Effectiveness of Birth Control Pills Taken Outside Menstrual Cycle

Emergency contraceptive pills taken outside of the menstrual period?

Hello, Doctor: The first day of my last menstrual period was January 10.
I had unprotected intercourse on January 27 and took emergency contraception within an hour afterward.
On February 6, I experienced bleeding and thought my period had started, so I took the first pack of the combined oral contraceptive pill (Alesse) that night.
On February 7, there was only a small amount of brown discharge, but since I had already started the oral contraceptive the day before, I continued taking it until today.
From February 11 to February 13, there was also a little bit of brown discharge.
(During these days, I consumed a lot of cold drinks, ate raw vegetables, and was under stress preparing for a national exam; I found out that these could potentially cause brown discharge.) Today, February 13, is the 35th day of my menstrual cycle, and I haven't missed my period by 7 days yet, so I haven't taken a pregnancy test.
If my period doesn't come, I plan to see a gynecologist on February 18.

I have read that "the first pack of oral contraceptives should be started on the first day or the fifth day of the menstrual period." In my case, I thought I was starting on the first day of my period, but it seems it wasn't a true menstrual period.
Given my situation, if I continue taking the pills, will I have contraceptive protection for the second month (assuming I am not pregnant), or is it already ineffective, and can I stop taking them? Should I wait for my next period to start the first pack again (assuming I am not pregnant)? I couldn't find information on whether taking oral contraceptives outside of the menstrual period is effective.
I did find that if the pills are suddenly stopped after taking them for several days, it can cause menstrual irregularities.
Therefore, I am in a rather awkward situation.
I would appreciate your guidance!

zero zero, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2023/02/13

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hello, based on your description, I recommend that you first consult a gynecologist to assess whether you are pregnant.
If you are not pregnant, you can continue taking the contraceptive pills, but they will only provide adequate contraceptive protection in the next cycle.
Thank you! Wishing you safety and health.
Dr.
Chang.

Reply Date: 2023/02/13

More Info

When it comes to the effectiveness of birth control pills taken outside of the menstrual cycle, it's important to understand how these medications work and the implications of starting them at different times. Birth control pills, particularly combined oral contraceptives, are designed to prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, and thin the uterine lining to reduce the likelihood of pregnancy.

In your case, you began taking the birth control pill (Alesse) after experiencing what you thought was the start of your menstrual cycle, but it turned out to be light spotting. This can be confusing, as spotting can occur for various reasons, including hormonal fluctuations, stress, or even the effects of the emergency contraceptive pill you took after unprotected intercourse.

Typically, the recommendation is to start taking the pill either on the first day of your menstrual period or during the first five days of your cycle for immediate contraceptive effectiveness. If you start taking the pill at any other time, it may take up to seven days for the pills to become fully effective in preventing pregnancy. This means that if you had unprotected intercourse during this time and did not wait the appropriate period for the pills to take effect, there is still a risk of pregnancy.

Given that you started taking the pill on February 6, and you had unprotected intercourse on January 27, the emergency contraception you took should have provided immediate protection against pregnancy for that encounter. However, since you experienced some spotting and then started the birth control pill, it is crucial to monitor your cycle closely.

If you continue to experience unusual bleeding or spotting while on the pill, it could be a sign that your body is adjusting to the hormones, or it may indicate that the pill is not being taken effectively. If you have not had a proper menstrual period by February 18, it would be wise to take a pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy before making any decisions about continuing or stopping the pill.

In summary, if you are not pregnant and you wish to continue using the birth control pill, it is advisable to keep taking it as directed. If you are concerned about the effectiveness due to the timing of your start, you may want to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice. They can provide guidance on whether to continue the current pack or wait for your next menstrual cycle to start a new pack. Remember, consistency is key with birth control pills, and if you have any doubts or experience significant changes in your cycle, seeking medical advice is always a good approach.

Similar Q&A

Understanding Birth Control Pills: Efficacy During Breaks and Beyond

I am currently taking oral contraceptives, specifically the 21-day regimen. I would like to ask Dr. Lin, after taking the pills for 21 days and then taking a 7-day break, when I start the next cycle... during those 7 days without taking the pills, is there still contraceptive eff...

Dr. Lin Zhaopei reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
1. It still has contraceptive effects; in fact, another type of 28-day birth control pill is simply the original 21-day pill plus 7 days of vitamins. 2. The ovulation cycle occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, not during menstruation; the 7 days without medication corresp...

Effectiveness of Emergency Contraceptives Taken Outside Menstrual Cycle

I have always had irregular menstrual cycles, but they became more stable starting in May of this year, with my period coming consistently each month. However, my last period was on August 16, and since September, my cycles have been irregular again, with no period. I started tak...

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, based on your description, I recommend that you continue taking the medication. If you finish this pack in a week and still do not get your period, please consult a physician for further evaluation. Thank you! Wishing you peace and health, Dr. Zhang.

Effectiveness of Birth Control After Menstruation: Key Considerations

Hello Doctor, 1. I had my period from July 14 to 19 (I stopped taking the medication on July 7). The doctor told me to take the first pill of the second pack on the fifth day of my period. This means I had a total of 12 days without medication. I would like to know if this affe...

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, starting to take contraceptive pills on the fifth day of your menstrual period, and following the prescribed regimen, should provide effective contraception, so the likelihood of pregnancy should be low. Wishing you good health!

Does Irregular Timing of Birth Control Pills Affect Their Effectiveness?

Hello, doctor. I am currently taking oral contraceptives, and I take them every day, but at an inconsistent time (usually between 8 PM and midnight). Will this affect the contraceptive effectiveness? Also, I would like to ask if I have my period during the seven days after finish...

Dr. Huang Zifei reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dear Lan, 1. Taking birth control pills at a fixed time every day will not significantly affect their contraceptive effectiveness. 2. Generally, if menstruation occurs, the risk of pregnancy is very low. However, if you notice any unusual changes in the amount or duration of men...