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missed 1 pill in the first week & never doubled up...

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I've been on birth control for 3 years now. Whenever I missed a pill I'd end up spotting the next day.
I missed 1 pill in the first week & never doubled up. I haven't spotted yet & it's been 3 days. I've had unprotected sex(pull out method) a few times before the missed pill.


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replied June 25th, 2012
Birth Control Answer A36423
Hi,
Welcome to ehealthforum,
You should have considered following the missed-pill-protocol if you had missed taking any active pill. The effective protection from the pills will not last if you have missed taking 2 or more than 2 active pills or taken them late by 2-3 hours on 2 or more occasions. Since the pullout/withdrawal method of contraception is known to be associated with highest failures (pre-cum/pre-ejaculatory fluid is known to contain sperms and no man can be 100% sure that pre-cum/pre-ejaculatory fluid did not leak out during vaginal penetration), chances of pregnancy cannot be ruled out completely (especially if you were during fertile days/around ovulation time at time of intercourse). If fertile mucus had been present at time of intercourse, sperms can stay alive for 5-7 days and fertilize the egg upon ovulation. After ovulation, egg has only 24-48 hours to get fertilized. Wait and watch for your periods/withdrawal bleeding. Look out for development of any other new symptoms if pregnancy is suspected. If periods do not start within 10 days of expected period dates, or if you get abnormal periods, or if you suspect chances of pregnancy, consider visiting your doctor/gynecologist at the earliest for thorough examination (to confirm pregnancy related changes/signs in body) and blood/serum HCG level test (to confirm/rule out pregnancy accurately). If pregnancy gets ruled out, continue to take the pills at scheduled time daily, and follow the missed-pill-protocol if you miss taking any active pills. Be regular with birth control use as instructed. Avoid having unprotected sexual contact if you are not ready for pregnancy.
Take care.


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