I’m on the minipill Jencycla as I came off the combined pill a year ago+ to get pregnant. Gave birth early December 2023 and have been taking this new pill since Feb (now I’m on my 3rd box). I’m quite confused about something… what is considered “on time” with the mini pill? Is it the 3-hour window? I usually take mine around 10:15pm, but it has happened twinge where I took it at midnight. Would that still be okay? As for missing a pill, it is passed the 3-hour mark; correct? And it only take 2 full days of taking the pill to be fully protected again? —— I find it odd how it takes less time with the mini pill than the combined pill, but maybe someone could shed some light.

on time is anything less than 3 hours/12 hours (it depends on what mini pill you’re on) so if yours was 3 hours as long as it was less than 3 you’re protected. as for missing a pill, it is 2 full days (so three pills) until you’re fully protected. this is because the mini pill works in two ways - one is stopping ovulation which takes 7 days (8 pills)- just like the combined pill, and the other way is making the vagina unlivable for sperm which only takes two days (three pills), which the combined pill can’t do

The 3 hour window is for norethindrone mini pills, it's 12 hours for desogestrel mini pills. Which pill are you on?

^^ jencycla

Oh sorry I missed that! Jencycla is a norethindrone pill so yes your window is 3 hours before its missed

@onthepillxo & is it normal that in the past 2 months and a half of taking, I had one period… now I’m “due” for my period but I have nothing? From what I gather, I could bleed or not bleed and it would all be normal but I just don’t want to be dealing with an unwanted pregnancy.

@aurielle so, for this type of pill, is there a “late” window, or anything not at the exact time is “late” until missed?

you’re not taking break weeks are you? you’re not supposed to. not bleeding is very normal on the mini pill, in an ideal world that’s what’s supposed to happen- the only time you would bleed is by missing a pill or because of breakthrough bleeding which is a very common side effect of the mini pill. so you’re never really “due” for a bleed

@Wanderess no there isn't really a thing as "late" it's either missed or not. Anything within 3 hours is good. Anytime after the 3 hour window is missed.

the combined pill suppresses ovulation for 7 days after taking 7 pills hence why it is a lot more lenient, same with the desogestrel mini pill it can potentially suppress ovulation so it will be more lenient. the notethinderone mini pill prevents pregnancy by thickening the cervical mucus and thinning the uterine lining