Missed Birth Control Pills & Potential Pregnancy: What To Do

Question
Okay, so I am on ORTHRO TRI CYCLEN LO...and I missed two pills consecutively during week one of the pills...I caught up and then missed three during week two...I started breakthrough bleeding and now I am having a full period!  I had unprotected sex during those times I missed and I am very confused about what is happening and what I should do next.  I am feeling really nauseous, bloated and gassy.  Is it possible that I could have gotten pregnant?

Answer
Dear Monica,

If you did not use a back-up method during those weeks that you missed two or more days on a row, then pregnancy is a possibility - even if you made them up. You should always use a back-up method (for at least one week) if you miss a day and have to double up on pills.

The symptoms you are having are hormonal in nature and may be related to early pregnancy or they may be related to your cycle. You didn't mention where you actually are now in your cycle of pills, but my assumption is that you are probably in week three. Because you are having a full blown period, I would suspect that the symptoms and bleeding are more likely due to the havoc created with your hormones due to the stopping/starting of the BCPs and that you are not pregnant. My suggestion would be to go ahead and finish out the pills, take the week off (even if not bleeding), and then restart as you normally would. However, it will be very important that you try something new to trigger your memory in taking the pills in order to avoid the very same thing happening to your cycle again. Try taking your pill at a time when you do the same thing every day - such as right after you brush your teeth in the morning or before bed at night or anything at all. Just try and think of something that you do at approximately the same time every single day without fail and start taking your pill at that time. Otherwise, it may be more beneficial (and less stressful) for you to look into the BC patch or the Mirena IUD as a birth control method.

I hope this information has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda