Sick after taking the Pill? Be aware it might not work
If you vomit or have diarrhoea within four hours of taking the birth control pill, then that means you no longer have guaranteed contraceptive protection and should use another form of contraception first. — dpa
It takes about four hours for the birth control pill, also known as the Pill, to be effective and prevent pregnancy after you've taken it.
So what happens if you're sick or have diarrhoea in that time frame?
When vomiting between three and four hours after taking the Pill, you should take another one straight away, Britain's National Health Service (NHS) recommends, as the contraceptive is no longer effective.
If you continue to be sick, you should use another contraceptive such as condoms, until you've taken the Pill for seven days without throwing up, according to the NHS.
If you have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, continue taking the Pill as usual, but use another contraceptive 'until seven days after your diarrhoea has stopped'.
If you vomit or have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours while taking the last seven pills before your pill-free break, take them as normal, then skip the break and start the next pack right away.
In the meantime, use condoms or another contraceptive until you've taken the Pill for seven days without being sick. – dpa
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