placebo confusion

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2004
placebo confusion
1
Tue, 09-28-2004 - 10:48pm
I'm totally confused. I literally just began birth control pills last thursday. My first pill was an active orange pill that I consumed 6 days ago, coinciding with the day I began bleeding. On this site, I read that placebo pills are meant for the week of menstruation and the active pills are meant to be taken AFTER you bleed. I am so confused! I've taken an active pill each day for six days within a thirty minute time frame during my bleeding, did I mess up? Is this why I'm so fatigued? Will I be protected from pregnancy once my cycle ends? Should I take the placebo pills when I get to them in two weeks and a day? Thanks in advance to the awesome ladies running these boards.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 09-28-2004 - 11:12pm
Hi bittersweetlovely, welcome!

Hold on Hon! I think you're fine... If you started your first active pill on the first day of your period then you are a first day start. Your period will stop in a few days. Keep taking your 21 active pills on time and then when you get to the placebos the lack of hormones will trigger your first pill-period. Aunt Flo usually appears between days 2 and 5 of your placebos but can be earlier or later. Be sure to go no more than 7 24-hour days without hormones and begin your next pack on time or you will loose your protection. Since you are new to BCPs it would be a good idea for you to read several of the posts in the FAQs: ‘How the pill works’, ‘Taking your pills correctly’, ‘Common pill side effects’ and ‘Irregular bleeding anyone?’ should be of interest to new pill users. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Take care,

      Jill