Should I be worried about pregnancy while on birth control pills?
Patient: I am 20 years old and I have been taking birth control pills constantly for about a year. I never miss a dose and always take my medication on time. The medication has never affected my period and I get a heavy 5 day period every month.  About 23 days ago is the last time that I had sex. I was supposed to start my period this past sunday. However I have only been having light brown spotting since Tuesday. I am concerned but I never miss my birth control pills. Should I be worried about pregnancy? Doctor: Hello,  There is nothing to worry about if you are taking oral contraceptives regularly as advised by your doctor, at same time of a day without a break then the pills would protect you from getting pregnant.  The scanty bleeding can be a side effect of pill (which can cause irregular periods). Please continue pills as advised it would resume normal bleeding soon. If It does not then an consult your gynecologist for physical examination and some investigations to exclude other causes of irregular periods.  In case you had missed pills in between and you have scanty bleeding with positive home pregnancy test then you need to terminate the pregnancy. Oral contraceptive pills are harmful and can cause congenital abnormality.  Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.