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Is Pregnancy Possible Despite Taking Oral Contraceptive?
Question: Hi. I have been taking birth control pills for the past three years, and I'm always good at taking the pills on time. However, last Wednesday I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend and the next day I forgot to take my pill on time (at 2pm). Unfortunately it passed a little more than 37 hours until I was able to get home and take the pill (I took it at 2:47am). So the interval between the pill from Wednesday and Thursday was 37 hours. Since I was so scared, I went to the pharmacy the next day(Friday morning) , and bought a package of "my way" (the day after pill) and took it at 9:15am. (41 hours after having unprotected sex). I have been taking the pills Normally at 2pm since all this happened and tomorrow I'll start the inactive pills (4th week of the package) . Do I have any chance of being pregnant? Will I still get my period this following week like I should suppose to..? Please help!
Brief Answer:
Chances of pregnancy is extremely rare
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxx
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. It is recommended that if you miss a single pill then take the next pill when you remember (this is what you did) or 2 pills on the next day. If you miss two pills in a row then take 2 pills on the day 3 and 4 and your protection will be adequate. Missing 3 pills requires taking protection like condoms till you get periods. In your case it was 24 + 12.47 therefore approximately 36.47 hours and you chose to take the pill. This is acceptable and you were still having protection.
2. You have also taken the my way pill after 41 hours from sex and this offered additional protection. This pill is recommended in first 24 hours and can be taken in 72 hours after sex. This is a high dose hormone and will increase your hormone levels and prevent pregnancy.
3. Keeping the above in mind there is extremely less chance of a pregnancy. This should not worry you.
4. There is a likelihood that your periods will be delayed. This is because the emergency pill contains high amount of hormones and will cause hormonal imbalances and therefore your dates will be abnormal for next two cycles. It is difficult to tell if your will get your periods next week and this depends on your hormone levels after taking the emergency pill. In some it can delayed by 2 weeks.
5. In conclusion, taking the emergency pill was not required if you missed one single pill on time and took it after 36.45 hours. However nothing can be done now and you should wait for periods which will likely to be delayed. Till then please use precaution like condoms during sex.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Chances of pregnancy is extremely rare
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxx
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. It is recommended that if you miss a single pill then take the next pill when you remember (this is what you did) or 2 pills on the next day. If you miss two pills in a row then take 2 pills on the day 3 and 4 and your protection will be adequate. Missing 3 pills requires taking protection like condoms till you get periods. In your case it was 24 + 12.47 therefore approximately 36.47 hours and you chose to take the pill. This is acceptable and you were still having protection.
2. You have also taken the my way pill after 41 hours from sex and this offered additional protection. This pill is recommended in first 24 hours and can be taken in 72 hours after sex. This is a high dose hormone and will increase your hormone levels and prevent pregnancy.
3. Keeping the above in mind there is extremely less chance of a pregnancy. This should not worry you.
4. There is a likelihood that your periods will be delayed. This is because the emergency pill contains high amount of hormones and will cause hormonal imbalances and therefore your dates will be abnormal for next two cycles. It is difficult to tell if your will get your periods next week and this depends on your hormone levels after taking the emergency pill. In some it can delayed by 2 weeks.
5. In conclusion, taking the emergency pill was not required if you missed one single pill on time and took it after 36.45 hours. However nothing can be done now and you should wait for periods which will likely to be delayed. Till then please use precaution like condoms during sex.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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