Expired Birth Control Question

[Heartlines.]

So, quite a while ago I got some birth control. I decided I would wait to take it until I really needed it because they would only give me seven months worth before I had to pay. And what I meant by taking it when I needed it is taking it is to start taking it regularly when I plan to be sexually active.

Well, I decided to start taking it regularly to regulate my period and what not. But on the the package, it says it expires March 2011. Now it's July. My question is, does birth control still work if it's expired? Is it still effective against pregnancy, and period regulation? Is it like food where they HAVE to put an expiration date on it?

Thanks for the help in advance!

[Angel]

I suppose they have some potency but if you're planning on having sex without a condom, I wouldn't trust it to be completely effective. You should probably get a fresh pack to start off with. There are clinics around where you can get birth control free or for a small fee depending on your income status. Wouldn't want to risk pregnancy, you know?

[wonderbread]

Well they put expiration dates on food because it will go bad. I would think it would still work but not nearly as well as it would have before the expiration date on, so use a condom as well. I think that if it would still work as effective and what not there would be no need for a expiration date so there is a reason there is a date on there.

[Aletheia*]

At my clinic, they wouldn't even give me birth control that was expired. So I'm assuming it's just as bad, like with your food analogy. I would call up a clinic near you, since I know you just moved and informing them that you'd been given birth control pills that have since expired and what you should do.