What happens when you are constantly late to take your BC Pills?

Question

My gf usually takes her birth control pills at 10 o'clock and her period comes on time everyday. This month however, she has been taking it at consistent times (all within 3 hours) due to her work. Sometimes she'd take it at 12, sometimes she'd take it at 11 and it has happened often this month but she has NEVER MISSED A PILL nor has she been late for more than 3 hours. When my gf and I have sex, I do not finish inside of her because I dont trust the pill itself one hundred percent.

With all that said, whats the chances of her getting pregnant? Is it still low even though she would sometimes be 1-3 hours late to take her pill? She's on her last week and should be expecting her period...is the info Ive given any cause for concern?

Answer 1

If you love your girlfriend, you wouldn't put her in the position of having even the most remote possibility of facing an unplanned pregnancy. That is not a loving thing to do, even if she thinks that risk is worth it herself.
Plus, the pill (and other forms of chemical birth control) have been linked to some SERIOUS side effects on women:

The journal of the Mayo Clinic (Mayo Clinic Proceedings) has published a key article in it’s October 2006 issue entitled “Oral Contraceptive Use as a Risk Factor for Pre-menopausal Breast Cancer: A Meta-analysis”, authored by Chris Kahlenborn, M.D., (Internal Medicine, Altoona Hospital, PA), Francesmary Modugno, Ph.D., (Epidemiology), Douglas M. Potter, Ph.D. (Biostatistics) both from the University of Pittsburgh, and Walter B. Severs, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology at the Penn State College of Medicine.
The major findings from this careful analysis of the world literature were that oral contraceptives (OCs) were linked with a measurable and statistically significant association with pre-menopausal breast cancer. The risk association was 44% over baseline in parous women (having been pregnant) who took OCs prior to their first pregnancy. The study re-enforces the recent classification of OCs as Type 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Cancer Research*.
According to Dr. Kahlenborn, extraction of reliable data from the world literature is an extremely difficult task because no two studies are exactly alike. However, meta-analysis is a valid statistical tool that has the ability to identify associations and potential risk. He said the present research team was very careful to clearly present how the data were collected and processed, and welcomes opportunities for open and critical debate on this important subject by professionals as well as the lay public.
Dr. Kahlenborn** stated that he and the entire team believes that in accordance with the standards informed consent, women must be apprised of the potential risk of premenopausal breast cancer prior to commencing drug use.
(For access to abstract of article go to www.mayoclinicproceedings.com); a link to the actual article is available at www.polycarp.org.

AND

The birth control pill is used by over 10 million women in the US today and about 4 million of those are under age 25.1 The Pill consists of a combination of two types of artificial hormones called estrogens and progestins. It works by inhibiting ovulation and sperm transport and by changing the lining of the inside of a woman’s uterus (called the endometrium) so that if the woman does conceive she will often have an early abortion.

Ethical side effects: It is estimated that women experience at least one very early abortion for every year that they are on the Pill.2 Both pro-abortion and pro-life groups acknowledge that the Pill causes early abortions.3

Medical side effects: The birth control pill increases the risk of breast cancer by over 40% if it is taken before a woman delivers her first baby.4 This risk increases by 70% if the Pill is used for four or more years before the woman’s first child is born.5 Other side effects that women have experienced include the development of high blood pressure, blood clots, stroke, heart attack, depression, weight gain, migraine, dark spots on the skin and difficulty with breast-feeding. Diabetics who take oral contraceptives may note increased sugar levels. Some women who stop taking the Pill do not have a return of their fertility (menstrual cycles) for a year or longer. Although the Pill decreases ovarian and some uterine cancers, it increases breast, liver, and cervical cancer.4 At least three studies have noted that the AIDS virus is transmitted more easily to women who are taking the Pill and whose partner(s) has the HIV virus. 6, 7, 8 The cost of using the Pill for five years is over $1,000.


"The Shot" and Norplant

Commonly known as "the shot," Depo-Provera, a long acting progestin hormone, is injected into a woman’s muscle every three months. It works by decreasing ovulation, by inhibiting sperm transport and by changing the lining of a woman’s uterus. Norplant is another progestin that is placed into silastic (rubber-like) tubes and placed under the skin of a woman and left there for up to five years.

Ethical side effects: By changing the lining of the uterus, Norplant and Depo-Provera both can cause an early abortion when conception does occur. Women who use Norplant will probably experience more than one abortion each year since the average woman ovulates in more than 40% of her cycles while using Norplant.9 Depo-Provera may theoretically cause just as many abortions as Norplant since it is also a type of progestin.

