That is great that you doubled-up on your pill Monday, since you missed one on Sunday. It is equally important to use a back-up method of birth control for the next 7 days after you miss pills.
You said you then missed another pill, sometime between Monday 20th and today (29th), but did not make-up this pill?
Missing one pill, then taking it as soon as you remember, does not significantly increase your chances for pregnancy; your pill directions most likely do not even say you need back-up method of birth control (although, it does not hurt!).
The second pill you missed...if there was a week in between missing Sunday 19th' pill and the second pill, you would not need emergency contraception IF you took that missed pill as soon as you remembered. If you did not make up the second missed pill, or if you missed that pill sometime between the 19th and 25th (7 days after you missed the first one), it would be a good idea to take emergency contraception.
Does that make sense? Another way to word it:
- If the second pill you missed was between the 25th and 28th, AND you made-it-up as soon as you remembered, you would not need emergency contraception....but please make sure your pill instructions say that "missing one pill, and taking it as soon as you remember, does not require back-up method of birth control".
Either way, EC has not long-term negative effects (only short-term spotting or breakthrough bleeding for a cycle or two), and those side effects are well-worth the possible benefit of added protection against pregnancy. If you are able to use EC, I would recommend using it "just in case". Your situation does not sound like you are at a very high risk for pregnancy, but anytime you miss a pill...especially two pills in one week...you risk of pregnancy does increase.
Let me know if any of this is confusing! I can word it better if I know the date that you missed the second pill. Hope this helps..if not, let me know and I can clarify!
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Hi Lily,
That is great that you doubled-up on your pill Monday, since you missed one on Sunday. It is equally important to use a back-up method of birth control for the next 7 days after you miss pills.
You said you then missed another pill, sometime between Monday 20th and today (29th), but did not make-up this pill?
Missing one pill, then taking it as soon as you remember, does not significantly increase your chances for pregnancy; your pill directions most likely do not even say you need back-up method of birth control (although, it does not hurt!).
The second pill you missed...if there was a week in between missing Sunday 19th' pill and the second pill, you would not need emergency contraception IF you took that missed pill as soon as you remembered. If you did not make up the second missed pill, or if you missed that pill sometime between the 19th and 25th (7 days after you missed the first one), it would be a good idea to take emergency contraception.
Does that make sense? Another way to word it:
- If the second pill you missed was between the 25th and 28th, AND you made-it-up as soon as you remembered, you would not need emergency contraception....but please make sure your pill instructions say that "missing one pill, and taking it as soon as you remember, does not require back-up method of birth control".
Either way, EC has not long-term negative effects (only short-term spotting or breakthrough bleeding for a cycle or two), and those side effects are well-worth the possible benefit of added protection against pregnancy. If you are able to use EC, I would recommend using it "just in case". Your situation does not sound like you are at a very high risk for pregnancy, but anytime you miss a pill...especially two pills in one week...you risk of pregnancy does increase.
Let me know if any of this is confusing! I can word it better if I know the date that you missed the second pill. Hope this helps..if not, let me know and I can clarify!
June 29, 2010 - 12:33pmThis Comment
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