Expert: Norman Solberg - 3/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I'm taking the yasmin pill. After finishing my pack in mid january I stopped taking the pill because I had no refills. I didn't have sex during that month and the first day of my next period I resumed it again. From that pack I only took 20 pills instead of 21, all consecutive and I rested for 7 days (I read it was ok to take 20 instead of 21, your cycle is just shorter). On Saturday 14th I started my new pack again (10pm usually I take the pill +/-0.5hours). On Sunday 15 I took it 3-4hours late, the same on Monday 16 (I took them at around 1am), this was because I wasn't home and I didn't take my purse. On Tuesday morning I had unprotected sex, but we used the withdrawal method. On tuesday night I took my pill correctly. I ALWAYS use condom, but this time, my bf and I didn't have. I know it was stupid and I'm very scared. Is there a chance of pregnancy? I've been taking my pills correctly.
Thank you very much.

ANSWER: Hi Alejandra,
I wouldn't worry.  The chance of pregnancy is very small.  With perfect use the chance of pregnancy is less than 1% per year.  With average use it's about 5% per year.  This means for 100 couples taking the pill for ONE YEAR, 5 will get pregnant.  You've been taking it fairly well, but if you want your chance of pregnancy to be almost none, it would be good to take it close to the same time every day.  Nothing is perfect, but the pill is very good.  Your chance of being pregnant now is very slight (almost none).

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QUESTION: Hello again,
Two more questions. Is it normal to have common cervical mucus changes while on the pill? My cervical mucus has gone through all its stages this month, although its not the first time I notice it on the pill. And, if something went wrong and you were to ovulate (while on the pill), will it still be around the 14th day after your first day of period?
Thanks you very very much!

Answer
Hello again,
It's unusual to have cervical mucous changes on the pill.  If you were to ovulate on the pill (It does happen sometimes), I think it could be affected by the pill and occur at a different time.  Usually you wouldn't get pregnant because of the other effects of the pill on the cervical mucous and uterine lining.