Placebo week question

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-2004
Placebo week question
1
Tue, 08-10-2004 - 5:39pm
I just wanted an explanation for how you are still protected from pregnancy during the placebo week. If your period ends early during the placebo week, is there a chance you could ovulate before you begin the next pack?

Also, I was reading an article that said birth control pills are not as effective if you are over 155 pounds. Is this true?

Thanks so much!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 08-10-2004 - 6:10pm
Hi jenny1867, welcome!

If you have been taking your pills correctly for the 21 previous days the levels of hormones in your body are high enough that they will protect you for the next 7 24-hour days while you are on placebos. No method is 100% effective but there is very little chance (hormonal methods are 98-99% effective if used correctly) of an accidental pregnancy.

As far as the 155 lb issue... we have been trying to allay our members concerns since that misleading article first came out. Basically the weight issue shouldn't be a concern for most women. Ortho Evra (the patch) is the only hormonal method that has a weight caution for effectiveness and that is at198 lbs. For a medical prospective on the question of weight and OC effectiveness see: http://www.contraceptiononline.org/contrareport/article01.cfm?art=261 If you are still concerned you might want to talk to your doctor about it. Does this help?

Thanks for posting, and good luck.

      Jill