Taking the pill– period is late
Question
I am on the pill but I haven’t taken it everyday at the same time, my times varied. My period was due two days ago and didn’t show up. Could I be pregnant? I have done all those ovulation calculators to see if I was fertile the day we had sex and it was four days after I was fertile. Â Could I be pregnant?
Answer
Last Updated: July 11, 2013
Oral contraceptives are not 100% effective, so pregnancy is always a possibility. Taking the pill inconsistently, and various medications can lessen its effectiveness. A home pregnancy test should provide the answer to your question.
The ovulation calculators you mention are of no use. They simply place ovulation 2 weeks after your last period. Ovulation does not necessarily occur two weeks after your last period. The time from your period to your ovulation can, and will, vary. Furthermore, you do not really have a period when you are on oral contraceptives. You have a bleeding that is a result of withdrawing the hormones in the pill when you discontinue taking them.
You can learn, however, to accurately identify when you ovulate, by being taught how to observe, chart, and interpret the signs your body produces. This will provide information such as the time frame of ovulation, the first and last day of your fertility, and the day to expect your true period.
Our website contains a directory of professionals who are trained to teach you this information, should you like to pursue this.
The ovulation calculators you mention are of no use. They simply place ovulation 2 weeks after your last period. Ovulation does not necessarily occur two weeks after your last period. The time from your period to your ovulation can, and will, vary. Furthermore, you do not really have a period when you are on oral contraceptives. You have a bleeding that is a result of withdrawing the hormones in the pill when you discontinue taking them.
You can learn, however, to accurately identify when you ovulate, by being taught how to observe, chart, and interpret the signs your body produces. This will provide information such as the time frame of ovulation, the first and last day of your fertility, and the day to expect your true period.
Our website contains a directory of professionals who are trained to teach you this information, should you like to pursue this.
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CANFP
CANFP unites under one umbrella all those who use, teach, and advocate for NFP, and our members are our strongest resource: the physicians who provide authentic women’s healthcare, the Practitioners and Certified Teachers of all the natural methods instructing couples in its use, the couples who use NFP and reflect its values in their families and communities, the clergy providing the spiritual formation and context, and the churches, dioceses, hospitals, and profile organizations who collaborate in providing access to these services throughout the state.
