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When you’re away from home and out of routine, making a mistake with your contraception is, unfortunately, all too easy to do. However, with a little bit of forward planning and a few of these tips & tricks, you can enjoy your break safe in the knowledge that you are protected from pregnancy and potential STIs.
Holidays can often bring jet lag, late nights, lie-ins and a very mixed-up body clock!
However, it is crucial to remember that whether you are taking the progesterone-only pill or the combination pill, you need to take it at the same time every day to ensure your hormone levels remain at the correct threshold to prevent ovulation. Admittedly, this can become a little challenging when you travel across different time zones.
To stay on track, determine what your home time is in your new destination—a quick Google search can give you the answer—and ensure you take a pill every 24 hours, regardless of the local time.
One of the simplest yet most effective strategies to stay on track is to set a daily alarm or recurring calendar notification on your phone. This will serve as a direct reminder to take your contraception, helping you stay on track even when your daily schedule is unpredictable.
Remember: if you miss the appropriate time window or forget altogether, you may need to use a secondary form of contraception, such as condoms, to protect against pregnancy. If you have recently had sex, you may also need to access emergency contraception. Speak to a pharmacist, sexual health clinic or GP or call 111, as the combined pill can affect how some emergency contraception works.
If you are late to take your pill or happen to miss a dose entirely, don’t panic! What you do next will depend on the following:
It is always recommended to read the information leaflet specific to your medication and talk to a Pharmacist if in any doubt on what to do.
Holiday tummy troubles are sadly very common, as they can be triggered by air travel, unfamiliar foods and unclean water. However, as well as interfering with your tourist plans, digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhoea can also significantly impact the effectiveness of your oral hormonal contraceptives.
This is because once you’ve taken a pill, it can take two to three hours to be fully absorbed by your body. If you happen to vomit less than three hours after taking the combined pill, it will not have been absorbed, and you should take another pill straight away. As long as you're not sick again, you're still protected against pregnancy. The progestogen-only pill may not work if you vomit within two hours of taking it.
If you continue to be sick, use another form of contraception (such as a condom) until you’ve taken the pill for seven consecutive days without being sick or suffering diarrhoea.
It’s every traveller’s nightmare: arriving at baggage reclaim to discover that your suitcase has gotten stuck at departures.
But this scenario is almost certain to happen to you at least once in your life! So be prepared and avoid unnecessary worry by packing your contraception, and any other important medication you may need, in your carry-on bags rather than in your checked luggage.
Keeping your contraception on your person also allows you to stick to your schedule without interruption, regardless of any travel delays and unplanned airport stopovers that may occur.
It is definitely worth considering pre-ordering emergency contraception before your trip. Having it on hand can provide peace of mind and immediate access, if needed.
And remember, using a barrier method of contraception (such as condoms) is the only way to protect against STIs! Consider using condoms and your pill if you will be having sex during your trip.
Above all, preparation is key when it comes to successfully managing your contraception while travelling. By packing smart, understanding what to do in an emergency, and sticking to your schedule, you won’t have to worry about bringing unwanted ‘souvenirs’ home with you! Here’s to having a fun, safe and healthy trip.
