Changing Pills

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-13-2004
Changing Pills
2
Wed, 03-03-2004 - 11:12am
My doctor has decided to change my bc pills because I have been having problems with break through bleeding. My old pills run out Saturday and he told me to start my new pack Sunday. He DIDN'T give me any precautions such as you could have more break through bleeding or you could get pregnant, but one of the girls I work with said that when you change pills even without interrupting the cycle of pills, that you shouldn't have unprotected sex for at least a month after the change. Does anyone know if this is true? Would my pharmacist know? It's always so hard to get in touch with the doctor because he is so busy.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Wed, 03-03-2004 - 12:15pm
Getting in touch with your Doctor or Pharmacist would be best.

So long as you don't go more than 7 - 24 hour days between pills, you should be protected. So, if you start your new pack of the new pills at the time you would have started a new pack of your old pills, you should be fine. This is what I did all the times I changed pills (no one ever told me otherwise) and all was fine.

Some of the folks on this board recommend using backup when changing methods, for anywhere from a week to the whole first month. The idea is that your period will likely be different than on your previous pills, so that way you don't have to stress that you could have gotten pregnant.

The different combination of hormones in the new pills *could* cause different bleeding patterns. You won't know how it will work for you until you get to it!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 03-03-2004 - 12:29pm
Hi Mystic Angel,

You may have some side effects from the hormones in your new pills for the first cycle or two. If you start the new pills when you would have begun the next pack of you old ones then you should remain protected. The patient info leaflet with your pills will tell you what the manufacturer recommends and your Pharmacist would be a good person to answer that question as well. Some women use back-up when switching pills just for peace of mind, and to be doubly sure nothing goes wrong.

Good luck

      Jill