If your a few hours late with your birth control, do you take it then or double up the next day?

Question

I take Yaz birth control pills. I normally take my pill every night at 9pm. Once in a while, I may take it at 8:00 or at 10, but I've never been off by more than an hour and a half.

Tonight, I fell asleep at 7pm. I didn't wake up until 1am (4 hours later.) I took my pill, but was not sure if that was the right thing to do.

What is the longest duration from your normal pill time that you should still go ahead and take it? At what point do you just wait until the next day and double up? I ask in case this happens again.

I know if you miss a day and have to double up that its advised to use protection for the next week. Should I use protection for the next week with taking a pill 4 hours later than usual? Would the risk of pregnancy from taking a pill late be much less than having a whole missed day?

Thanks in advance guys!

I don't really get Jason's comment... I'm too young to have sex by asking this? Well, I've been married for almost 2 years and have a 2 month old daughter. I think maybe I'm mature enough to have sex.

And for the lady who said to never double up, its in the INSTRUCTIONS of my birth control to take two pills at once the next day if a birth control pill is missed. I know that you don't double up on most medicines, but you do with birth control.

Answer 1

I take Yaz as well, and the instructions say if you miss one, take it as soon as you remember (even if that means taking 2 at the same time). You are still safe unless you miss two consecutively, in which case you should also use another form of birth control for a week.

Answer 2

If you only took it 4 hours late, it is highly unlikely that it would have triggered ovulation, but I'm a big believer in better safe than sorry, so if you want to avoid pregnancy, use a back up method.

Always take a missed pill as soon as you remember it, unless you're very close to the time when the next one is due, then double up. You can always call and ask a pharmacist these kinds of questions, too.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I have always been told to take it as soon as I remember, then take the next dose at the correct time the next day. however, there are 24-hour pharmacies than can tell you EXACTLY what you are supposed to do. All you have to do is call one, even if it's not the place you currently go to. I think they'd be a better resource.

Answer 4

Doubling up doesn't do anything to protect you and it isn't safe to take more than the prescribed amount...

Answer 5

Take it as soon as you remember!!!!!!! You did the right thing!!I would recommend setting an alarm on your cell phone, so it doesn't happen again. Worked for me when I was taking it. Seems you already know what is the right thing to do, so you did it.:)

Answer 6

Taking it late is better than skipping it until tomorrow.

Answer 7

Never double up, always continue with the same dosage.

I'm sure these pills are just like any other daily pill, so I applied the same rules. My doctor told me to never double or whatever up, it could cause an imbalance even though you might think it will be balanced because of the timing and the amount of chemicals you put into your body. It could also be potentially dangerous.

Answer 8

i am 99% sure you take one as soon as you can and then tomorrow take double.

Answer 9

if you are even asking this question you are most likely too young to have sex in the first place

why don't people stop playing video games and all this drunken screwing and start thinking and interacting in the daylight?

The Greeks held their theatre in the daylight BEFORE darkness so all matters were discussed before the community without the influence of the deviousnes in the darkness.