T O P I C R E V I E W
pamplemousse
Member # 96224
posted 07-21-2012 10:52 AM
I'm planning on starting the pill (Tri-Sprintec) tomorrow and I just picked up my prescription yesterday. When I was reading the Sunday start directions, they said to begin the pack the Sunday after your period begins, which would be tomorrow. However, they also said that if your period begins on a Sunday, you should begin that day. I got my period last Sunday but was still undecided about a birth control method at that point - will it be okay for me to begin my pack tomorrow or did I miss my chance until next month?
pamplemousse
Member # 96224
posted 07-22-2012 07:10 AM
I'd REALLY like an answer on this by today if possible - sorry to be annoying, but I'm really hoping I won't have to wait to start the pack and I want to take it at a specific time
Redskies
Member # 79774
posted 07-22-2012 11:19 AM
I, personally, am not sure of the exact position of starting on day 8 of your cycle rather than days 1-7, but hopefully someone will be along who can fill you in more accurately on that. What I Can tell you is the general information on starting the pill at any time other than days 1-7. As far as I've read other more knowledgeable folk here say, it's possible to start taking the pill at any point in the cycle. Starting later than days 1-7 means it's more likely to put your cycle out of whack certainly for the first month, and perhaps the next couple too - it's more likely to have effects like spotting while in the middle of active pills. Starting later than days 1-7 May mean it takes longer for your body to adjust to the new hormones and patterns. The second important point is, starting later than days 1-7 means you can't rely on your pill for contraception for the whole of the first pack, so you should back up with another method. Here's a couple of links to where Scarleteen staff talk about starting the pill at different times: http://www.scarleteen.com/article/advice/i_started_the_pill_in_the_middle_of_my_cycle_wheres_my_period and particularly the first question and answer in this one: http://www.scarleteen.com/article/advice/a_birth_control_pill_five_by_five
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 07-22-2012 11:20 AM
HI pamplemousse, It's absolutely okay for you to start your pack today. The recommendations on when to start the pill have to do mostly with how soon it will be effective as birth control. Here at Scarleteen, we suggest using a back-up method of birth control for the entire first cycle if you're going to be engaging in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy. For future reference, if you have a question like this that is time sensitive and we're slow to respond here, calling your pharmacist is also an option for getting the information you need. Again, yes, it's okay for you to start your pills today.
pamplemousse
Member # 96224
posted 07-22-2012 12:06 PM
Thank you both so much! I had hoped I could count on its protection after the first week, as I had read, but plan on backing up with condoms regardless. To be EXTRA safe, I could just keep some EC on hand, right? Since it essentially performs the same function (preventing ovulation) as the pill, in case the pill hasn't totally taken effect yet AND we have a condom malfunction or something? This site is the biggest lifesaver.
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 07-22-2012 12:59 PM
Hi there, Well, that is a lot of ifs. If you want to keep some EC on hand, you certainly could do that, but you could also save your money and only get it if you do have a condom break. That's not "professional" opinion by the way; just some friendly advice to save you a little money.
pamplemousse
Member # 96224
posted 08-02-2012 07:01 AM
Hi, One more quick question. I started my pack as planned and have had perfect use so far. I know when you start perfectly, during your period, you can count on the pill's protection after the first week. I'm going to use condoms to back up no matter what, but for my own peace of mind, is it likely that I can count on at least SOME level of protection since I've started the pill? Starting on day 8 of the cycle isn't equivalent to not having begun at all, correct? I know it may not be at its highest rate of effectiveness; I'm just hoping that there's some level of protection there.
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 08-02-2012 08:04 AM
Hi There, After seven days of taking the pill, it is often considered effective. It's really pretty hard to know if that is the case for each individual person, since everyone's body does something different and it's hard to predict (sometimes even during a period) what someone's menstrual cycle is doing before starting the pill. That said, if you've been taking your pill for a week or more, you can expect that it's doing what it's supposed to do.
pamplemousse
Member # 96224
posted 08-06-2012 02:53 PM
Hi and thanks for all your continued help! One more thing... I had sex multiple times over the course of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, after beginning my pill pack two weeks ago from Sunday, as described in all these other posts. We used condoms perfectly each time we actually had intercourse, but I was so concerned about some direct genital contact that briefly occurred on Saturday night that I took plan B one step on Sunday afternoon. I'm not as paranoid about pregnancy as I was the first time last month, but I'm still getting occasional, irrational thoughts. I know I shouldn't trust most stuff on the internet, but I just found this when I googled my pill. It was on a forum where someone had taken EC shortly after beginning the pill: "Plan B acts by provoking sudden increase and right after that sudden decrease of the estrogen hormone level. Sudden decrease of the estrogen level in fact provokes endometrial rubbing and withdrawal bleeding. This prevents embedding of the eventually fertilized egg-cell. Taking regular pills after "plan B" might prevent the hormonal level decreasing so I disagree to continue taking the regular pills as long as she get withdrawal bleeding." Read more: Birth Control Forum - Tri-sprintec effectiveness http://ehealthforum.com/health/tri-sprintec-effectiveness-t149260-a1.html#ixzz22nVfEYqJ ...This is incorrect, right? The pill doesn't make EC any less effective and EC doesn't make the pill any less effective? I was under the impression that they do the exact same thing - I just took EC on the off chance that my pill hadn't fully taken effect yet.
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 08-06-2012 04:56 PM
Yes, this is incorrect. Both EC and daily birth control function the same way. And, not everyone bleeds right after taking Plan B. Bleeding is not necessary for Plan B to be effective.
pamplemousse
Member # 96224
posted 08-07-2012 01:02 AM
Thanks - I figured but just wanted to make sure, especially if anyone else happens to not know and read this.
Rei
Member # 49582
posted 08-09-2012 07:41 AM
Good on you, pamplemousse!