Birth Control Methods: Birth Control Pills / Question
Published: April 7, 2000
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I started taking ortho tri-cyclen about a month ago. I forgot to take it on Thursday so I took it Friday morning. Took it 2 hours late on Friday night and was ejaculated in on Saturday. Took it late Saturday night also. Am I going to be pregnant? If I am what should or can I do about it?
Signed: Forgot My Pill! Pregnant?
Dear Forgot My Pill! Pregnant?,
You said that you started the pill about a month ago. During the first two months of the pill, it is recommended that you use a secondary method of birth control like condoms or spermicide. There is a chance that you could be pregnant depending on other pill mishaps and where you are in your cycle. Call your doctor or a teen health center and discuss it with them. They may recommend that you come in and get emergency contraception if the unprotected sex was less than 72 hours before the call. Also, if you are having trouble remembering to take your pill, they may discuss alternate methods of birth control like Depo-Provera (often called the shot). In New Jersey, call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at (973) 971.5199 or contact your local Planned Parenthood.
TeenHealthFX is concerned with your ability to take the pill as directed because if it is taken incorrectly, you are at an increased risk for pregnancy. You have had a couple of rough pill days where you have not been able to take it on time or forgot it completely. This is not good. Also, if you miss a pill, it is recommended that you use a second method of protection. The pill is not for everyone and there are several other methods of birth control that may be easier for you.
You did the right thing to try and make up the missed pills. Here are the missing the pill instructions:
1 Pills - If you forget one pill, take it as soon as you remember. Then, take today's pill at the regular time.
2 Pills - If you miss two pills in a row, take two pills as soon as you remember and two the next day.
3 Pills - If you miss three pills in a row, do not finish the pack and you will probably begin your period. Start a new pack the following Sunday.
4th Week Of Pills - Finally, if the only pills you miss are from the fourth week of a 28-day pill pack, do not be concerned. This is called spacer pills that contain no hormones. They are in the packs so that women get used to taking a pill everyday and it becomes habit. Also, women usually get their period on these pills.
Sometimes when women miss their pills, they have some breakthrough bleeding or spotting. If this is happening and it is not painful, do not worry. As always, if you are in pain or feel like it is a medical problem, call your doctor or 911.
A note, if you miss your period this month, you should do a pregnancy test. You can buy a home pregnancy kit or call a teen health center or your local Planned Parenthood.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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