Expert: Norman Solberg - 1/9/2010

Question
WHAT IS THE TIME LINE OF EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PILL? IF I HAD SEX TWO HOURS AFTER MY DAILY DOSE, WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY OF GETTING PREGNANT IF THE CONDOM BREAKS?

Answer
The pill works on a long term basis by stopping ovulation and affecting cervical mucous.  As long as you've been taking it for a while and take a pill every day, the pill is protecting you.  It doesn't make any difference if you have sex before, after or during sex.  If you don't miss any pills, the chance of getting pregnant in one year is less than 1%.  That's without using condoms.  So if a condom breaks but you haven't missed any pills, your chance of pregnancy is very tiny.