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How Should Birth Control Pills Be Taken?

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Posted on Tue, 10 Feb 2015
Question: Hi doctor:

How "dangerous" is if:

- I took my pill 14hours late? It was the 2nd pill of the blister and on the same day I've had an intercourse (unprotected) with my boyfriend (two times).
- I had vomit after 2.30-3hours later I took the 3rd pill?

I explain better: On Thursday I took the first pill of a new blister (after 7 days of break like every month) around 1 am (I usually take the pill between 23.00 and 1.00). On Friday I've had unprotected sex my boyfriend and that night I fell asleep before taking the 2nd. I noticed and took the pill on Saturday mornign/afteroon around 13.00 (so about 14 hours late my usual time). On Saturday night I took my 3rd pill (around 0.30), but woke about at 2.45-3.00 am and had vomit. Later I didn't take any other pill. From Sunday night (4th pill) on, everything was normal.

Since that we always used condom, but I'm worried about Friday night intercourse, because on the attached leaf it's written that if you forget a pill in the first week, the protection could be reduced and that can be risk of pregnancy if you've had unprotected sex in the previous 5days

Is the risk so high??

doctor
Answered by Dr. Soumya (37 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No chance of pregnancy

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I understand your concerns about pill.

I dont see any chance of pregnancy because:

1) You are in the initial part of cycle and pill course. The ovulation is still far away and hence no chance of pregnancy.

2) Even though you have taken the pill late by 14 hours, it will still act. Information written on pack is minor possibility.

Hence I dont see any reason to worry.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Soumya (56 minutes later)
so, why is it written that can be risk of pregnancy with the previous intercourse(s)?

moreover, isn't the vomit a problem?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Soumya (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This holds good in later part

Detailed Answer:
Hi

The instruction you read are true in later part of pills course and not in the beginning.

It is written about pills missed after one week mainly.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Soumya (4 hours later)
sorry but I don't understand a thing:

I read this (copy and paste from websites):

- Generally, if you throw up less than 2-3 hours after taking a pill, you should assume that the pill may not have made it into your system.

-if you vomit more than two hours after taking your pill, you should be fine. If you vomit sooner, take another active pill. If you're vomiting repeatedly and can't keep your pill down or have diarrhea for more than 24 hours, follow the instructions above for missed pills.

and:

- If you missed 2 or more active (hormonal) pills or if you started a pack 2 or more days late:
Take 2 active (hormonal) pills as soon as possible and then continue taking pills daily. You should take 2 pills on the same day. You may take one at the moment of remembering, and the other at the regular time or both at the same time.
Also, use condoms or abstain from sex until you have taken active (hormonal) pills for 7 days in a row.
If you missed the pills in the third week of the pack, you should continue taking the active (hormonal) pills in your current pack daily. When all active pills have been taken, discard the pack and begin a new pack the next day. You should not take the 7 inactive pills.
If you missed the pills during the first week and had unprotected sex you should use emergency contraception for maximum protection, in addition to taking today's active birth control pill.

-if you miss any of the 21 hormonal pills use back up contraception: taking a pill even 12 hours late may decrease your protection against pregnancy. Abstain or use condoms for 7 days.
If you are less than 24 hours late: Take the missed pill right away. Take your next pill at the regular time. If this is during the first week of your pill pack, you will need emergency contraception and condoms for 7 days. *Click here for emergency contraception information.

which one should I trust?

I know that maybe I'm exaggerating, but the fact is that my period should come on this Saturday and I'm getting a bit anxious. I'm worried that it could be like having missed two pills because of the forgetfulness and the vomit.

thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Soumya (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Action of pills exist

Detailed Answer:
Hi

I understand your confusion.

The information from internet and pack tells you the worst case scenarios. Meaning thr possibilities in case of missing or vomiting a pill in 2 hours.

But the action of pill continues beyond 24 hours. Meaning the pill you have taken today protects you for next 2 days. Even if you miss next day's pill, the action of previous days pill is on. Hence taking the pill as soon as you remembered (14 hours late) is good enough to provide protection.

Practically you have no chance of pregnancy. Don't worry.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Soumya

OBGYN

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 3106 Questions

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How Should Birth Control Pills Be Taken?

Brief Answer: No chance of pregnancy Detailed Answer: Hello, I understand your concerns about pill. I dont see any chance of pregnancy because: 1) You are in the initial part of cycle and pill course. The ovulation is still far away and hence no chance of pregnancy. 2) Even though you have taken the pill late by 14 hours, it will still act. Information written on pack is minor possibility. Hence I dont see any reason to worry.