New pill user
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New pill user
| Fri, 07-30-2004 - 7:09pm |
Hello everyone! I just started considering birth control options a while ago. I'm 20 and currently attending college...I have plans of becoming a doctor someday =) But I'm also in a very serious relationship with my boyfriend, and it's been about one year and a half since we started seeing each other. We have been very good with not doing anything at all that would put me at risk of getting pregnant. He told me he'd wait until I was ready, and I started looking into things, talked to my mom, and scheduled an appointment with the gynecologist. So now, I've been taking Ortho-cyclen for almost 2 weeks, and everything is going fine! No side effects, and I've been taking it at exactly the same time every day. I've read sooo much info about it so I can be sure I'm using it right. But I still have a couple questions....first, I have a vacation coming up, and I'm anxious to see my boyfriend *wink, wink* I was told to wait a month for the pills to be effective...so would it be ok to have sex after I take the first pill in my second pack? Or when would be the earliest time that I would be absolutely safe? Also, because I have lots of schooling ahead of me, I have really been extra paranoid about an unplanned pregnancy, but I'm actually feeling very ok with sex after finding out so much about birth control. However, I was just wondering how comfortable everyone is with the pill...how it has worked for them....if you have heard stories of people getting pregnant on it? I plan on using condoms also all the time definately, and was considering spermicide also...but I have heard some bad things about spermicide. Like you aren't supposed to use it more than once a day if it has N-9 in it? Anyway, would condoms AND the pill be ok? Or should I consider spermicide too? Is there a gel we can just use kind of as lubricant on the condom that would be spermicidal? And would it hurt to use it rather frequently? And I'll also definately be very careful about taking the pill everyday at right time and everything. I actually got a watch with an alarm on it =) I just want to know if I can be at ease with all this. I'm figuring the risk should be extremely small if I take the right precautions. Am I right? I really want to be able to have sex and enjoy it without being paranoid.
thanks for all the help!

1) I have a vacation coming up, and I'm anxious to see my boyfriend *wink, wink* I was told to wait a month for the pills to be effective...so would it be ok to have sex after I take the first pill in my second pack? Or when would be the earliest time that I would be absolutely safe?
Ortho says (in the Patient Information that comes with your pills) that you should be protected from pregnancy after 7 days of correct pill use. See: ‘Taking your pills correctly’ in the FAQ section of the board for tips on getting the most from your pills. Some doctors and this board recommend back-up be used for the entire first cycle while you are learning to take your pills correctly.
2) I was just wondering how comfortable everyone is with the pill...how it has worked for them....if you have heard stories of people getting pregnant on it?
I used Ortho Tri-Cyclen successfully for 3 years. I only used back-up when I was on antibiotics or had vomited up my pills. We do have a number of members who use two methods, usually an oral contraceptive and condoms, just for peace of mind.
3) I plan on using condoms also all the time definitely, and was considering spermicide also...but I have heard some bad things about spermicide. Like you aren't supposed to use it more than once a day if it has N-9 in it?
Some women are allergic to N9 or the gelling agent but most can use it successfully. There were studies done using Asian sex workers to test the effectiveness of spermicide with N9 as the active ingredient to reduce the risk of contracting HIV. It was found that very frequent use of an N9 spermicide contributed to vaginal tears that made it more likely that the woman would contract HIV. I have seen nothing recommending a limitation on the frequency of use of N9 spermicide for the general population. There is a natural ingredients spermicide that can be made at home using Aloe Vera and lemon juice. There is also a natural ingredients spermicide available in Europe called Femprotect. The active ingredient is 3.5% lactic acid. If you are interested you can probably find it on the Internet.
4) Anyway, would condoms AND the pill be ok? Or should I consider spermicide too?
Correctly used, Oral contraceptives and condoms used together should drop the possibility of an accidental pregnancy to less than 1%. Personally, I don’t think you need spermicide as a third method.
5) Is there a gel we can just use kind of as lubricant on the condom that would be spermicidal? And would it hurt to use it rather frequently?
KY-Plus (with N9) was such a product but the mfg. has taken it off the market. Any spermicidal gel will provide a certain amount of lubrication.
6) I'm figuring the risk should be extremely small if I take the right precautions. Am I right?
Used correctly and consistently oral contraceptives and condoms together can be an extremely effective combination. Only you can say if the very small risk is acceptable. Let us know what you decide, ok?
Good luck and hugs,
Jill