Livermore, CA
A 34-year-old female asked:
I take my bcp at 8am could i change the time i take it to 6:30am? once i finish my placebo pills and start a new pack? will this affect the effectiveness of the pill protecting me?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
No difference: A woman on combination birth control pills, taking them properly, and is beyond her first pack of pills... has no fertile days. She is not fertile when on birth control pills. That means she has protection against pregnancy every day, regardless of where she is in her pill pack. Switching to a new time a few hours away does not noticeably alter her protection level, meaning there is no difference.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
45 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Christine Homanswered
Pediatrics 32 years experience
Oral contraceptives: You are right! Keeping to a schedule and taking the pill every day is important to effectiveness of birth control However, 90 minutes difference is not significant and you may switch to the earlier time at your convenience without worrying - today, tomorrow or when you choose.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
45 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Related questions
A 29-year-old member asked:
It is possible to user normal monthly birth control pills to have fewer periods, by skipping the placebo week and starting a new pack?
Dr. Kitturah Schomberg-Klaissanswered
Family Medicine 30 years experience
Yes: If you skip the placebo pills in a pack of birth control pills and go straight to the active pills in the next pack, you shouldn't have a period.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Kitturah Schomberg-Klaiss commented
Family Medicine 30 years experience
Provided original answer
Perfectly safe - Seasonale & Seasoniqe, 2 different birth control pills that promise "Only 4 periods a year" do just this, using formulations of pills currently availible in monthly packs as well. The currrent preference is for a period every 3 months as a minimum, but that's based on women who are NOT suppressing their cycles with pills; there's no data for how long if you are.
Mar 30, 2012
A 49-year-old member asked:
What can I do?, had sex while on placebo birth control pills, started new pack next day, am i pregnant?
Dr. Clyde Dorranswered
62 years experience
Most likely not.: If a woman has taken her pills without missing any, she should not be able to become pregnant while on the placebo pills. See your gynecologist if you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Got 1st Depo shot in the middle of my birth control pill pack and finished the pills. Now on placebo and no period, normal?
Dr. Asha Kamnanianswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 45 years experience
Yes: It is normal not to get a period on Depo Provera (medroxyprogesterone).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
I accidentally took active birth control pill on day 23 instead of placebo. I realized my mistake and then took the placebo. Should i finish the pack as normal? Do i need any back up precautions?
Dr. Gregory Lewisanswered
Urology 46 years experience
See answer : Missing a scheduled active pill is more of a potential problem (see labeling instructions as to what to do in that case) than taking an active pill du... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
View all answers
A 26-year-old member asked:
Sex on the first day of the 7 day placebo pills (birth control pills), started the new pill pack 2 days late. Is there a pregnancy risk from that particular encounter? (1st day of a 7 placebo period
Dr. Claudette Andersonanswered
Specializes in Gynecology
No: You are protected by the hormonal suppression of the active ingredients in the pill and the timing of your recent intercourse.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 13, 2020
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