Birth Control - Placebo Week?

Question

I started Birth Control (Triquilar 28) in January. With a Sunday start, I started the Placebo pills this past Sunday. There is still no sign yet of my period. I will clarify that I have had unprotected sex in the past month.

Is it normal not to have your period this far into the placebo week? I've heard stories of women not having it until the 4th day in. I assume my body isn't used to the hormones from the pills which is causing the delay.

Can anyone help a worried lady out? Thanks!

Answer 1

Didn't your doctor explain to you that you still have to be protercted during sex during the first month of starting birth control? Many pills have to build up in your system and usually take 1 cycle before they can be considered effective. You may be experiencing your body's way of adjusting to the pill or you may be pregnant...I would call the doctor who prescribed the pills and tell them you had unprotected sex during your start-up month and that you aren't responding to the cycle normally (by getting a period during the placebo cycle) and see if they think you need to be checked for pregnancy.

Also keep in mind, that even if taken correctly no birth control is 100% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Answer 2

Taking the birth control pill does not "fake" your body into thinking it's pregnant. The reason why you still have a period is because your uterus lining thickens, and then sheds after it realizes there is no egg implanted there. You're right about the pill not causing you to ovulate, which is why the uterus lining "sheds" itself. When you miss a pill, you're missing the hormones needed not to ovulate. Every pill missed increases the chances of ovulating (releasing an egg), because you do not have those correct amount of hormones to prevent that from happening. The placebo pills are there mostly for the women who need to remember to take a pill every day, regardless of what they're doing. If you are good at taking your pills, and remembering to start up again after taking a "week off", you don't have to take the placebo pills. That's why most BCP companies have a 28 day pill pack or a 21 day pill pack. The week of the placebo pills is when you are supposed to have your period. You do not need to take pills during this week, because it is not when you would normally ovulate, therefore, you do not need to take hormones to control it. Once your period ends, the uterus slowly starts to build up a new lining in case a fertilized egg gets implanted. That is when it's starts all over again; you begin to take the pills during your normal time of ovulation, and prevent an egg from being released. Hope that explains it for you.

Answer 3

When I was on a low dose birth control I also had a Sunday start - I would get my period on Thursday afternoon. Additionally, you're right, it may take a few months for your body to completely adjust and regulate to the hormones.

However, if this is your first month on the pill, it is usually recommended that you use a back up method of birth control for that first month. It IS possible you could be pregnant - a pregnancy test wouldn't hurt if you're worried. I'd say that you'd need to go without your period for another day or two before you get really worried though.

Answer 4

It took me about 5 days into the placebos before I would get my period. When I did it was very light and only lasted 2 or 3 days thanks to the pills. I assume by unprotected you mean you didn't use anything other than the pill. As long as it wasn't within the first week of starting the new pills I wouldn't worry. If it was within the first week, you weren't fully protected by the pill yet. I wouldn't worry unless you skip your period completely though.

Answer 5

I think you're right in assuming that your body just isn't used to all the new hormones being introduced to it. I wouldn't worry if I were you. Try to relax and consider it a blessing! I would almost always "skip" the first month or 2 before I realized that the pills I was on were too strong. Now that I've changed to a lower dose pill, I'm back on track. :) Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Was it the first time you took the pill or have you been on them consitantly? You should not have unprotected sex the first month you start a birthcontrol regime. Wait a few weeks to be sure it isn't just your body adjusting to the pill (which could very likely be the case) and take a pregnancy test. Good luck....

Answer 7

A delay is totally possible because of your body conforming to the new hormones. But I was told when I started the pill to keep using condoms for the first month to allow it to fully effect my cycle. And the pill is not 100% effective anyways. you should pee on the stick and get it over with if you are worried. 2 minutes to no longer sweating about it.

Answer 8

my wife's body never followed the rules with bc pills. She was still fairly random, and her girlfriends at work say she messes up all their cycles. It's probably something you will figure out over time. The unprotected sex is a definite concern though. I now have a vescectomy and she stopped the pills, but they only prevented birth, not regulate my wife.

Answer 9

Most women's periods get delayed or even stop completly after a few months on the pill, maybe you are starting a little early. Don't worry, your chances of being pregnant are very slim if you took the pills correctly. If still in doubt, do a pregnancy test just to lay your fears at rest.

Answer 10

I would get a pregnancy test. It takes at least a month for birth control to take effect.
Aren't you worried about STD's especially AIDS since it can kill you? Your life is way more important than unprotected sex!