Important Question

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2003
Important Question
6
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 3:53pm
I went to a planned parenthood clinic this past Tuesday and got 2 packs Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo. I have to go back in 5 weeks for them to see how it's working for me and give me my Pap results. The woman that did the exam told me that most of her patients do better with a Sunday start, and that it would take 2 weeks after I started for the pills to take effect and protect me against pregnancy. I do not have a generic brand, I have the actual Ortho Lo. My concern is, why did she tell me to wait 2 weeks? My best friend started them over a year ago and she was only told to wait a week, and I went to the actual Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo website and it says that they take effect in only one week, so do you think it would be safe to just wait a week? I wont start my next period till the first week of next month (if it comes on time) and the reason I'm asking is because if I just do the one week thing, my bf's bday will fall the day after, so I will have been taking them for 8 days, and we want to "celebrate" both occasions. What do you think? One week - like the official website says, or 2 - like the woman at the clinic said? Plz help. Thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 4:08pm
I have always been under the impression that it takes only a week to become effective, but that two weeks would have you "completely" covered. I'm not physician, but that's always been my understanding.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-11-2004
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 5:40pm
i was on Ortho cyclen and they told me two weeks too... (i went to a different clinic tho.) But when i asked the doctor she said in theory it only takes a week but two is safer. Is this your first time on BC? Id use back up on your bf bday (condoms). Just in case but you should be ok. I switched to ortho evra (the patch) and they said seven days and i was covered. so... your probably ok... but just in case have back up...and have fun!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 5:56pm
Hi roxy1385, welcome!

The Patient Information leaflet that comes with your pills will tell you what the manufacturer recommends as the minimum time for your pills to become effective. It's usually 7 days if you start on any day other than the first day of your period. If you are starting your pills in the middle of your cycle you might still ovulate this cycle. If that happens you will get your period about 2 weeks later regardless of where you are in your pack.

Some doctors and this board recommend using backup for the entire first cycle while you are learning to take your pills correctly. That way if you forget and take a pill or pills late or miss one entirely or if Aunt Flo is late arriving you won't have an "am I pg" freak-out. Read "Taking your pills correctly" in the FAQs. That will give you some dos and don’ts and things to be careful of to get the most protection from your pills. I hope OTC-Lo works well for you. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2003
Fri, 09-17-2004 - 6:32pm
I didnt get an info leaflet with my pills, they just handed over 2 packs and told me to have a Sunday start. I know I wont forget to take the pills, as much as I went through to get them , I'm certainly not going to forget about them (long story lol).

Anyways, do you think just a week will be ok?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 09-17-2004 - 10:35pm
Ortho says that if the pills are taken correctly a minimum of 7 days of back-up is needed if you start on any day other than the first day of your period. This is the link to the prescribing information for OTC-Lo: http://www.orthotricyclenlo.com/prescribing/prescribing.html I urge you to read it all. Below is part of the patient information that explains how Ortho says the pills should be used. I've included what to do if you miss pills.

“WHEN TO START THE FIRST PACK OF PILLS

You have a choice of which day to start taking your first pack of pills. ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo is available in the DIALPAK® Tablet Dispenser which is preset for a Sunday Start. Day 1 Start is also provided. Decide with your health care professional which is the best day for you. Pick a time of day which will be easy to remember.

SUNDAY START: Take the first “active” white pill of the first pack on the Sunday after your period starts, even if you are still bleeding. If your period begins on Sunday, start the pack that same day.

Use another method of birth control (such as condoms or spermicide) as a back-up method if you have sex anytime from the Sunday you start your first pack until the next Sunday (7 days).

DAY 1 START:

Take the first “active” white pill of the first pack during the first 24 hours of your period.

You will not need to use a back-up method of birth control, since you are starting the pill at the beginning of your period.

WHAT TO DO DURING THE MONTH

1. Take One Pill At The Same Time Every Day Until The Pack Is Empty

Do not skip pills even if you are spotting or bleeding between monthly periods or feel sick to your stomach (nausea). Do not skip pills even if you do not have sex very often.

2. When You Finish A Pack Or Switch Your Brand Of Pills

Start the next pack on the day after your last “reminder” pill. Do not wait any days between packs. Start the next pack on the day after your last “reminder” pill. Do not wait any days between packs.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU MISS PILLS

If you MISS 1 white, light blue or dark blue “active” pill:

1. Take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time. This means you may take 2 pills in1 day.

2. You do not need to use a back-up birth control method if you have sex.

If you MISS 2 white or light blue “active” pills in a row in WEEK 1 OR WEEK 2 of your pack:

1. Take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the next day.

2. Then take 1 pill a day until you finish the pack.

3. You COULD BECOME PREGNANT if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You MUST use another birth control method (such as condoms or spermicide) as a back-up method for those 7 days.

If you MISS 2 dark blue “active” pills in a row in THE 3RD WEEK:

1. If you are a Sunday Starter:

Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, THROW OUT the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day. If you are a Day 1 Starter:

THROW OUT the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack that same day.

2. You may not have your period this month but this is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months

in a row, call your health care professional because you might be pregnant.

3. You COULD BECOME PREGNANT if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You MUST use another birth control method (such as condoms or spermicide) as a back-up method for those 7 days.

If you MISS 3 OR MORE white, light blue or dark blue “active” pills in a row (during the first 3 weeks):

1. If you are a Sunday Starter: Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, THROW OUT the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day.

If you are a Day 1 Starter: THROW OUT the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack that same day.

2. You may not have your period this month but this is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your health care professional because you might be pregnant.

3. You COULD BECOME PREGNANT if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You MUST use another birth control method (such as condoms or spermicide) as a back-up method for those 7 days. If you forget any of the 7 green “reminder” pills in Week 4: THROW AWAY the pills you missed. Keep taking 1 pill each day until the pack is empty. You do not need a back-up method.

FINALLY, IF YOU ARE STILL NOT SURE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE PILLS YOU HAVE MISSED: Use a BACK-UP METHOD anytime you have sex.

KEEP TAKING ONE “ACTIVE” PILL EACH DAY until you can reach your health care professional.”

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Sat, 09-18-2004 - 10:15am
you should be fine after only one week. the doctor was just trying to be extra safe but if your not comfortable with it then wse comdoms for two weeks.