A question about birth control- (i'm confused!)

[rainbowmoon]

Last month I went on the pill for a variety of reasons. One of them was to stop bleeding- I had been spotting and bleeding for about a month straight. Another reason was to clear my skin, and to protect against pregnancy.

So, I started my pill on any random Sunday last month. I was aware that if I didn't start on the Sunday after my period, the birth control would not work for the first month- I took it anyway, because I just wanted to get it started. I was not bleeding when I took it, so I used protection for this month.
I haven't had my period yet- I stopped the hormone pills Saturday night- and I am worrying a little (probably for no reason) because when my boyfriend and I were having sex we didnt put a condom on until the end, and on Sunday we did the 'pull out' method because he came before we got a chance to put the condom on...My question, however, is if I don't have my period this week while I'm not on the hormones, when will the pill be effective?! Do I have to wait 7 days into the next cycle of pills or if I don't have a period does that mean that I have to wait a whole month and hope I have my period that time?
:help:
lovenlight,
Linz

[rabid_child]

I take my last pill on a Wednesday night, and I get my period the following Monday night or Tuesday. It takes almost a week without the pills for my body to withdrawl enough to bleed. That being said, I wouldn't give up on having a period this month yet.

If the first time you take BC pills you start "any day", they are effective after one week. If you start on the first day of your period, then they are effective from day 1. (Though its always a good idea to use condoms, especially during the first month, and thereafter just because its a good idea to have a backup!!) After that point, as long as you take them daily at around the same time, they will continuously be effective, even if you're on your week off/placebo week. (Keep in mind, unless it takes an entire week for your period to start, the only time you would have ever started your pills on the first day of your period is the first time you ever took them)

If you don't get your period by the time you're scheduled to start taking your pills again, I would take a pregnancy test just to make sure thats not the reason you aren't getting your period, and then start taking your pills again as scheduled. Your body may just be adjusting to the hormones. (A phone call to the doc wouldn't be out of order either)

Good luck.

[MollyGoat]

Probably you're fine, like RC said, it can take a while for your body to adjust to the pill and you don't necessarily have your period right after you take your last pill.

That said, I'm glad you're using the pill, because having sex AT ALL without a condom does not protect against pregnancy, whether you put it on at the end or not!

[IamJen]

I haven't had my period yet- I stopped the hormone pills Saturday night- and I am worrying a little (probably for no reason) because when my boyfriend and I were having sex we didnt put a condom on until the end, and on Sunday we did the 'pull out' method because he came before we got a chance to put the condom on...My question, however, is if I don't have my period this week while I'm not on the hormones, when will the pill be effective?! Do I have to wait 7 days into the next cycle of pills or if I don't have a period does that mean that I have to wait a whole month and hope I have my period that time?
:help:
lovenlight,
Linz

Well, it's often 4-5 days before your period starts, once you stop taking the hormone pills. So, it could still happen. :)

[rainbowmoon]

If what you say about starting your pills on any day and them being effective after one week is true (I did read somewhere it was a month), then I should be alright because I had been taking the pills for two weeks before I had sex. I think I will probably have a period this month, its still early. I guess I was kinda freaking out for no reason, since my period could still very well happen.


I take my last pill on a Wednesday night, and I get my period the following Monday night or Tuesday. It takes almost a week without the pills for my body to withdrawl enough to bleed. That being said, I wouldn't give up on having a period this month yet.

If the first time you take BC pills you start "any day", they are effective after one week. If you start on the first day of your period, then they are effective from day 1. (Though its always a good idea to use condoms, especially during the first month, and thereafter just because its a good idea to have a backup!!) After that point, as long as you take them daily at around the same time, they will continuously be effective, even if you're on your week off/placebo week. (Keep in mind, unless it takes an entire week for your period to start, the only time you would have ever started your pills on the first day of your period is the first time you ever took them)

If you don't get your period by the time you're scheduled to start taking your pills again, I would take a pregnancy test just to make sure thats not the reason you aren't getting your period, and then start taking your pills again as scheduled. Your body may just be adjusting to the hormones. (A phone call to the doc wouldn't be out of order either)

Good luck.

[kristadb]

I remember this very clearly when I first went on the pill - when you first start taking the pill, you are able to get pregnant the first month. On my patch handout here, it says that it's a month, as well for first timers. /shrug

Now, if you miss a pill, then it's 7 days before you're safe.

[MollyGoat]

Every pill I've ever taken says you're fine if you miss a pill, that you can just take it when you remember. You only have to use backup if you miss more than two.

[kristadb]

please stop making me read the fine print.

first week - if you miss 1 day, backup for 7.

also, there is the issue that people who don't take their pills at the same time everyday have gotten pregnant. Sooo important to take it on time.

