Birth control how many hours

Combination pills: If you start combination pills within five days after the start of your period, you will prevent pregnancy right away and do not need to use a back-up method of birth control. If you start taking the pill at any other time throughout your menstrual cycle, you will need to use another method of birth control for the first seven days.

Mini-pills: You should use another method of birth control during the first 48 hours of use, after which you will be protected from pregnancy. Remember that taking the mini-pill at the same time each day is essential to prevent pregnancy. I like taking the pill because it regulates my period in terms of having a period every month and keeping it lighter than it often is without the pill , in addition to preventing pregnancy.

I have been taking birth control for over five years, but I have tried about six different kinds. Some of them altered my mood i. Not only did it make my period lighter, get rid of my acne, and stop my cramps, it makes me feel much more confident that I will not become pregnant!

I have an alarm set on my phone for 8 PM each night that reminds me to take it and I try to keep my pack of pills with me in my purse so that I always have it. I began taking the oral birth control pill when I became sexually active at age I began having chronic and severe migraine headaches. At that time, I experienced an unintended pregnancy and immediately switched to an IUD. I am now happy with Mirena, which has meant more effective birth control and fewer migraines. Talk to your health care provider.

You can also get reliable information and watch a video from Planned Parenthood. Toggle navigation Toggle search. The Pill. What are birth control pills? There are two categories of pills: Combination pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin; most users take these Mini-pills contain only progestin and may be a good option for users who cannot use estrogen How do they work?

How effective are birth control pills? What are the benefits? Birth control pills are an effective, safe and convenient method to prevent pregnancy. You do not have to think about birth control every time you have sex. Users can get pregnant shortly after they stop using the pill.

Menstrual cramps may be reduced and your periods may become lighter while using the pill. The hormones in combination birth control pills offer some additional benefits, including: Some protection against acne, anemia, PMS, migraine headaches, non-cancerous breast growths, ectopic pregnancy, endometrial and ovarian cancers, ovarian cysts and pelvic inflammatory disease.

May be used to control when and how often you have your period. What are the downsides? Use a condom , avoid that grossness. Mainly you want to take a pill every 24 hours. Here are some tips on birth control pills and more info about using birth control while traveling. If you are on the pill that only contains progestin with norethindrone , you should take it every day at the same time. If you are just three hours late, you have to use a backup method, such as condoms, if you plan to be sexually active for the next five days.

If you had sex in the past days, you should consider using some emergency contraception to be safe. You may need to use the progestin-only pill POP rather than the combination pill if you have a history of breast cancer , stroke, heart disease, or migraines with aura, among other medical conditions.

However, it is much more expensive than regular POPs or regular oral contraceptive pills. Here is more info about the differences between low-dose birth control and other hormonal contraceptives. The most important bit of information to remember is to take one pill every 24 hours. If you take too many pills, too late, you risk getting pregnant! Short answer: no. But, taking it at the same time every day creates consistency and increases the effectiveness of the pill.

Sticking to a schedule will make it easier to remember to take your birth control as well. The more consistency, the better. It is ok to take your birth control early, but aim to not take it late. Taking your birth control late can decrease its effectiveness. Minipill: Take a pill as soon as you remember — only one pill, even if you missed more than one. Take the next pill at the usual time, even if it means taking two the same day.

Use a backup birth control method for the next 48 hours. Minipill: Follow the same instructions as for the first week of the pack in top left square of this table.

Combo pill: Take the most recent missed pill. Toss any other missed pills. Continue taking the rest of your pack as usual, even if it means taking two the same day.

Combo pill: Skip the inactive pills by finishing the hormonal pills in your current pack. Start a new pack the next day. What counts as a late pill? Why does the type of pill matter? Why does it matter where you are in the pack? I took my pill late — now what? What backup methods can you use? I already had P-in-V sex. Do I need emergency contraception? How can I make it easier to remember to take my pill?

The bottom line.