Is sex safe when I'm between pill packs?

Dear Garfield, 

Seems like the pill has got you feeling unsure! But there’s no need for stress. Taking your birth control (commonly known as the pill) at the same time each day keeps your chances of getting pregnant very low, even if you haven’t started your new pill pack yet. Keep reading to find out how pill packs work and how you can use them to prevent pregnancy. 

What if my period finishes before I start the new pill pack?  

If you take your birth control pills at the same time every day (regardless of them being hormonal or placebo), your chances of getting pregnant are much lower. It’s also normal if your period is shorter than the last week of placebo pills. 

Sometimes birth control gives you an irregular period, meaning your bleeding can come at random times or can be lighter or heavier than usual. This is normal, since your body is responding to changes in hormones. If you’re taking your birth control as directed and starting your next pill pack on time, your birth control is likely effective. 

What are placebo pills?  

There are several types of birth control pills. The most common is the combination pill, which contains synthetic estrogen and progesterone. In most combination pill packs, the final week of pills don’t contain hormones. These hormone-free pills are also known as placebo pills or “reminder pills.” Placebo pills are there to keep you on a schedule of taking your birth control every day and ensure you start your new pill pack on time. These pills are often made of inactive ingredients such as sugar, and some brands include iron or vitamins. Keep in mind, the number of placebo pills can vary by brand. 

Most people get their period while taking the placebo pills because the drop in hormones causes the body to shed the uterine lining. In fact, there’s actually no medical need to take placebo pills. 

Some people even choose to skip taking placebo pills to avoid the discomfort that can come with having a period. If you’re interested in this, be sure to speak with your health care provider before you start skipping the placebo pills. You can discuss any concerns with them and make sure you have enough refills in your prescription. 

When are you the most likely to get pregnant during your menstrual cycle?  

You’re most fertile when your body releases an egg. This phase is called ovulation. For an average 28-day cycle, ovulation typically occurs on day 14. However, this varies from person to person. A common sign of ovulation is a cervical mucus discharge. 

To get a better sense of when ovulation occurs, it may help to know how to track your menstrual cycle. It begins on the first day of your period and ends the day before your next period begins. For example, if your period starts on June 1, that’s day one of your cycle. Most menstrual cycles last between 21 and 35 days.  

Along with tracking your cycle dates, noticing changes in your body can help. You might also consider using a calendar or app to track your period dates. This way, you don’t have to keep all the nitty-gritty information about your cycle dates in your head.  

What happens if you miss taking the pill?  

If you’re a day late or miss a hormonal pill by one or two days, you should take the missed pill as soon as you remember. You should also keep taking the rest of your pills at the usual time, even if you need to take two in one day. You most likely won’t need a backup contraception. 

If you’ve missed two or more hormonal pills in a row, it’s wise to consider backup contraception, like condoms or avoid sex until you’ve taken the hormonal pill for seven days in a row. For more details about what to do if you’ve missed more than two pills, this tool can help you figure it out.  

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Taking birth control pills on a regular schedule is important for preventing pregnancy. If you have questions about the type of pill you're taking, reaching out to your health care provider or Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB/GYN) is probably the right move.  

Hope this was just the right dose of information to help answer your question!