How To Continue Taking Birth Control Pills After Missed Doses?

Posted on Tue, 23 Sep 2014

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

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 Answered on

Fri, 17 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband & I took a spontaneous weekend trip away. I didn't realize until the next morning that I had unfortunately forgot my meds including my tri-sprintec. I was unable to take day 8 and day 9 of my birth control pills. We had unprotected sex on day 7, which I had taken that pill on time. Once we got home, I took both missed pills and took the next day's pill at my regularly scheduled time. Obviously, I'm nervous about getting pregnant since as each day passes I continue to have this hormonal headache. I have 3 kids and have had 2 miscarriages and with all of them always had a hormonal headache with the pregnancies. Would taking the made up birth control pills be contributing to my hormonal headache or do I really need to be concerned that I may be pregnant?? Any advice is appreciated.

Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Perhaps related to drug intake.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for posting your query.

As you have missed the pills in the second week, you should take two pills as the next dose after making up the missed pills. This will ensure sufficient protection.

Since you have taken only one pill after making up for the missed doses, you need to wait for your next period to see the outcome. The headache is perhaps due to the pills, but, in view of what happened, the risk of failure cannot be totally ignored. If you have had no further intercourse after day 7, the risk is lesser.

Please wait until you are due or at least until day 21 of the cycle, if you wish to go for a blood pregnancy test.

Hope your query has been clarified. Please feel free to contact for further information. I will be happy to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj