Always wondered...

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-24-2004
Always wondered...
1
Tue, 05-25-2004 - 12:17am
I've seen questions on here on whether or not one can get pregnant during their period. I have a question which is a slight variation on that theme. My fiance and I usually don't have sex when I'm having my period (I don't feel particularly sexy or in the mood when I'm bleeding ;)), but usually my period doesn't begin until the last few days of the fourth cycle of my birth control or when I'm taking the white pills. Is it safe to have sex during the first few days when I'm taking the 'placebo' pills but haven't had my period yet? Thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 05-25-2004 - 2:40am
Hi fingrrrl1, welcome back!

Women who are cycling naturally and who have irregular or very short cycles can become pg during their periods. If you are taking oral contraceptives correctly you should not be ovulating and therefore it is safe to have sex during you hormone free days. As long as you go no more than 7 24-hour days between the last active pill of your old pack and the first active pill of your new pack you will retain your protection.

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.

Good luck

      Jill