What day to start birth control pills?!
Question: I just got a prescription for ortho tricyclen lo last night from my doctor, and I have never taken the pill before. the nurse said to start the sunday after my period which is like 2 weeks from now, but the doctor told me that I could start them last night, or as soon as I got my prescription and just start with the first week of pills, and take that pill for whatever day of the week it is. Can I do this? Its not that I don't trust what the actual doctor says, but I don't want things to be screwed up, you know? When will I get my period then? How should I do this?
Answers: I just got a prescription for ortho tricyclen lo last night from my doctor, and I have never taken the pill before. the nurse said to start the sunday after my period which is like 2 weeks from now, but the doctor told me that I could start them last night, or as soon as I got my prescription and just start with the first week of pills, and take that pill for whatever day of the week it is. Can I do this? Its not that I don't trust what the actual doctor says, but I don't want things to be screwed up, you know? When will I get my period then? How should I do this?
I would suggest starting the Sunday after the first day of your period. But, if you don't want to wait, then start on Sunday. You may notice some spotting when you are supposed to get your period. But it is totally normal and your body is just adjusting to the hormones.
take it on Sunday, and follow Dr orders your period is going to messed up anyways, until the pill is balances out your hormones
I was always told to start the first day of my period. I spotted for a couple months while my body adjusted, but it wasn't a big deal. But I'm sure you could start it whenever either the nurse or the doc says
Best to read the instruction leaflet to be really sure, but each time I have gone back on the pill, I wait for my period to start, then start taking it (the active pills, not sugar pills) the next Monday, even if I'm still bleeding! means that my next period will start 28 days from then, bleeding slows quickly a day or so after I take it.
If you begin taking them on the Sunday after your period, eventually you shouldn't have your period on weekends. That's the advantage of starting then.
If you start taking them the first day of your period (whatever day that is), you won't have to use backup birth control for a week. If you start on any other day (including the Sunday after your period), be sure to use condoms for 7 days.
No matter when you start, remember you may have some irregular bleeding during the first few months, and you may not get your period till towards the end of the inactive pills at first. After your system settles down, though, it should come by the fourth day of the last week.
The choice is yours. Just be sure to try to take it at or near the same time each day.