HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Is Pregnancy Possible If One Dose Of Birth Control Pill Is Missed?

I have been on birth control pills for 2 and a half months. For the first time since taking the pills, I missed a pill and took it as soon as I realized which was 24 hours later. That was this past Wednesday and today is Monday of the following week. I have been spotting ever since and for the past 3 days or so, I have been having twinges in my ovary. Can I be pregnant?
Fri, 7 Feb 2014
Report Abuse
OBGYN 's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
From your history I understand that you are using birth control pills since 2 1/2 months and now are spotting since 2 days after taking the extra pill.
Missing one dose of pill does not make much difference provided you take it as soon as you remember and then continue to take the rest of the pills on you usual schedule.
Also check the type of pills that you are taking. If they are combined pills, they contain active drug for 21 days. Some packets have 28 pills where the last 7 pills contain iron. these cause bleeding usually within 7 days after completing the active pills. Other pills are progesterone only pills and they are known to cause irregular bleeding. So please check the pills. In addition some women continue taking active pill for more than 21 days without stopping. This also results in irregular bleeding.

The chances of pregnancy are low in your case. The best way to confirm this would be to get a pregnancy test done 3 weeks from the day you missed the pill. I expect that you will get your periods before that time so do not worry.

Hope this helped. Have a good day.

Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist.
I find this answer helpful

3 Doctors agree with this answer

Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Combined oral contraceptive pill


Loading Online Doctors....
Is Pregnancy Possible If One Dose Of Birth Control Pill Is Missed?

Hi, Thanks for the query. From your history I understand that you are using birth control pills since 2 1/2 months and now are spotting since 2 days after taking the extra pill. Missing one dose of pill does not make much difference provided you take it as soon as you remember and then continue to take the rest of the pills on you usual schedule. Also check the type of pills that you are taking. If they are combined pills, they contain active drug for 21 days. Some packets have 28 pills where the last 7 pills contain iron. these cause bleeding usually within 7 days after completing the active pills. Other pills are progesterone only pills and they are known to cause irregular bleeding. So please check the pills. In addition some women continue taking active pill for more than 21 days without stopping. This also results in irregular bleeding. The chances of pregnancy are low in your case. The best way to confirm this would be to get a pregnancy test done 3 weeks from the day you missed the pill. I expect that you will get your periods before that time so do not worry. Hope this helped. Have a good day. Dr Madhuri Bagde Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist.