How soon are you safe after starting birth control pills

Q: I was previously on birth control for almost 2 years and in the middle of April I stopped taking birth control pills. At the begining of June I started back on birth control again. Is it safe to have protected sex now with just the pill and without using another form of birth control, or do I have to wait an entire month after starting on birth control?

A: You will be protected from getting pregnant after 7 days of consistent use of birth control pills.  Consistent use means that you’re taking the pill every day at the same time (plus or minus 2 hours).  So basically, one week of birth control pills is enough to put the ovaries to sleep and keep you from getting pregnant.

However, having the phrases “protected sex” and “without using another form of birth control” in the same sentence makes us a little nervous.  We can not stress enough that birth control pills (or patches or shots or IUD’s) only protect you from getting pregnant.  They do NOT protect you from contracting sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, syphillis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV, etc.  So please, please, please make sure that you are using other forms of barrier protection (condoms, dental dams) to protect yourself from contracting an STI.

Any Ohio State student (even thsoe without Student Health Insurance) can be seen at Student Health Women’s Services.  We now have 3 full-time health care providers (1 doctor and 2 nurse practitioners) who are available to consult with you for any concerns related to your reproductive health.  We encourage you to see us during your time at Ohio State wo we can help you maximize your health!

Li-Chun Liu, CNP – Ohio State Student Health Services

338 thoughts on “How soon are you safe after starting birth control pills

  1. I haven’t been taking my pills for a while since I wasn’t sexually active but after I got in a new relationship I wasn’t sure when exactly it would happen so I took one pill on Thursday and another Friday morning, that Friday afternoon I had sex. Now thinking about it is it possible I got pregnant from taking the pill for only 2 days?

    • That is possible. The manufacturer instructions state that you should take the pills for 7 days beginning with the Sunday or Monday after your period starts. If you only took the pills for 2 days then you are not following the manufacturer’s instructions and are indeed putting yourself into risk of becoming pregnant.

    • Hi, just wanna ask i dnt have mesntruation yet, it is safe for getting pregnancy taking diane pills 6 days before the sex,thanks

  2. I have unprotected sex on last 31st March and I took a i-pill on 2nd of April….my male partner has a doubt that he may have released a minor part of sperm in me …but released his total sperm that actually comes after masturbating…my periods got over on 26th March ..what chances are that I am pregnent?

    • your chances are 50/50. for regular periods, 7days after onset of the flow are safe, and also the last seven days. you should be tested though.

  3. 4 days taking of pills, then had sex on the 4th day of taking, is it safe for unprotected sex?
    please help ! thanks

    • Did you just start taking the pill? If so, the manufacturer’s recommendations are for 7 days to ensure maximum protection. By not following the manufacturers recommendations you are putting yourself at risk.

    • i start taking pills last august 2, 2016 and have sex with him last august 8, do i have the chance to get pregnant? answer please

    • Same problem I just started taking birthcontrol and had sex on the fourth day am I ok or should I be worried I take it everyday since I start at the same time

  4. Hello.. I am using althea pill just this month, started on my first day of menstruation. I took the wednesday pill because it ws wednesday that day when my mens. came… my hubby is an ofw, and hel b home next week. been taking althea for 2 weeks now, is it safe to have sex with hubby?

  5. HELP! My boyfriend came inside me last night and the day before that I forgot to take my pill at the correct time. I ended up taking it 5 hours later than normal. But other than that and one other time a couple weeks ago I’ve been very diligent and consistent with taking them correctly for over 3 weeks now. Should I be worried? He has never came inside me before and I’m afraid of the possibility and cannot afford the morning after pill right now ;'(

  6. I started the pill Saturday morning, a week ago, and I had sex late Saturday night/early Saturday morning and I’m pretty sure he finished in me. I took the pill a couple hours late Sunday morning due to missing my alarm, am I at risk of being pregnant or will I be okay because it had been 7 days that morning I had sex?

  7. My last pill was on Wednesday so I went to the doctor on Thursday morning she changed my pill so the pharmacy had to order it and I recieved it on Friday. I forgot to take it Friday and began my new pills on Saturday and had sex Saturday night forgetting I had changed my pills. Can I be in risk of pregnancy?

