Nervous :BCP
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Nervous :BCP
| Sun, 05-30-2004 - 11:35pm |
I just turned 18 and have been on birth control for almost a month. Today, I took my first inactive pill. I started spotting yesterday and today but no sign of a period. Around what day of the inactive pills should I get my period? usually, my period is regular. The BCP's (TriNessa) have given me bad side effects : nausea after I eat, gingivitis (weird but true- I looked up the side effects), and cramps.
I'm a little worried though- actually probably completely paranoid. My boyfriend and I have had sex a few times but each time he wore a condom and he didn't come (it hurt me too bad so he stopped since I was a virgin). Anyways, the whole nausea, spotting, and cramps thing is freaking me out because both could be signs of pregnancy or birth control. He and I have done other things- I got his cum on my hands but then wiped it off on a towel (i gave him a hand job) and put my panties on.. I know this all sounds weird and even a little graphic but I'm WORRIED because I haven't started yet. Is there any way possible that I could be pregnant and is it normal to be spotting?

The first time I waited for my period to come after first taking Birth Control Pills, I was definitely paranoid. Mine also started with spotting, which turned into a full blown period a day or two later. I don't think you should worry just yet, but if you get to the end of the inactive pills and still do not have a period, it would probably be best to take a pregnancy test, just to be sure. All women are different, and all start on different days of the inactive pills. I usually start between 9 am and midnight on the third inactive pill, while a friend of mine doesn't start until her 6th inactive pill, we're all different!!
Hope this Helps!
Jen
p.s. Also keep note that next month the time that you expect you period might change (Eg. if you get it on tuesday this time, you could get it on a monday or thursday next time...it takes your body a little while to adjust).
Sweetie, take a deep breath and relax! There is no 100% effective method of contraception except abstinence. However, if you have been taking your pills correctly and using condoms then you should be just fine! Irregular bleeding and nausea are common side effects when beginning hormonal contraceptives. Typically it takes three or four cycles on a new pill for all the side effects to disappear. If, after that much time, you are still having problems then a pill switch might be in order. Most women on OCs get their periods between 2nd and 5th day of the fourth (placebo) week of their pills.
If both you and your bf haven’t been tested for STIs then it would be a good idea to continue using condoms until you both have been tested and found free of them since condoms are the only protection against STIs.
Sex shouldn’t hurt! He should be gentle with you and be sure to use plenty of a water base lubricant such as Astroglide or KY liquid. Don’t use a petroleum base lube such as Vaseline since the oil will deteriorate latex in condoms and other vaginal barriers. Since you are new to hormonal contraceptives let me mention some things to keep in mind when you are taking your pills.
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.
I think you are quite safe and I’ll bet Aunt Flo should be stopping by any time now. Let us know how you’re doing, ok?
Good luck!
Jill
I think you will be fine :)