Question About Missed Period

I took the pill for while some time back and missed a period once. I was very good about taking it regularly and, at the time, not married so I had no need to think I was pregnant. When I called my OB/GYN office to ask about the missed period, they said it can happen on occasion when taking the pill. Probably nothing to worry about, but something to keep an eye on since pregnancy is a possibility for you.

Those times of not knowing and wondering are HORRIBLE, aren't they? Hang in there!!!
B.

I've worked in women's reproductive health for years, and I've got a different response than the last poster.

Missing one pill can definitely be enough to let pregnancy happen. If you vomit or have diarrhea within a couple hours of taking your pill, you should abstain or use a backup method for 7-10 days (depends on the MD you talk to which they recommend). It counts as a totally missed pill. You can also do emergency contraception (Plan B)to help avoid pregnancy if you realize after the fact that you weren't as protected as you want to be - that works up to 72 hrs after intercourse but works best the sooner you can take it.

It's also possible to miss a period on the pill but I'd test again in 5 days or so to see if you're pregnant.

If you want other methods of birth control that don't require remembering a pill each day, you might consider the NuvaRing or the Mirena IUD. Both are very safe, effective and popular methods among female health care professionals.

Good luck. If you have other questions or concerns, contact your ob/gyn.

I have friends who have told me they have taken the pill for years and only have a period once or twice a year so I think that could def be a possibility. I have also heard that being sick (you said you vomited) can also have an effect on your cycle. My understanding is that it is very rare to get pregnant from missing one pill, not impossible but not likely.

Best Wishes!

Hi M.,
If you have been on the pill forever, you are probably not pregnant if you vomited one pill. The pill stays in your system (I believe) for a few months. Try not to freak. L.

Hi, I know how tough this is, not knowing. Obviously I cannot comment on whther or not you may be pregnant. What I can tell you is that I had an unplanned pregnancy...my third. At first my husband and I were in denial so we only did a pregnancy test when I was already 2 months pregnant.
What I can tell you is that he has been the biggestb blessing in our lives. We have 2 girls and definitely weren't planning a third, but he adds the most wonderful dimension to our fmily and we couldn't imagine a day without him.
It wasn't the best timing for us either...my husband was commuting for his job and wasn't home a lot. We were trying to sell our home and were in the process of moving. But everything worked out after all.
Good luck to you and your family either way, but things have a way of working out!!

Some info regarding pills and hormones. You are only 37 so a little early for menopause unless women in your family go through that earlier than most. BUT - I didn't know this until it happened to a friend of mine. She was about 40 and always took the pill. She went off to try to get pregnant and had her hormones tested by her Dr to see if there was anything to prevent pregnancy at her age - and he informed her that she had already GONE through menopause (so said her hormone test results) The pill masked it whenever it happened to her. And obviously she was distraught as she had never had a child. So - if that concerns you in your situation - have your Dr test your hormones.

I had a friend who started menopause early and they were able to reverse it. I believe she was even younger than you. Go see a doc! You want a blood test anyway so you know for sure, don't torture yourself this way. And I'd say if even suspect you might be pregnant stop the pill now and go to the doctor.

Do you know when in your cycle you ovulate? Do you know when, in relation to that, you had sex? (By the time I had had 2 kids and was 36, 37, my cycle was so obvious to interpret from bodily changes that I could see.)

But I wouldn't worry about it either. I missed pills after we got married and never got PG until I fully went off it. After 10 years of having a period every 4th Monday between 8 and 10am, I had one that was late. Then 2 years later, I skipped an entire month (I was so convinced I was pregnant, despite negative tests, that I had a huge breakdown, at a friend's wedding, when my period started!)

So, I'd bet on NO, you're probably not pregnant. If you don't have a +HPT within a week or so of when you expected your period, stop worrying about it.