Expert: Diane Cheryl - 12/3/2008

Question
I have been on an oral contraceptive for over six years.  I have at times "skipped a period" by continuing with the active pills when my period would have been inconvenient.  I never liked how heavy my period was the month after the "skip," and so when my period was inconvenient this time I looked for information about whether it was okay to try to have my period early.  I found a couple information sites that said that this was okay, so I did it.  I'm now realizing after reading a little more that this may have been- for lack of better words- really, really, stupid.

I am a Sunday starter, and I took my last pill on the Tuesday of the last week of active pills. I then had my period early, finished the original pack starting the following Wednesday, and started a new pack on Sunday.  I was originally worried that this might be a problem, but decided to use condoms for a while to prevent pregnancy while I was unsure.  Unfortunately, we forgot once to use a condom on the Friday after I had started taking the pills again.  

I know that this is very detailed, and really appreciate you taking the time to read it. I would just like to know if you have any knowledge of how likely it could be that I did ovulate at that time (for example did I increase my risk very much?).  Or am I okay since I didn't "skip" any pills, but rather just changed the days that I took them? I've have been trying and trying to find information on this, but I keep getting mixed information.

Thank you so much for your time!

Answer
Hello Meghan,

I really don't recommend the pill at all or any hormonal kinds of birth control. I think you can see that changing or interrupting your natural menstrual cycle can be unwise healthwise. I much prefer to recommend non-hormonal methods if at all possible. I really can't say what the percentage of chance is that you would be pregnant. No birth control method is 100% safe in preventing pregnancy. As to you saying that you "get mixed information" that is because no one agrees on birth control and really the scientific evidence is not all in on the subject. If you aren't pregnant, I would recommend that you choose abstinence if you definitely don't want to be pregnant. You may email me at DCHERYL51@yahoo.com anytime so we can talk about this. If you are or aren't pregnancy, would love to hear from you.

Sincerely,
Diane Cheryl