Expired Birth Control

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2006
Expired Birth Control
7
Fri, 04-14-2006 - 6:34pm

I am taking Orthotricyclen Lo, recently ran out of my prescription, but was waiting for my doctor to fill a new prescription for me. I had an extra pack of pills laying around so started that after my cycle ended. I had taken 3 days of those pills when I noticed they had expired over 6 months ago. So I had my new prescription filled and started into my new pack of GOOD pills and have taken 2 good pills. I know it's not good to use meds after they have expired so here's my question(s):

How many good pills do I need to take before it is safe to have sex without a back-up method of birth control? Is this like taking an antibiotic where I need additional protection until my next cycle and start a new pack of pills? Or will I be safe from getting pregnant now that I have taken 2 days of good pills?

Thanks in advance for the help! I have been taking the pill for over 8 years and this is a first goof. Oops! :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 04-14-2006 - 10:50pm

Hi xicas, welcome!

>>How many good pills do I need to take before it is safe to have sex without a back-up method of birth control? <<

You need to use back-up until you have taken at least 7 active pills in a row and correctly from the new pack while any decrease in your protection is corrected. If you had intercourse since you began the expired pills you might want to consider taking emergency contraception. I think you are probably safe because the likelihood is slight that your ovulation process has started but if you wanted to do as much as possible to protect yourself then EC is an option. EC is most effective if taken within the first 72 hours after the incident of concern. For more about EC see: http://ec.princeton.edu/ .

>>Is this like taking an antibiotic where I need additional protection until my next cycle and start a new pack of pills? Or will I be safe from getting pregnant now that I have taken 2 days of good pills? <<

It is somewhat the same as having to take at least 7 (or sometimes 14) active pills in a row after the last dose of an antibiotic. In the case of missing/expired pills (worst case the expired pills were ineffective) you need to take at least 7 actives in a row before your protection is restored.

Thanks for coming by. Please ask if you have more Qs. Let us know how you're doing.

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2006
Wed, 04-26-2006 - 11:59am
I had the same issue occur. My pills were expired by 1 month. I had a period that (last) month while taking the sugar pills, but I haven't had one this month. Were the pills no good? OMG!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 04-26-2006 - 12:25pm

Hi deepintheheartoftx, welcome!


It's a really good idea to check the exp. date on medicines before taking them. Your pills may not have been ineffective but it's never a good idea to push your luck with something as

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2006
Wed, 04-26-2006 - 3:18pm
Ok...here's the entire story. After a medication abortion, the attending clinic gave me these BC pills. When I pointed out that they'd expire in the following month, the nurse told me that the pills were still good. In hindsight, this was soooo not right, but, at the time, I didn't protest. I'm on day 4 of the placebo pills (month 2), and I assumed that my period would begin within the week of taking them (as it did last month). Stressing and not eating properly has probably led to some queasy feelings and fear. I called the clinic to talk about this and was told that pills are good for 1 year after expiration. Nevertheless, I just returned from taking a test, and it was negative. I will repeat it in a week if necessary. The pills I'm taking now are current. This has just been a crazy experience all together. Thank you so much for your response. I can't remember how I stumbled upon ivillage, but I'm really grateful for it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 04-26-2006 - 7:01pm

Hi deepintheheartoftx, welcome back hon!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2006
Thu, 04-27-2006 - 11:27am
Well, after all of that, AF is here. Thanks for your support. This is awesome. I wish that we women could come together like this in the real world, you know? :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 04-27-2006 - 1:54pm

WOO-HOO!!! Yay for Aunt Flo!!! That's such good news!


Hugs,

      Jill