How Long After Starting Birth Control Pills Can I Have Unprotected Sex?

Posted on Sun, 30 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 30 Aug 2015 Answered on

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I started taking birth control pills on third day of my period..from when on it is safe to have unprotected sex.

Answered by Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It depends upon which type of birth control pills you are taking.

Detailed Answer:
Hi & Welcome to HCM.

I appreciate your concern for the time of onset of birth control pills.

Well, it depends upon which type of birth control pills you have started.

If you have started a combined pill (containing both Estrogen & Progestin), you will need to have back up method of birth control (condom or diaphragm) during the first week if you want to have unprotected penetrative sex.
Because it will give you protection only after 7 days.

In case if you have started taking Progestin only pill it will take 2-3 days to give you protection hence use another method of birth control (condom or diaphragm) for unprotected penetrative sex for 2-3 days.

Hope to have answered your query.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad