[jh716]

I had my period Tuesday, February 14th. On Sunday the 19th, I took the pill that day, but I had unprotected sex later on that night. I did my research and I saw that it is highly recommended to use condoms during the first week of using the pill. Later on in the week, we had sex again, Saturday the 25th, and it was unprotected (Unfortuately my boyfriend didn't pull out this time cause he thought that it was okay since we've done it earlier in the week). This week (March 7th) I've noticed that I've had some dark brown discharge with light cramping. I've been on the pill for about 9 months (I'm on Junel, the 21 day pack) now and I never miss a day and I take the pill on the same time everyday, although I might take it 2-3 hours late every once and a blue moon, but I heard that was okay, as long as I didn't skip it. I'm really worried that I might be pregnant because I haven't had brown discharge in the past, although all my other symptoms of my PMS has happened (Light cramping, achne break out) besides me getting swollen breasts. I still have 3 more days left on the pill and my period normally doesn't come till the Tuesday or Wednesday of the no-pill week. I'm just really nervous.

[DoulaLC]

Using another form of birth control is recommended in the beginning when you first START taking birth control pills. If you have been on the pill for 9 months, you are protected throughout each month.

Pregnancy can be a possibility since no form of birth control is 100% effective. See what happens when you would expect your period. Some women experience what is known as breakthrough bleeding at odd times in their cycle when using hormonal forms of birth control so the discharge could be from that.

If you don't have your period as expected, and it normally comes without fail, then try a pregnancy test. If negative, wait another week and test again. If still negative, see what happens when you would expect your period the next month, or you could see your doctor, but continue taking your pills on schedule.