Medical side effects: The results of two major world studies have shown that women who take Depo-Provera for two years or more before age 25 have at least a 190% increased risk of developing breast cancer.10 In addition, Depo-Provera may reduce a woman’s bone density, and worsen a woman’s cholesterol level. One study found that women who had received injectable progestins (i.e., usually Depo-Provera or norethisterone enanthate) for at least five years and who had used them at least five years prior, suffered a 430% increased risk of developing cervical cancer.11 Several studies have shown that women who receive injectable progestins have a much higher rate of contracting the AIDS virus if their partner is infected, with one study showing a 240% increased risk.12 Norplant, which was developed later than Depo-Provera, has received less scrutiny, but may carry just as high a risk as Depo-Provera. In addition, over 50,000 women have participated in law suits against the manufacturer of Norplant, citing complaints of irregular bleeding, scarring, painful muscles, and headaches.13


Other Hormonal Contraceptives

The same artificial hormones used in the Pill, Depo-Provera, and Norplant are packaged in a variety of other delivery systems: the Patch, the "Morning after Pill," the monthly injection Lunelle, hormone impregnated IUDs and vaginal inserts, and others. More are in development. Most are so new that their side effects have not been well researched. They use the same chemicals as the Pill and can be expected to have generally the same effects. All the hormonal contraceptives can also cause extended periods of infertility after they are discontinued.

Answer 2

I never take my pill at the same time everyday. I usually forget and will end up taking 2 in the same day often. The BC pill is 99% affective. I think your chances are very slim. If you are that worried about conceiving you may want to wear a condom too that way you can both enjoy intercourse with no worry! Good luck! (I have never gotten pregnant while on the pill, I have been on it for 6 years, I went off BC and got pregnant 2 months later)

Answer 3

This time difference should not affect the effectiveness of the pill. What can affect is if she were to forget to take it for 1 complete day. At time she is taking the pill her body is tricked into thinking that she is pregnant(the hormones in the pill do this) and if she were to miss the pill for one day a signal is sent to the brain and tells it the body is not pregnant and then releases an egg to be fertilized. That is why we are told that if 2 days are missed continue the pill but another form of contraceptive must be used. Search the web under "birth control pills" and more information on how it works should be there and it will help you and your girlfriend use it correctly.

Answer 4

The 3hour time diffrence on most pills will make no differance. However there are pills that are now shown to be less effective than once thought such as ortho tri cyclin that if not taken at the time can increase odds of becomming pregnant. If she is late, she should take a home pregnancy test & see her doctor if she is not pregnant she may need to switch her brand. Also even if you are not "finishing" inside and on effective BC pills due to pre ejaculation she can become pregnant.

Answer 5

Taking them at different times is not being consistent, it needs to be the same time everyday for the pill to work 100% (not make it 100% effect against pregnancy, just to get the full effect of the pill) each day she takes it at a different time she is making it weaker and weaker and increasing her chances of getting pregnant. Don't expect her period to be on time like clockwork she will probably be late. Second the pull out method isn't the most effective either you still have small bits of ejaculate throughout sex and these can get her pregnant.

Answer 6

I do not see a reason for concern. I took my pills at night before bed whick varied from 10pm - 1pm. I was on the pill for 6 years and this method preventing me from having a baby. (I now have 2 children).

Though I guess you can never be too safe. If you are still worried, another form of birth control will give you peace of mind.

Answer 7

It should be fine, when I was on birth control pills I was horrible about being consistant, i mean took one in the day and the next day took it at night..........
I never got pregnant.......
and I know that doesnt mean I cant get pregnant b/c I am currently 28 weeks pregnant.
Its not something to be worried about.

and by the way pulling out does not work, precum carries sperm also.
so if for some reason she missed a pill she could be pregnant b/c pulling out is not effective. Condoms works best!

Answer 8

Birth Control Pills are time sensitive, there is a reason why they tell you to set an alarm and take them at the same time everyday. I have been told that there is about a half hour to 1 hour grace period before their effectiveness diminishes.

Answer 9

I think that as long as she takes them regularly with in a 3-4 time frame she should be OK, it's usually when you miss a pill all together that causes big problems, plus if you don't ever finish inside her then you shouldn't have anything to worry about... good luck

Answer 10

Ive been on it for YEARS and never am on time.
I take it 'before bed". Be it at 10pm, 11pm, midnight.
Ive never had a problem.
I really really think you have nothing to worry about. They are time sensitive but not by that little. No worries, especially if you arent finishing up in there.
Id say almost no chance of pregnancy

Answer 11

Taking them at different times does increase her chances of getting pregnant, but not by much. If you are really worried, start using a condom too.