[IamJen]

Pssst...different pills, different directions. :)

[MollyGoat]

I've taken several different kinds of pills, including ultra-low-dose ones, so I'm pretty surprised that any kind of pill advises you to use back-up for 7 days after missing just one.

[kristadb]

I realize it's late, but doesn't post 10 contradict post 7?

[MollyGoat]

Um...no?

Let me boil it down. I've taken several different kinds of pills. All of them have said in the inserts: "If you miss one pill, take it when you remember. You do not need to use back up. If you miss two pills, take two today and two tomorrow. You do not need to use back up. If you miss three pills, [insert complicated set of directions involving which week you missed the pills in here.] Use a backup method for seven days." It seems odd to me that some pills would tell you to use a backup after missing just one pill, since the kinds of pills I have taken didn't, including the super-low-dose ones.

That is what I was (at least trying to) say with both posts....

[CharityAJO]

My pills said you should use back-up for the first month... Until your body, like, integrates these hormones. The pill is supposedly more effective the longer you've been on it.

But I think I'm missing something here.
we didnt put a condom on until the end What do you mean by "end"? Do take note of those pre-ejaculatory emissions, dear. I doubt you're pregnant this time, but for the future... Remember your sex ed!

[lvandok]

When I was on the pill it took 5 days after my last pill for my period to start. BTW it is generally seen as okay to take up to six packs back to back so you only get your period a few times a year.

There is even one brand out now that reduces your period to 4 times a year.

Even if you are not comfortable with that few periods it is still useful to take the odd pack back to back to avoid having a period while on vacation or any other time it would be inconvienient

[rainbowmoon]

Ok...thanks everybody.
Charity- Yes, I've been very stupid. I shouldn't have done that, but it didn't seem like a big deal at the time, until I missed my period (as of yet, it is still not here) and then someone (err, Krista) pointed out that pre-ejac could make me pregnant.
I doubt I am pregnant, either, but I am still going to worry until I see my period.

[kristadb]

I'd also like to scare all of you and relay this story:

I was zealous about my birth control. Took it at exactly the same time every day. I would alarm my clock on weekends - just to take it on time. Then, I missed it. I took it late that evening. Wasn't even a full day. Didn't think much of it. Didn't use backup.

I got pregnant.

[rainbowmoon]

:cry:

[kristadb]

:p

I'm not helping, am I?

[rainbowmoon]

:no: The worst part is, me and the boyfriend just keep freaking each other out more and more, until we realize that the chances aren't that great. I think the stress- this business, exams, ect.,- is probably holding my period off.

[CharityAJO]

For all that's worth, the stress of worrying...

:D Catch 22, eh?

For a soothing anecdote: I've goofed my pills a million times and I never got pregnant.

[Christy]

I'd also like to scare all of you and relay this story:

I was zealous about my birth control. Took it at exactly the same time every day. I would alarm my clock on weekends - just to take it on time. Then, I missed it. I took it late that evening. Wasn't even a full day. Didn't think much of it. Didn't use backup.

I got pregnant.
That's it, I'm taking two a day.

[rabid_child]

I'd also like to scare all of you and relay this story:

I was zealous about my birth control. Took it at exactly the same time every day. I would alarm my clock on weekends - just to take it on time. Then, I missed it. I took it late that evening. Wasn't even a full day. Didn't think much of it. Didn't use backup.

I got pregnant.

I asked my gyno what the window of opportunity was for taking your pills "on time" every day, and she said it doesn't matter exact hour/minute. It matters that you take it at the same time of day every day. If you take it in the morning, take it in the morning every morning, or if you take it before bed, take it before bed every night, don't do morning one morning, dinner the next day, then the next morning again. I take mine between 10-12 every night, have been on it since 2000, had sex with a guy using it as my sole source of birth control for almost a year and didn't get pregnant (not that I would ever do that again! :D), so not everyone does. Otherwise it wouldn't be so popular.

[kristadb]

That's it, I'm taking two a day.

:lol:

I got to the point that I wouldn't have sex for the rest of the month w/ my husband if I screwed up 1 pill.

[lvandok]

Ok...thanks everybody.
Charity- Yes, I've been very stupid. I shouldn't have done that, but it didn't seem like a big deal at the time, until I missed my period (as of yet, it is still not here) and then someone (err, Krista) pointed out that pre-ejac could make me pregnant.
I doubt I am pregnant, either, but I am still going to worry until I see my period.

I don't think it counts as missing your period. I am pretty sure it takes between 5-7 days after the last pill for your period to start. You are totally worrying about nothing. If you need reassurance just phone the local health clinic and ask them how long it takes after your last pill before your period starts. You aren't even due till tomorrow or the day after.

[Nicky]

My doc said that on the third day of taking the 'sugar' pills women using get their period. However everyone is different and so is every pill.
Rabid_child has summed it up pretty well I think, good luck :)