Traveling to different time zones can easily disrupt your normal pattern of pill-taking. If you are taking a combined oral contraceptive it is only essential to adjust your pill-taking to the local time at your destination if there is a time difference which would result in a delay of more than 3 hours in tablet-taking.
Consult the time zone map to see whether you need to adjust your pill-taking time.
There are other things to bear in mind when you travel apart from changing time zones:
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The hormones in the pill are sensitive to high temperatures. In hot regions you should keep the pill in the shade or in a refrigerator and make sure it is not exposed to direct sunlight for any length of time.
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Stomach upsets are a frequent side-effect of foreign travel. Vomiting and diarrhea can diminish the reliability of the pill. If vomiting or diarrhea occurs within 3-4 hours after taking the pill you should follow the same procedure as for a missed pill.
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If you need to take additional medication on holiday you should discuss this with your doctor.
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Remember that the pill does not provide protection against AIDS. If you want to have sex with someone you do not know well you should use a condom.
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Put the pack insert with your travel documents in case you leave the pack of pills at home or lose it while you are away. The pack insert tells you the composition of the pill. This is particularly important as proprietary names can differ from country to country.
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