I usually take my pill every day at 9 in the evening. In a few days I’ll be going on vacation where the time is 7+hours ahead from my country and I’ll admit I didn’t really think about it until now.
I take a progestin only pill so what I’ve read is it’s best to try to stick to your home time (I need to take it 3 hours max from my usual time) but I can’t just be waking up between 4-7 in the morning to take my pill for a 2 week vacation… My boyfriend isn’t coming so that’s not what I’m worried about but I don’t want any potential negative effects on my body so I don’t know how to go about it
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Just take the pill as soon as you wake up for the 2 week vacation and resume your normal time when you’re back and you’ll be fine
Do you have alarm on your phone? If so the time difference will automatically adjust to where you are.
For example where I live there is a 7 hour difference from where my parents live so I take my pill at 10pm. When I visit them I take it at 3pm.
Could you start taking it later in increments while you’re still here to push the time out and use the same strategy to reset when you get back? For example start taking it at 10 for a few days, then 11 to be able to at least push the time on your vacation into a more reasonable window?
Talk to your doctor. If they’re good with it migrate back a couple of hours instead of ahead.
9pm – 3hrs = 6pm. 6pm + 7hrs = 1am. You might be able to walk that back another hour or two after a few days, but again, talk to your doctor. I suggest back instead of ahead as it will be easier for when you come home. Migrating ahead to 7am vacation time will mean a midnight pill, and if you end up sleeping in during your vacation it could be even later.
Also, use condoms or abstain when you return until you’ve reset for a cycle or two.
I am not a doctor. Talk to your doctor.
Use backup contraception! Take it as soon as you remember when waking, but yes, changing the time drastically can change how effective it is.
Call your obgyn and ask
You have already gotten good advice, but I’ll just say that I chose the mini pill that can be taken within a 12-hour window for exactly this reason. I travel between continents a few times a year and didn’t want to deal with this conundrum, haha.
The hormone doses in the pills are usually so low these days that taking it too soon rather than too late is generally the preferred option. Especially if it’s a low-estrogen or progesterone only pill.
its not so much the “time”, specifically, but every 24hours.
For me, setting a new alarm at the destination time and popping my pill right away has been a lifesaver when traveling across borders, no more worrying about staying on schedule or freaking out if I miss a dose. Give it a try!