Expert: Norman Solberg - 5/3/2009

Question
I recently got prescribed birth control pills and my doctors told me to take them on the first day of my period. I was supposed to get my period on the 1st of the month but it never came. So yesterday (may 2nd) i thought i got my period (i think i just saw a small brown stain). I didnt really pay much attention unfortunately and i just stuck in a tampon and took the first pill. Well 9 hours later when i pulled my tampon out nothing was on it.

So, im extremely confused on what to do. I still have no signs of my period (today is may 3rd) but i took my first birth control pill. Should i keep taking them for the next three weeks and then take 1 week off? Or should i not take the rest of the pills and wait till my period comes and then always be one day ahead?

Answer
I would keep taking the pills.  For some women on some pills, periods don't come, or sometimes will only be a small stain.  If you've missed any pills or get symptoms of pregnancy I'd do a pregnancy test.  Otherwise I'd just keep taking the pill.  If you don't get periods on this pill, you may or may not want to switch to a different pill.  It's not harmful to your body to not have periods on the pill.