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Is Pregnancy Possible When Accidentally Skipping Oral Contraceptives On Days Of Intercourse?
Question: Hi doctor,
I think I have a problem with my birth control pill.
I use to take it before going to bed (usually around 23.00, but in last two weeks I've always taken it between 23.30 and 1.30 because of the holidays). On Friday I had sex with my boyfriend but I forgot to take it before fall asleep and I remembered only the day after (Saturday) around 13.00, so about 14-15 hours later my usual time!
I'm worried because it was the 2 pill of the blister after the 7 days break and the attached leaf says that if you take a pill 12 hours late and you had unprotected sex in the previous 5 days, there can be a chance of get pregnant.
Moreover, on Saturday night, I took my "Saturday pill" around 0.30 but after about 3h (more or less) I had vomit. And in this case the attached leaf says in case of vomit within 3-4hours after having taken the pill, it could not be absorbed completely.
So I'm double worried because I could have missed two pills in row after have had unprotected sex and what it's written in the attached leaf "scares" me!
Furthermore this happened one week ago, so it's to late for "plan B".
Is the risk of pregnancy high or am I just exaggerating?
I've been taking the pill for 5 years (now I'm 22).
thanks
I think I have a problem with my birth control pill.
I use to take it before going to bed (usually around 23.00, but in last two weeks I've always taken it between 23.30 and 1.30 because of the holidays). On Friday I had sex with my boyfriend but I forgot to take it before fall asleep and I remembered only the day after (Saturday) around 13.00, so about 14-15 hours later my usual time!
I'm worried because it was the 2 pill of the blister after the 7 days break and the attached leaf says that if you take a pill 12 hours late and you had unprotected sex in the previous 5 days, there can be a chance of get pregnant.
Moreover, on Saturday night, I took my "Saturday pill" around 0.30 but after about 3h (more or less) I had vomit. And in this case the attached leaf says in case of vomit within 3-4hours after having taken the pill, it could not be absorbed completely.
So I'm double worried because I could have missed two pills in row after have had unprotected sex and what it's written in the attached leaf "scares" me!
Furthermore this happened one week ago, so it's to late for "plan B".
Is the risk of pregnancy high or am I just exaggerating?
I've been taking the pill for 5 years (now I'm 22).
thanks
Brief Answer:
pill protection in this cycle might be less
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,welcome to healthcare magic.I understand your concern.
In my opinion as you have missed two pills in a row the protective efficacy of pills against pregnancy might be decreased.
You need to follow barrier method like condom for this remaining part of the cycle.
My aim is not to make you tense but there might be risk for pregnancy as you have done unprotected intercourse after missing the pill.
Usually if you forget taking pill on one day take 2 pills on next day.
If forgot 2 pills on two serial days take 2 pills on remembered day and 2 pills the next day and follow condom usage for one week.
If you have vomiting within 3 hours of taking the pill take another one as it might not be absorbed .
As you have not followed the above thing we cant rely on the pill protection this month.
There is emergency contraception option left .The mifepristone tablet can be taken within 25 days of unprotected sex.But I suggest you to take that after discussing with your doctor.
So relax.dont worry.
Hope this satisfies your query.
Feel free to ask any more queries.
Best regards...Dr.srilatha
pill protection in this cycle might be less
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,welcome to healthcare magic.I understand your concern.
In my opinion as you have missed two pills in a row the protective efficacy of pills against pregnancy might be decreased.
You need to follow barrier method like condom for this remaining part of the cycle.
My aim is not to make you tense but there might be risk for pregnancy as you have done unprotected intercourse after missing the pill.
Usually if you forget taking pill on one day take 2 pills on next day.
If forgot 2 pills on two serial days take 2 pills on remembered day and 2 pills the next day and follow condom usage for one week.
If you have vomiting within 3 hours of taking the pill take another one as it might not be absorbed .
As you have not followed the above thing we cant rely on the pill protection this month.
There is emergency contraception option left .The mifepristone tablet can be taken within 25 days of unprotected sex.But I suggest you to take that after discussing with your doctor.
So relax.dont worry.
Hope this satisfies your query.
Feel free to ask any more queries.
Best regards...Dr.srilatha
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
But how high is the risk? Could really the ovulation have started again for this forgetfulness?
I mean, I took 2 pill on Saturday, one at 13.00 (the one I should have taken on Friday) and one at 0.30 (regurarly).
