This is my first time on the pill

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2004
This is my first time on the pill
1
Mon, 05-10-2004 - 9:58pm
This may be a stupid question, but this is my first time on the pill (I am taking OTC). I am on the green pills, day 24. I just got my period, does this mean that I start a new pack? I feel like an idiot asking this, and I will appreciate any help I can get! Thank you.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 05-10-2004 - 11:11pm
Hi jmcs00, welcome!

There are no stupid questions when the subject is birth control. Continue taking all the green pills. They are placebos used as markers so you won’t forget when to begin your next pack. The day after you take the last green pill is when you start the next pack. It is very important that you go no more than 7 24-hour days between the last (blue) active pill in your current pack and the first (white) active pill in your next pack in order to retain your protection. You should read and save the patient information leaflet that comes with your pills. It has a lot of information about how to take your pills correctly and what to do if you are late or miss taking a pill.

This board considers taking combined oral contraceptives correctly to mean taking them on time (within +/-2 hrs. of your normal pill-time) and using back-up if you forget a pill or are sick and vomit or have diarrhea within 2 hours after taking your pill (considered a missed pill) and if you are taking medicines or supplements that could reduce the effectiveness of your pills. If you forget a pill or have been sick you should use back-up for at least 7 days afterward. If you are taking medicines or supplements then you should use back-up while taking them and for at least 7 days after taking the last dose. And, if you think you might have trouble remembering your pill-time you can set the alarm on a clock or watch or set a reminder message on your cell phone or computer to help remind you. Some things to remember when taking oral contraceptives:

• Combined oral contraceptives have a 4 hour window, progestin-only pills have a 1/2-1 hour window for on-time

• Medicines are typically antibiotics, antifungals, anticonvulsants and some other prescription drugs, if in doubt, check with the pharmacist. Over-the-counter medications like pain relievers or allergy medications do not change the effectiveness of the pill.

• Supplements may cause changes in the metabolism of the hormones without your knowledge. St. John's Wort has been known to cause pill failure, but because supplements are not regulated by the FDA, there is no systematic testing to determine which will compromise the effectiveness of the pill.

• You can also set your pill time at the same time as another activity that you do every day, whether it's brushing your teeth, watching a particular TV show, having breakfast...

• The patch and the ring have the same requirements as far as use of medications, though timing isn't an issue, nor is diarrhea or vomiting.

The pill, when taken consistently and correctly, is 99% effective. Anything that deviates from perfect use will reduce the effectiveness by an undetermined amount. The most important step you can take to make sure the pill is as effective as it can be is to take it at the same time every day.

Thanks for stopping by the board.

Good luck

      Jill