Birth Control Forum - Expired Birth Control Pills... Help!

Womens Health > Birth Control Forum > Expired Birth Control Pills... Help!

Birth control is helpful in preventing pregnancy. Need to know more about birth control? Start here to learn more about popular methods of birth control....

Q: Expired Birth Control Pills... Help!

asked by: chococat on October 8th, 2004

New User

I ran out of pills right after my insurance coverage stopped covering me so my friend gave me her extra pack (ortho tri). I am about to finish my second week and as I was about to take my pill tonight, and I suddenly noticed that the pack expired on aug.... 2003! I called her in a panic but she said that it probably still works (she is a lvn). I want to believe her, and I did get naseuos on the first week pill as I usually do, so i'm hoping its still effective.

Am I in big danger? If I can find another pack elsewhere, what then? Do I ditch the present pack altogether and then start the pack fresh with the green pills... Or start it where I left of with the old?

Or are the pills i'm currently on still effective?
Please help!

Replies(3)

PattyV

replied on October 9th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Certain meds can be effective after the expiration date.However,birth control pills would not be on that list.Do you really want to take that chance??Use your head and spend the money!Better safe than sorry.Patty

Cassy

replied on October 10th, 2004

Experienced User

This happened to me once. If you can find another pack, start off with the same pill you'd normally take on that dat. Don't restart the pack. Then go through the rest of the pack and start a new one.

juniper

replied on October 10th, 2004

Experienced User

Yes, please find some pills that are not expired.

Also, use backup birth control for the next month (for a full month after you get pills that are not expired).

There's no point in using dubious bcp - get to a clinic (like planned parenthood) and get your own prescription. Shop around online and see if you can find a place that can fill the prescription for you affordably.

You should be seeing a gyno regularly. Your health is too important. If you are sexually active, you definitely need to have a pelvic exam every year and regular paps.

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc