Warren, OH
A 20-year-old female asked:
I am taking birth control and missed three pills in the third week. because of this i started a new pack. now i am bleeding. is this ok?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Gurmukh Singhanswered
Pathology 51 years experience
Yes: If you are having a period, that is reassuring that you are not pregnant.
If you do not wish to be pregnant, use contraception all the time, every time. You may consider implanted contraceptive, or IUD.
Practice safe sex.
Get HPV vaccine.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Julan Craneanswered
Pediatrics 27 years experience
Spotting: Yes this is normal when you don't take the pill as prescribed
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
Tulsa, OK
A 24-year-old female asked:
Do I have to wait a week each time after taking inactive pills when starting my new pack of birth control?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Christina Adberganswered
Gynecology 28 years experience
Nope!: Once you have started and been on birth control for 2 weeks, you no longer need a back up method no matter where you are in the pack. Birth control pills are 98-99 percent effective if taken properly, at all phases of the cycle, even during the inactive pills. If you wanted to increase the effectiveness (to over 99 percent) you could add condoms.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
944 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Related questions
A female asked:
How likely is it that I am pregnant? I take birth control pills and take them as prescribed. I don't miss pills. I am sexually active. I had my withdrawal bleeding as normal after my last pill pack. It was the normal amount and duration. It's been about a
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Just : Just a small note in addition to dr. Seely's excellent response. If you have a new vaginal discharge and it is malodorous, recommend that you see your... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
View all answers
A female asked:
I missed three birth control pills, and took them in one day. I then stopped that pack and started a new pack, period now for 8 days, any info?
Dr. Wayne Ingramanswered
Specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Breakthrough bleed: When you missed the 3 pills the lining of the womb has been released and is the cause of the bleeding also known as breakthrough bleeding. Eventually... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Started birth control May 25 spotted for 2 weeks went away. Now bleeding occasionally throughout day 3 pills left. Should I start new pack?
Dr. Susan Arnoultanswered
Family Medicine 27 years experience
Take as directed: It is very common to have irregular bleeding as your body adjusts to birth control. Take the pills exactly as prescribed, start new pack when you are... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
I missed 3 pills in my bc pill pack this month two in week 2 and 1 in week three and had unprotected sex ,and now i have had no withdrawl bleeding and am starting a new pack tonight I tested yesterday and it was negative should I test again?
Dr. Christine Homanswered
Pediatrics 32 years experience
if you have missed 5 pills, the recommendation is definitely to use a backup method of contraception. For some women, another form of contraception ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Nov 11, 2022
A 36-year-old female asked:
I was on vacation for a week and i left my new pack of birth control pills. I finished all the placebos. So i missed days 1-8. I have not started the new pack. Now I have some bleeding. Is this normal? Is this my period or just breakthrough bleeding? Shou
Dr. Paula Hillardanswered
Obstetrics & Gynecology 46 years experience
Need backup: After missing more than 1 pill, and especially missing at the beginning of a pack, you shouldn't rely on the pill for birth control for at least 7 day... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Feb 2, 2016
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