Missing Period

[tribble]

I had started a new birth control and had a regular period on it. This month, due to a mess-up with my new doctor, my trial prescription (3 months) to real prescription transfer lapsed and I wasn't able to get it filled. I missed my period this month, but I have just gotten my new pack of birth control. I wanted to know when I should start it - waiting for my late period, or now?

Also, the last month I had my prescription I was sexually active. One night I was late about 4-6 hours - I had sex and the condom broke. I figure this could also be a factor, but I'm not sure about the time lapse and birth control effectiveness. I thought 2-3 hours was fine, but I am a bit worried about 5 hours. I'm not sure how late I was, but it wasn't more than 6 hours. So, since I was late 6 hours on my pill, could I be pregnant? How likely might that be if I was taking it perfectly the entire month except that one day?

Also, when should I be concerned about pregnancy? Meaning how long is it normal to have a missing period after stopping bc?

Thank you all in advance for your knowledge.

[Brandye]

First, the design of "the pill:" When taken properly, the pill keeps the level of hormones in your blood above a certain threshhold that prevents ovulation for the entire month. Generally, pills have about asix hour "grace" time meaning that if you are late up to six hours you are likely protected. Consider, though, that if you are two hours early one day and four hours late then next, you are at risk.

When you say you missed your period, is that with a break in your pills or did you get that straightened out before your prescription ran out?

Any time a penis is in a vagina pregnancy is possible. If 100 women take the pill as directed for a year, three will become pregnant. You have a missing pill and a broken condom. You are at risk. Most women have a period two to three days after the last scheduled pill - other forms of hormonal contraception are different. If beyond this few days, pregnancy is possible and it is too late for Plan B. With the messed up scheduling, a pregnancy test will not be dependable until about two weeks after the last pill but is worth a try. A doctor will use a blood test that will show pregnancy a few days before the home test (urine) is dependable.