Stomach bug and the pill

[jhelens0529]

Hello,

I've been taking the pill consistently for the past year. I've had severe diarrhea for the past three days, but I've continued to take my pill. I read in multiple threads that if the diarrhea didn't happen within a couple hours of taking the pill, the protection against pregnancy is not compromised. Just to be on the safe side, I decided to back up until the end of my current pack (including the placebo pills).

My question is: Once I have completed my current pill pack, am I immediately protected again from pregnancy from just the pills or will I have to wait a certain number of days before I am fully protected again?

Thanks!

[Johanna]

To be on the safe side, it is a good idea to back up with condoms until you start your new pack.

[jhelens0529]

Hi Johanna,

So once I start my new pack, I'm back to my usual state of protection? I don't have to wait a couple of days into my new pack?

Thanks again!

[Heather]

No, you'll want to back up with a second method for the first week of your new pack, the same way you did when first starting the pill. Backing up with condoms, btw, is always smart regardless, to always do, so you don't have to worry about mistakes with the pill, and to reduce risks of STIs and other infections.