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Hi!! I Just Realized That I Missed A Pill. I
Question: Hi!! I just realized that I missed a pill. I am on my 3rd week of pills. I’m supposed to get my period in 6 days. I missed yesterday and was an hour late today. The last time I had sex was last was last Friday morning. The 13th. Am I covered from becoming pregnant? Would an egg release in that time? Should I worry?
Brief Answer:
I do not think there was an increased risk for egg production on the 13th but recently you missed two pills so this risk is higher the coming 7 days (caution is recommended)
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor 'service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
By what you explained, you were sexually active on the 13th which means 5 days ago and you missed the pill yesterday. So, you were using the pills as you should during the time you were sexually active. This means there is no increased risk for pregnancy related to intercourse on the 13th.
As for now, you are considered to have missed two pills, one you did not take and the following one is one hour late, so it is safer for you to use condoms the next week whenever you have intercourse. Missing two pills in a row may increase the risk of pregnancy for the following 7 days.
Meanwhile, you should continue the rest of the pills daily and regularly as you are supposed to use them.
To conclude:
- there is no increased risk of pregnancy due to the intercourse on the 13th and this is because you were using the pills regularly at that time
- the next week it is best to use condoms in case you will be sexually active
- please be reminded that using contraception does not prevent pregnancy 100%, this is why I am using the term "increased risk" and not just say there is no risk. So, if you miss your periods, it is recommended that you have a urinary pregnancy test.
I hope this is helpful. I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
I do not think there was an increased risk for egg production on the 13th but recently you missed two pills so this risk is higher the coming 7 days (caution is recommended)
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor 'service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
By what you explained, you were sexually active on the 13th which means 5 days ago and you missed the pill yesterday. So, you were using the pills as you should during the time you were sexually active. This means there is no increased risk for pregnancy related to intercourse on the 13th.
As for now, you are considered to have missed two pills, one you did not take and the following one is one hour late, so it is safer for you to use condoms the next week whenever you have intercourse. Missing two pills in a row may increase the risk of pregnancy for the following 7 days.
Meanwhile, you should continue the rest of the pills daily and regularly as you are supposed to use them.
To conclude:
- there is no increased risk of pregnancy due to the intercourse on the 13th and this is because you were using the pills regularly at that time
- the next week it is best to use condoms in case you will be sexually active
- please be reminded that using contraception does not prevent pregnancy 100%, this is why I am using the term "increased risk" and not just say there is no risk. So, if you miss your periods, it is recommended that you have a urinary pregnancy test.
I hope this is helpful. I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Once I get my period in six days will I be covered with my pills after my period considering I missed two this week and will be going 7 days (my plecebo days) without pills. Once I get my period and began taking them that following week, I am once again protected, right? Or do I need to use back up protection then too?
Brief Answer:
Possible options explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
I think very likely there is no problem as long as you took the pill today and you use condoms the following week.
On the other hand, some advise that if you missed two pills in a row and there are less than 7 active pills remaining in the pack, you may skip the pill-free days and start the new pack right away. This can be applied in your case as well.
So, if you got the last active pill of the pack today, tomorrow to start the first active pill of the new pack and go on with the new pack. This may cause the next period to be a bit heavier than usual but does not generally negatively affect you.
I hope this is helpful. I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Possible options explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
I think very likely there is no problem as long as you took the pill today and you use condoms the following week.
On the other hand, some advise that if you missed two pills in a row and there are less than 7 active pills remaining in the pack, you may skip the pill-free days and start the new pack right away. This can be applied in your case as well.
So, if you got the last active pill of the pack today, tomorrow to start the first active pill of the new pack and go on with the new pack. This may cause the next period to be a bit heavier than usual but does not generally negatively affect you.
I hope this is helpful. I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Hi!Thank you! I don’t really want to start a new pack right away. I tried that last year when I had fibroids and it caused me a lot of problems. I bled for basically a year. That is why I worry. So if I don’t start a new pack until the plecebo pills are done, am I at risk for pregnancy for the first 7 days or should I be okay as usual?
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
I would say that very likely you are fine if you do not skip the pill-free period. You will need to use condoms the next 7 days though or avoid sexual intercourse completely during this time.
If I were you, I would probably use condoms in the next 2 weeks, if this is feasible, just to be safe, especially because you had a bad experience with skipping the pill-free period. But this is just being ultra-cautious and may not be necessary.
Please remember, even if used regularly, contraception does not offer 100% protection so if there is any delay of periods, you will need a pregnancy test.
I hope this is helpful. I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
I would say that very likely you are fine if you do not skip the pill-free period. You will need to use condoms the next 7 days though or avoid sexual intercourse completely during this time.
If I were you, I would probably use condoms in the next 2 weeks, if this is feasible, just to be safe, especially because you had a bad experience with skipping the pill-free period. But this is just being ultra-cautious and may not be necessary.
Please remember, even if used regularly, contraception does not offer 100% protection so if there is any delay of periods, you will need a pregnancy test.
I hope this is helpful. I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
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. Arnab Banerjee
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