Expert: Mia - 9/30/2008

Question
Hi. I just recently quit the pill after starting it (i hated it and it gave me bad mood swings) I went on until I reached the last active pill, but I never swallowed it. 3 days later I started to bleed. Since then, my boyfriend and I have continued to be intimate, and up until Friday of this week he continued to ejaculate inside me. I heard that this period from the pill, isn't a "real" period because you didn't ovulate. So my question is, was there any risk in having sex that time? I was bleeding so I didn't think so. I still believe I was covered. How quickly, on average, does a body take to start ovulating again after the pill? i don't think I'm pregnant, but I have found myself thinking about this and would like to know how long until my body rids itself of the pill's presence. Thanks!

Answer
Hi Emily,

You are still protected during that inactive week, as it is still the inactive week of your last pill month. However, sperm can live up to 5 days in a woman's body. So if you had unprotected sex during the last few days of that inactive week, your chances of pregnancy does increase since you may ovulate during that first week you are no longer taking the pill. This doesn't mean you are definitely pregnant. It can take women 1-3 months for their bodies to adjust to pre-pill hormonal levels, and there can be a 2 week delay from the last active pill before a woman ovulates if she will this month. So while there is a chance you did ovulate already, it is not a 100% chance and is more likely small. If you are concerned and do not want to wait until your next period (which can possibly be late or not arrive next month due to your body adjusting to being off the pill) you can take an early pregnancy test in 2 weeks.  

I hope this helps. If you have further questions please let me know.

-Mia