missed a pill... could I be pregnant?

[snickers321]

I am very worried. This is my 3rd month on the pill (ortho tri-cyclen lo). I have never had spotting before, and I always take my pill at the same time every morning. However for the past week and a half I didn't take the pill at exactly the same time every morning, but I would at least in the same 3-hour time slot. Last Tuesday (12/20) I missed my pill, so I took it that same night when I remembered. The same day, my doctor prescribed me tetracyclin, an antibiotic... at the time I didn't know that antibiotics can interfere with the pill. On Thursday my boyfriend and I had sex, and within the hour afterwords I began spotting. at first it was pinkish, and it soon turned dark brown. It is very light. I am also having some cramps that are sharp and come and go very quickly. That night I stopped taking the tetracyclin because i realized that it interferes with the pill (I took a total of 5 of the tetracyclin pills). I have been spotting ever since we had sex. Today I took my last "active" pill (all of this has occured within the 3rd week of my active pills), and my period is supposed to start in about 3 or 4 days. I took a home pregnancy test today that was negative, but I think I may have taken it too early.

after all that long scenario...
I am wondering if the spotting is most likely from the missed/late pill, taking the pills at different times of day, and/or the tetracyclin, OR if it is more likely that it is implantation bleeding from the sex we had the week before?

[bmgbaby]

i think your right, i took a hpt and it turned negative, my spotting brown had turned to a heavy red menstrual flow! i believe now it was due to me missing my pills like that. thanks a lot for your response!

[snickers321]

I started my period and did another HPT just to make sure, and I am not pregnant. If your situation is anything like mine, the brown spotting (which is what mine was, but it was a little clumpy sometimes also) was breakthrough bleeding from the missed pill. My spotting continued until I started my period 2 days ago. If I gathered correctly from my research on the internet, I think implantation bleeding has a pretty short duration and is quite light. But I am definately no expert on the subject... I would go to a doctor.

[bmgbaby]

hi i have a question, i have beenon ortho lo for a year and a half. i missed my pill on the 9th and doubled up on the 10th, i did the same on the 11th and doubled on the 12th. both times had sex with my husband... i started spotting brown on the 21st and continued to do that off and on.. i had 5 active pills to go and i usually start half way through my inactive pills, can this be implantation bleeding or is this just an irregular early period. i have been regular till now! can anyone give me advice?

[corykis okay]

Antibiotics can screw up your pills and it is possible to get pregnant then- Yes use another form of birth control during this time or refrain from sexual activity.Take all your medication until finished thats what its there for!
Wishing you well

[JoAnnaRF]

I agree with Jenni.. No biggie that your were a few hours off and took that missed pill on the same day. Sounds as if you are having breakthru bleeding which is pretty common on BC pills. As for the antibiotics, yes they can affect the pill, but the answer is NOT to stop taking the antibiotic, but to use Extra protection such as a condom. You should finish ALL of the antibiotic or whatever you were taking it for will return and you'll have to start all over again.
Given all of the info you provided, I just don't see anything pointing to a pregnancy. I suppose anythings possible but I highly doubt it. If you miss your AF then test again. Try to think positively and don't worry.
Good Luck!!
--J

[Jenni6485]

Your doctor tells you to take BC at the same time every day because you'll always remimber what you're supposed to do at 9:00. It dosnt matter if you're a few hours late, but it is a nono to miss more than once a month.
Everyone's body takes BC differently. You're spotting because you've been on it for 3 months, and your body's saying "wow, whats this new stuff?? It dosnt feel the same" and it reacts.
Wait a few more days for your period, keep taking the pill, if it comes, it comes, if it dosnt, take the rest of the pack and take a HPT at the end of your cycle.
Remimber, that the pill is not 100% effective. Use a condom as extra protection. I advise a female condom because guys are sneeky, and can be unreliable to use one.. or they slip it off when you're not paying attention.
Hope that helps, and Merry Christmas!