I'll consult my doctor next week, but I was just wondering, what advice have people been given regarding taking birth control pills while in Europe. You're supposed to take them at a certain time of day, but that would translate into having to take them in Germany at 4am. Does it really matter about the time? Silly question - I know.

Being an anal type, I figure out what my usual time would be at home and attempt to maintain the schedule! For me, since I would normally take my pill at 6am, I aim for 4pm in Europe. Let me know if your doctor says that's silly!

I don't take birth control pills but I do have a sever thyroid condition and need to take medication at the exact same time every day. Which is made worse by the fact that I need to fast before and after taking it. <BR>Normally I take my pill at 9am.. when I go to europe which is 8-10 hours ahead depending upon where you are, I take them between 4 and 6 pm, european time. <BR>If you would end up taking your birth control pill at 4 am that means you are taking your pill at approx 8 pm now. <BR>I asked my doctor the same question and he suggested I gradually change my time by an hour a day (before you leave) for example, tomorrow take your pill at 7 and do so for a few nights then 6 etc etc. Until you can get it to a time that is reasonable with the time zone into which you will be entering. <BR>This was recommended to me for my thyroid pills but I don't know if Birth Control pills have the same sensitivity to time. Maybe if you doubled up on one to get you on schedule or missed one before you left you might be ok, but I am certainly not your doctor so don't quote me on it. BTW not a silly question! <BR>

I don't take them anymore but I used to and did what Thyra recommended. A week or so ahead I'd start taking them an hour or so later/earlier so that when I arrived, I could take them at a reasonable local time. Supposedly you can be off by up to 24 hours but I never wanted to take that risk.

The only reason it is suggested that you take them at the same time every day is to ensure that you don't forget to take them. You are less likely to forget if you are on a schedule. They do not have the sensitivity to time as other medications, like the thyroid meds Thyra talked about. However, your Dr. should give you more reassuring advice.

Actually Ilisa - there is a medical reason for taking birth control pills at a certain time every day. What I have been told is that if you do not take them within the same 4 hour period at all times during the cycle you can not count on them being as effective. The cycle I know that I will be gone - I just start taking them at what will be a convenient time in Europe.

Thanks for all of your advice! I'll let you know what the doctor says (if you're interested).

I take a low dose BC pill (probably typical dose in US nowadays) and there are very definite reasons to take it at the same time and side effects and consequences if you do not. Believe me, I know, because I have forgotten them sometimes (I usually take just before bedtime) and if I am off even 8 hours (ie, remember next morning), my body knows it and there are effects (breakthrough bleeding and cycle screwed up for that month). Low dose BC are much more sensitive than prior high dose versions in my experience. Read the insert, mine is very explicit on timing; it is also not effective if you forget more than x hours, I forget the time, as my concerns are more with other reasons (I think 12 hrs or more maybe, it might be recommended to use other birth control if it is very important you do not get pregnant). I do what others have recommended, gradually start taking them an hour earlier every couple of days for about a week ahead so you get about 6 hrs back of your usual schedule.

As a general rule the pill must be taken within 12 hours of the normal time to be fully effective.If you are going to Europe you will be going forward 5-8 hours in time and so if you take them at the usual time by the clock in Europe there is no problem as you are actually taking them early by American time and so you have a slightly higher hormone level in your blood which ensures you do not ovulate.The problem arises when you are travelling west.If you fly from London to LAX you will have have a 32 hour day then so if you take your pill more than 4 hours late by California time you will be too late.If you get spotting on the pill consider making minor adjustments to the time you take the pill for a few days before you travel if you are going west.Remember too that most pregnancies on the pill occur because the woman goes back late on the new packet.

Why get all worked up? Just take the pill according to a convenient schedule, and use a condom as a back-up.