BC Pill

[omnomnonny]

I’ve just been wondering about what constitutes a late or missed pill? I’m taking a combi pill and some articles say that as long as I take it on the same day I’m protected whereas others say I should take it within the same 3 hour period. There was one time that I took it 3 hours later than usual, did it decrease its effectiveness at that point or was it fine?

I’m just a little confused :/

[Mo]

With a combination pill, you have twelve hours after your regular time before a pill is considered "late." For someone taking a minipill (progestin-only pill), that window narrows down to three hours, but since you're on the combination pill, taking it three hours late wouldn't impact the effectiveness at all.
If you ever want to double-check this to make sure, the information packet that comes with your pills (and can probably be looked up online as well if you search for the pill name + patient information) should have this information in it.

[omnomnonny]

Thank you so much for clearing it up! Does this also apply even at the start of a new pack? (after you have the week of placebo pills?)

[Heather]

Well, with the first pill of a pack, what matters is that you start it on the day you are supposed to, and no later than seven days since your last active pill. Does that clear that up?

[omnomnonny]

yes thank you so much!