Missed BC pills

Avatar for kel7col4
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Missed BC pills
5
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 9:50pm

I know this isn't a medical board lol but I thought I would ask this here.

DD has been on bc pills since May/June. She's never had breakthrough bleeding before. She missed 2 active pills 2 weekends ago, she took the 2 the morning she remembered and then took her regular pill that night. She apparently had some spotting the next day. She then missed this past Sat. nights pill, but took in Sunday morning. She says she is now bleeding as if it's her period. I'm not quite sure what she should do - continue taking her pills as normal or treat this bleeding as if it's her period and start a new pack this weekend? Would this be a pharmacist question or a doctor's question?

Anyone btdt or can point me in the right direction?

Thanks - Kim




iVillage Member
Registered: 10-19-2006
In reply to: kel7col4
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 11:03pm

My mom is a doctor. I asked her your question and she said it depends heavily on the pill your daughter is taking. Each pill has different instructions for dealing with missed pills. Mom says your doctor or pharmacist should be able to answer the question.

If you want to know more quickly then "Google" the name of your daughter's pill, find its website then read the prescribing information.

For example: I'm on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Here is the prescribing information for me: http://snipurl.com/109m3

Mom said to remind your daughter to use condoms until the mess is all straightened out.

Holley

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2006
In reply to: kel7col4
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 11:47pm
If you don't take your pill at the same time each day then your cycle gets messed up. If you don't take your pills for two days, you will start your period and it won't stop until it's ready. Worse yet, if you forget to take your pills responsibly you can get pregnant very easily. My daughter is forgetful and knew she'd forget her pill so she opted for the depo shot. One every three months and they are free at planned parenthood. Works for her and peace of mind for me. So, to answer your question, yes she should treat this as her period and start the new pack.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2005
In reply to: kel7col4
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 3:09pm

I've been through with this my DD and she was advised to continue to take it as normal. I would also suggest that she use alternate means of birth control for both this month and next in addition to the pills. Next month was not advised to us by a doc but I threw that in there just to be on the safe side and to drive home to DD the importance of remembering this.

I would still probably call either a nurse or the pharmacy.

Avatar for heartsandroses2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: kel7col4
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 3:18pm

She should finish out the pack and then figure out a way for her to have a reminder, say on her watch alarm, each night.

My dd's BCP is on the shelf right next to the kitchen sink so each night before bed, when she gets her glass of water, she remembers her pill. Unfortunately, I am still in the habit of checking the pack each night to make sure - lol.

Avatar for kel7col4
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: kel7col4
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 7:53pm

Thanks all of you!!

I did call the pharmacists and they did say for her to finish out this pack and lucky her she will have a 2nd period....oh goody! I usually am right on top of her about these pills but I slacked off thinking I could. She's on them for her breakouts more than as a contraceptive but oh yea I definitely stressed to her this was not the time to do anything without super duper back up!!