I started taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo Tab for the thrid time this year in May of 05. I missed a pill once or twice with the first pack, but took them as soon as I remembered. I started the second pack and have missed a pill here and there, but have always took them when I would remember. Till last weekend I spent the weekend with my boyfriend and we had intercourse many times on the 17th and 18th. I took my pill on both 17th and 18th, but then I missed my pill on 19th, and 20th, and took them on 21st. According to my calculations the 16th through the 20th were pregnancy advisory. Then I had intercourse with him again on the 23rd, and that was when it said I was ovulating I did take my pill on the 23rd and 24th. But I'm worried I might be pregnant, on the 22nd and 23rd I started spotting a pinkish red color very lightly, and have been having cramps in my lower abdomen along with headaches every day. I'm not sure if the headaches could be from the bc from taking 2 at once from missing or not. My boyfriend asked me if I was pregnant because of me being emotional and moody for no reason. So I would appreciate any advice.

When you take the pill as directed, you don't ovulate. That the main mechanism by which they prevent pregnancy. When perfectly, which means every day at the same time, the pill is 99.7 to 99.9% effective, but taking it irratically as you are, your risk of pregnancy rises. When you miss two pills in a row, you are supposed to use back up (ie condoms) or abstain from sex until you have taken seven pills correctly (ie on time) in a row. You could get pregnant taking the pill as you are, which could possible account for the spotting (implantation bleeding), which generally occurs a week to ten days after fertilization, but it could also be from taking the pill as you are -- missing days, etc.

If taking the pill daily is really hard, and you just can't seem to remember each day, perhaps you should consider Nuva Ring or Ortho Evra. The Ring is put into the vagina and left in place for three weeks, at which point it is taken out to allow for a period. The patch is changed once weekly for three weeks, followed by a patch-free week to allow for a period. Other options to consider are the IUD and depo-provera, or the old stand-by combination of condoms and spermicide.