When will the pill start protecting me again if I have had diarrhoea? | Diarrhea after taking the pill

When will the pill start protecting me again if I have had diarrhoea?

The protection provided by the pill depends on the preparation used as well as the duration of diarrhoea. The contraceptive pill usually takes about 6 hours to be absorbed by the body and to develop its effect. If diarrhoea occurs in this time window, the contraceptive protection is no longer given.

With many so-called combination preparations, however, it is then possible, provided that diarrhoea does not recur, to simply take the pill within 12 hours and thus maintain protection. With other forms of the contraceptive pill, such as the so-called minipill, the time window is much smaller. If the pill is not taken again within 2-3 hours, adequate protection can no longer be assumed.

Those affected should then resort to another form of contraception. If the diarrhoea lasts for more than one day, a lack of hormones is to be assumed and the contraception should be supplemented by other contraceptives, irrespective of the pill preparation used. A second method of contraception, such as condoms, should then be used at least until the next menstrual period begins. If there are any uncertainties or questions about the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill, during or after diarrhoea, the gynecologist should always be contacted for safety reasons.