people who know a lot about BC pills, especially doctors, please help...?

Question

Ok, so I've been taking ortho tri cyclen lo for 2 months. me and my boyfriend just started having sex without a condom a few days ago.
I am on my placebo week but not supposed to get my period till around the 22nd or 28th (its switching from my 34 day cycle to the pills 28 day cycle which is why it could be anytime in btw there).

so, my question is...
is it ok to start taking the active bc pills instead of my placebo ones because I've heard horror stores about people getting pregnant on the pill and/or ovulating at the wrong time or twice in one month

Answer 1

You're still protected from pregnancy even if you're on your placebo pills. You don't ovulate while you're on the pill, unless you miss a day or don't take your pill at the right time or something.

If you skip your placebo week, you just won't get your period that month.

Answer 2

I am a Little confused by the question, but first of all I would say you should still be using condoms...considering that you seem to still be adjusting to the new pills your body probably still is too..which means that your ovulation cycle might still be screwed up..which means the BC may not be AS protective against pregnancy as you think!
2nd of all it is OK to take the active pills consecutively, there has been research to that...basically the placebos just allow your body to have a period. So, if you do that after a couple of months you will probably stop having a period. THough if you do that you should allow yourself to have a period every 3-4 months just to make 100% sure everything is A OK.

Answer 3

When I first started on the pill I had the same fear. You need to take the placebo pills.


Combination pills usually work by preventing a woman's ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation). They also thicken the cervical mucus, which keeps sperm from joining with an egg.

Progestin-only pills usually work by thickening the cervical mucus. Less often, they prevent ovulation.

The hormones in combination and progestin-only pills also thin the lining of the uterus. In theory, this could prevent pregnancy by interfering with implantation of a fertilized egg. But there is no scientific evidence that this occurs.

Taking the pill daily maintains the level of hormone that is needed to prevent pregnancy.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/birth-control-
pregnancy/birth-control/the-pill.htm


How do BCPs work?
Most BCPs contain two hormones: estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are synthetic versions of naturally occurring female hormones. They work primarily by preventing ovulation. There are 2 types of pill packs:

28 day pill packs: 3 weeks of active hormone pills and 1 week placebo pills
21 day pill packs: 3 weeks of active hormone pills only.
Your period occurs each cycle, a few days after completing the active pills. Pills can be monophasic or triphasic. Monophasic means that the hormone pills all contain the same dosage. Triphasic pills contain slightly different amounts of hormone throughout the active pills. Monophasic and triphasic pills are equally effective and popular.

How effective are BCPs in preventing pregnancy and STIs?
BCPs are 98% to 99% effective for women who take the pills every day as directed. Pill-taking mistakes decrease effectiveness. There are detailed instructions on late or missed pills under the section -- How do I start taking BCPs? BCPs do not offer any protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/sexual_health/ssc/bcps.htm

Don't believe rumors..

Answer 4

you need to use your birth control as it tells you in the box.when you go on the sugar pills(placebo/reminder pills)that is when your period will start .if you take your regular pills you will stop your period all together if you skip the placebos.it might take a couple of months to get your body on track with the birth control dont worry.You should still be using condoms,to protect your self against stds.with that said i applaud you for taking responsiblity to get on the pill!just take the pills like they are in the pack.

Answer 5

You don't have to take the placebo pills if you don't want to. They are just there so that your body will have a period. Don't forget that if you take an antibiotic with the pill you need to use additional proctection, or you could become pregnant. For some reason people do not know this information.

Answer 6

You need to follow the instructions on the box.

Not taking the active pills means you could have breakthrough bleeding (i.e. who knows when) and if you go back to taking all the pills you could take MONTHS for your cycle to get back on track with the pills. (I tried that before NEVER again).