I am a health professional.. I deal with birth control,abortion and womens health DAILY.
SPERM can live inside of you for 5-7 days.
Missing 3 pills puts you at HIGH HIGH risk of ovulation. You ovulate, then that sperm can fertilize an EGG .
You may think WOW, that seems odd.. BUT SO many women who come for an abortion do not realize that you cannot do that with your pills.
THIS is often how women become pregnant during birth control use, they do not understand these things.
You may be wondering "WHY can I have a 7 day break?" That is easy. During PILL testing trials they found that taking at LEAST 21 pills before a "period break" will prevent ovulation during those 7 days ONLY.
This is why starting a NEW pack late is dangerous, you can ovulate during that time.
I thought altering would maybe make the spotting go away by starting a new pack
NO. You could have spotting during what would have been your period week, and then have spotting during the next 2-3 weeks.
You ever see those commercials for "Seasonale". where you only have 4 periods a year?
MOST women will bleed for 3-4 weeks while their body 'learns' to skip a period. Skipping is not instant, it takes time.