late pill question

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2006
late pill question
1
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 12:08am
How late IS late? I'm taking Estrostep. I'm currently just starting my second pack. I usually take my pill around 8am, but I took the first pill after my placebo pills (of my first pack) at around 11am this morning. Is this too late, or is this nothing to worry about. Should I wait before intercourse, or would it be considered safe?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 11:57am

Hi koruchan, welcome!

This board considers on-time to be within +/-2 hours of your regular pill time, between 2-8 hours as being late and 8+ hours as a miss. The first and last active pills in a pack are the most important to take on time because they set the limits of the 7 24-hour hormone free days that you are protected. Being 3 hours late with your first pill in a new pack may not be a big deal, but why chance it? Using back-up, or abstaining, until you have taken at least 7 active pills in a row will allow time for any decrease in your protection to be corrected.

Thanks for stopping by. If you have more questions, ask away. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill