Stopping birth control and your period after

[AG144]

On Thursday September 15th, I took my last active pill of my last birth control cycle (21 pills) and haven't been back on the pill since. I had unprotected sex the day after (Friday). I got my period a few days after as usual (either Monday or Tuesday). My period was short as it normally is when I'm on the pill. The problem is, I haven't gotten my period since that week. That means it's been about 6 weeks since my last period. Is it possible that I got pregnant because of the unprotected sex I had right after I took my last pill, even tho I got my period after?
Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

Also, the Monday after I stopped the pill I got sick and took Zithromax (antibiotics?) for my cough and the Wednesday (the 21st), I started taking anti-swelling pain pills called Diclofenac. Could that have affected anything?

[Heather]

If you had unprotected sex right after taking the pill, then by all means, I'd suggest you take a pregnancy test to be sure, as unprotected sex does typically present a high risk of pregnancy.

If the result is negative, just know that it can take anywhere from weeks to months -- for some people, even as long as half a year or so -- for periods (rather than withdrawal bleeds, which is what you have on the pill instead of menstrual periods) to find their footing as a cycle again and start showing up regularly.

Just obviously also bear in mind that moving forward, if you want to prevent pregnancy, you and any partner will need to use some method of contraception, be that finding a different ongoing method like this pill, using a method like condoms, or both.

[AG144]

Thank you I'll have to go buy a test soon. I just thought that during the 7 days after your last active pill you were still protected.

[Heather]

Only if you start a next pack after that. Otherwise, alas, nope.

[AG144]

:/ I really didn't know that. Thank u so much for ur help.

[AG144]

I'm sorry I just have to ask one last time to be sure for future references, but once u have unprotected sex during the 7 days after the active cycle and don't continue taking pills after, u can get pregnant even when you've had the normal withdrawal bleeding during those 7 days? Cuz that isn't really your period?

[Sam W]

Just to clarify, did sex occur before, after, or during the withdrawl bleed or inactive pills?

[AG144]

It happened before the withdrawal bleed. The day after I took my last active pill. I got my period 3 days after I had sex.

[Heather]

Not sure why Sam was asking that (but I bet she knows!), but to skip forward to answering what you asked in a general way, having a period isn't what makes someone able or unable to be pregnant: it's ovulating that does.

So, for the pill to work during all of the pack, including during the placebo period when ovulating is not being suppressed by the pill's active ingredients, people have to keep taking them. If someone stops taking the pill, they should figure the protection they get from it ends with their last active pill, not the last placebo, if they aren't going to take active pills again at the end of that week.

But if you're not going to take the pill anymore, this obviously isn't relevant to you for the future.

[mnd64]

hey,
so..i finished and stopped my birth control in late april and early may and i didn't get my period until late may/ June 1. The first night I had severe cramps, they were sharp pains, and my flow was heavy. What I think were period clots came out. Now, the last couple of days have been somewhat light and kinda spotty. I still have cramps. my breasts have been sore for 2 weeks before my period. My questions are: Is this normal while getting off BC?

[Mo]

Hi mnd64,

It can take a few months for your body to adjust to coming off any form of hormonal birth control, so noticing cramping, heavier flow, and a longer/shorter period isn't unusual. You may notice that things settle down after a few cycles, but don't be too alarmed if you notice irregularity in your period's timing or more heavy/painful periods for the next few months as that can be a common part of the adjustment process.