It's so a big deal being 14 hours late? It's not like 20 or 24h, right? It should be difference...
And usually, how long does it take to be absorbed?
Because I don't know if what I did is like to forgot two pills in a row or not.
I mean, I took 2 pill on Saturday, one at 13.00 (the one I should have taken on Friday) and one at 0.30 (regurarly).
It's so a big deal being 14 hours late? It's not like 20 or 24h, right? It should be difference...
And usually, how long does it take to be absorbed?
Because I don't know if what I did is like to forgot two pills in a row or not.
Brief Answer:
Risk of pregnancy is less
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, I got your query. In my opinion though you have taken two pills on Saturday
You have vomiting after 3 to 4 hours after taking 2nd pill and you haven't taken one more pill after vomiting. Usually the pill might take 4 to 5 hours for absorption and to attain significant levels in blood.
OCP pills act at different levels like inhibiting ovulation, preventing fertilization and preventing implantation.
Exactly we can’t say the risk dear as case studies are not done for each scenario. But as it is the first week risk might be less for that particular unprotected sex. Ovulation might not occur during that period. But the protection by the pill might be lost for remaining part of the cycle. So use barrier method for remaining part of the cycle.
So wait and check for the period. If you don’t want to take even a 1% chance then you can think of emergency contraception what I said in your previous query.
But as it is the first week mostly you might be safe for that episode. Relax.
Hope this satisfies your query.
Feel free to ask any more queries.
Good luck...Dr.srilatha
Risk of pregnancy is less
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, I got your query. In my opinion though you have taken two pills on Saturday
You have vomiting after 3 to 4 hours after taking 2nd pill and you haven't taken one more pill after vomiting. Usually the pill might take 4 to 5 hours for absorption and to attain significant levels in blood.
OCP pills act at different levels like inhibiting ovulation, preventing fertilization and preventing implantation.
Exactly we can’t say the risk dear as case studies are not done for each scenario. But as it is the first week risk might be less for that particular unprotected sex. Ovulation might not occur during that period. But the protection by the pill might be lost for remaining part of the cycle. So use barrier method for remaining part of the cycle.
So wait and check for the period. If you don’t want to take even a 1% chance then you can think of emergency contraception what I said in your previous query.
But as it is the first week mostly you might be safe for that episode. Relax.
Hope this satisfies your query.
Feel free to ask any more queries.
Good luck...Dr.srilatha
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Thanks doctor
One last thing: how bad is being late of 14hours? I mean:taking the pill within 12 hours is like taking it on time, but how much different does it make to take it after 14 hours? After 20? And after 24?
In my case, is "more dangerous" the 14hours late or the vomiting??
by the way, we always used barrier method after friday's forgetfulness.
One last thing: how bad is being late of 14hours? I mean:taking the pill within 12 hours is like taking it on time, but how much different does it make to take it after 14 hours? After 20? And after 24?
In my case, is "more dangerous" the 14hours late or the vomiting??
by the way, we always used barrier method after friday's forgetfulness.
Brief Answer:
Vomiting after taking pill caused the problem
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
I understand your concern. In my opinion the thing which is causing problem is vomiting. You have planned to take 2 pills on the remembered day that’s the right thing. It’s not the time that is important. But you should take the pill as soon as you remember without letting off 24 hrs. Once the 24 hrs is over the chance for taking the missed pill is lost. And then the cycle becomes unprotective.
14 hours is not that bad but you need to take 2 pills when you remember bu tin your case you vomited pills and you did not take any pills after that.
Anyways nothing to worry.
And it’s good that you practicing safer sex like condom. All the best
Hope this satisfies your query.
Feel free to ask any more queries.
Good luck...Dr.srilatha
Vomiting after taking pill caused the problem
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
I understand your concern. In my opinion the thing which is causing problem is vomiting. You have planned to take 2 pills on the remembered day that’s the right thing. It’s not the time that is important. But you should take the pill as soon as you remember without letting off 24 hrs. Once the 24 hrs is over the chance for taking the missed pill is lost. And then the cycle becomes unprotective.
14 hours is not that bad but you need to take 2 pills when you remember bu tin your case you vomited pills and you did not take any pills after that.
Anyways nothing to worry.
And it’s good that you practicing safer sex like condom. All the best
Hope this satisfies your query.
Feel free to ask any more queries.
Good luck...Dr.srilatha
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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