Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DABOM
Summary:
- Birth control pills are effective for preventing pregnancy—but like all medications, they can eventually expire, especially if they aren’t stored properly.
- All FDA-approved birth control pills have an expiration date listed on the label or container. Look for the letters EXP (which often precedes the expiry date).
- The expiration date applies to how long medication lasts in its original sealed container. Factors like temperature, humidity, and light exposure can make your pills expire before the date listed—so be careful how you store them.
- Using expired pills can reduce the effectiveness of birth control, and it may increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Always use birth control pills according to the label and your healthcare provider.
- If you have questions about the effectiveness of your birth control pills, consult a healthcare provider for advice.
Learn how to keep birth control pills effective as long as possible
Birth control pills are commonly used to prevent pregnancy by regulating hormones in the body—but like all medications, they are only effective when stored and used properly. Knowing the shelf life and storage requirements of your birth control pills helps ensure you’re always using the medication as safely and effectively as you can.
Below, we explain how long it takes birth control pills to expire, how to store them to prevent them from expiring too soon, and why it’s important to consult your healthcare provider if you have any doubts that your birth control pills still work.
Shelf life & expiration dates
What the expiry date on your birth control pills means
The FDA requires all medications to include a proposed expiration date and storage conditions upon application for approval. That means every pack of FDA-approved birth control pills has an expiration date printed on it.
This expiration date indicates the point at which the manufacturer can no longer guarantee the full effectiveness of the pills. As part of the approval process, the FDA must confirm that the expiration date is backed up by adequate testing and evidence.
All medications, including birth control, gradually lose potency over time. After the expiration date, the active ingredients may no longer work as intended. In the case of birth control, this means that the pills might not offer the same level of pregnancy prevention.
Related: What if you accidentally took 2 birth control pills?
Where to find the expiry date for your birth control medication
Most birth control pills have their expiration date printed in one of the following places:
- On the label of the medication
- Stamped on the container
Having trouble finding the expiry date for your birth control? Look for the letters “EXP”, which is printed before the expiry date for many medications.
Factors that can make your birth control pills less potent
The way you store and take care of any medication can change how long it stays effective. Here are some of the things that may make your birth control medication expire before the printed date:
- Heat
- Light
- Air
- Moisture
These conditions can cause the active ingredients in the pills to break down more quickly, which makes them less potent.
You should also avoid using birth control pills that appear discolored, cracked, or damaged—even if they haven’t reached their expiration date yet. Remember: the expiration date represents how long the medication remains stable in its original sealed container, and may no longer apply if you or someone else has tampered with the pills.
The risks of using expired pills
There are two main ways in which taking expired medications can be dangerous:
- The chemicals in the medication can change over time as they break down
- The medication can become less effective as the ingredients lose potency with age
Birth control pills are generally not highly toxic—one study on 54 people who overdosed on birth control showed that none of them became severely ill as a result. So, the most likely risk you face from using expired birth control is that it might not prevent you from getting pregnant.
Remember: birth control is over 99% effective when you take it exactly as directed by the label and your healthcare provider. But errors like missing pills or taking expired pills bring the average effectiveness of birth control pills down to around 91%.
Because of this, it’s essential to use birth control that is within its effective date range. If you’re ever unsure about the potency of your pills, it’s best to contact a healthcare provider before use.
Related:
Proper storage tips
To extend the shelf life and effectiveness of birth control pills, follow these storage tips for medications:
- Store in a cool, dry place: Avoid putting medicine in your bathroom cabinet, where it can be affected by heat and moisture from your shower. Dresser drawers or kitchen cabinets make better choices.
- Keep it in the original container: The container your pills came in was designed to store them properly until the expiration date.
- Remove any cotton balls: Cotton balls pull moisture into the bottle—which can cause the pills to deteriorate more quickly. Remove it for best results.
Consulting a healthcare provider
If you have questions about the potency of your birth control pills or suspect they may be compromised, talk to a healthcare provider before using them again. Only a qualified medical professional can offer reliable advice on whether you should continue using the pills you have or get a new prescription.
Your healthcare provider can also help answer questions you might have about the safety and effectiveness of your birth control—including how to store it so it doesn’t expire before the date listed on the label or container.
Learn more about your birth control options with Lemonaid Health
Storing your birth control pills responsibly and using them before they expire are the best ways to make sure they stay effective. Make sure to keep your pills in a cool, dry place, check expiration dates regularly, and consult your healthcare provider if you’re worried that your birth control might not be potent anymore.
Lemonaid Health can put you in touch with US-based healthcare professionals who can tell you more about your birth control options during private online consultations. With our help, you can find answers to your questions from qualified experts and get a prescription for FDA-approved birth control if it’s clinically indicated for you.
