Back-up for 1 Week or 1 Month?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-25-2003
Back-up for 1 Week or 1 Month?
2
Wed, 08-11-2004 - 11:39pm
Well, I'll start taking my BC on Sunday, and I am so excited! My mom still isn't thrilled about the idea, but I think she'll get over it. She makes little comments when commercials come on for OTC or Seasonale though.

Ever since I got the script for BC, I've been on here making sure I know how to take it and whatnot, even though most of the stuff I've read I already knew. I did want to ask this though: My Dr told me to use back-up for the first month, but in the packet, it says just for the first week... Who is right? My bf obviously loves sex without condoms, as all guys do, but he uses them for *us*. I'd like to surprise him one night instead of putting on the brakes for a few seconds, haha.

Thanks for all of your help!

-Lauren

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 8:00am
I think it's 7 days but the doctor might have said one month to ensure you are in the habit of taking the pills on time every day no fail. Take care.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 8:15am
We always recommend backup for the first pack. While you're supposed to be protected after seven days, we have our reasons! And they're probably a lot like your doctor's...

1. As the Ortho Evra commercial says, it's not hard to take the pill, it's just so easy to forget! When you first start taking the pill, it can be easy to forget to take your pill on time (or some days at all) because it's not part of your routine. If you're using backup protection, no worries--you make up the pills and go on with life! If you're not using backup, you'd have to start, if you remembered soon enough. And if you didn't remember soon enough...

2. You won't know what to expect when you get to the inactive week. It can take a few days for your period to start after you stop taking active pills. On top of that, your flow will very likely be different than it was before. It's REALLY easy to get paranoid and think that maybe you are one of the 0.5% that get pregnant with perfect pill use while you're waiting! But if you have used backup for the whole first cycle, there's no pre-period freak-out and you'll start figuring out what's normal for you without worrying if there's a pregnancy involved. When I started the pill a long time ago (7+ years), after the first pack I went back for a checkup, and one of the doctor's questions was if my period was different than before--if it's not, then it may not be working for you. But if you use backup (and I did), no harm no foul.

Good luck! Make sure those STD tests are all clear before you abandon the condoms. You can still surprise your boyfriend later, it doesn't have to be right away! ;)

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control