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Does Irregularity In Taking Birth Control Pills Reduce Its Effectiveness?
Question: I took Plan B on Thursday night, the day before I was scheduled to start a new pack of Tri-sprintec because I was not sure if I could get home to get my new pack. Well, I ended up missing my pill Friday and Saturday! I took two pills on Sunday and the regular pill every day since then (9 days). However, I was very irregular with the times I took the pill. Most days it was within an hour of 3pm, but on two days I took them at 7pm and 8pm. How effective is the birth control under such circumstances? Am I still protected with such strange pill consumption and timing? I'm just a little worried even though my boyfriend never came inside me and always finished with a condom on just out of habit (this is the start of our second month using it).
Brief Answer:
safe
Detailed Answer:
Hello mam, thanks for trusting health care magic.
Though your pattern of intake had been erratic but still by chance the days of your missed pills were in first week of cycle so you are still in protected zone.
As regards the timing of consumption ideal is with 3 hours of previous pill intake so that way also you lagged only a little bit.
And condom use protects you further.
So just keep track next time.
All the best.
In case you have any other question I will be happy to help.
safe
Detailed Answer:
Hello mam, thanks for trusting health care magic.
Though your pattern of intake had been erratic but still by chance the days of your missed pills were in first week of cycle so you are still in protected zone.
As regards the timing of consumption ideal is with 3 hours of previous pill intake so that way also you lagged only a little bit.
And condom use protects you further.
So just keep track next time.
All the best.
In case you have any other question I will be happy to help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
That's good to know, but out of shame, I neglected to mention I missed a pill mid-week that same week -I don't remember which day it was. I forgot to do the recommended double dose the next day too.
How seriously does this effect my contraceptive coverage??
I'm sorry I wasn't honest up front, but I'm ashamed because I wasn't being responsible.
How seriously does this effect my contraceptive coverage??
I'm sorry I wasn't honest up front, but I'm ashamed because I wasn't being responsible.
Brief Answer:
condom use would have been protective
Detailed Answer:
Never mind mam, doctor is your best friend in the sense that he can listen all your complaints and will advise you in the best of your interest to the best of his knowledge.
Moreover missing pills is the commonest thing in pill users.
Missing a pill in mid cycle is a little serious but not in your case because you have been using condom everytime
But still iyd important to be a little cautious and wait for your periods which will most probably come on time but in case you miss them then do a pregnancy test and let me know the results.
Accidental pregnancy if at all happens can be dealt with easily so don't be anxious right now as all we can do is to wait for periods.
But in future relate your pill intake time with some event like brushing teeth or some meal.
Best is to set a daily alarm in your XXXXXXX and that too twice at an interval of one hour.
Wish you luck.
condom use would have been protective
Detailed Answer:
Never mind mam, doctor is your best friend in the sense that he can listen all your complaints and will advise you in the best of your interest to the best of his knowledge.
Moreover missing pills is the commonest thing in pill users.
Missing a pill in mid cycle is a little serious but not in your case because you have been using condom everytime
But still iyd important to be a little cautious and wait for your periods which will most probably come on time but in case you miss them then do a pregnancy test and let me know the results.
Accidental pregnancy if at all happens can be dealt with easily so don't be anxious right now as all we can do is to wait for periods.
But in future relate your pill intake time with some event like brushing teeth or some meal.
Best is to set a daily alarm in your XXXXXXX and that too twice at an interval of one hour.
Wish you luck.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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