Dear Anne
Can I get pregnant whilst taking the contraceptive pill? I suffer with Coeliac's disease and was sick for two days this month. I then missed a further two pills on the 8th to 11th day of my cycle. I experienced period pains and bleeding. Then missed another pill on my 14th day. Then another and that was on my 18th day. Today I take my last pill out of the 21 day pack. I have been bleeding for 2 weeks and have tender breasts and period-like pains in my tummy. Could I be pregnant? My doctor is male and I see him a lot with my Coeliac's. Please help. Thanks. Gemma
Dear Gemma
Thank you for your letter. Yes, it's possible to get pregnant while taking the Pill. None of them is ever more than 99% effective. Even if you take it religiously there's a slight chance of pregnancy. When, through not taking it and through sickness, you have missed quite a few, you have significantly reduced its effectiveness. The kind of period pains and breast tenderness could indeed be the first signs that you're expecting a baby.
On the other hand, you have also played Russian roulette with your hormones and it could be that these are the consequences. With the continual bleeding, it is slightly more likely that this is hormonal activity rather than pregnancy but it would be as well to make sure. Though your doctor is male, he is still the person you should consult as soon as possible so that you have the information you need to start making choices.
If you are not pregnant, beginning a new course of the Pill at your usual time should mean you're safe after a fortnight or so. It's as well to read the information sheet in the packet to make sure. All the same, you might choose to use it in conjunction with a spermicidal cream so that if you're sick again you won't run the risk of pregnancy.
Good luck!Back to Ask Anne
