Missed Two Active Pills - What is the Risk of Pregnancy?

Published: September 20, 2017
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I missed my last two active pills and did not make them up, so I had an extended placebo week of 9 days. I had withdrawal bleeding during this time and started my new pack on the usual Sunday. I had unprotected sex on the Monday and Thursday of that first week (last week). It's too soon to test, but what's the risk? I have PCOS and have been on the combination pill for about 10 years.
Signed: Missed Two Active Pills - What is the Risk of Pregnancy

Dear Missed Two Active Pills - What is the Risk of Pregnancy,

According to Planned Parenthood:

When used perfectly, the pill is 99% effective. But when it comes to real life, the pill is about 91% effective because it can be hard to be perfect. So in reality, 9 out of 100 pill users get pregnant each year.

Planned Parenthood also states that:

Forgetting pills, losing the pack, not refilling your prescription on time — these are the main reasons why people who take the pill get pregnant.

 

If you did not take two active pills and were sexually active without the use of any other form of birth control, then pregnancy is a possibility. If you do not get your period when expected, FX recommends you take a pregnancy test at that time and/or schedule an appointment with your primary care physician, adolescent medicine specialist or gynecologist to find out if you are pregnant or not. If you are pregnant, your doctor can discuss pregnancy options with you.

FX also suggests that you speak to a doctor about the best birth control method for you. Perhaps the pill is not the best option if you find you have trouble remembering to take it every day. It would also be helpful to speak to your doctor about the use of condoms to help prevent against the transmission of STDs, as birth control methods such as the pill do not offer any protection against the transmission of STDs.

If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. A Planned Parenthood health center is a good option if you have concerns about cost or confidentiality issues. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.

FX also suggests that you check out the links in our Resource of the Month: Planned Parenthood Resources on Safer Sex so that you can learn about sexual readiness, how pregnancy happens, pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, birth control, STDs and more. The more educated you are about these topics, the more likely you will make healthy decisions for yourself when it comes to your sexual health.

Signed: TeenHealthFX

Ratings