confused and paranoid about B. control
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confused and paranoid about B. control
| Tue, 07-06-2004 - 5:34pm |
okay, i have asked a similar question before, but as the days roll on, and I have more sex without a condom, I am becoming increasingly paranoid. So heres my story, on the last saturday in May I had an abortion, I was not using any efficient use of birth control at the time. Before I found out I was pregnant, about the middle of May, I began taking ortho tricyclen lo, however, i stopped taking the pills about 2 weeks after I found out I was pregnant. So then I had the alternative procedure performed on the last saturday of May, and the day after (sunday) i was adviced by the clinic to begin taking ortho tricyclen lo. I had missed one pill during the 1st week, but then took two the next day as advised, and was on antibiotics for one week . For almost the entire month of june, I didnt have sex without a condom, it wasnt until the last 2 days of my inactive pills that I had sex unprotected, june 24th or so. I am now in the middle of my second cycle and have been relying completely on the birth control pills to protect against pregnancy. My situation is completely overwhelming for me right now and i hope it isnt too complicated to understand, I just want to make extra sure that although I did not start the pills after my period, I was on antiobiotics, and also had strange hormonal changes due to the procedure, that waiting close to a month was okay for the pills to become effective. I have been worrying about this every night and just need some advice!

OK, hon. Try and take it easy and let’s just talk through this. So, you started OTC-Lo on Sunday (5/30) and you were on antibiotics when and for how long? If you used condoms while you were on ABs and for the next 7 days of correct pill usage after the last dose of medicine, then you should have been protected by your pills. Did you have a regular period after the active pills in your last pack? If you did then you should be fine. If you have been taking your pills correctly and didn’t go more than 7 24-hour days between the last active pill of your previous pack and the first pill of your current pack then you were protected between packs. You were correct in waiting as long as you did to have condomless sex. I know that having an untended pregnancy and the procedure is an awful lot to think about and can cause you a great deal of anxiety. You might want to consider not having IC for a while as you sort through your emotions and try to come to grips with your feelings. Don’t let anyone to push you to do anything you don’t want to do or aren’t ready for, and I think that is exactly where you are right now. If you decide you really want to continue having IC right now, perhaps using (in addition to your pills) a barrier method such as a contraceptive sponge, diaphragm or cervical cap would give you a greater sense of protection and confidence.
Sweetie, if I were you right now with my confidence shot and my emotions in a state, I think I would opt for taking a vacation from IC for a while until I recovered a bit from my recent experiences. I hope you have an understanding and supportive BF and girlfriends who can help you get through this rough spot in your life. Take a look at the iVillage Abortion loss board http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppabortgrf and the Abortion Support Board http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhabortion and share your feelings with women who have been where you are now. They are a great group of girls! Let us know how you’re doing, ok?
(((Big HUGS sweetie!)))
Jill
It sounds as though you have been doing what you are supposed to do and AF came, so you should be well protected by your pills. It's good that you posted on the abortion boards. It makes me feel so good to know that iVillage is really helping you and other women cope. Hang in there sweetie and don't let anyone push you into doing things you aren't ready for. Just take it slowly until you get to where you feel confident again. Rushing things right now isn't worth the nightmares you are experiencing, is it? Come back and let us know how you are doing from time to time.
(((HUGS)))
Jill