Expert: Mia - 2/3/2009

Question
HI CAN ANY1 HELP ME PLEASE

I HAVE BEEN ON BIRTH CONTROL SINCE I WAS 12YEARS OLD AND AM 19 YEAR OLD NOW. I HAVE BEEN ON THE BIRTH CONTROL PILL GYNERA AND SOME OTHER . i STOP FOR 2 MONTH BECAUSE I WAS HAVING PERIOD PROBLEM. THEY WERE STOPPING AND COMING BACK.I DO NOT HAVE NORMAL PERIODS.ALTHOUGH I HAVE BEEN TAKING THE PILL I HAVE TO WAIT A NUMBER OF DAYS BEFORE MY PERIOD COME EXAMPLE 5-9DAYS, AND I HAVE PAIN IN MY BREAST AND PELVIS AREA, I HAD 1 IN DECEMBER WHICH STARTED ON THE 5TH AND ENDED ON THE 12TH WHILE ON THE PILL THIS STARTED AND STOP THEN THE PERIOD STARTED AGAIN. i HAD SEX ON THE 19TH AND 23RD OF JANUARY WHILE ON THE PILL( HE DID NOT COME IN ME ARE ANYTHING LIKE THAT). hOW LIKELY IS IT THAT I COULD BE PREGNANT. i AM UNABLE 2 FIND MY DATE OF OVULATION CAUSE I DONT HAVE NORMAL PERIODS PLEASE HELP.

Answer
Hi Catz,

If you are on the pill and have been taking it correctly with no missed pills then you are most likely not pregnant. The pill stops ovulation. The period you experience is not a true period since ovulation does not occur. Rather, it is a withdrawal bleed due to the decrease in hormones during the inactive week. If you get a period at any time during this week you are not considered late. Many women have shorter, lighter periods on the pill and some will skip a month occasionally. Some women will even stop having periods while on the pill.

From the dates you give it sounds like you were on the pill for at least 7 days before having sex. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that you are pregnant.

If you have been bleeding during the active pill weeks then this is breakthrough bleeding, which is a common side effect of the pill, especially during the first few months on the pill. Since you stopped for a few months then went back on this could happen because your body is readjusting. If it continues for more than 3 months give your doctor a call.

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

-Mia