[Evening]

So I was taking my birth control today, and with my seemingly lacking hand to mouth co-ordination I've managed to drop the tablet and can't find it anywhere... True story.

I'm not really sure what I should do here, do I just take the friday one today as though it were today's? Halp!

[Little Lulu]

Yep - just take the Friday one and keep going in the pack. You will have your period one day earlier.

[growlycat]

Thanks! I've always wondered about that.

[Raindropvampire]

Got this off my doc's website in case anyone is interested:

If this was a placebo pill (the kind without hormones taken during the 4th week of the pill pack) you are in the clear with nothing to worry about. However, if it was one of the hormone containing pills during the first three weeks, immediately take a hormone containing pill from one of your remaining days in the pack. When you get to the end of the 3rd week, you’ll be short one pill. From this point forward (last pill of week #3), you have two options: 1) take the week of seven placebo pills and then start your next pill pack one day earlier than usual, or 2) start the next pill pack on your regularly scheduled starting day of the week (after 8 hormone-free days).

You will have to use a back-up method of birth control (condoms + spermicide) or abstinence during the first week in order to be protected from pregnancy. While it’s never “good” to miss a pill, there are riskier times than others, particularly during the first few days of a new pill pack. In general, if you just miss one pill, the protocol is to take the missed pill as soon as you can and continue taking your pills. No emergency contraception is needed, but a back-up method is recommended for seven days. Two or more pills missed: Take one of the missed pills plus today’s pill and finish your pack on regular schedule. Emergency Contraception is recommended. You must also use a back-up method (condoms + spermicide) or abstain from sex for the rest of the pack. As always, contact your medical provider or pharmacist for specific medication advice
when in doubt.

[Evening]

Thanks everyone, I ended up taking the friday one (not one of the sugar pills) last night. Then this morning I discovered the one I dropped somewhere on the ground. It's such a me thing to do. I don't have to worry about pregnancy or anything, it's just to try and treat my acne and the excruciating feeling of satan roasting bbq ribs on my uterus every month.
I just never knew if there was any difference in any of the regular pills or if they all contained the same thing and it didn't really matter if I took a pill for a different day.

[Big Mama]

I used to have the same problem. At the end of the month there are always a few pills left. I used to start at the opposite end and take the last pill. I had like 4 or 5 I could drop, loose, or what ever. I was still safe.

[Evening]

I managed to miss one the other day a few days later, the first time I' actually MISSED one. I was considering not skipping the sugar pills because I wanted to see if my intestinal symptoms of endometriosis would re-appear, so I can explain that when I see someone at the hospital, but then I decided I didn't want to do that this month. Of course I decided that the day after I started the sugar pills.

[woundedsoul]

Have you ever tried the Depo Provera shots? You get a shot once every 3 months from your doctor. Usually within the first year, your period will stop. The only reason I took deposit was because I had horrible period c pain and I would (sorry so graphic) bleed for half of the month, very heavily, on and off. It started when I got my period when I was 9 years old. So I had been dealing with this for a long time. For the first year, I spotted, and after that, I never had a period again. It was wonderful. My skin was clear also, but I'm not sure if it's due to the Depo, you'd have to look that up. But to me, it was so much better than the pill.

[Evening]

I am a bit of a coward when it comes to injections. I'll avoid them like the plague when I can. I don't generally have a problem with taking the pill, I just had a few days where things got a bit over the place. I find it to work well, not so much for my skin as I originally took it for, but I can function normally now, even when I don't skip the sugar pills.

[Big Mama]

The patch is also another great option. I am a weenie when it comes to shots. I also don't like the idea of the IUD. Cause I am a wimp. The pill always worked for me, and the patch wasn't bad. But I have also realized that artificial hormones are not tolerated well by my body. So no I use NOTHING!!!!!!!!! yikes.

[technigal]

I take 3 packs of pills (21 day pack) in a row then one week off and then start again. My OB/GYN started me on the routine and I have noticed my periods are not as bad, lighter, less cramps. The BCP I take is the same dosage of hormones every day.