  8. Hi I want to know if its still safe if i were not mistaken in counting (start taking Daphne pills start last April 26, in counting 12 days before me & my husband have contact), it is my first time to take pills and yet its not my first day of my menstruation (based on research usually taking pills is on 1st day of mens) but i can’t wait may next period because my husband is an OFW & he will come 1 of this day. it is safe if i missed an hour to take pills (but when i remember i took immediately) or there nothing to worry. is nine days is safe?
    just want clarification also 7 days of taking pills before of having contact is also means include the 1st day of taking pills?

  9. I have been taking miniygon for the past 13 days and for time I had sex yesterday since I’m on the pill can I get pregnant because we didn’t use a condom…

  10. Yesterday is the first day i took a pill.Is it enough if i only take one pill after intimate or should i continously take it for days? Will it prevent me from getting pregnant?

  11. I started a new pack for the first time last Sunday. Has unprotected sex last which as Saturday, that was the 6th day of me taking the pill. Do I need to buy plan b.? Will I be okay from not getting pregnant? I’ve taken it at the same time everyday since I started last Sunday.

  12. Hi i been taking the birth control pill since Feb 22 2016 I miss 4 times in the begin of the first month than until March 19 2016 every since than I take the each day at 5:30 pm same time than I have sex in May 1, 8, 11 2016 on May 5 and 6 I have belly pains than on the 9 until today I start feeling vomited but I didn’t vomited out every time what should i do and Idk if I am pregnant not not ?

    • To date, there is no test or app out there that will let a doctor know via the internet if you are pregnant or not. Get a pregnancy test at your local pharmacy.

  13. I completed a 21 day pack of birth pill then waited for 7 days to start the cycle of pills again. During the second cycle, I missed my pill on the 3rd day but took it the very next day only. Also I had sex on that day only after taking the pill. What are my chances of getting pregnant?
    Also, I was detected with PCOD and hence the pill

  14. I can’t stress this enough…. No wonder STDs/STIs run vapid jfc… “I had protected sex, but he came in me.” … Then you didn’t have PROTECTED SEX, stupid ass. What are you girls, 12???

    • Please note, birth control pills provide protection against pregnancy, but not against sexually transmitted diseases.

  15. Me and my girlfriend just had sex today and we had sex right after she took her plan B pill . And she has been on birth control for a month and 16 days she lost her pill container ,and started a new pack 2 days later and she has been taking them for 3 days I came in her today like I said is she pregnant or not?? Someoen help

    • There is no way, via the internet, to determine if someone is pregnant. That can only be done via a urine test.

      For peace of mind, follow the package instructions. If you disrupt the normal schedule, start over again and wait the 7 days to ensure maximum protection.

    • hi miss tina, i started taking pills last august 2 and have sex contact with him last august 8, do i have the chance to get pregnant?i need an answer please. im now here in taiwan

  16. Hi!
    I started taking my first pack of pill last month. Now I am on my second box. me and my boyfriend had unprotected sex on the 2nd day I am taking the pill. I also just finished my period then/ bleeding. Will I get pregnant?

    • If you have taken an entire month’s worth of your birth control pill and are starting on your second month and have been doing so according to the package instructions, then you should be protected.

  17. I started taking the birth control pills 2 weeks ago, yesterday my boyfriend and I had sexual intercourse without a condom and he ejaculated on my shirt then some dribbled down to my private part, is there a chance that I’ll get pregnant? I have been taking the pills everyday around the same time. I am really worried.

    • Based upon what you have said above you should be protected against pregnancy, to the extent indicated by your birth control. I added that last bit because other than abstinence, nothing protects 100%, but if you follow the instructions laid out by the manufacturer of your birth control pill you should be protected.

  18. Omg none of you can read. They said after 7 days you *should* be okay. Therefore, if you only took them for 1,2,3,4,5,6 days… You could possibly get pregnant

  19. So I recently got put on birth control a month ago for the first time and I wasn’t taking it everyday and I had an irregular period but then I took it for the first time today as a restart of the month . So a recap , I started the brand new pack today , today was the first pill . And my boyfriend and I had sex, and he ejaculated inside me . Am I screwed ?

  20. i recently lost my virginity..i was taking the pill but i ran out. i took the pill for 2 weeks and the last time i took it was the night before we had sex. i took my pills at 9pm every day consecutively. we used a condom but i think he got pre cum on the condom. i just got off my period as well and i cant wait 20 something days to find out if im pregnant. please help!! im on a time limit and considering to get plan b

  21. Hello i am taking diane-35 pill for almost 15days since it was prescribed by the doctor.. My boyfriend and I are planning to have an unprotected sex. Is it safe to have unprotected sex on my 15th day of taking the pills?

