Is it true that taking your birth control pills at different times of the day makes them less effective?

Question

I was on birth control when I got pregnant, but was not diligent about the time of day I took the pill. I thought it was a myth. It was two years of regulart sexual activity with my partner before I got pregnant...so I was just wondering if that has an effect on it or if it is just a myth?

Answer 1

As for as possible you may avoid the change of the timings in taking your pills for attaining maximum result.

Answer 2

Yes.  It's no myth.

Answer 3

I think its more to get women into the habit of taking it.  If you have a ritual...something like switch on coffee pot, take pill, eat cereal then you're more likely to remember to take it.  Whereas if you just leave them lying around you're very likely to forget them.  

My pills say that back-up protection is only needed if you miss by more than 12 hours, so if you took them further apart than that then it could cause you to get pregnant presumably by allowing a fertilized egg to implant.

Answer 4

the pill these days is far less hormone than in the 60s when it first came out.  you should take it the same time each day and after a couple years on that pill, change to another kind as they seem to not be as effective for pregnancy control.  

Answer 5

the mini pill is not effective if is not taken within 3 hours of the same time each day (ie 7pm one night and then 12 midnight the next will make it ineffective)

The combined pill is more flexible though - I think it is nearer 12 hours leeway.

Answer 6

It is not a myth, on the directions it tells you to take the pill at the same time every day. This is because taking it at different times of day does not regulate the horomones that keep you from getting pregnant as good as if you take them at the same time. If you take them at the same time, the dosage is consistant in your blood stream and the likelyhood of you becomming pregers is very small. If the horomone is not consistant then chances raise of becomming pregnant. So yes, it did have an effect on it, you getting pregnant on the pill, while not taking them at the same time. It took two years last time, if you take the pill this time it may take less time or more time, if you don't take it at the same time again. But... good luck with your little one! :)

Answer 7

I was always told that you had to take them around the same time every day!  Or they wouldn't be as effective!