Doc

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Doc
2
Tue, 03-02-2004 - 10:28am
I thought this was worth sharing because it seems a little strange.

I went to Europe a couple of weeks ago. Before going, I called my doctor to

find out how to deal with the 6-7 hour time difference in the countries I would

be visiting compared to where I live in the U.S. I was told (by my doctor!) that

the timing of the pill really isn't an issue -- that it's simply a suggestion to

REMIND us to take it every day. She said that I could simply fly overseas and take

my pill whenever it fit my schedule -- as long as I remembered to take it EVERY single day. Being my doctor, I trusted her, and I followed her advice. I quite easily settled into a 'first thing in the morning' pill use schedule (waking up each day around 6:30-7am).

Now that I'm back home, I'm on my last week of active pills and should be getting my period sometime next week (during the placebos). However, my period began THIS week (the week of my last active pills). It looks like I'm in for a 2 week period (UGH!), and I've experienced something similiar when forgetting a pill during a cycle -- I'll get breakthrough bleeding or heavier and THEN my regular period during the placebo week.

Anyway, I just thought this was strange advice from a doc -- to tell me that it really DOESN'T matter when I take the pill, just so I take it every day. Obviously though, it screwed up AF's schdule!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2000
In reply to: xavery
Tue, 03-02-2004 - 11:37am
That is strange! And, also very incorrect! It is pretty important to take the pill around the same time every day (with an hour either side for a mini-pill, 2 hours or so for a combination pill.)

The usual suggestion I've heard is to pick one of three ways:

1) Take it at your home time (which may mean setting an alarm clock to get up and take it)

2) Move it by an hour a night (preferably backward, so you don't have more than 24 hours between doses).

3) Take it at the nearest convenient time, but use a backup method for the rest of the pack.

I'm not sure why your doctor would tell you timing didn't matter.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: xavery
Tue, 03-02-2004 - 12:03pm
That advice is actually pretty scary and can result in btb, or worse for women who are sensative to their hormone levels. Is she a gyno? I wonder if she uses OCs?

A hope AF settles down for you soon!

Hugs

      Jill