    • Safe is not really what you are asking. Will you have maximum protection against pregnancy for this particular product – yes. Will you be protected against STI’s, no. Birth control pills cannot protect against STIs.

    • Thank you for answering. I am concern about birth control. Will it be safe to have an unprotected sex on my 15th day of taking the pills? so i cannot get pregnant.

  22. So I recently moved and I accidentally packed my combined birth control pills in a box and was unable to take my pill for about 3 days and on the fourth day I took the pill for that day and continue to take the pill. About a week and a half later I had sex and he ejaculated in me and the next day it was my inactive week . The next month I take my pills like how I’m suppose to and when it came to my inactive week I did not get my period. I just thought due to the missed pill it changed my pattern so I continue to take the pill until this month I take my oils regularly and I had sex this month . And this week is my inactive pill week and 2 days into my inactive pill still no period and this morning I had cramps and I felt like I got my period but it was watery discharge it felt like period was coming out but it was water . Please help am I pregnant ? What do I do ?

  23. hi, i stopped and finished my pills last month and got my period but i did not take after it. then i had unprotected sex 5days ago. and start to drink the pill again the same day i had sex. i am still drinking the pill as of now. am i still safe?

  24. I’m taking my pills for 7 days. And my boyfriend and i don’t want to use any condom anymore, so if we will have an unprotected sex on the 9th or 10th day of taking my pills does it mean that i would not get pregnant? What if he ejaculated on me? Replyplease.

  25. Hi I started taking the birth control pill 2 or 3 days and me and my boyfriend have had sex but he’s pulled out .. Recently we had sex twice in a day and he didn’t wear a condom but got it over my vagaina I wiped it off but we did it the second time and I think he put on the condom and later took it off and when he was going to cum he put it on to catch the sperm ..,he said he didn’t cum inside me but he had came already before .. question is can I still get pregnant ? During that day I was ovulating

  26. Please i need an answer
    I have been taking the pills since friday(my period came and my doctor said i should start them)the same time everyday and my period is 7 days and before two days and yesterday i had sex while on my period can i still get pregnant because before two days i took my 5 pill and yesterday my 6 pill
    Im too shy to ask my doctor about that

  27. If I haven’t had a period in 2 months but haven’t had sex and took 2 weeks of birth control pills when can I start having sex ?

  28. I just finished my pack of BC and I had my period. I’m taking my pill avian tomorrow because it’s the day after my period. Can I have sex after I take the pill the same day and be okay?

  29. I started my birthcontrol this month but wasn’t consistent in taking it in the same hour everyday. I had unprotected sex and took the pill that night. the next day I discounteued the usage of the pill. can I get pregnant?

  30. Hi im lucia,,,i started my first pack pills on the the first day of my menstruation last june 16 2016′ every 9pm continously, my last pill or 21 pills took 2 hours late,,,then on the next day around 9 am i had unprotected sex with my bf. My questions are:
    1. Do i still safe?
    2.If i continue to take pills on the second pack do i still wait after seven days ?

    I need your help and response

  31. June 18 started my period had sex june 27 he released in me i sat on the toilet for 10 minutes duched can i still get pregnant.

  32. I am waiting for my period the month of August and take a pill on my first day. After I have take a pill for 7 days, is it okay to have unprotected sex? Is it sfe if he finish inside me? Please. I need your replies as soon as possible because my boyfriend wants to ejaculate inside me and I want to make sure my safety first. Could anyone help me??

  33. Hello, I had unprotected sex early Sunday morning and I forgot to take my pill Monday night. I took it now with my Tuesday pill. I took every one of my pills for 3 months now correctly give or take a few hours before the sex including that Sunday. Does that mean I might get pregnant?

  34. this is my fourth day on my pill and my boyfriend forgot to withdraw, so he finish inside me. Is it possible that i am going to get pregnant? Please answer me. Im so scared.

  35. Hi. Im so scared because this is my 4th day on taking pills and my boyfriend forgot to withdraw so he ejaculated inside me. Is there a possible im going to be pregnant?

  36. I need to know what to do asap, it’s been 4 years since I been on birth control for irregular reasons, I never had sex, and today was my first but unprotected, i dont know why but I bleed and I just need to know if I take a birth control pill and start taking them until the period week comes if i won’t get pregnant

  37. I’m on the 5th day on birth control and had sex with a condom, but it broke there was no cum only pre-cum. Should I be freaking out?

