Question- switching pills

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2004
Question- switching pills
2
Wed, 06-23-2004 - 12:54pm
Hey! Forgot to ask my gyno this while I was there, wondering if anyone could help me out. I have been on orthotri-cyclin lo for over a year, but will be switching to seasonale in about 2 weeks (after my next period). I'm assuming that I'll have to use condoms just like when you first start on a pill, but was not sure about this. And if I do need to be using a backup method, will it only be for the first month, or through a full cycle (3 months) of pills? If anyone knows something about this I would appreciate some insight. Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-23-2004
Wed, 06-23-2004 - 9:53pm
I just switched birth control and had the same question for my gyno - she said that as long as you switch at the end of a pack then you don't have to worry about effectivness.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 9:46am
Hi zophe, welcome!

I agree with the other poster, that if you go no more than 7 24-hour days (your placebo week) between the active pills of OTC and the first Seasonale pills you should be fine. When switching pills some women will use back-up for a week or so, just for peace of mind. Let us know how you like Seasonale, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill