Couple of pill questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2003
Couple of pill questions
4
Mon, 03-08-2004 - 2:09pm
Hi everyone -

Two quick questions about the birth control pill:

1) Say I took one pill about 12 hours late. Do I need to use a backup form of birth control? If so, for how long? A week? The remainder of this cycle? Does this kind of mistake effect my NEXT cycle (ie. after I get my next period)? Just curious what the recommended course of action is.

2) I've read somewhere that vomiting or diarrhea within a certain number of hours of taking your pill can make it less effective. Does anyone know what the number of hours is? I seem to remember it being two or four or something like that, but I'm not sure. Also, does this apply to BEFORE you take your pill as well as after (ex. if I vomited two hours BEFORE I took my pill, would that have any effect)?

Thanks for your help!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2004
Mon, 03-08-2004 - 3:54pm
It's been a while since I was on the pill, and I don't really remember the answer to your first question. But as far as the second question goes, I thought I would mention that if you are ill, and concerned about taking your pill orally, you can also take most birth control pills vaginally. It seems that there was info about that either in the little insert that comes with the pills, or on the manufacturers website. In my case that was Ortho Tri-cyclen. I wouldn't think that there would be any complications from throwing up several hours before you take the pill. As long as you aren't still sick the pill should be absorbed and digested just as it always is. I'm not sure if this is what youwere looking for in the way of an answer, but hope it helps.

Jessica

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2004
Mon, 03-08-2004 - 4:07pm
I agree. From what I've learned, the main problem is is you get sick within the 2 hours after you've taken the pill. But I'm sure one of our great community leaders can give you more insight. Also, I've found it helpful to keep my pill information packet handy. Surprisingly, there is some good info in there when I have a question or am uncertain about something.

The one thing I would say, though, is that I would definitely check with your doctor before attempting to take the pill vaginally. From what I've heard, the theory that you can do this is very much that - a theory and not a completely accurate one. I would definitely check with the doc. After all, they are oral contraceptive pills! I'd be wary of putting them anywhere else :)

Avatar for lucy4980
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 03-08-2004 - 7:26pm
1. I am on OrthoNovum and the literature that comes with my pills says that taking the pill 12 hours late one time in the cycle does not require using back up. Just take the pill as soon as you realize and then take the next pill on time. Different pills have different rules though. Monophasic vs triphasic and all that. I would read the paper that came with your pill or go to the pill manufacturers website to check it out.

2. The literature that comes with my pills specifies a 2 hour window after taking the pill for vomiting or diarhea - the idea being that by the time 2 hours have passed, your body has absorbed the hormones in the pill so any problems with your GI tract have no bearing on the effectiveness. The concern is that if you throw up your pill, your body doesn't get the hormones. Vomiting before you took your pill wouldn't have any effect because you haven't taken the pill yet.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 03-08-2004 - 10:38pm
If you took your pill 12 hrs. late that, in my opinion, constitutes a miss. If you vomit or have diarrhea within 2 hours after taking your pill that also is considered as missing that pill. The FDA is proposing new OC labeling that calls for using back-up for 7 days even if only one pill is missed. So, I would definitely say you should use backup, for at least 7 days. Missing a pill this cycle should not affect your next cycle.

I don’t think oral contraceptives have been tested for effectiveness when inserted in the vagina. It is not something that has been approved by the FDA and frankly, it sounds like an urban legend. I would definitely NOT attempt taking your pill that way without talking to your doc about it.

Good luck

      Jill