posted
I'm just about to take the pill for the first time tomorrow, mid-cycle (you said to someone else that this was ok). However, my long-distance boyfriend is coming down in about a month and I want to have sex without having to use a condom. Will I be protected? Because I know that I haven't taken the pill during my period (although I JUST finished my period) and will I be able to postpone my next period for a few days whilst he's here? I know it sounds really silly, but I don't get to see him for a couple of months after this, and I would really like to be able to do stuff whilst he's done.
Posts: 5 | From: Wales, UK | Registered: Dec 2006
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posted
You should be protected after the first full cycle of your pills, so after that, you can have intercourse without a condom without risk. (This is assuming you and your partner have both had your STI screenings, since BC pills don't protect against STIs.)
You may experience some spotting anyway during your first cycle, just so you know, and there isn't much you can do about that. It just happens as your body adjusts to the hormones. You CAN postpone your period by skipping the placebo pills and going straight to the next package if you want. Again, if you do that, there may also be spotting and breakthrough bleeding.
posted
It's fine for you to start taking your birth control pills now, yes, but especially when you're starting your pills mid-cycle, you will want to wait one FULL cycle before you rely on the pills alone to be fully effective.
Also, it would not be recomended that you try and take the pills in any way other than how they're prescribed, without speaking to your doctor first. When first starting the pill, it's not unusual to see some cycle wonkiness and side-effects as your body adjusts to the hormones in the pill. If you pair that with doing something like tying to skip your placebo week of pills to avoid having a withdrawl bleed (which won't always work, mind), you're putting yourself at bigger risk of seeing more unwanted side-effects and wonkiness like spotting and mid-cycle bleeding.
I'd recomend you'll be best off just starting the pills and taking them as they're prescribed.
(Are you and he up to date on your full STI screenings, by the way? You'll want to be sure to continue condom use if you haven't had those done.)
-------------------- Jean aka dailicious Scarleteen Volunteer Love us? Want to keep us in your lives and hearts? Give what you can! Posts: 3382 | From: Denver, Colorado | Registered: Mar 2005
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