Long after starting birth control can you have unprotected sex

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Starting birth control or switching to a new form of contraception may stir up some questions. Unless you and your partner are monogamous, condoms are your best bet for preventing STIs.

The Ohio State University. 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. I just start the pill yesterday morning at 9am.

Birth control pills are a popular and effective method of contraception. However, some factors, such as missing pill days, vomiting, and taking certain medications, can reduce the effectiveness of the pill and may result in unintended pregnancies. In this article, we look at how effective the birth control pill is, and five reasons why the pill might fail. We also give tips on how to prevent pill failure and describe some early signs of pregnancy.

Emergency contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Often called the morning-after pill, emergency contraceptive pills ECPs are pills that can be taken up to hours 5 days after having unprotected sex. Some types of emergency contraception work best when taken within 72 hours 3 days after intercourse.