Birth Control Pill...?

Question

I started taking the pill the first day of my period, as instructed in the booklet. The booklet also said doing this method will not require me to use any other methods of birth control. It also said that if i miss one pill... take it asap and I wont have to worry as long as i didnt miss two pills. I mean... it's only been a week...a nd i've been reading on here that it takes longer than that to work. Am i over reacting or is this correct.

Answer 1

Don't over react its ok, give it 3 weeks taking it faithfully in order to get it in your system.

Answer 2

Of course you're reading on here that it doesn't work like that. This has nothing whatsoever to do with how the pill does or doesn't work, and everything to do with the lack of education and lack of common sense present in general society today.

Go with what the directions on the packet say. The people who wrote those know. The people here, for the most part, don't. Some of us do, but most don't. This is why you shouldn't ask "Am I hurting my baby," "Am I really sick," "Should I go to the ER" questions here. You'll get a whole lot of people answering who think they know, but don't really.

Sorry - rant over :-)

Answer 3

Yes, ma'am, you're right. The birth control pill is not fully active until you've taken it for a month or so. If you miss two pills, you need to use another method, too. If you take an antibiotic, better use another method, just to be sure.

I've been taking the pill for years and years and it's a wonderful way of keeping my hormones steady and preventing conception. But we always keep a condom at hand just in case.

Answer 4

*sigh* birth control pills are working perfectly after the first 7 days AT MOST. Depending on when you start the pack they can be effective right away -afterall the next pack works right away and you haven't taken it for 7 days. They tell you to use backup protection for the first month because it takes many women that long to get into the habit of taking them at the same time each day.

"If you start the combination pill within five days after the start of your period, take the first active pill of the first pack. You will not need to use a back up method of birth control. You are protected against pregnancy immediately.

If you start the combination pill at any other time during your menstrual cycle, take the first active pill of the first pack. Use another method of birth control if you have vaginal intercourse during the first week of combination pill use — protection will begin after seven days."
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/birth-control-pregnancy/birth-control/the-pill.htm

"Based on convenience and advice of their doctors, different women may start taking their pills at different times. Discuss your options with your doctor:

* You can start taking the pill on the first day of your period. You will not need a backup method of birth control.
* You can start taking the pill on the Sunday after your period starts. With this method you will have to use a backup birth control method for the next 7 days of the first cycle. "
http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp021.cfm

"How long before the pill is effective?
When starting BCPs, it will take 7 days for the pill to become effective at preventing pregnancy. You will need to use a second method of contraception during these 7 days. We recommend using condoms. In fact, we recommend using condoms consistently with BCPs to protect against sexually transmitted infections. Remember that BCPs offer no protection from acquiring STIs.

Be aware that your first and last active pills are the most important pills in your pack. Being late starting your next pack or forgetting your last active pill will lengthen the time off the active pills. Lengthening this pill-free interval can allow your body to ovulate. Try to plan carefully when you need to start or purchase your next pack. Remember your pills when you go away for weekends or vacations"
http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/sexual_health/ssc/bcps.htm

"You will usually need to use an alternative form of contraception (such as a condom) for at least seven days after starting, but your healthcare provider should be able to tell you exactly when the particular version of the pill you have been prescribed becomes fully effective against pregnancy. It will normally also say on the advice leaflet that comes with your pills."
http://www.avert.org/faqcontra.htm#q5