birth control & pregnancy

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2004
birth control & pregnancy
1
Tue, 10-05-2004 - 4:29pm
I forgot to take one of my birth control pills and had unprotected sex. It was about 1 week before my period. I was 3 days late for my period. It is now here and it is very light. I have been very sick to my stomach and have horrible cramps. This is very abnormal for me. I would like to know is there a chance that I could be pregnant? Someone told me that you can still have a period and next month it could not come (meaning pregnancy), because sperm can stay inside of you for 7 days. If you can email me at krisas2004@aol.com or reply (I'd rather receive replies in an email). Thanks for your time!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 10-05-2004 - 5:05pm
Hi krisas2004, welcome!

Missing one pill isn't usually the end of the world. Until very recently the FDA approved not using back-up when only one pill was missed but now they are recommending that labeling be changed to indicate that after a missed pill back-up should be used for 7 days. How long have you been taking your pills? If you just started taking them then some delay in Aunt Flow's arrival and a lighter/shorter flow are often experienced when on hormonal contraceptives. It will usually take about 3 cycles for your body to adjust to the hormones in your pills. If you became fertile from missing one pill, which is unlikely, then sperm can live in fertile cervical mucus for 5 days or so. If you had your period you should be ok. If you are new to hormonal contraceptives you might want to read the posts in the FAQs about oral contraceptives. I think you are probably ok but if you are really freaking out you could test and see where you are. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Hugs,

      Jill