Why is it that when you take the pill for the first time it has to be on the first day of your period?

Question

and what would happen if it is taken another day than the one stated?

Answer 1

The body goes through 3 cycles, the follicular phase (day 1-12, ovulation phase (day 13-15) and luteal phase (day 16 -28). Of course if you have less than or more than 28 days between cycles, your days will be slightly different. Birth control pills should be started on day one of the follicular phase (day 1 of your period) in order to keep you body on this cycle. If you started taking the pills say on day 21 just before you are suppose to start your period then the lining will have built up and and instead of sloughing off (having your period) it would continue to build until you hit day 28 of your pills. This is not what you want. If you want to be a "Sunday" starter but you start your period on a Monday, take two pills on Monday and you will be caught up. If you start your period on Tuesday, take two pills on Tuesday, two on Wednesday then one pill from Thursday on. If you start your period on Wednesday, you can wait until Sunday to start the first pill. Anytime you miss two or more doses or are starting birth control for the first time, you should either abstain for the first 7 days or use a condom and spermicide. Also, if you are on an antibiotic, this will lessen the effectiveness of the pill and you need to take use a condom and spermicide during your duration of the antibiotic.

Answer 2

You can start the pill ANY day of your cycle, but the companies and doctors decided it was easiest and made the most sense to tell women to start on this day becauses its easier to remember. Its not neccesary though. The only thing it will affect in the long run if you don't take it that day, is your period will come at a different time than if you had taken that day. Also, it affects how soon the pill is considered effective against pregnancy. Therefore, the fastest way to ensure you are protected by the pill against pregnancy is to take the pill on the first day you start your period. This is because it helps ensure that you haven't ovulated yet and that you won't be able to ovulate because by the time its time for your body to ovulate the hormones in the pill have stopped it in its tracks. However, skip one day of the pill on the wrong day, and you are upping your risks considerably. Skip two or 3 pills and you are highly increasing your risk for pregnancy.

Answer 3

there are actually 2 ways to do it, sunday start and the 1st period day, but most doctors recommend the 1st period day because it ensures better coverage, the pill isn't effective 'til it's been in your bloodstream (consistently) for at least 3 weeks, and you could get pregnant even later if you start the sunday start method. the dr wants to get you the most coverage avail as soon as possible, so they almost always recommend the 1st period day. if you start later, you won't be fully protected as soon as you think, even up to a month later

Answer 4

I think you can also start the pill on a Sunday. I knwo there are two different start days you can choose from. but the one you mentioned is teh easiest to follow.

Answer 5

Hmm, not sure, except that the first day is the only clear marker in anyone's cycle. No other day (including ovulation) is easy to detect. Maybe it's just that arbitrary.

Answer 6

If you take it on any other day then you will not be covered for 7 days. Check the info in the packet.

Answer 7

It must be in the order that the doctor states, and is written!

Otherwise you have another appointment, and that's for the PREGNANCY TEST!!!

BE SAFE ....OR BE A SINGLE PARENT - WE'RE NOW OVER 50% OF THE POPULATION!

Answer 8

Nothing really, just inconvience, my girlfriends on it and when she takes it off schedule a little it just can upset your stomach give you a headache, and just feel very crappy. nothing too seroius unless you **** it up bad.