QuestionQUESTION: Hello,
I have been on Ovysmen pill for about a year and a half and have recently changed to Micronongyn 30 in the last 2 weeks. My doctor said to me that i could switch pills at ANYTIME - which I did AFTER my 7 day break. I started my new pills the same way i would start the new pack (after my 7 day break). I had unprotected sex in the first 7 days of my new pill pack. I did not know that you must use protection in the first 7 days as my doctor did not tell me this?
im scared i may be pregnant as they say this could happen if you do not use protection at that time.
I experienced stomach cramps in the first week or so and had that feeling where i was going to come on my period!
Could this be due to pill change? or am i pregnant? how likely could i be pregnant?
and what should i do now?
Thanks so much :)
ANSWER: Hi Nina,
Some doctors suggest using a backup method during the first 7 days when switching to a different pill regardless of when the pack is started, but some say this is not needed when the new pill is started during the nonactive pill week or right after it. The risk of pregnancy in this case is very small and as long as you have been taking the pill correctly the month before the switch and this current month it is probably not pregnancy. Switching to a new pill can cause side effects for the first few months as your body adjusts. So I think the symptoms you are experiencing are more likely do to the pill change and not to pregnancy. I suggest you wait for now until it is time for your period. If you are still concerned though and do not want to wait, give your doctor a call.
I hope this helps. If you have further questions let me know.
-Mia
Hi Nina,
I read your follow-up comments. I will answer here, I hope you are able receive this. The missed pills during the 3rd week is probably what contributed to your period arriving early. Was the period still during the inactive week? That part is a bit confusing. I am not sure if this week is the week you are concerned about. If it is, and you have had sex less than 5 days ago (ideally less than 3 days ago) then you may want to check in with your doctor and see if you should take Plan B. i think it is probably not necessary, but it doesn't hurt to check.
Most women do not get a period if they are pregnant. Some do the first month or so, but it is usually much lighter than a normal period. Of course, the pill can make periods lighter or make you skip a period, so a lighter period on the pill is not necessarily an indicator of pregnancy either. However if you do get a lighter period or miss the next period, you may want to take a pregnancy test to ease your mind.
I hope this helps. If you have further questions let me know.
-Mia
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Mia,
Yes I got your reply - thanks again! :)
My period started on Monday 18th August. I was still taking my pills and had 2 left to go (until Wed 20th). I dont normally come on my period until Sunday mornings (which would have been 24th August. this time i happened to be on my period half the time whilst on the inactive break. (i hope this makes sense, sorry if it doesnt). I had unprotected sex about 16 days ago now (2-3 days into starting the new pill pack) approx on 27th / 28th August.
(definitely too late to think about emergency pill)
So basically, i was half on half off my period in the 7 day break. The week i am concerned about is AFTER the 7 day break i.e. when i started my new pill (as i had unprotected sex in first 7 days of changing the pill).
Sorry to confuse the situation, i only explained about my last period mucking up as you mentioned in your first answer that "as long as i am taking the pill correctly, the chances of being pregnant is small" - but i missed 2 pills week before period and so my period came early, so needed to explain this to get a more accurate answer from you.
I hope i make sense :)
Nina
AnswerHi Nina,
Missing/late pills can cause breakthrough bleeding. I think that is what happened in you case, and since you then went to the nonactive pills your period then started. There is more of a concern when you miss 2 or more pills in a row, or if you miss your first active pill as that increases the number of nonactive days to 8 (missing the last active pill can do this too if you don't take it).
Since no birth control method is 100% there is a chance you can be pregnant. But I still think the chance is small in your case and what you experienced that week were side effects of the new pill. However I'd recommend taking a pregnancy test, especially if you do not get a period this month.
I hope this helps. If you have further questions let me know.
-Mia
