How to change contraceptives without risking pregnancy

Female contraceptives are drugs or medical devices used to prevent pregnancy and can be used as a tablet, vaginal ring, transdermal patch, implant, injectable or intrauterine device. There are also barrier methods, such as condoms, which should be used not only to prevent pregnancy, but also to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

Given the wide variety of female contraceptives available and the different impact they can have on each woman, sometimes the doctor may recommend switching from one contraceptive to another, in order to find out which one works best for you. each case. However, to change contraceptives, some care must be taken, because in some cases there may be a risk of pregnancy.

1. For combined pill

Before making the exchange, it is important that the gynecologist is consulted so that the exchange is done correctly:

Switching brands: in this case, it is recommended to start the new combined pill on the day after the last active tablet of the previously used oral contraceptive or on the day after the usual interval without treatment. In the case of a combined pill that has inactive pills, called placebos, these should not be ingested, and the new pill should be started the day after using the last active pill from the previous pack;
Of a transdermal patch or vaginal ring: the start of the combined pill should take place on the day the ring or patch is removed, as directed by the doctor;
Of an injectable contraceptive, implant or hormonal IUD: the combined pill should be started on the scheduled date of the next injection or on the same day or day after the implant or IUD is removed hormonal;
From a mini-pill: the combined pill can be used any day.

In the case of changing brands of combined pill or changing the patch or ring to the combined pill, there is no risk of becoming pregnant as long as the woman has made correct use of the previous contraceptive method and the change has been made accordingly with medical advice. However, in the case of switching from an injectable contraceptive, implant, hormonal IUD or mini-pill, it is recommended that condoms be used within the first 7 days of using the combined oral pill to reduce the risk of pregnancy.

2. For mini-pill

Before starting the use of the mini-pill, it is important that the gynecologist is consulted so that he can be evaluated if it is possible to make the change and how to do it in the best way:

Switching brands: in this case, you can start using the new mini-pill on any day;
Combined pill: a woman should take the first mini-pill the day after the last pill of the combined pill. In the case of a combined pill that has inactive pills, called placebos, these should not be taken and therefore the new pill should be started the day after the last active pill in the previous pack;
Using a vaginal ring or transdermal patch: the mini-pill should be started the day after these contraceptive methods are withdrawn;
Of an injectable contraceptive, implant or hormonal IUD: in this case, the start of the mini-pill should be on the same day or the day after the ring or patch is removed, according to the guidance of the gynecologist;

In the case of switching to the mini-pill from the injectable contraceptive, implant or hormonal IUD, it is recommended to use condoms during sexual intercourse during the first 7 days of starting the use of the new contraceptive method, as this way it is possible to reduce the risk of pregnancy.

3. For vaginal ring

Changing the contraceptive method for a vaginal ring should be done according to the gynecologist's advice:

Combined pill or transdermal patch: the ring must be inserted no later than the day after the usual treatment-free interval, either a combined pill or a transdermal patch. If it is a combined pill that has inactive pills, the ring must be inserted the day after the last inactive pill;
Of an injectable contraceptive, implant or hormonal IUD: in this case, the insertion of the vaginal ring must take place on the scheduled date for the next injection or on the same day or day after the extraction implant or hormonal IUD, as directed by the gynecologist.

During this exchange, there is only risk of pregnancy in the exchange from the hormonal IUD, injectable contraceptive and implant and, therefore, it is recommended that a condom be used within the first 7 days after the ring is placed.

4. For transdermal patch

It is important that the gynecologist is consulted so that the change from the contraceptive method to the transdermal patch can be evaluated:

Combined pill or vaginal ring: patch should be placed no later than the day after the usual treatment-free interval, either a combined pill or a transdermal patch. If it is a combined pill that has inactive pills, the ring must be inserted the day after the last inactive pill;
Of an injectable contraceptive, implant or hormonal IUD: the transdermal patch should be placed on the scheduled date of the next injection or on the same day or day following the extraction of the implant or Hormonal IUD, as directed by the physician.

After placement of the transdermal patch, it is recommended that a condom be used for sexual intercourse 7 days after placement of the patch, especially when the previous method was the injectable contraceptive, implant or hormonal IUD.

5. For injectable contraceptive

Switching from the combined pill to the injectable contraceptive must be carried out under the guidance of the gynecologist, in which case it is recommended that the injection be given within 7 days after the last active contraceptive of the combined pill.

Furthermore, in the case of switching from quarterly to monthly injectable contraceptives, it is important that the switch is made under the guidance of the doctor, as this way it is possible to guarantee contraception and the ideal levels of hormones. Thus, as there may be variations, it is recommended that during the first month of the exchange, condoms are used in all sexual relations. See how the monthly injectable contraceptive works.

6. For IUD

The change from the contraceptive pill to the IUD should be done under the guidance of the gynecologist, after blood tests, and it is normally performed in the first 12 days of the menstrual cycle. After insertion of the IUD, it is not necessary to make further use of oral contraceptives.

In the case of other contraceptive methods, the change to the IUD may vary from woman to woman and the method used, and it is essential to consult a gynecologist. Learn more about the IUD.