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Does Missing Birth Control Pills Intake Reduce Its Effectiveness And Cause Pregnancy?

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Posted on Mon, 2 Jun 2014
Question: My best friend missed her Birth control pill for two days, and it's only been a week since then but her and her boyfriend don't use condoms and he always finishes in her. She just came to me asking that since she's had cramping and nausea as well as light brown bleeding if she is pregnancy, she's not due for her period for two more weeks. Should she stop taking her Birth control? Is she most likely pregnant?
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Answered by Dr. Cori Baill (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Your girlfriend should continue her birth control.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

Most of the time missing two pills will not cause birth control pills to fail, especially if she's been on them long time. She should continue her pills because even if a pregnancy does manage to occur the amount of hormones she will produce is far more than what are in the pills and the pills will not harm and establish pregnancy. But without the pills she will get pregnant giving the sex pattern you've described.

since it has only been seven days she might want to consider placement of an IUD. That would be further assistance in preventing a pregnancy. Also the morning after pill is recommended for up to five days but that number is more of a guess than science so your friend should go ahead and take a course. The morning after pill will also not harm of pregnancy if one is established.

So to summarize, it is unlikely that her pill has failed. She should not miss any further pills, however. And she should seriously consider an IUD if pregnancy would be a complete disaster at this time. Take a course of the morning after pill immediately.

Regards,
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Cori Baill

OBGYN

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 236 Questions

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Does Missing Birth Control Pills Intake Reduce Its Effectiveness And Cause Pregnancy?

Brief Answer: Your girlfriend should continue her birth control. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for your query. Most of the time missing two pills will not cause birth control pills to fail, especially if she's been on them long time. She should continue her pills because even if a pregnancy does manage to occur the amount of hormones she will produce is far more than what are in the pills and the pills will not harm and establish pregnancy. But without the pills she will get pregnant giving the sex pattern you've described. since it has only been seven days she might want to consider placement of an IUD. That would be further assistance in preventing a pregnancy. Also the morning after pill is recommended for up to five days but that number is more of a guess than science so your friend should go ahead and take a course. The morning after pill will also not harm of pregnancy if one is established. So to summarize, it is unlikely that her pill has failed. She should not miss any further pills, however. And she should seriously consider an IUD if pregnancy would be a complete disaster at this time. Take a course of the morning after pill immediately. Regards,