Doc just put me on Ortho Tri Cyclin today............. PLEASE READ?

Question

I want to stay on it until about August and then stop taking it. I am getting married in September and we are going to start trying again after the wedding. Who has used this form of birth control before and how soon after you stopped taking it did you become pregnant. I know that everyone is different I am just wondering so I can get a basic idea. Also I wanted to try the Ortho Evra patch because I am not very good at remembering to take the pill at the same time everyday ( any suggestions on this as well to help me remember ) so I told my doc I would like to try the patch she told me to try one month of the pill and come back and we would discuss the patch. I don't understand why she just wouldn't put me on the patch especially since I told her I am not good at remembering the pill. So here are my questions
Who has used this pill before and how soon after coming off of it did you become pregnant?
How can I remember to take the pill better?

Also who has tried the patch and what was your experience with that and how soon after coming of of that did you become pregnant.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE AND NOT LIKE ABOUT BOTH BIRTH CONTROL METHODS. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM OTHERS ON THIS PLEASE

THANKS SO MUCH

ALSO I ALREADY HAVE A 14 MONTH OLD LITTLE BOY, I HAVE BEEN WITH MY FIANCE' FOR OVER 6 YEARS AS WELL

Answer 1

Whoa...lots of questions! Let's start with the conception thing. You're right about everyone being different. No one should answer that question because it depends on your age and your body. If you're in your 30's, just because I had this discussion with my doctor the other day, 95% of women will get pregnant within a year. 15% will get pregnant in the first month, give or take, then the next 15% in the next month and so on down the line. The numbers will be higher for someone in her 20's and lower for someone in her 40's.

Now, how to remember your pill. Put them with something you use everyday. Like near your toothbrush. If you have a PDA or even your cell phone, set up an alarm. After a few months you'll remember pretty well. I used to suck at remembering and am honestly doing OK because my pills are in the same place.

Lastly, the Patch. I don't know why your doc won't put you on it right away, but in my opinion, the Patch sucks. It gave me skin irriatation and it's also linked to some pretty awful side effects. If you smoke or have any heart disease in your family...fugetaboutit. I'd recommend the ring over the Patch.

Lastly (hey my answer's long but your QUESTION was long ;-) ) make sure to wait 3 months before trying to get pregnant. Use condoms. You want all that estrogen out of your body before getting pregnant so that you'll have a healthy pregnancy.

Answer 2

I was not on Ortho Tri-Cyclin but I have taken other birth control pills. It took about 4 months for my periods to be back to normal and another 2 months to get pregnant. If you are not very good at remembering to take a pill every day, you can also try the Nuva-Ring. I used it for a while. It's a little more expensive but you only change it once a month. It's very convenient. Also, sometimes your fiance may be able to feel it. My fiance did, but it really didn't bother him.

Answer 3

I've never taken ortho-tri cyclin. I used to take aless or something like that when I was younger to regulate my periods but it made me sick. Now the patch I have experience with. I started using the patch in January 2003. In July of 2003 I became pregnant while on it. Low-dose hormones don't work well for me. Anyways, my sister in law says the the edges of the patch tend to peel away from your skin which makes it less effective. She's an R.N. at a hospital in Columbus. A lot of the doctors here are trying to stray women away from the patch because not only the effectiveness, but also the bad side affects.

Answer 4

Lots of good suggestions already, I use an alarm on my cell phone when I use the pill or take it with my daily coffee.

As for the patch: I hated it. It always came loose too soon and was sometimes embarassing when people spotted it (swimming and such), people assumed it was a nicotine patch!

Finally, I recommend NuvaRing. That is the absolute easiest birth control I've ever used. I forgot all about it, unlike the patch, and only had to think about it twice a month - once to insert a new one, once to remove it. You should look into that if you want the easiest solution.

Answer 5

I was on ortho-tri-cyclen for five years ( maybe even more) after I stopped taking the pill it only took me 4 months to become pregnant. I think they say that it usually takes between four and six months for the pill to be completely out of your system. But like you said everyone is different I mean some people become pregnant while on the pill so its hard to say. I've never tried any other form of birth control but I would def. like to not have to worry about taking this stupid pill at the same time everyday. Good Luck!

Answer 6

I've used both and prefer the patch. If your cycles are regular before going on the pill then when you come off your periods should return to normal and that is a good sign you will be fertile. It usually takes about 3 months to regain your fertility after stopping birth control and 80% of couples trying to conceive get pg within 12 months of trying.

Answer 7

I totally understand your frustration! I don't know why the doctors always push for that stupid pill. It sucks soooo bad! It made me really hormonal and I know few other people who took it and it drove them into severe depression! Don't take Ortho, it is just bad news. I do know however, that you have a higher chance of getting pregnant when you stop taking birth control.

As far as pills go, try leaving them by your makeup or toothbrush (something you do everyday), it'll be easier to remember if it's in plain sight. And try Yasmin, it's much better than Ortho.

Answer 8

I took Ortho Tri Cyclin for just one month! I got off of it because my hubby and me wanted to start trying to have a baby! We have been trying to have a baby for 2 whole years now! It sucks! I have heard that the patch is bad! It has been known to cause blood clots and other medical problems! So if I were you I would just take the pill! Take the advice of the other girl who said to set an alarm clock when you want to take your pill! Hope that helps...

Answer 9

The patch has been linked recently to high hormone levels and way increased risks of blood clots, stroke, etc. That may be why your doctor is hesitant to prescribe it for you.

As for the pill, think of something you do every single day, and then put your pill dispenser there. For example, I take mine before I go to bed every night, and, as a mama of two toddlers, I go to bed at about the same time every night. It works for me. My best friend, though, has weird nighttime hours, but she's always up for coffee in the morning, so she keeps hers by the coffee maker. While's she's getting her java fix, she also takes the pill.

I used TriCyclen for years. I was on the pill for 12 years before my first child, and TriCyclen for the last few of those. I quit, and got pregnant my first month off. Then I nursed that baby for a little over a year (taking minipills during that time), weaned her, went back on TriCyclen, quit, and immediately got pregnant again.

Answer 10

STAY AWAY FROM THE PATCH!!!!!!!

i was RELIGIOUS about changing my patch (b/c i was also bad at remembering a pill everyday) and still got pregnant anyways!! plus there are a lot of studies that say that the patch gives you more of a risk of blood clots, heart problems, etc.

if you want to be on birth control for such a short period of time, i would talk to your doctor about the depo-prevara shot. you get it once every 2-3 months and it's much simpler. they don't reccomend using it for more than a year anyways and your chances of getting pregnant would be the same as if you'd never done anything at all. if you still want to stick with the pill, my roommate wrote herself a note and stuck it to the bathroom mirror ("kelly...take your pill!!") and she never forgot.

no matter what you decide, good luck and congrats!!