqueline Brown (34 minutes later)
Absolutely clarifies my concerns and thank you.

No reason not to take oestrogen except for my age. I have been informed that because I smoke every so often(every second wkd or so, not much but 1 or 2) and my age(37 yrs) that it probably is not advisable to take the combined pill. Other than that I am healthy and well and keep my fitness very much in check.

With the above criteria, would you think in your opinion that a combination pill is not appropriate?

Thank you for your answer. Very much appreciated and can sleep well tonight:)

Best regards,

XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jacqueline Brown (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
If you are not a daily smoker, you would be ok to take a combined OC

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

If you look at the package guidelines, it is clearly listed that women over 35 years of age who smoke not take combined OC's because it increases your cardiovascular risk.

However, there is a big difference between an otherwise healthy woman who has an occasional cigarette and a overweight pack-a-day smoker with high blood pressure.

So I really don't think with your history that you would have a high risk of a heart attack or stroke from a low dose estrogen containing contraceptive. However many doctors may not be comfortable prescribing them to you because of the language of the package insert.

I certainly think that you would be a good candidate for a low-estrogen containing combined pill. You may want to discuss this with your local doctor. It certainly will give you more peace of mind if you switch to a pill that has a lower failure rate.

I hope that this information was helpful.

Regards,

Dr. Brown
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Jacqueline Brown (34 hours later)
Thanks for your feedback Dr. Brown.

Have a good day!

Best regards,

XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jacqueline Brown (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are very welcome

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for using my services and healthcaremagic.com. If you don't mind, please close the question and post a rating if you had a positive experience.

Warm regards,

Dr. Brown
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Jacqueline Brown

OBGYN

Practicing since :1996

Answered : 1425 Questions

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What Are The Repercussions Of Missing A Dosage Of Cerazette?

Brief Answer: You have the same level of protection as if you didn't miss a pill Detailed Answer: Hello, and I would be happy to answer your question today. Deviation from your daily pill schedule, as long as you took the pill you missed and the next one on time, will not increase your risk of pregnancy as long as you have not been off hormones for longer than 24 hours. Many women are not as adherent to taking the pill at the same time every day, but unless you miss two pills in a row you will not have enough of a drop in your hormone levels to trigger ovulation. So you did everything correctly in preventing pregnancy after forgetting a pill. Therefore, I would not worry about being at risk for pregnancy in your situation. I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today, and that my advice was reassuring. If you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Best wishes , Dr. Brown