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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Taking Birth Control Pill. Missed Pill, Got Periods. Is It Normal?

I am on tricyclen lo birth control pills. I missed two pills in the middle of my pack. I started spotting two days after and it has been on-going for the past week and a half. I am not due to get my period until Monday. But I have been bleeding/spotting for the past week and a bit. My periods normally only last 5 days. I m scared, what could be going on?
Mon, 5 Oct 2015
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OBGYN,  's  Response
Hello, and I hope I can help you today.

It is very common to have breakthrough bleeding, which is bleeding when you are not supposed to have your period, when you miss a birth control pill. The pill is out of your system within 24 hours which is like day 2 of your pill-free week, so some women will start to have a mini-period then. You may bleed at the end of the pack, but if you don't, you should do a pregnancy test because missing two pills, even if you back them up, can trigger ovulation.

So you don't need to worry about the bleeding, because that is just a side effect of missing pills. This should not continue to happen when you remember to take the pill every day. Keeping the pill with you at all times (like in your purse, instead of at home so you have access to it wherever you go) can help avoid missing pills. There are also internet programs and apps you can use as a reminder to take your pill.

I hope this information was reassuring and I was able to adequately answer your question, and that my advice was helpful.

Best wishes, Dr. Brown
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Taking Birth Control Pill. Missed Pill, Got Periods. Is It Normal?

Hello, and I hope I can help you today. It is very common to have breakthrough bleeding, which is bleeding when you are not supposed to have your period, when you miss a birth control pill. The pill is out of your system within 24 hours which is like day 2 of your pill-free week, so some women will start to have a mini-period then. You may bleed at the end of the pack, but if you don t, you should do a pregnancy test because missing two pills, even if you back them up, can trigger ovulation. So you don t need to worry about the bleeding, because that is just a side effect of missing pills. This should not continue to happen when you remember to take the pill every day. Keeping the pill with you at all times (like in your purse, instead of at home so you have access to it wherever you go) can help avoid missing pills. There are also internet programs and apps you can use as a reminder to take your pill. I hope this information was reassuring and I was able to adequately answer your question, and that my advice was helpful. Best wishes, Dr. Brown