[2017]

Hi
I'm on the contraceptive pill and I wonder whether it mattered if I took the pill an hour late than usual. I usually take it at ten but because of the clocks going back I've been taking them at nine instead. But for the past two days I forgot and took them at ten instead does this matter or are they still working. I was told that if I missed taking it at nine then I had until nine o'clock at night to take it is this true? Also how long does it take to start working is it after uv taking seven of them that your safe?
2017

[macksmom]

An hour difference does not matter... the fact that you take it around the same time everyday is a good thing... there is always going to be times where something happens and you can't take it at 10... as long as you take it that day, you should have no worries :) Just take it as soon as you remember, and if you ever forget altogether remember to take it immediately when you remember, even if it is the next day... take both doses.

As far as when it is effective... my OBGYN always said use an added form of birth control for 2 weeks.

[sweetsorrow]

When I started on the pill my doctor told me not to have unprotected sex for at least 2 weeks after I started, But it really depends on which ones your taking. Some can take 7 days others require a full month before they reach their full effectiveness.

Like all contraceptives, the pill isn't 100% guaranteed (there are always chances that it won't work because of other factors like alcohol, medication, illness etc.) while it is effective and the chances of getting pregnant are slim there is still a possibility, so you are still running the risk of getting pregnant, in short you're never really 'safe'. So if you're not ready for the full-time commitment of having a baby around the house then you shouldn't use it as a sole form of contraceptive just in case.

I also had a problem remembering to take mine at exactly the same time everyday and when I asked my doctor about that he said it was fine as long as I took it that day, like if you miss it one day take to the next and you'll be fine, so I don't think an hour is anything to worry about as long as it doesn't chop and change like that all the time.

Hope that helps, if you want to know more then this is a pretty useful site (but you really should be asking your doctor these questions):

Birth Control Pill Q&A - WikiAnswers