When do oral contraceptives become effective

If a person applies the first patch within 5 days of starting a period, it works immediately. Otherwise, it takes 7 days to become effective. Barrier methods prevent fertilization by stopping sperm from reaching an egg.

Male and female condoms , the diaphragm , and the sponge all create a physical barrier. Spermicides are substances that contain chemicals that kill sperm. A person might use a cream, foam, film, suppository, or gel variety. Insert it into the vagina, near the cervix.

Learn more about other nonhormonal methods of birth control. With typical use :. Combining a physical barrier, such as a condom, with spermicide increases its effectiveness. Condoms need to fit properly to work, however. Here, learn how to find the right size of condom. A person inserts a vaginal ring into their vagina. They wear it for the first 3 weeks of their cycle, then remove it to allow menstruation to occur.

If a person inserts the ring on the first day of their cycle, it works immediately. Otherwise, it takes 7 days to work. Here, learn more about a type called NuvaRing. Using the birth control shot involves having an injection of the hormone progestin every 3 months. This prevents ovulation. When a person has an injection within 5 days of a period starting, it works immediately. Male sterilization, a procedure called a vasectomy , prevents sperm from getting into semen.

A person still ejaculates, but pregnancy cannot occur. After a vasectomy, fertility declines slowly and steadily. It involves closing or blocking the fallopian tubes, which would otherwise carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. You will not need additional contraception. If you start the pill on the 5th day of your period or before, you will still be protected from pregnancy straight away.

You will not be protected from pregnancy straight away and will need additional contraception until you have taken the pill for 7 days. If you start the pill after the 5th day of your cycle, make sure you have not put yourself at risk of pregnancy since your last period.

If you're worried you're pregnant when you start the pill, take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after the last time you had unprotected sex. If you miss a pill or pills, or you start a pack late, this can make the pill less effective at preventing pregnancy. The chance of getting pregnant after missing a pill or pills depends on:.

Find out what to do if you miss a combined pill. If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the combined pill, it may not have been fully absorbed into your bloodstream. Take another pill straight away and the next pill at your usual time. If you continue to be sick, keep using another form of contraception until you've taken the pill again for 7 days without vomiting.

Very severe diarrhoea 6 to 8 watery poos in 24 hours may also mean that the pill does not work properly. Keep taking your pill as normal, but use additional contraception, such as condoms, while you have diarrhoea and for 2 days after recovering. Speak to a GP or nurse or call NHS for more information, if your sickness or diarrhoea continues.

If there are no medical reasons why you cannot take the pill, and you do not smoke, you can take the pill until your menopause.

However, the pill is not suitable for everyone. To find out whether the pill is right for you, talk to a GP, nurse or pharmacist. If you have just had a baby and are not breastfeeding, you can most likely start the pill on day 21 after the birth but you will need to check with a doctor. You will be protected against pregnancy straight away.

If you start the pill later than 21 days after giving birth, you will need additional contraception such as condoms for the next 7 days. If you are breastfeeding, you're not advised to take the combined pill until 6 weeks after the birth.

If you have had a miscarriage or abortion , you can start the pill up to 5 days after this and you will be protected from pregnancy straight away. If you start the pill more than 5 days after the miscarriage or abortion, you'll need to use additional contraception until you have taken the pill for 7 days. Some medicines interact with the combined pill and it does not work properly. Some interactions are listed on this page, but it is not a complete list.

If you want to check your medicines are safe to take with the combined pill, you can:. The antibiotics rifampicin and rifabutin which can be used to treat illnesses including tuberculosis and meningitis can reduce the effectiveness of the combined pill.

Other antibiotics do not have this effect. If you are prescribed rifampicin or rifabutin, you may be advised to change to an alternative contraceptive. If not, you will need to use additional contraception such as condoms while taking the antibiotic and for a short time after.

Take the hormone pills and then the seven non-hormone pills. You will get your period while you are taking the seven non-hormone pills. It may be lighter and less crampy than your regular period. Miss the seven non-hormone pills most months and take the hormone pills continuously, every day. Take the seven non-hormone pills when you want to have a period. Take the hormone pills continuously, every day. Take the hormone pills from one packet and then start the hormone pills from a new packet, missing the seven non-hormone pills.

With this option, you are protected from pregnancy unless you forget more than eight pills in a row. You can do this for as many packets of hormone pills as you like. You can take the non-hormone pills to have a period when you want to. You might notice bleeding and spotting at first, but this usually goes away with time or you can take up to seven non-hormone pills to have a period.

Your period may be lighter than usual, but if you miss your period, keep taking the pill and call us for advice. If you do get pregnant while taking the pill and want to continue with your pregnancy, there will be no extra risk for your baby.

You must also use a condom each time you have sex to prevent pregnancy. As a bonus, this is the only type of birth control that can prevent the exchange of STIs. Check out: How to use condoms properly ». Diaphragms, cervical caps , and sponges also start working right away. To be the most effective, these forms of birth control need to be used properly and fit well. If you have a baby, you will need to be refitted for your diaphragm or cervical cap.

This procedure blocks your fallopian tubes to prevent an egg from reaching the uterus and being fertilized. The surgery is effective right away, but you should still wait one to two weeks to have sex. This may be, more than anything, for your own comfort.

A tubal occlusion closes the fallopian tubes and prevents eggs from entering the fallopian tubes and uterus. Learn more: What every woman should know about female sterilization ». Shop for condoms. Keep reading: Emergency contraception options ». There are many reasons for wanting to skip your monthly period, including convenience and menstrual cramps. Learn about skipping your period on birth….