Am I protected during my week off when taking the pill?

Question

Hello, I take the pill continuously. I have been taking it for three 21-day periods. I would like to know if I will still be protected during the week I stop taking it (the 7 days of placebo). is it ok to have a few hours delay in taking the pill (3 hours)? 3 hours *

Sarah-Yan Chagnon · Accepted Answer

Hello, If you have been taking your pill regularly in the weeks before, your pill will protect you during your week of cessation. The important thing is that your break week is 7 days or less. Indeed, if you forget to take your pill on time and you stop for 8 days, it can trigger your ovulation and your relations of the last days would then be at risk. The new pills on the market now only have a 3 to 4 day break for this reason. Yes, a 3-hour delay does not decrease the effectiveness of your pill. It is considered a loss of effectiveness if you forget to take a pill more than 24 hours before the scheduled time. Hope to see you soon, Sarah-Yan Chagnon, pharmacist