Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Is The Protection When Contraceptive Pills Are Erratically Taken?
Question: Hi
My girlfriend has been taking the pill for about 5 years, every night before going to bed (11pm-0.30 am).
She took her first pill after the 7days break on Thursday, then we had sex on Friday night. The same night she forgot to take the second pill and took it the day after around 1pm (13-14 hours later than her usual time).
On Sunday she took her 3 pill normally, but about 3h later she had vomit. On monday, tuesday, wednesday ecc she took them as usual.
Since Friday we've always used a condom, but I'm very worried for the previous sex we had before she forgot to take the pill because it was after the break and now is too late to do anything. Moreover she had vomit the night after and I don't know if the pill was completely absorbed.
Is the risk so high?
Thanks
My girlfriend has been taking the pill for about 5 years, every night before going to bed (11pm-0.30 am).
She took her first pill after the 7days break on Thursday, then we had sex on Friday night. The same night she forgot to take the second pill and took it the day after around 1pm (13-14 hours later than her usual time).
On Sunday she took her 3 pill normally, but about 3h later she had vomit. On monday, tuesday, wednesday ecc she took them as usual.
Since Friday we've always used a condom, but I'm very worried for the previous sex we had before she forgot to take the pill because it was after the break and now is too late to do anything. Moreover she had vomit the night after and I don't know if the pill was completely absorbed.
Is the risk so high?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
No risk
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your query and I understand your concerns about inadequate contraception fears.
Following is my reply:
1. The pill what she has taken would have absorbed to certain extent and is enough to give protection.
2. The delayed pill by 14 hours is not a concern. It is adequate to give protection.
3. There is no reason to worry about risk of pregnancy as practically there is no risk and contraception cover exists.
I hope your doubt is clarified. Let me know if you wish any other information.
Regards,
Dr. Soumya
No risk
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your query and I understand your concerns about inadequate contraception fears.
Following is my reply:
1. The pill what she has taken would have absorbed to certain extent and is enough to give protection.
2. The delayed pill by 14 hours is not a concern. It is adequate to give protection.
3. There is no reason to worry about risk of pregnancy as practically there is no risk and contraception cover exists.
I hope your doubt is clarified. Let me know if you wish any other information.
Regards,
Dr. Soumya
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
no risk at all? Really?
Beacuse on the explanatory leaf it's written that:
-if you take the pill more than 12 hours later, the protection can be reduced.
-if the pill forgotten is in the 1week it has to be taken as soon as possibile. Then keep taking the pills like usual and use additional protections. If you missed the pills during the first week and had unprotected sex before the forgetfulness, can be the chance of a pregnancy. More pills you missed and closer is the forgetfulness to the break, higher is the risk.
-in case of vomit whithin 3-4 hours, it's necessary to take another pill.
So my worries came from the fact that in Italy (I'm from Italy) it's written that you should take the pill within 12 hours from your usual time and that you need about 3-4 hours to absorb the pill. I was afraid that it was like to have missed 2 pills in a row.
Thanks for your time
Beacuse on the explanatory leaf it's written that:
-if you take the pill more than 12 hours later, the protection can be reduced.
-if the pill forgotten is in the 1week it has to be taken as soon as possibile. Then keep taking the pills like usual and use additional protections. If you missed the pills during the first week and had unprotected sex before the forgetfulness, can be the chance of a pregnancy. More pills you missed and closer is the forgetfulness to the break, higher is the risk.
-in case of vomit whithin 3-4 hours, it's necessary to take another pill.
So my worries came from the fact that in Italy (I'm from Italy) it's written that you should take the pill within 12 hours from your usual time and that you need about 3-4 hours to absorb the pill. I was afraid that it was like to have missed 2 pills in a row.
Thanks for your time
Brief Answer:
No chance of pregnancy
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is written on packet as 12 hours. But if taken anytime before 16 hours is good enough as per research and experience.
After having pills majority gets absorbed in half an hour as these are not sustained release tablets. I agree it will take about 2 hours for absorption of remaining portion but if she has vomited after half an hour of taking pill not to worry. Instructions written on packet is just maximum safe margin.
Hence there is no question of missed pill. I don't see a chance of pregnancy at all.
No chance of pregnancy
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is written on packet as 12 hours. But if taken anytime before 16 hours is good enough as per research and experience.
After having pills majority gets absorbed in half an hour as these are not sustained release tablets. I agree it will take about 2 hours for absorption of remaining portion but if she has vomited after half an hour of taking pill not to worry. Instructions written on packet is just maximum safe margin.
Hence there is no question of missed pill. I don't see a chance of pregnancy at all.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Ok.
So, for the absorption, it doesn't matter if what she had ate was still in her stomach. It's not slower, right?
And either the 14 hours "late", even if she takes the pill not always at exaclty the same time (between 23.00 and 0.30), is not a problem, right?
Sorry if my questions are "stupid" but I was really worried!
Last thing: we better keep using a condom?
thanks...a lot!
So, for the absorption, it doesn't matter if what she had ate was still in her stomach. It's not slower, right?
And either the 14 hours "late", even if she takes the pill not always at exaclty the same time (between 23.00 and 0.30), is not a problem, right?
Sorry if my questions are "stupid" but I was really worried!
Last thing: we better keep using a condom?
thanks...a lot!
Brief Answer:
No need of condoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi
You are right. 14 hours is not late and for absorption it does not matter what she ate.
You dont need to keep using condoms either.
No need of condoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi
You are right. 14 hours is not late and for absorption it does not matter what she ate.
You dont need to keep using condoms either.
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. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
