Newbie questions about BC

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-02-2004
Newbie questions about BC
1
Sat, 05-01-2004 - 5:56pm
Hi everyone, I just started BC (tricyclen) and have a few questions.

On the pamphlet taht i got from the pharmacy it said that i should take the pill around the same time everyday. well yesterday i forgot and instead of taking it at my normal time i took it 3 hours later. is that ok? also, when i've heard that tri-cyclen is low dosage....what does that mean exactly? also, my doctor told me to wait 10 days before i had sex without a condom but the pamphlet said 2-3 weeks. what has everyone else's doctors said?

Thank you!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2003
Sat, 05-01-2004 - 9:26pm
Welcome!

Here are some things to know about your birth control.

Generally the rule is +/- 2 hours. So if you take your pill at 8, you can take it anywhere from 6 to 10. Although, it is better to take it on time. But that is your window. You're probably fine taking it 3 hours late.

As for the backup... My pill pack says 1 week. Although, doctors and this board will tell you a month since you're new the pill and you're not in the habit of taking the pill just yet. Since you've already forgotten your first pill, i'd recommend using backup for the rest of the month.

Low dose pills are the new generation of pills. Pill used to have A LOT more estrogen in them. Today, there is far less estrogen in the pills. Low Dose simply means a low dose of estrogen. Low dose is 35mcg's of estrogen and less (typically). What they would concider "higher dose" would be anything more than that. Doctors generally don't prescribe high dose pills unless there is a reason.

I hope this helps. Good luck!!

Dani