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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Birth Control & Safer Sex > Skipped 5 birth control pills
Posted on: 10/14/2008
Question
I skipped about 5 pills of my birth control (Yasmin) and it caused me to have a full 7 day period, but it was about a week and a half early. I just waited till that sunday and started a new pack. Is that a normal side effect and did I do the right thing? also, how long will I be unprotected after starting back on the birth control?
Answer
You did the perfect thing, but please understand that to protect you from pregnancy birth control pills need to be taken each day and even at about the same time each day. It would be a good idea to use a condom in addition to your pills if you regularly forget them.
When starting a birth control method, we usually suggest using a condom for a full month, with consistent pill use to be sure you are protected.