T O P I C R E V I E W
skiesofgreen
Member # 46170
posted 01-23-2012 11:12 PM
So I'm currently using the pill as birth control (Alesse to be exact) and while I'm comfortable with the protection this provides (combined with condoms or withdrawal) I'm finding that I've been taking pills late (over three hours) and/or missing them far too often for my liking (late two times last pack plus one pill that was 13 hours late, and so far one late this pack while I'm still in my first week). Due to this I'm looking for some suggestions for taking my pill on time. Currently I: Set an alarm on my ipod for 11 am (I found when I wake up is too unreliable) and keep my BC near my ipod in my bag The big problems with keeping to this have been:forgetting my BC in a different bag not hearing my alarm Caveat: I cannot keep it in the open in my house. My mother is very opposed to not only pre-marital intercourse in a way that does not present any room for discussion but is also opposed to hormonal birth control on its own on, and trust me when I say that this belief, as with all other things in my mother's life, will not be swayed with evidence or facts to contrary of her belief. So it's important that it be kept somewhere out of sight. Also as a side note I've tried being on the ring, and while only having to change it once a month was amazing, it didn't help with my period cramps and if anything exasperated them, and my severe cramps are a big reason I've been on birth control for the past year (even when I haven't been sexually active). I've also considered the patch but I have very sensitive skin (I have eczema and am prone to irritation) as well as being very prone to picking at anything stuck to my body so I feel like it probably wouldn't be a good fit, though one I'm willing to try if this keeps up.
skiesofgreen
Member # 46170
posted 01-23-2012 11:20 PM
Also, just to double check because I can't find this info on the pamphlet that comes with my pill, how late is considered late and how late is considered missed? Also at what point are you recommended to back up with another form of birth control? (I already back up with condoms or withdrawal so this is more for personal reference, also because I'm more comfortable with condoms if a pill has actually been missed). My current understanding is that anything past 3 hours is considered late and that anything past 12 hours is considered missed. However I don't remember where I heard those numbers and want to double check.
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 01-24-2012 08:01 AM
There's some good information in this article about what constitutes a missed pill and what to do about it.Three questions about taking the birth control pill (and plenty of answers) As to taking your pill consistently, how inconsistent is your waking up time? Or perhaps going to bed? I'm wondering if taking it at one of these times would be more consistent than what you are doing now, even if it's not exactly the same time every day. What do you think?
skiesofgreen
Member # 46170
posted 01-24-2012 10:08 AM
I knew there was an article on this somewhere around scarleteen! Thanks for finding it for me. =) My wake up time and bed time are relatively consistent. My issue with doing it when I woke up (it's how I took my BC for the first 4 months or so I was on it) was that I'd wake up and totally forget I was supposed to take it. I'd trundle off to bathroom and not remember my BC until I was half way through my first class. I know a lot of people put it on their alarm clock so they notice it when they wake up but since I can't have it in the open that's not such an option. If we could come up with some ideas for me noticing it in the morning but it being hidden from my mother, doing it at that time could be an option. The issue with bedtime is that I go to bed around 11:30 on a normal day and if I go out drinking I'm worried I'd just completely forget.
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 01-24-2012 11:34 AM
Hmm....do you have a toiletry bag or anything like that where you keep makeup or other things you use in the morning? are you able to keep them in the open in your room, or do you feel that's too risky? Or what about your classes? Do they happen at the same time each day? If you do, could you keep your pills in your book or computer bag and take one right before first class?
skiesofgreen
Member # 46170
posted 01-31-2012 12:37 AM
Hi Robin, I kind of dropped off the face of the internet for a while there. Thanks for helping me with this. I've actually been trying a scheme of setting a second alarm on my phone for an hour later, in case I miss the first one. That seems to be keeping me on time as I always have one or the other with me. If that doesn't continue to help the toiletry bag is a good suggestion. =)
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 01-31-2012 10:16 AM
That sounds like a great idea. glad to hear it's working.