Birth Control Question: How late is too late?

[celica2003]

Dear Scarleteen,

I have have been on low dose combination birth control pills for about a year. Until recently I have always taken them within 15 minutes of the same time every night. This past week, I was an hour and a half late on the first active pill of my new pack. I was curious if the hour and a half of lateness would lower my protection from the "perfect user" rating? I know the first few active pills of each pack are extremely important, but all my pill insert says is to make sure you start the new pack on the correct day (which I did, just an hour and a half later than normal). I have found a lot of conflicting information about how long of a grace period you have with low dose birth control pills and would love a factual answer from a source I trust, for future reference with my pill taking. Thank you so much in advance! You guys are awesome!

Thanks again,
Celica

[Sam W]

Hi Celica,

So, with combined pills, you actually have a 12 hour grace period before a pill is considered late. So an hour and a half is not going to compromise the effectiveness of your pill.

[celica2003]

Hi Sam,

Thank you so much for the information! I really appreciate it. Just to clarify, the fact that pill I was late on was the first active one I took after a week of placebo pills should not have made the 12 hour grace period any different?

[Sam W]

Hi Celica,

You're welcome , and no, that does not change the grace period.