Quick pill question

[Undomiel]

I'm on one that you take for 21 days and then don't take it for 7 days in which you should get your period. Its not too clear on the leaflet and I forgot to ask my doctor if I'm still protected in those 7 days. Won't see her again for a while. Anybody know?

 

[silverwhisper]

not a woman or a doctor but i'd imagine so. after all, if you're getting your period during that point in time, the likelihood of implanation is really, reallly low, isn't it?

ed

 

[Undomiel]

Well women can still get pregnant during their period for some odd reason. Its just I'm on the 7 free day thing now but haven't gotten it yet and my boyfriends parents are away tonight .... But I don't want to take any chances

 

[M's girl]

I would say ask your doctor. It could very well depend on the type of pill you're on, since there are diffent ones. One has a build up of hormones and the other one has a steady dose during the month. There may be diffent ones from that ones too.

When I was on the pill I was safe, also during the 7 days. In most cases you would be safe during that time anyway. But..... I saw this (that you only just started 3 weeks ago!) in another thread and was going to comment on that still... when I started with the pill my doctor told me not to have unprotected sex until I had my first period after I started the pill. It takes some time for the hormones to kick in I guess.

So, please go ask your doctor if you're unsure! It's not at all an odd question or something you should be ashamed about, he should know the answer right away and take away any doubts. And you will have one less thing to worry about, so you can concentrate on all the fun stuff!

 

[devils_daughter]

The two pills I've been on that you take for 21 days still protected me for the 7 pill free days. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Do you know the name of the pill you're on?

 

[LadyJeanne]

You're still protected during those 7 days.

 

[Undomiel]

Its Ovranette. And I made it clear to my boyfriend we're always going to use condoms anyway, but I'm not having sex unless I know I'm relativly protected by 2 things. I don't live anywhere near where my doctor is so I have to wait another 2 months before I can talk to her. Kinda annoying. I would think of these things afterwards wouldn't I.

 

[silverwhisper]

is calling her out of the question?

ed

 

[LadyJeanne]

You should be able to call the doc's office, and even if the doc is not available, usually there is a nurse or nurse practioner that you can talk to and ask questions. If they are not available, you can leave a message with your questions and they will call you back. Planned Parenthood also can help with emergency questions, if all else fails. Their website is a great resource for FAQs as well.

 

[EJFan]

and if all THAT fails, there's always the pharmacist. just don't let the question linger though... call someone ASAP so you know one way or the other.

 

[Râleclins]

You are still safe during these seven days. I'm 99.5% sure about that.
Of course, I'd understand if you prefered to trust your doc rather than some weirdo on the Internet.

 

[EJFan]

... some weirdo on the Internet.

you mean... there is such a thing?

[/thredjack]

 

[Rueben80]

Why are you asking medical advice on a bullentin board?

Would you seriously take medical advice from random people on the street?

Call up your doc.

 

[EJFan]

Why are you asking medical advice on a bullentin board?

Would you seriously take medical advice from random people on the street?

Call up your doc.

granted, there's some degree of randomness to the membership here but it's not like talking to strangers in the street. those posting here are well experienced and well versed with issues exactly like this. in fact, i'd suspect that if you looked through the hundreds of threads here, you'll find a plethora of sage advice on a very wide variety of topics... sexual and otherwise.

that being said, you're right, there's no substitute for a professional medical opinion... and that recommendation's been made by many.

 

[Butterfly_Me]

The Pill

Yes you are suppose to be protected! But please be careful! I have three kids and all three kids were conceived while I was on the pill! (which I took faithfully)!!Cass

 

[LadyJeanne]

Yes you are suppose to be protected! But please be careful! I have three kids and all three kids were conceived while I was on the pill! (which I took faithfully)!!Cass

Three kids while on the pill? I thought the odds were pretty low for a pregnancy while on the pill - like, 99.5% or something. Three blows that out of the water. How did your ob/gyn who prescribed the pill for you explain that?

 

[red_jane_doe]

I asked that question when I was on the pill and was told that I was protected during those seven days. However, they do say that you should complete a full cycle before having unprotected sex.

 

[Eilan]

Why are you asking medical advice on a bullentin board?

Because she can?

Why would Lynxie and I ask for bug/spider-killing advice? Why does EJFan ask for advice about buying a bike? Because we're interested in some of our fellow Litsters' opinions and/or input. There are a few medical professionals who hang around on this site. Most of us, however, aren't professionals, nor do we claim to be. As EJFan said, we generally do tell people to check with a doctor, and I'd like to think that the vast majority of people who post here have the good sense to do so.

