Expert: Kristy - 10/3/2006

Question
On Sept 15th, I stopped my pill pack (Aviane-28). I had one pill left that should have been taken on the 16th, but I forgot to take it. I normally start my period the following Friday and it is very light(three days). I actually started this time on Thursday 9/21. It was very light and I was spotting very little by Monday 9/25. I did not start a new pack this month. My husband and I had sex that night. Then on the following Friday, I began with lower back pain, cramping and lots of pressure. I spotted(brown and very scant) again for two days, but I'm still cramping with back pain. What could this be? Is it possible for me to have ovulated early and be pregnant due to stopping the pack before finishing the last pill. I feel like this is impossible, and maybe I'm just having side effects from stopping the pill. But now I'm not so sure. What are your thoughts?  

Answer
Hi Page :)

You are always at risk, when missing a pill, when on birthcontrol.

However, sounds to me that what you might be suffering more so is a hormonal imbalance.

It is suggested, that when coming off any form of hormonal birth control, that you give yourself atleast 2 cycles, or 6-8 weeks before trying to become pregnant. This allows your hormones to regulate themselves, and your system to have to natural periods.

Again, its possible that you could be pregnant, all though personally, I think its a little slim right now. If anything, I think your hormones are completely off balance right now, and thats why you are feeling the symtoms that you are.

When you are on the birthcontrol pill, your body already beleives its pregnant, thus preventing a real pregnancy. You missed that last pill, which really only brought your period on a day earlier.

If you missed it mid-cycle, I would be more inclined to say that it was a strong possibility that you are pregnant, however in your case, its certainly not impossibile.

You could always try a pregnancy test in a week of so, if your symptoms still continue on, to indicate if indeed you are pregnant. If the test comes back negative, that be rest assured this is hormonal, and it will take a few weeks, for everything to settle back down.

Hope this is of some help, and if you have any more questions, please dont hesitate to write back.

-Kristy