“Pregnancy”
I have been taking oral contraceptives for the past four months. I would like to mention that I take the combined pills containing both estrogen and progesterone. They have been prescribed to me by my gynaecologist primarily for regulating my periods. My concern is that I do not know if I can trust them as my sole contraception method. Therefore I haven’t. But a week ago my partner’s condom broke. I mention that it happened 6 days before my period. My period is three days late, which has not happened since I’ve been on the pill.
Female | 18 years old
2 Answers
Hello and thank you for reaching out. Regarding your concerns about combined oral contraceptive efficacy you should know that if taken correctly, daily and around the same time every day they are usually 90-95 % effective. However, they do not protect women against Sexually Transmitted Diseases and that is why many women use them in combination with condoms. Sometimes with very low dose Birth Control Pills women stop getting periods entirely which could be your case now. Nonetheless, the only way to be sure you are NOT pregnant is to do a pregnancy test either at home or a clinic. If you have further concerns you should contact your Gyn provider. Best of luck and be well. A. Nardone MD , FACOG
Taken properly, combined oral contraceptives are 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. If you’ve missed any pills, it could be less effective.
With continued pill use, the period can get lighter and start later.
The best way to know if you’re pregnant is to do a home pregnancy test, and keep taking your pill if it’s negative.
With continued pill use, the period can get lighter and start later.
The best way to know if you’re pregnant is to do a home pregnancy test, and keep taking your pill if it’s negative.
