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Q: 

Is the pill still effective?

By February 6, 2018 - 9:26am
 
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Hi! I’ve been taking birth control (21 day pack) for almost a year now. Yesterday I was supposed to start taking it (the first day of the pill cycle after the break days). I am supposed to take it every day at 4pm, and I do, but sometimes I take it a few hours late (I’ve never skipped one and my cycle goes as predicted).
Yesterday (the first day) I took the pill at 10 pm. I remember my doctor telling me that for it to be effective I should take it exactly on the 8th day after the last pack for it to act as a contraceptive, and I did take it, but a few hours late.

Is the pill still effective even if I took it a few hours late on the first day and will it protect me from pregancy as it regularly does?
Thanks for your time!

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HERWriter Guide

Hello -
Since it was a matter of hours being late, there should be no additional risk. After 7 days you start fresh, your body doesn't know the difference between 4 and 10 pm or "remember" that time. If you want to get back to 4pm just take it at that time the next day.
Susan

February 6, 2018 - 3:13pm
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