Kinda disgusting, but I need to know...

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2003
Kinda disgusting, but I need to know...
3
Sun, 10-03-2004 - 8:21am
Hi!

I'm back with some questions. Next weekend I'm seeing my bf (we're in a long-distance relationship) and I had a problem this past month for which I wanted to double-check if I will need back-up.

I am on Ortho Tricyclen Lo, and take it religiously at the same time every day. However, last week I had a bout of the 'flu, and woke up during the middle of the night with nausea; I did vomit a couple of times, BUT this was BEFORE taking my pill; I took it later, at 4:00 am as usual and, afterwards, did NOT vomit again, neither in the 2-hour window the pill needs to be absorbed by the body nor afterwards. If this is so, in this case one shouldn't need back-up, right? Since there was no problem with the pill's absorption by the body?

And just checking for future reference: does it REALLY take 2 hours for the body to absorb the pill? If one should have an upset stomache (be it vomiting or diarrhea) as soon as 3 hours after taking the pill, should you use back-up, or is it safe to depend on the pill only? I mean, if it is true that it only takes 2 hours for it to be absorbed, by then the hormones should be safe in the bloodstream, right? Or should I take a spare just in case?

Thanks in advance.


Edited 10/3/2004 8:39 am ET ET by dianna_pentacle

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 10-03-2004 - 8:48pm
Hi dianna_pentacle, welcome back!

Duplicate question & reply

>> I did vomit a couple of times, BUT this was BEFORE taking my pill; I took it later, at 4:00 am as usual and, afterwards, did NOT vomit again, neither in the 2-hour window the pill needs to be absorbed by the body nor afterwards. If this is so, in this case one shouldn't need back-up, right? Since there was no problem with the pill's absorption by the body?

You are correct, under the circumstances above there was no need to use back-up.

>> does it REALLY take 2 hours for the body to absorb the pill? If one should have an upset stomache (be it vomiting or diarrhea) as soon as 3 hours after taking the pill, should you use back-up, or is it safe to depend on the pill only?

I think in the prescribing information for some pills (you might want to check yours) it refers to the level of hormones in the blood 2 hours after ingestion, so that seems to be considered a benchmark of effectiveness. If you have vomiting or diarrhea that occurs more than 2 hours after you take your pill I think you should be ok. I hope you guys have a great time next weekend! Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Take care,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2003
Sun, 10-03-2004 - 9:08pm
Thanks, Jill!

I have a new question, though, after reading a couple of other posts on the subject: does taking a spare pill (or in some people's cases, accidentally taking one pill too many) delay one's AF by a day or two? Just wondering, in case I should ever be in that situation; I always freak out if my AF gets delayed for whatever reason, and would prefer to know in advance!

Thanks again! ^_^


Edited 10/3/2004 9:11 pm ET ET by dianna_pentacle
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 10-03-2004 - 10:12pm
Taking 2 pills close together, or more that 24 hours apart can cause enough of a fluctuation, in some women, to trigger irregular bleeding. I don't know about delaying AF, perhaps, but it will depend on the individual I think.

Take care,

      Jill