Does Plan B affect your BC plan

[Marydotcom]

I had been on birth control for 9 months straight but I have been abroad traveling. I had to miss a month during September thru October but started right away late October after I got my period. I had unprotected sex over two weeks ago. I didn't have access to a Plan B pill but I had research that taking 10 of my specific brand of birth control pill in two sets of 5 during a 12 hour period would work. I got my period from November Wednesday the 20th to Sunday the 24th. And then began my cycle of birth control again. My friends told me that since I had taken my birth control for a full month I could begin to have unprotected sex again with my partner even though I took a Plan B alternative right before I was suppose to get my period, which didn't affect my cycle at all. I had unprotected sex yesterday December 1st and even though I was told I was fine I did the alternative plan B again because I was scared that because I had done it before it might cancel out the effect. I researched and I got the same response: I could take plan b twice in one month and still have it be effective but obviously not recommended because it is a lot of hormones. My question is: if I continue on my bc pack like normal even after taking 10 pills yesterday, if I have unprotected sex can I get pregnant? Or should I wait the full month?

[1987mommy]

Actually the coverage depends on the pill your taking...I was taking ortho-cyclin and the doc. Told me to have back-up for the first 2 weeks of taking it after that...id b fine. Now I had my last pill oct.24 and am now playing the waiting game I'm. Late...very late...misd my menstrual for nov. 20 but I believe in your case like (specialmom) said your pretty much covered, altho I do agree that is a lot of pillls to tk in 1 dose you shouldn't mk it a habit for every time you are unsure, because at the same time you think your helping yourself not to conceive your also harming and confusing your body...you should have a second back up like condoms, they also sell a contraceptive jelly (that can be safer to use while taking your pill) that woman can use that kills sperm once inside the vagina, you can find different contrceptive items (more than likely right next to the condoms) at your local walgreens, walmart, cvs...good luck and hope this info helped (sorry if it was to much). :-)

[Marydotcom]

The thing is I had been on the pill for 9 months straight very diligently but like I said, because I am traveling abroad I ran out of birth control and couldn't get a hold of more until a month later. And I remembered that my gynecologist had told me that the first month on the pill you have to go through the whole month first before it becomes effective. So the first time was because I was scared that since I had taken that month break it wouldn't work even though I was only a few days away from completing the full month and my cycle had been regulated for 9 months prior. It didn't seem to mess with my cycle, my period came at its regular date for its regular time. For the second time my concern was that if the "overdose" of the BC I had taken two weeks ago would cancel out the effect of my regular birth control plan, which in retrospect now seems unlikely.

[specialmom]

Hi there.  Well, I'd guess it probably would.  You've taken 10 times the usual dosage of your pill and that would likely have an effect.  That is a whopping dose of hormones.  It probably messed up your cycle and hormonal balance in general.  So, I would say that I would use back up protection like condoms for this next money.  There is a good chance you are covered but I wouldn't risk it.  

What is confusing to me though is you were ON the pill when you had unprotected sex.   Which means that the sex was unprotected for an std but protected for pregnancy, right?  So, I'm not sure why you felt it necessary to take 10 of your pills.  Am I confused about something?  

I would be careful about self dosing like you have.  And would certainly make it an emergency situation that happens very rarely.  Sounds like that is the case with you and I'm glad.  I appreciate how responsible you are being.  

good luck