When to start pill

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2003
When to start pill
2
Sun, 03-07-2004 - 10:47am
Ok, I'm going to start taking BCP due to all my irregular bleeding. (dr has diagnosed me as having dysfunctional uterine bleeding after doing several tests to determine why I have irregular bleeding). Well today I have started some spotting (on Sunday). I sometimes spot for a couple days before I actually start my period. Question is, should I start my pills today or wait until next Sunday???

Thanks in advance.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 03-07-2004 - 1:47pm
Hi mom23gs, welcome!

A first day start is beginning your pack on the first day of your flow, not during preliminary spotting. What I would do is begin on the first day of your period. That way you will be protected against pregnancy immediately. If you wait and start your pills next Sunday then you should use back-up for at least the first 7 days of correct use until the hormones have built up to protect you. If you are a first day start and want to change to a Sunday start, all you have to do is begin your next pack on the Sunday during your placebo week. You may experience side effects as your body adjusts to the hormones in your pills. If you do, they should disappear after the first 2 or 3 cycles. Many docs. and this board recommend using back-up for the entire first cycle. That way you are protected if you forget or are late with your pills while you are learning to take them correctly. Back-up also provides peace-of-mind if AF is early/late or heavier/lighter than when you were cycling normally.

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 03-08-2004 - 7:52am

You *could* start now, or you could wait another day or two to see if it gets heavier.

Judie Cl for Birth Control