Expert: Norman Solberg - 11/30/2009

Question
Hi! I'm on microgestin Fe 1/20 and I have been on this pill for almost a year. For the past month or so, I've been under a little stress and I have not been taking my pill on time. I haven't actually missed a day but I have taken them much later than normal. I usually take my pills around 8 AM but sometimes its evening time when I realize that I haven't taken it for the day. Basically, one day I may take my pill at 8AM, the next day it may be 5PM,the next day 11AM, etc. My boyfriend and I do have unprotected sex. Sometimes we use the withdrawal method and sometimes he does ejaculate in me. I'm currently on the 3rd week of active pills so my cycle is due next week. Am I setting myself up for an unplanned pregnancy by not taking my pills regularly? What are my chances of getting pregnant? Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look foward to hearing from you.

Answer
When taken every day at about the same time, less than 1 woman out of 100 will get pregnant in one year of having sex.  When taken by average women, 8 out of 100 will get pregnant in one year.  In other words, if you take the pill at about the same time every day, you have almost no chance of getting pregnant.  The more you vary in the time you take the pill, the more chance there is of getting pregnant.  As long as you don't miss a pill completely, the chances are you won't get pregnant, but the chances increase the longer time you delay in taking your pill.  Best regards.