Expert: Diane Cheryl - 10/28/2006

Question
Hi, I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen for 3 1/2 years and then I switched to Seasonale last July just to try it out.  As you know, there are three little packets to take before you get your period that third month.  Well I had just started my 3rd packet and I got breakthrough bleeding that was like an actual period and it lasted all the way through the 3rd packet...so 4 weeks I had my period for.  So I switched back to Ortho Tri Cyclen, only I didn't wait until I finished the Seasonale pack completely.  I still had 4 "reminder" pills left, but that's because I didn't want to start on that Sunday, so I just started on Thursday. AND I just realized after the fact that my fiance and I had sex that I missed a Seasonale pill...it was the pill right before my reminder pills started.  Is there a chance that I could've gotten pregnant?  Or do you think I'm pretty safe?

Answer
Hi Crystal,
Please check with your physician because I'm not a medical doctor. I have done a lot of research on the birth control pill in general but not specifically about Seasonale. In my opinion, there is a chance that you could be pregnant. Even if you take the birth control pill correctly, there is still a percentage of women who get pregnant. You could go to this website http://www.optionline.org to find a pregnancy testing center in your area. They give free tests and advice. Let me know at DCHERYL51@yahoo.com if you have any other questions or I can help you in any way.
Sincerely,
Diane Cheryl
DCHERYL51@yahoo.com