Impact of Taking Birth Control Pill 3 Hours Late on Pregnancy Risk

My girlfriend took her birth control pill three hours late?

Hello, Doctor.
Yesterday, my girlfriend accidentally forgot to take her birth control pill and realized it three hours late.
She took it immediately after remembering.
She has been consistently taking the pill for six months, and until yesterday, she had been taking it on time.
Yesterday was the sixth day of the first week of a new pack.
Today, she took her pill on time as scheduled.
Although she was only three hours late and took it within twelve hours, we are currently abroad, and the brand of birth control pill she is using may differ from the common brands and ingredients in Taiwan.
Therefore, I would like to ask if being three hours late could affect the contraceptive effectiveness.
We usually have unprotected intercourse, and since she took the pill late yesterday, is there a risk of her becoming pregnant if we have unprotected sex? Should I use a condom to increase contraceptive measures? The brand and ingredients of the birth control pill are as follows: Brand: Afaxys, Ingredients: (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP) 0.1 mg/0.02 mg.
Thank you for your help.

Shítou, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2021/10/09

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hello, it generally does not have an impact.
Wishing you good health.

Reply Date: 2021/10/09

More Info

When it comes to the effectiveness of birth control pills, timing is crucial. Your girlfriend's situation, where she took her birth control pill three hours late, raises valid concerns about the potential risk of pregnancy. However, it’s important to understand how birth control pills work and the implications of taking them late.

Birth control pills, particularly combination pills like the one your girlfriend is taking (which contains levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol), are designed to prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, and thin the uterine lining. For most combination pills, if a dose is missed or taken late (typically defined as more than 24 hours late), the effectiveness can be compromised. However, since your girlfriend only missed her pill by three hours, she is still within the safe window to take the missed dose without significantly affecting the contraceptive efficacy.

According to the guidelines provided by most health organizations, if a pill is taken late but within 12 hours, the contraceptive protection remains intact. Since your girlfriend took her pill as soon as she remembered, she should still be protected against pregnancy. It is also reassuring that she has been consistent with her pill-taking for the past six months, which contributes to maintaining the effectiveness of the contraceptive method.

However, since you mentioned that you typically engage in unprotected intercourse, it is wise to consider additional precautions, especially after a missed or late dose. While the risk of pregnancy is low in this scenario, using condoms can provide an extra layer of protection and also help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
In summary, taking the birth control pill three hours late does not significantly increase the risk of pregnancy, especially since it was taken within the 12-hour window. However, to alleviate any concerns and ensure maximum protection, using condoms during this cycle could be a prudent choice. If your girlfriend continues to have concerns or experiences any unusual symptoms, it would be advisable for her to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice and reassurance.

In the future, to avoid similar situations, it may be helpful for your girlfriend to set reminders on her phone or use a pill organizer. Consistency is key in maintaining the effectiveness of birth control pills, and being proactive can help prevent any lapses in taking the medication on time.

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