Resolved question:
Hello
First my details: I am a 44 year old, Caucasian female. I am 5'2" and weigh 198 pounds, am a non-smoker with no health issues.
I have 2 questions regarding the use of birth control pills and long-haul travel. I stopped taking the pill after turning 40 and instead use fertility monitoring and condoms. On Sunday, however, I am taking a trip to Amsterdam where I plan to be intimate with someone over the course of a couple of weeks. I realized this would be at a highly fertile time, so a month ago, I began taking Triquilar ( Schering) and have finished one pack, due to start my next pack the day before my trip. My questions are:
1. How to manage timing of the pill while I travel? I currently take the pill at 1 pm Seoul ( South Korea ) time. I am traveling to Amsterdam, which is 8 hours ahead. My flight will be 10 -11 hours duration, with my flight leaving 12:55 am. So, I take my pill at 1 pm the day of travel, but then, do I take a pill during the flight? And then, how should I time the pill while I'm in Amsterdam for efficacy? Sorry if this is a confusing question. Please note that I don't plan to stay on the pill after I return. I will finish out that pack and then stop.
2. Given my age and weight, how concerned should I be about DVT? I've taken many long-haul flights without a problem, both as a younger woman on the pill, and in recent years without it. Still, I've booked an aisle seat, and plan to take an aspirin or two. Is there anything else I should consider?
Thank you very much.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
OBGYN
Hello,
Thanks for writing to DoctorSpring.com with your health concern.
1. You take your pill at 1 pm on the day of travel, Seoul time. Then you board the flight at 1 am , 12 hours later. You reach Amsterdam after another 12 hours approximately.
So say you would reach Amsterdam at 1 pm itself, going by Seoul time ( 24 hours later more or less ).
So you take a pill as soon as you reach Amsterdam, whatever time it is over there locally.
And then continue taking the pill at that very time everyday for the rest of the month.
Say you reached at 9 pm Amsterdam time, so take a pill then, and then have the pill at that time everyday while you are out there.
Did this make sense, and is it clear ? I would not mind explaining again..
2. Given your age and weight, yes, DVT is a concern, but only with long term use. A couple of packs , one that you have used, and the current one, just two packs, will not at all carry a risk of DVT.
Particularly as you have had a safe history in the past with pills.
Yes, book an aisle seat, move around every hour or so ( take a walk down the aisle ).
Keep exercising your calves and take aspirin, starting 3 days before the trip, and stopping when you reach, again doing the same on the return journey.
All the best, Please feel free to discuss this further.
Wish you good health.
Thank you - that is reassuring about the dvt, and I will follow your aspirin advice.
When I land in Amsterdam it will be 4:55 am. If I try to shift the pill time to 7am ( 2 hours later than usual ) and then take it at that time every day, will I risk effectiveness? With this particular partner, I don't use a condom, but he withdraws every time.
Hi again,
No, shifting it 2 hours later and then taking it at the same time everyday will not reduce the effectiveness at all.
Take care.