Determining the Best Time to Take Birth Control: Does it Make a Difference?
Birth control encompasses different contraceptives like condoms, sterilization, and natural methods.
Out of all, birth control pills are a common method.
According to the NCBI, 25 percent of women aged 15 to 44 use pills as a preferred contraceptive method.
This method is prevalent due to its reversibility, as stopping them can immediately make the woman fertile again.
However, unlike the permanent or long-term options, this birth control method requires daily use and timely consumption.
So, this article attempts to unveil the best time to take birth control for increased efficiency without worrying about the risk of pregnancy.
When is the best time to start birth control
There is no particular rule to start taking birth control pills.
They can be started any time of the month or menstrual cycle.
However, the efficiency and protection can change as per the type of pill chosen and the time of starting birth control.
The pills are either combination pills that contain both Progesterone and Estrogen or Progestin-only pills.
Combination pills protect from pregnancy immediately if they are started in the first 5 days of getting the period.
If started later, it takes about 7 days for it to show effect, and until then, another contraceptive method is required to avoid pregnancy.
Progestin-only pills take a time of 48 hours to offer pregnancy protection regardless of the time it is started.
When is the best time to take birth control
There is no best time of the day to take birth control pills. Any time that suits the need can be preferred.
The pill can be taken before breakfast or bedtime as it is easier to remember.
However, if someone feels nauseous about taking the pill before breakfast, then it should be taken afterward.
The choice of pill also plays a determining factor in deciding the daily routine of consuming it.
Combination pills can be taken at different times on different days. Unless one pill is taken daily, it stays efficient.
Progestin-only pills must be taken at the same time daily or at least within three hours of the usual time.
If the time goes past 3 hours than usual, another contraceptive method is required for the next two days (48 hours) as the efficiency of the pills is affected.
For best results and avoiding risks, follow the instructions of a healthcare provider regarding dosage and choice of pills.
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YasminFemilonWhat happens when a dose of birth control is missed
Birth control pills are about 99 percent effective, but missed pills reduce the efficiency to 93 percent.
The effects and consequences of missing a pill depend on the type of pill being used.
Combination pill
If a single pill is missed, it can be taken right away when remembered, even if it means taking two pills on the same day (the forgotten pill and the regular pill according to routine).
The rest of the routine pill and pill-free days will remain the usual.
If 2-7 pills are missed in the first week of starting a new pack, an emergency contraceptive is required if the woman has any unprotected sexual encounters.
In such cases, the last missed pill should be taken, even if it means consuming two pills a day.
For the next seven days, other contraceptives like condoms are required.
The pill-free days of the 21-pill pack remain normal.
If the pack has 28 pills, which contain 7 dummy pills with no hormones, it will be consumed in the usual way.
If 2 to 7 pills are missed in the second or third week of starting the pack, the last missed pill is taken along with the regular pill in one day.
No emergency contraception is required, but other contraceptives like condoms must be used for seven days.
The only difference in missing pills in the second and third week is that if pills are missed in the third week, there are no pill-free days.
If the pack has dummy pills, they should be skipped in case of missed pills in the third week.
Progestin-only pills
Progestin-only pills are considered missed if they are taken later than 3 hours of the usual time.
If a pill is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible, and other contraceptives like condoms should be used for two days.
In case of unprotected sex during the time of a missed pill, emergency contraceptives would be required.
Conclusion
Birth control can effectively prevent pregnancy when used correctly.
To ensure its efficiency, taking it at a fixed time daily is vital.
This time does not have to be morning or night in particular.
Anytime that suits and can be consistently followed works the best.
Combination pills offer more time flexibility as they remain effective until one pill a day is consumed.
However, Progestin-only pills should be taken within 3 hours of the usual time.
Otherwise, they lose efficiency and pose a risk of pregnancy.
In case of missed pills, one must take the last missed pill immediately and use other contraceptives to avoid pregnancy.
With the right use of birth control, pleasurable and stress-free intimacy can be achieved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time of day is best to take birth control?
There is no evidence to support any time of the day as the best for birth control to work. However, they must be taken at a fixed time one starts taking it on. It can be morning or night, whenever one can remember taking the pills without missing is ideal.
When is the best time to take birth control pills- morning or night?
There is no particular time of the day for birth control pills to work the best, be it morning or night. The pill can be taken anytime as per need, but the time that is once chosen should remain fixed to get the best results.
Should the birth control pill be taken at the same time daily?
Birth control pills should be ideally taken at the same time daily. Although combination pills can be taken at different times, this increases the chances of forgetting and missing the dose. Progestin-only pills should be taken at the same time every day or at least within 3 hours.
How long does it take for birth control to work?
If combination pills are started within 5 days of getting the period, the protection starts immediately, but if it is started after that, it takes 7 days to prevent pregnancy effectively. Progestin-only pills take 48 hours to show effect regardless of the starting time.
How effective is the birth control pill in preventing pregnancy?
When taken on time without missing, birth control pills are about 99 percent effective in pregnancy prevention. If a dose is missed, the efficiency reduces to 93 percent. One can use another method of contraception in case of missed pills to avoid pregnancy.
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