AnxiousGirl asked
Hey PharmacistAsks! I accidentally started my new birth control pack one week early. So I took all my pills as scheduled but instead of waiting the 7 days / taking the placebo pills I started the new pack immediately after Day 21. I'm currently on day two of my new pack and I'm planning on continuing taking them. Will I still get a period? Am I at risk for pregnacy or am I okay?
Answer
There is no need to worry if you accidentally start your birth control pills one week early as you are simply skipping the "placebo" inactive pills and are beginning on the active, hormone containing pills. You will still be protected from pregnancy, so there is no need to use back-up contraception (e.g. condoms) as long as you continue taking your birth control pills every day. You will only get your period after you stop taking active pills, generally two to three days after your last dose.
In fact, many birth control products are "extended cycle" regimens, meaning they don't contain inactive pills at all and contain only active pills for many months. Such products include Seasonale and Amethyst.
Issues Taking Birth Control One Week Early
Although there are no concerns with decreased efficacy of your birth control pills, there are a few issues that arise from starting your pills early. These include:
- Your usual schedule is "off" as you will now be finishing your pack one week early. As long as you are okay with your cycle ending on a different week of the month than usual, there is no problem here.
- You will likely experience mild side effects such as spotting and breakthrough bleeding. This is very common as your body becomes used to the new cycle of hormones it is being exposed to. It is important to know that although you may experience some unscheduled spotting, your birth control pills are still protecting you from pregnancy.
It generally takes one to two cycles for your body to because used to a new hormone cycle, at which point spotting and breakthrough bleeding should significantly decrease or stop altogether.
Summary
To summarize the answers to your questions:
- You will get your period after you stop taking the active pills. As skipped the placebo pills and went right to the active pills, you will not get your period, but you may experience breakthrough bleeding and spotting.
- As long as you continue to take your active pills once daily, you are still protected from pregnancy.
