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Will Missing Dates For Contraceptive Intake Affect The Menstruation Cycle?

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Posted on Wed, 15 Mar 2017
Question: Hi, I missed the last pill of my 21 day birth control (on friday feb 10th) and my husband and I had unprotected sex 3 days later (Monday feb 13th) and also on days Friday 17th, Sunday 19th, Monday 21st. I started my new pack on Saturday feb 18th (after a total of 8 pill free days) but I forgot to take the next day's pill (sunday 19th) I took 2 on Monday 20th and have continued normally.
What are the chances I could have conceived. I'm asking as yesterday (Tues 21st) I had a niggly feeling in my lower abdomen I usually get when I'm coming on my period. I felt nauseous in the morning and had loose stools all day. I have 2 other kids so I'd be happy if I was pregnant but I am worried that continuing taking the pill or my medication for anxiety could harm the foetus and I should stop straight away.
Thank you for your time
XXXX
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Answered by Dr. Timothy Raichle (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
The chances of conception are extremely small

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for the question and I am happy to help.

What you are describing is extremely common. Regardless of the missed last pill from last month, the chance of pregnancy occurring during the dates 2/13 - 2/18 is extremely small. Moving beyond that point, related to the missed pill starting this next pack is the problem. It is possible that this will lead to an ovulatory event during the current cycle (usually around cycle day 14 counting the first day of your period as day1). So, for that reason, you need to use backup protection for the course of THIS pill pack.

Finally, if you happen to be pregnant, the chance of harm with early exposure up until you would find out is extremely small and this early exposure would also not change the way a future pregnancy is followed.

So, to summarize, you are almost certainly not pregnant, you need to use back up protection for the current pill pack, and if you find that you are pregnant then there should be little to no worry about harm to the pregnancy.

Dr. Tim

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. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Timothy Raichle

OBGYN

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 1687 Questions

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Will Missing Dates For Contraceptive Intake Affect The Menstruation Cycle?

Brief Answer: The chances of conception are extremely small Detailed Answer: Hello and thank you for the question and I am happy to help. What you are describing is extremely common. Regardless of the missed last pill from last month, the chance of pregnancy occurring during the dates 2/13 - 2/18 is extremely small. Moving beyond that point, related to the missed pill starting this next pack is the problem. It is possible that this will lead to an ovulatory event during the current cycle (usually around cycle day 14 counting the first day of your period as day1). So, for that reason, you need to use backup protection for the course of THIS pill pack. Finally, if you happen to be pregnant, the chance of harm with early exposure up until you would find out is extremely small and this early exposure would also not change the way a future pregnancy is followed. So, to summarize, you are almost certainly not pregnant, you need to use back up protection for the current pill pack, and if you find that you are pregnant then there should be little to no worry about harm to the pregnancy. Dr. Tim