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Hi. I Just Started A New Pill Pack Yesterday. I
Question: Hi. I just started a new pill pack yesterday. I took yesterday’s pill in time but today, I had an appointment and I forgot to take my pill at the regular time. I was 6hrs late. Since it’s my first week of the pill pack, should I be worried about using back up contraception? Or is 6 hrs not a big deal?
Brief Answer:
Six hours is not a huge difference, very likely you are fine
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor' service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
Fortunately, you got reminded to get the pill and it is great you got it as soon as you remembered. This really reduces the chances of you getting pregnant and very likely you are going to be fine. Remember, no pill is 100% and the risk of you getting pregnant while you took only one pill 6 hours late is very similar to the normal failure rate for the pill.
This is especially the case if you are using combined pills (progesterone and estrogen together). Progesterone only pills are more susceptible to late doses and risks are higher if you get a late dose of these.
So, condoms would be needed if you miss pills (if you are late for more than 24 hours). You should be cautious and not miss or get other doses late.
On the other hand, if you are using the progesterone-only pill, you may consider condoms for the next 7 days, just to be on the safe side.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Kind regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Six hours is not a huge difference, very likely you are fine
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor' service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
Fortunately, you got reminded to get the pill and it is great you got it as soon as you remembered. This really reduces the chances of you getting pregnant and very likely you are going to be fine. Remember, no pill is 100% and the risk of you getting pregnant while you took only one pill 6 hours late is very similar to the normal failure rate for the pill.
This is especially the case if you are using combined pills (progesterone and estrogen together). Progesterone only pills are more susceptible to late doses and risks are higher if you get a late dose of these.
So, condoms would be needed if you miss pills (if you are late for more than 24 hours). You should be cautious and not miss or get other doses late.
On the other hand, if you are using the progesterone-only pill, you may consider condoms for the next 7 days, just to be on the safe side.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Kind regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you for your help I always set an alarm on my phone but it’s been not working properly lately. I was late with another pill today. This time 12 hrs. Am I going to be covered? Is this okay as long as I’m not 24 hrs late? I’m going to consider another way of remembering. I’m just afraid of bleeding early or ovulating. Am I okay this time too?
Brief Answer:
Very likely you are ok but to be on the safe side you may need to use condoms this week
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
Very likely you are ok this time too but I would say that to be safe it may be best to use condoms this coming week. This is just to be on the safe side and not risk. As I already mentioned, the contraception does not offer 100% protection even when taken regularly, if there are flaws in using it this may reduce the protection rate even further.
Sometimes, patients prefer to keep the contraception pills close to their toothbrush or toothpaste so that when they do brush their teeth they can be reminded to take the pill.
It is true, you need to make a system that works for you as these pills need to be taken regularly.
I wish you good health and take care,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Very likely you are ok but to be on the safe side you may need to use condoms this week
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
Very likely you are ok this time too but I would say that to be safe it may be best to use condoms this coming week. This is just to be on the safe side and not risk. As I already mentioned, the contraception does not offer 100% protection even when taken regularly, if there are flaws in using it this may reduce the protection rate even further.
Sometimes, patients prefer to keep the contraception pills close to their toothbrush or toothpaste so that when they do brush their teeth they can be reminded to take the pill.
It is true, you need to make a system that works for you as these pills need to be taken regularly.
I wish you good health and take care,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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