Too Many Missed Pills On-and-off, Not Sure How To Start Fresh

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Hello, I have been taking Tri-Previfem for a couple of years now. Unfortunately, and as much as I don't want to admit it, I've had a record of missing anywhere from 1-4 pills in a row or missing 1-2 pills in a row and then taking them on time, but then missing another 1-2 pills in a row. As you can imagine, I've lost track and dont know if missing this many pills so on-and-off means I should just start a new pack every time. I realize I need to start taking these more regularly and find a way to stop forgetting. During my most recent pack, I think I missed somewhere between 3-4 days of pills in week 2, and on the day I remembered I took the first one I missed, the next day I took the second one I missed, and so on and currently I am almost done with the pack, but I am very behind compared to where I should be. Between the middle of week 3 and beginning of week 4 of the pack I started my period. It was very light and I had a lot of spotting until the middle to end of week 4 when I noticed my period became very heavy (probably due to the hormone-less reminder pills?) Right now I only have 2 reminder pills left. My period seems like it has been going for a long time, about 8-9 days now, and doesn't seem like it is going to lighten up anytime soon. It has been very irregular due to my forgetfulness. It seems as if about the time I reach the middle to end of the packs I start my period, and I thought that you're supposed to start the packs around the time you start your period, so my whole pill-taking schedule is messed up. I want to start fresh, but don't know how. Do I wait out these last 2 reminder pill days and then start a new pack? Or can I start a new pack now, since I'm technically already behind 3-4 days from missing pills?

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1

Hello, Kate! How are you?

Missing pills is what's causing your period to be irregular, because it is taking a break from the hormones in them that induces your period to start, which is they the 'reminder' pills have no active ingredients in them. Whenever you're missing several pills in a row, you're basically telling your body that it's time to start a new cycle.

As to what to do, unless your doctor instructs otherwise, you should finish the last 2 reminder tablets in this pack, then start a new pack and continue, as usual.

The FDA lists the possibly side effects of hormonal contraceptives as including nausea, dizziness, headache, breakthrough bleeding and PMS-like symptoms.

Do you have a smart phone? If so, then there are many free reminder apps available that you can use to remind you when you need to take your pill. I use one for my blood pressure and heart mediations, to ensure that I don't miss any doses.

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2

Help me po asap..
2mos aftr giving birth i take exluton as per advise ng ob ko..pero 2weeks ko lng po xia nainom, i stop taking it coz si mr. e na assign sa province..
the problem is- for 2weeks lng pla xia dun and he will be at home next week..
my question is- can i take exluton right now..thus 6days taking exluton before my husband arrive protect me from being pregnant?
Thankx in advance!

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3

I am having the same exact issue as Kate except... I REALLY have no clue where I am in the pack, as I've mixed two different packs up. I have had spot bleeding for the past couple of days, while taking active pills. I currently do not need BC to protect myself from pregnancy as my boyfriend is out of town. I will not be seeing him until the end of this month, 3 1/2 weeks from now. If at all possible, I would like to avoid any PMS and my period at that time. Could I stop taking the pills altogether and wait a couple of weeks before starting a new pack? What would you suggest I do?

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4

try the Med-Q pill box with alarms. Worked great for our Mom

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