Expert: Norman Solberg - 7/24/2009

Question
I have been on birth control pills for five years and always take it on time. I took my Ortho Tricyclen Lo as usual all last month but forgot to take the last 3rd week pill (in other words the last pill before the placebo pills). I usually get my period five days into the placebo pills. This month I started spotting on the fourth day so I went to the pharmacy to get my pills. They gave Tri Lo Sprintec and explained everything was the same only generic brand. I came home and after the excitement of something new and the research I had done (to make sure it really was the same) I took my first day of pills. I didn't realize until today (the 2nd day) that I never got my period. Now, I'm really confused. Is there a chance I could be pregnant and missed my period? Or was it coming but I stopped it by taking a first week pill before I got my period? Should I keep taking it now that I've started or will my period still come and then start with the 2nd day pill and go from there?
To recap: I skipped the last 3rd week pill. Had 4 days of no period. On the fifth day had some spotting and took the 1st day of the 1st week pills and then realized I never got my period.

Answer
Hi Ella,
Birth control pills make periods lighter, and sometimes they get so light they don't come at all.  Yours came a little bit, so I think that means you're not pregnant.  I would keep taking the pills normally.  Your next period may or may not come.  Many women don't mind not having periods (or just having a little spotting), but if you prefer more of a period, your doctor could switch you to a different pill that would probably give you more of a period.