How To Check For Pregnancy When On Contraceptive Pills?

Posted on Tue, 31 Dec 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 31 Dec 2013 Answered on

Thu, 23 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : i take birth control it has 21 active pills and 7 sugar pills and there are 4 rows in a pack. i started my first pack nov 10th 2013 i was taking my pill every day except of the for the second row of pills i missed two days and i started to bleed on Nov 22(just that day) so i doubled up and got back on track. i did not take the sugar pills( the last row dec 1- dec 7). okay now dec 15th i started new pack i have only taken 6 pills out of this pack. im so far behind( i was suppose to start dec8). anyway im waiting for my next period so i can start taking my pills again. i thought i was suppose to get my period dec 16- 19 but im all confused now when its suppose to start. i took a test dec 29 and it was negative so i shouldnt be pregnant right and i only have sex wed and sunday( only days i dont have work)plus ( i know i can get pregnant any time i have unprotected sex) i just think i would have gotten a positive by now. my last period was nov 8 - nov 11 last time i had sex was dec 18th my next period should be XXXXXXX 9-12 im 20 and had regular period for years i have sickle cell anemia if any of this makes a difference

Answered by Dr. Kulsoom Qureshi (9 hours later)

Brief Answer: Current line of action. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for consulting us. Birth control pills contain hormones. It is very important that you take them regularly & punctually, otherwise such confusions about pregnancy & menstrual irregularities are an expected result. Anyway, in the current situation you should repeat the pregnancy test after one week or go for a blood pregnancy test (which is more reliable & excludes pregnancy 100% if negative). You should also have a pelvic ultrasound by this time to exclude pregnancy & other pelvic pathologies, if no period. Meanwhile, use barrier contraception (e.g. condoms) if you are not ready for a pregnancy & wait for your period. Seek Gynecologist opinion if you miss your second period expected in early January & if your scans & tests are negative for pregnancy. Do not use any potentially harmful medicines or pills till your pregnant status is not clear. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kulsoom Qureshi (11 hours later)

okay i am cramping and i when i went to pee i and wiped the was a little bit of orangish brown blood just a little and i have not bled since does that count as my period? is that it so do i start taking my birth control now or wait another week?usually my period is 4 days long and does not stop or slow down

Answered by Dr. Kulsoom Qureshi (36 hours later)

Brief Answer: Exclude pregnancy before starting pills. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for your reply & very sorry for being late to respond. I don't think you can take this as your period & you should exclude pregnancy first before starting a new pack. Better to go for the blood test I suggested earlier & if negative you may proceed to the new pack. Otherwise wait for one more week & seek Gynecology visit if no period & if cramping or pain is sever. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kulsoom Qureshi (2 hours later)

THANK YOU and no problem about being late responding your a busy doctor im sure. i finally got my period and it hurt so horribly bad it felt like my uterus was ripping apart but not pregnant might talk to my doctor about another form of birth control it might be the smart thing well until then starting the pill sunday. have a great day or night and have a happy new year :)

Answered by Dr. Kulsoom Qureshi (2 days later)

Brief Answer: Good idea to switch to another birth control Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX You are welcome. Again very sorry for my delay & thank you very much for all your good wishes. This is good to know that you have finally had your period. Yes, this is good to switch to another form of birth control specially if you can't take pills regularly. Let me warn you that if your period is unlike your other periods in term of flow & pain, you still have to exclude an ectopic pregnancy, to be on the safe side & the best option for this is a blood pregnancy test. I wish this turns out to be negative. Wish you good health & all the best you want. Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar