Contraception Questions

[G54]

The g/f forgot to take her contraceptive pill for 3 days and we have been making love each day.

When she phoned to tell me I advised her to take the emergency contraceptive immediately (72 hours being the maximum limit for this as I recall).

She has taken the Emergency Contraceptive Tues [30th Sept] / Wed [1st Oct].

Contraception taken for 2 weeks before missed dose.

The g/f has not started her period yet (Now Thurs Oct 2nd).

Should we be concerned she has not started her period??? [ Iwould have thought her period would have started when she missed 3 days ]

If not when can she start taking a contraceptive pill again?

No flames please about forgetting to take the pill. That is not the reason for the post.

Edited October 2, 2008 by G54

[Sheryl]

That she has not yet had her period is not necessarily cause for concern as it sounds like her period is not in fact due to another week or two.

Assuming that another reliable method of contraception has been used since the emrgency contraception was taken (and that she did not just rely on restarting the pill, which after 3 missed doses will not be effective until a new full cycle has been completed), she probably did not conceive since then so the question is whether or not the EC will be effective. It is not clear from your post how much time elapsed between first missed pill dose and taking the ECs and also the timing of intercourse in that interval but it sounds like not more than 72 hours elapsed in which cases odds are that the EC will be effective although it is not 100% sure.

As to when she should expect her period, it depends on what was done after taking the EC. If she resumed the pill cycle, then probably no period until the cycle is completed. If she stopped the pills, could be sooner but might not be until the normal date yi.e. 2 weeks from mid-cycle. And, it is also possible that the flunctuation of hormones resulting from all this will mess up the regularity of her cycle in any number of directions.

The simplest solution would be to get a blood test for pregnancy if she has not had her period by 7-14 days after the first missed pill dose (urine test not likely to be reliable that early). These tests are not very costly. As there are different types of blood test be sure to specify that you want the one that can detect pregnancy at the earliest possible stage, I think it is the immune assay test.

If she tolerated the pills well in terms of side effects and if there is no plan for pregnancy within the next few years the use of hormonal implants mighjt be considered as this eliminates the need to remeber to do anything. Available in Thailand.

[britmaveric]

Congrats mate or should I call you Daddy???

[sbk]

laugh you may well do, Brit, but for women who aren't used to being on the pill, it is difficult to remember.

It is not an easy thing to have to remember to do this one little thing every single day. I know my dad had a hard time remembering to take his blood pressure meds every day for the first few years.

[britmaveric]

Only winding - if its of any help I remind Ms. Brit daily.

[G54]

That she has not yet had her period is not necessarily cause for concern as it sounds like her period is not in fact due to another week or two.

Assuming that another reliable method of contraception has been used since the emrgency contraception was taken (and that she did not just rely on restarting the pill, which after 3 missed doses will not be effective until a new full cycle has been completed), she probably did not conceive since then so the question is whether or not the EC will be effective. It is not clear from your post how much time elapsed between first missed pill dose and taking the ECs and also the timing of intercourse in that interval but it sounds like not more than 72 hours elapsed in which cases odds are that the EC will be effective although it is not 100% sure.

As to when she should expect her period, it depends on what was done after taking the EC. If she resumed the pill cycle, then probably no period until the cycle is completed. If she stopped the pills, could be sooner but might not be until the normal date yi.e. 2 weeks from mid-cycle. And, it is also possible that the flunctuation of hormones resulting from all this will mess up the regularity of her cycle in any number of directions.

The simplest solution would be to get a blood test for pregnancy if she has not had her period by 7-14 days after the first missed pill dose (urine test not likely to be reliable that early). These tests are not very costly. As there are different types of blood test be sure to specify that you want the one that can detect pregnancy at the earliest possible stage, I think it is the immune assay test.

If she tolerated the pills well in terms of side effects and if there is no plan for pregnancy within the next few years the use of hormonal implants mighjt be considered as this eliminates the need to remeber to do anything. Available in Thailand.

Very helpful Sheryl. Thanks

The g/f did take the EC withing 72 hours (just) so we are hoping she is not pregnant.

She has not resumed taking the contraceptive pill as we were not sure, to be honest, whether she should or not.

No side effects from taking the pill so I will talk to her about whether or not she will be happy to have hormonal implants especially as she does not want another child, at least for the forseeable future.

[G54]

Congrats mate or should I call you Daddy???

laugh you may well do, Brit, but for women who aren't used to being on the pill, it is difficult to remember.

It is not an easy thing to have to remember to do this one little thing every single day. I know my dad had a hard time remembering to take his blood pressure meds every day for the first few years.

Someone give me a large Katoey to slap Brit around with, pleeeeease!!! Preferably one with big muscles.

Yes, I did note the humour, Brit

SBK, yes, for someone not used to taking daily contraceptives I can understand why she forgot. Her work, her moving in with me recently and her birthday yesterday, she had plenty on her mind.

No matter. In fact it has been quite helpful in some ways and given us a better chance to talk about pregnancy, her wanting, not wanting babies and how I feel about it too. Brought us a little closer together as well. Strange how life works

[mclaus]

I have been told from my doctor in the UK that I need to come off the pill, having been on it for so long and my blood pressure has been affected. They have advised to think about the hormonal implant but I don't have time to do it will in the UK (due to the practice being closed for the holidays) Can anyone please advise where I could go to get it done once I'm back in Phuket.

Thanks