Am I protected from day 1?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2003
Am I protected from day 1?
1
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 9:50am
I started for the very first time in my life on the pill yesterday. I was told to wait until the Sunday after my next period to start on them but my period started yesterday and it said in the directions to start taking them on a Sunday if you get your perid on a Sunday. So my question is, am I protected right away after I take the first one or should I use backup for a week or so?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 10:09am
Hi mapper71,

Read the information that came with your pills. That will tell you what the manufacturer says about when you are protected. Except for transdermal methods (NuvaRing and Ortho Evra - which take a week) you are protected immediately if you start on the first day of your period. Even so, some doctors and this board recommend that you use back-up for the entire first cycle. We do that because while you are learning to take your pills it is easy to take them late or forget one and your period will probably be on a different schedule and of a different consistency and duration too. If that happens and you have been using back-up you know you are protected so you won't have a freak-out wondering if you are pg. Let us know how you like your pills, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill