Jun 15, 2018
Freckledgirl asked
I’m switching from Xulane to the pill, and I take Xulane at 11:30 on every Saturday. If I decide to take my pill at a later time like 6 will the effectiveness go away?
Answer
Switching from birth control patches to birth control pills is easy. Simply start taking your new birth control pills when the next application would have been due. For example:
- You are due to apply a new birth control patch on Sunday. Instead of apply the patch, start taking your birth control pills.
- You do not need to use back-up contraception as you will still be protected from pregnancy.
In terms of starting on the day you are due, but at a later time, that is okay as well, as long as it is within 24 hours. There is a small chance of side effects, such as breakthrough bleeding and spotting for the first cycle, but this can happen anytime you switch birth control products. If any bleeding irregularities occur, they should resolve within 2-3 cycles.
