When to Test?

[flasch]

Hi all,

This has been driving me crazy... so I am on the pill (ortho tri-cyclen lo) and I missed a couple of pills in the first week, then had unprotected sex a week later, after which I forgot to take my pill either for a day or two after that.

Anyway, I got a brownish spotting for like three or four days (no tampon necessary) a WEEK before I was supposed to get my period. I read I should still get my period as usual (during the sugar pills) when this happens, but I never did.

I tested the thursday of the week I was supposed to get my period, but it was negative. Was it too early to test? I realized later it was only a couple weeks after i had unprotected sex... I hope this is just a false alarm, but why wouldn't i get my period the week I'm supposed to? and why was it such a weird brown spotting?

How long should I wait to take a test again?

Thanks!

[Maria RN]

It's quite common for women using oral contraceptives to experience spotting. Like other pills, missing a dose can increase your risk of becoming pregnant. I've read from one website that if you missed 2 pills, you may not have a monthly period. Normally, pregnancy test can be done on the first day of missed period, but since you missed a few doses, it's not clear whether the absence of monthly period is due to the missed doses or because of pregnancy. It would be best to consult your OB-Gyn. You can find more information about Ortho Tri-Cyclen here: http://www.drugs.com/ortho-tri-cyclen.html