Birth control question...

[LostandDrowned]

Just my luck the information is somewhere right beneath my nose! I've looked, I swear!

I've been on low-ogestrel for a month now and just took the first pill of my second pack today. Tomorrow, there's the possibility that I could have intercourse for the first time.

I want to make a wise decision and need to know if I am less protected by the pill now after a week of placebo. Would I be protected by the pill or should I wait a week?

And yes, my SO and I plan to use condoms (even if I don't trust them much).

Thanks!

 

[yoshimitsu]

To the best of my knowledge you are as safe now. Others may be able to contribute more information and may know more than me but honestly if you have any questions or want to know more about what your on I would talk to your gyno and get the facts straight from the source.

 

[tanyachrs]

After a month on the pill you're protected. You're not less protected after the placebo phase every month.

 

[glynndah]

That strip of placebos is just there to remind you to keep taking the pills. I used to skip it and then start back again the next week. After a month of taking them, everyday and as close to the same time as you can manage every day, you should be fully protected. I'd check with your pharmacist rather than your doctor. They're usually more able to answer those questions. My pharmacist was the one who warned me about mixing antibiotics and the pill. My doctor didn't know anything about it.

 

[ickle_stace]

That strip of placebos is just there to remind you to keep taking the pills. I used to skip it and then start back again the next week. After a month of taking them, everyday and as close to the same time as you can manage every day, you should be fully protected. I'd check with your pharmacist rather than your doctor. They're usually more able to answer those questions. My pharmacist was the one who warned me about mixing antibiotics and the pill. My doctor didn't know anything about it.

your doctor didn't know about antibiotics and the pill?!? my doctors took me off the pill a year ago and last december my doctor mentioned it to me even though i been off the pills for a year lol

 

[BreeCarter]

Just my luck the information is somewhere right beneath my nose! I've looked, I swear!

I've been on low-ogestrel for a month now and just took the first pill of my second pack today. Tomorrow, there's the possibility that I could have intercourse for the first time.

I want to make a wise decision and need to know if I am less protected by the pill now after a week of placebo. Would I be protected by the pill or should I wait a week?

And yes, my SO and I plan to use condoms (even if I don't trust them much).

Thanks!

yes you are safe. you are just as safe (so long as you keep to your schedule) any time you are on the pill as if you didn't do it while bleeding or whatever else. typically, to become pregnant after being on the pill, it will take about a month or two to get the hormone completely out of your system.

 

[glynndah]

your doctor didn't know about antibiotics and the pill?!? my doctors took me off the pill a year ago and last december my doctor mentioned it to me even though i been off the pills for a year lol

The news was just out. When the doctor prescribed antibiotics for an infection, he didn't mention it. He probably did know, just didn't tell me. The druggist did. It really wasn't necessary. I've got a niece who was born for just this reason.

 

[yoshimitsu]

yes you are safe. you are just as safe (so long as you keep to your schedule) any time you are on the pill as if you didn't do it while bleeding or whatever else. typically, to become pregnant after being on the pill, it will take about a month or two to get the hormone completely out of your system.

I know that it can take a while for your system to readjust after being on the pill but I also know that taking it just a few hours late can start to lower the effectiveness of the pill. Missing more than a day can have a big effect on progesterone/estrogen pills effectiveness. I also know that progesterone only pills are much more sensitive. I know when my gf was on progesterone only pills the doctors said that missing her schedule by more than an hour could have a great effect on how well it worked.
I just didn't want this post to make people think they could get away with a loose schedule on the pill. From what I know keeping that schedule as consistant as possible is what keeps the pill as safe as possible.

I think women/couples/men should know as much as possible about these things. I know a lot of doctors out there are really good about supplying a lot of info on these things but it also seems like some will throw you on a pill or suggest an IUD or other method without supplying the information you should know about it. Try to get all the info you can before making a choice and know the effects and responsibilities of that choice.

 

[BreeCarter]

Missing more than a day can have a big effect on progesterone/estrogen pills effectiveness.

doctors will tell you that it is fine to double up. now if you miss more then two, then you aren't taking your pills correctly anyway, and chances are you will end up pregnant, because you aren't following directions. however missing a day or even two, doctors will tell you that you can double up, (the paper inside the package says this as well) to double up and you will be just as fine as if you'd take it the correct day.

 

[BreeCarter]

The news was just out. When the doctor prescribed antibiotics for an infection, he didn't mention it. He probably did know, just didn't tell me. The druggist did. It really wasn't necessary. I've got a niece who was born for just this reason.

yeah, that sucks. all three of my siblings happened in the same manner.