My girlfriend recently changed the time of day she takes her birth control pill. When is it safe to stop using a condom?

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My girlfriend recently changed the time of day she takes her birth control pill. When is it safe to stop using a condom?

Related Topics: Condom, Birth Control Pill

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Jane Harrison-Hohner, RN, RNP

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She would have had perfect protection (no condom needed) the week she started her new pack given that the first active pill was taken in the new time slot. Most birth control pills have anywhere from 2-7 days of inactive/placebo pills. This does not impact contraceptive protection; the ovaries stay suppressed with any of these regimens. So a time change when restarting the active pills again should not alter coverage. ..

If there is something that I have not understood correctly (e.g. she takes only the active pills pack after pack), then a week of condom use after a "late" pill is VERY ample (hyper safe!).

This answer should not be considered medical advice...This answer should not be considered medical advice and should not take the place of a doctor’s visit. Please see the bottom of the page for more information or visit our Terms and Conditions.

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We are exclusive. She has been on the pill for months. We have both been tested for STDs. Is condom use needed?

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