Birth control pills - how long can I have missed my pill by?

Question

I usually take my pill at 4, and yesterday I took it at 5:30. Can I still rely on it?

My brand is Alesse.

Answer 1

You should be fine. I take Mircette, which has about the same level of hormones as Alesse. They're both very low dose pills, so it's even more important to take them at the correct time. However, taking one pill just an hour or two late should be safe as long as you get back on track with your schedule. Sometimes I set the alarm on my cell phone when I'm in a situation where I might forget to take my pill. There are also some pill boxes with alarms on them that you can set to ring at the same time every day. The link below is a pill case with an alarm that you can use with Alesse (the Alesse pill pack fits into the case).

Whenever you're concerned about whether the pill is working, you can always use backup protection. Better safe than sorry.

Answer 2

Yes that is fine. 1.5 hours is no problem. With most pills, missing one day and doubling up the next day will actually be fine. If you miss more than two and have to double up, it's best to use back up for the rest of the month.
But, don't worry about 1.5 hours. Think of everyone who takes her pill in the morning. Not all women get up at the same time every day :).

Answer 3

When I first read this I thought maybe that you missed taking it for a day or so.
A few hours wont really make a difference, but dont make a habit of it. Now a few days would be a problem.

Answer 4

I believe the grace period is three hours, generally, but you should do a google search for the website of whichever pill you're on and check the FAQ or email them.

Answer 5

Don't worry. a few hours would not affect the birth control pills.

Answer 6

yes but u have to use condoms if u plan to have sex.