help! new here: the pill and 'safe time'

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-07-2003
help! new here: the pill and 'safe time'
4
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 6:53am
I am really confused! I just started the pill yesterday. Now it is getting the end of my period. Can I have sex right after the period? Is it the "safe time" or not? My doctor talks like that the pill I just started will totally disrupt my cycle and things are totally unpredictable now. Is it true? Anxiously waiting...
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 9:19am
Hi zyl41, welcome!

Did you start your pills on the first day of your period? If so, you were protected immediately. If not you should use back-up for at least the first 7 days of correct pill use. This board and some doctors recommend that back-up be used for the entire first cycle as you are learning to take your pills correctly. That way, if you miss a pill or Aunt Flo is different, which is likely, you won’t have a melt-down wondering if you’re pg. Your pills should now control you cycles and they should be very predictable. You might have irregular bleeding and other side effects during the first 3 cycles or so, If you do they should disappear by your 4th cycle. Thanks for posting. Let us know how you’re doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-07-2003
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 9:55am
Hi Jill, thanks for the warm welcome...

No, I didn't start the pill on the first day of my period. My period began last Wednesday, and I only decided to go on the pill and went to see the doctor this Tuesday. Since it is already past the 1st Sunday of my period, the doctor said I could take two pills the first two days to make up for not starting on Sunday.

My period ends this Wednesday, and I am planning for this weekend. Now my dilemma is that my partner seems he really does not like condom. But condom is the only other method I have used, except this pill that I am starting. I have looked at the other methods, they all seem so complicated to me. What shall I do? Take a risk counting on the 'safe time'?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 3:52pm
Hi zyl41,

Starting on the first Sunday after your period your cycle could be far enough along that you would ovulate and since you started even later than that this is NOT a good time to be talking about taking risks! I know men don’t like condoms but they like child support payments even less, or the ones I know to do. If you will be off your period you might want to consider using a contraceptive sponge (Today or Protectaid) as back-up if they are available at a pharmacy near you. You can get them over the Internet but probably not in time for this weekend. If not the sponge, if I were you it would be “No glove, no love!” Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-07-2003
Sat, 07-31-2004 - 8:26am
Thanks! I got the courage to talk to my partner (we are still pretty early in our relationship, haven't started intercourse yet), and he said he could wait, even another month. What a relief! I guess it is me myself who made me nervous. Thanks a lot! It really helped me make up my mind. I will explore these other methods as I go along.