Yeah, Lit's a "porn board," but it's also a community, and some of us know (and/or respect) some of the other members well enough to bounce ideas off of them and perhaps learn from their experiences. That doesn't mean that those of us who have questions are going to eschew professional help when it's warranted, but sometimes it's nice to discover that other people have dealt with the same issues that we have and can offer relevant advice, or at least encouragement.


To answer the question at hand (though it's been answered already), yes, you're protected during those 7 days, even though you're not taking a pill. Women who take the 28-day pill packets are taking what amounts to a sugar pill, and the main reason for the 28-day packets is to maintain the habit of taking the pills.

 

[Private_Label]

I'm on one that you take for 21 days and then don't take it for 7 days in which you should get your period. Its not too clear on the leaflet and I forgot to ask my doctor if I'm still protected in those 7 days. Won't see her again for a while. Anybody know?

There is a slight risk during the 7 days, but it is still considered "protected" because the first day or two you ovulate then shed the lining that anything could have been attached. HOWEVER, most instructions on BC pills is that you much take a full month's cycle worth, before the protective effects are in force (meaning that until you complete the first full 28 day cycle there is a greater chance of pregnancy, as your own cycle adjusts to the artificial one). Which translates to - don't think you are protected until you start on month two of your prescription.

As to why you haven't had menses during the "off" 7 days, it could just be your body is still adjusting to the new cycle/hormone levels. Yes, you should be using back up protection until you can get in to see your GYN. It could be the the pill you are on is too strong for your system and the left over hormones are screwing up your normal cycling - still it is a good idea to touch base with the office nurse NOW, and make an appointment for a follow up when the doctor can see you- perhaps by the time you get in your body will have adjusted, then again, it may not have - and nothing beats having a second look around just to be certain that everything looks OK.

I'm not too familiar with a lot of the new stuff that is out - I think there is also a BC pill that you take that you only have a period once every 3 months (and a lighter flow supposedly)- But if that was the case, the Doctor would have explained that to you.

Again, nothing beats calling and checking in with the nurse, or calling the local Planned Parenthood office, if you have questions. That is what they are there for.

 

[Eilan]

There is a slight risk during the 7 days, but it is still considered "protected" because the first day or two you ovulate then shed the lining that anything could have been attached.

I may be misunderstanding this, but if Undomiel's taking a combination pill (both estrogen and progestin), then she shouldn't be ovulating at any point. Assuming, of course, that the pills are doing their job.

I think that I remember reading somewhere that the bleeding that women have during the seven days that they're off the pills (or taking the "reminder" pills) isn't technically a "period," because ovulation hasn't taken place. It's more like breakthrough bleeding. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[LadyJeanne]

I may be misunderstanding this, but if Undomiel's taking a combination pill (both estrogen and progestin), then she shouldn't be ovulating at any point. Assuming, of course, that the pills are doing their job.

I think that I remember reading somewhere that the bleeding that women have during the seven days that they're off the pills (or taking the "reminder" pills) isn't technically a "period," because ovulation hasn't taken place. It's more like breakthrough bleeding. Anyone know anything about this?

I think the lining in the uterus builds up anyway and is then shed, but there is no egg. And the hormones might actually effect the lining's, er, composition - not sure what the right word is. It makes it so it's not hospitable for implantation with a fertilized egg.

 

[Eilan]

I think the lining in the uterus builds up anyway and is then shed, but there is no egg. And the hormones might actually effect the lining's, er, composition - not sure what the right word is. It makes it so it's not hospitable for implantation with a fertilized egg.

I suppose that's why a lot of women who use BCPs have lighter, shorter periods. I noticed a difference in mine.

 

[LadyJeanne]

I suppose that's why a lot of women who use BCPs have lighter, shorter periods. I noticed a difference in mine.

Yep - they prescribe it to help women who have excessive bleeding.

 

[Dsireme]

I'm on one that you take for 21 days and then don't take it for 7 days in which you should get your period. Its not too clear on the leaflet and I forgot to ask my doctor if I'm still protected in those 7 days. Won't see her again for a while. Anybody know?

I have been on birth control for pretty much 20 years. Those 7 days are to release the blood that was not used for a pregancy and that happens after the egg is not, for a better lack of words, not usable anyrmore.

The only time I got pregnant is when we were actually trying. Just becareful when you are on any medications because they an cancel the pill out. Always check with the RX store if the meds have that affect.

 

[M's girl]

Undomiel,

You said that you were using condoms too so you should be fine. But I hope you saw my earlier remark about you being on the pill for only three weeks (since you started for the first time). Please make sure your pill is not like mine, where I was only safe after my first (or even second? don't remember, such a long time ago!!) period! In other words, the pill (the hormones) needed a certain amount of time to kick in.