i have just started the pill but im confused on how the pills work. do you have a week off between pills or do u have to take one a day constantly?
2007-10-08 11:12:24 · 8 answers · asked by Dimples 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
It depends on the pill you have. Some have 28 pills, you take those "constantly". Some have 21 pills, and you stop taking them for 7 days so that you get a period. Read the tiny pamphlet that came with it, or talk to the doctor that prescribed it.
2007-10-08 11:15:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there are 28 pills the first 21 pills are actual birthcontrol pills, the last 7 are placebos usually iron. You don't have to take the placebos they are only there as a reminder to take your pill and start a new pack when done with the last one.
If it is a 21 pack, all are birth controll pills and you should take 7 days off before starting another pack unless instructed by your doctor to start the next one right away.
Some doctors prescribe taking 3 21 day packs in a row then have a week off (to have withdrawl bleeding). then take 3 more packs in a row etc. This limits the number of periods to 4 a year. This is recommended for women who have pms and other period symptoms that are unbearable for them.
Take them as directed on the package, and any questions you are unsure about can be directed to the pharmacist.
2007-10-08 18:20:20 · answer #2 · answered by Leizl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most pills have three weeks of active pills and one week of inactive pills. You must take the active pills, one a day for the three weeks. The inactive pills don't actually do anything. They are there for you to take so you stay in the habit of taking a pill every day. After you have taken the last pill of the inactive week, the very next day you start the next pack beginning with the active pills. If your pills don't sound like what I have described, call the pharmacy that gave them to you and ask, ask, ask away. They should have told you all this.
2007-10-08 18:19:38 · answer #3 · answered by sassy sarah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You take one active pill every day for 21 days. Then you take 7 inactive (different colored) pills, one at a time for 7 days. Then you open a new package. Then you take one pill per day until the pills change colors...
Do not skip a pill, if you do, twice or more, you'll need to use a condom until you complete that package. Skipping 2 pills could get you pregnant.
TX Mom
not an expert
2007-10-08 18:22:06 · answer #4 · answered by TX Mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most pills are set up the same way. The last week of the pills (the last 7) are "dummy pills". They can be iron, or sugar pills. They are intended to make you stay in the habit of taking the pill daily. I personally never take my dummy pills and never forget to start back up the following week. It depends on what brand you have though....some you take them all. Like with Seasonale (I think)
2007-10-08 18:16:03 · answer #5 · answered by Zaymee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends which pill you are on. I was on Ortho Tri Cy Lo, I had to take a pill every day. The last pills for that month are like sugar pills and don't count anyways, but you still have to take them.
2007-10-08 18:38:18 · answer #6 · answered by reese 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read the instructions that came in your package, and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you're still unsure. Each brand of pill is a little different, and occasionally a doctor may prescribe them to be taken on a slightly different regime, depending on the reason for prescription (birth control, acne, PMS-symptom relief, period-free honeymoon, etc.).
2007-10-08 18:17:05 · answer #7 · answered by Lisa H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take one a day for 21 days at the same time of day, preferably within 3 hours of the last time you took it.
you take 1 week of placebo pills that give you extra iron and start your period. it adds up to 28 days in a cycle.
2007-10-08 18:15:18 · answer #8 · answered by Malina 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