Contraceptive Pill Effectiveness After a Delay

When starting the next pack of birth control pills, full contraceptive effectiveness is typically achieved after taking the active pills for 7 consecutive days?

Hello, my girlfriend has been experiencing some discomfort with the material of condoms, so she has been continuously taking oral contraceptive pills for about a year and a half.
She is using a 21-pill pack of birth control pills.
Her menstrual period started on June 23rd, and we had sexual intercourse on June 30th, after which she took the first pill of a new pack.
However, she started taking the next pack two days later than scheduled (which means she began the next pack nine days after the last pill of the previous pack).
Therefore, I would like to ask: 1.
Is there a possibility of pregnancy in this situation? How high is the risk? 2.
When starting the next pack of birth control pills, from which pill should she begin to ensure complete contraceptive effectiveness?

Mr. Wu, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2018/07/03

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

My girlfriend has been continuously taking oral contraceptives for about a year and a half due to some discomfort with the material of condoms.
She is using a 21-pill birth control regimen.
Her menstrual period started on June 23, and we had sexual intercourse on June 30, after which she took the first pill of the new pack.
However, she started taking the next pack two days later than planned, meaning she began the next pack nine days after her last period.
Therefore, I would like to ask:
1.
Is there a possibility of pregnancy in this situation? Is the risk high?
Answer: There is a possibility of pregnancy since she started the next pack nine days later, but the risk is not high.
2.
When starting the next pack of birth control pills, from which pill does she have complete contraceptive effectiveness?
Answer: When continuing with the next pack of birth control pills, she has complete contraceptive effectiveness starting from the first pill.

Reply Date: 2018/07/03

More Info

When it comes to the effectiveness of contraceptive pills, timing and consistency in taking the medication are crucial factors. Your girlfriend has been taking the contraceptive pill continuously for about a year and a half, which is a good practice for maintaining contraceptive effectiveness. However, the delay in starting the next pack of pills can raise concerns about potential pregnancy.

1. Possibility of Pregnancy: Since your girlfriend had unprotected intercourse on June 30 and then delayed starting the next pack of pills by two days, there is a possibility of pregnancy. The contraceptive pill is most effective when taken consistently at the same time every day. If she missed the scheduled start of the new pack by two days, it means that she was not protected during that time. The risk of pregnancy increases if unprotected intercourse occurs during the time when the pills are not being taken. However, since she has been on the pill for an extended period, her body may still have some residual contraceptive effect, but it is not guaranteed.

2. When to Achieve Full Contraceptive Effectiveness: To ensure full contraceptive effectiveness after a delay in starting the next pack, it is generally recommended to take the pills for at least seven consecutive days. This means that if she resumes taking the pills after the two-day delay, she should use an additional form of contraception (like condoms) for the first seven days of the new pack to ensure she is fully protected. After taking the pills for seven days, she should have regained full contraceptive effectiveness.

In summary, while there is a risk of pregnancy due to the delay in starting the new pack of pills, the extent of that risk depends on various factors, including the timing of intercourse relative to the missed pills. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice and to consider taking a pregnancy test if there is any concern about potential pregnancy. Additionally, if your girlfriend continues to experience issues with the contraceptive method, discussing alternative options with a healthcare professional may be beneficial.

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