  38. Can pre-cum get you pregnant? I’m on the 5th day of the pill and the condom broke but it was only pre-cum! Am I worried for nothing? Help!!!

  39. I did not take my pill for five days during the first week. Had unprotected sex, and took two pills that night, will I get pregnant?

    • I cannot say that you definitely will, but I can say that you have put yourself into a situation where pregnancy could result. Whenever you do not follow your manufacturer’s directions you are then not using the product as intended and how it has been tested. Therefore the manufacturer guarantees are null and void.

  40. Hi, I want your opinion, I have endometriosis but after the surgery 2 years ago my period have been regular, not the same days but every month. On May 25th I got my period until the 31th. On June I was taking progesterone per Drs. order on the week of the 20th until the 25th so I didn’t get my period on June but i started my birth control on the 29th, on July the 7th I had sex but the condom broke I didn’t worry because I was taking the pill, but because we were traveling my purse got lost and so was my pills, so I took the pills just until July 10th, but got what i think was my period on the 13th until the 18th , on the 21st I started spotting until the 27th. Can I be pregnant?

  41. Hi! I went on nuvaring 13 days ago. On day 10 I had sex, the condom broke, and semen likely made contact with me. I know I am protected from pregnancy seeing as I waited the recommended time before sex after beginning hormonal birth control, I now desperately want to get off of it. I know that sperm can live for some time in the vagina so will I be risking pregnancy if I remove the ring today, three days after the condom breaking incident?

  42. hi im so worried this is my first time to use diane pills…me and my boyfriend have sex after 13days of taking diane pills..he didnt withdraw and ejaculated inside me..am i safe in getting pregnants..thanks

  43. Hi i’ve been on yasmin for about three weeks now. First day in to the second week and two days after that I’ve had unprotected sex and my bf did ejaculate inside me. I’ve never taken a pill late and never missed a pill. I’m going to my placebo pill week tomorrow. Is t too early for me to take a home pregnancy test yet? Thank you! I’m just worried that i might get preg.

  44. I have been on birth control for almost 2 months. I took the pill this morning that is brown in color (I think my doctor said that is the one that makes my periods or how ever you word that.) I took the pill over 8 hours ago and no sign of bleeding. My boyfriend and I had sex a few days ago and I can not remember if he pulled out. How much of a possibility is it that I am pregnant?

    • If you have been taking your pill according to the manufacturers directions, then you should be protected against pregnancy, even if you are taking the period week pills.

  45. My GF had the implant BC and it was messing with her hormones too much so she switched to the pill. She had taken the first 7 pills, and took the 8th yesterday morning and we had unprotected sex for a couple of minutes. I never came or anything, but I’m just freaking out a little bc we have a lot of good things about to happen in our lives. Should I worry?

  46. Hi just wanna know what’s the possibility of getting pregnant. My first day of mestruation was August 1…have my mens til August 5, same day I took my oral contraceptives. Have sex on Aug 8th (drunk already 3 pills) and have sex again today August 10 (on my 5th pills). Is it possible that I will be getting pregnant?

  47. Hi everyone, any advice/ insights would be greatly appreciated ! (: Soo the
    3rd) was my last day of my period
    the 7th) I started my new 1st pack of birth control pills (sunday after my period)
    the 9th and 10th) my boyfriend and I had sex and he came inside
    my fertile window is the 12th-17th (with the 16th being ovulation)

    I know birth control starts kicking in a week after (yes I know I should have used an extra contraceptive T_T), and also know sperm can live up to 7 days (depending).
    Sooo will I be okay or not okay !? The sperm can live up up to my fertile window… but does it matter cause the BC will kick in this weekend !? Thank you so much for the help !

    • I have also been taking my BC regularly and at the same time ever since I started on the 7th !!

  48. I take pills consistently and my last take is on August 15 at 8:00p.m, we had unprotected sex at 9:00p.m and on August 16 8:00p.m i forgot to take the pill i only remembered it when its already 4:00 a. m (August 17).. Will i become pregnant?

  49. Hi I’m I been taking my birth control pill but on Thursday August 25 I took it late bout 10 cause I had fell asleep but Friday mornin came I took my pill at 3:21 and then bout 3 sum me and my fiance had unprotected sex and he came in me but I used the bathroom and clean myself up afterward I’m wonder can I get pregnant if I took my pills at different time cause I just had a baby in June please help me I’m really worried

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