Do I need to take the placebos?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2003
Do I need to take the placebos?
1
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 8:12am
Or are they just there to keep you on the schedule of taking your pills? It seems like m doctor told me they weren't necessary if I didn't want to take them, but then other sites I look at say to take them. If I forgot to take one one day, would I need to take it as soon as I remembered or could I skip it? Also, I just don't understand how you can be protected when you have sex during this 7 day interaval of taking placebos. If you aren't taking the hormones isn't it possible to become pregnant?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 1:01pm
Hi mapper71, welcome back!

You don't 'have' to take the placebos but I always found it helpful. That way I was reminded of when I should start the next pack of pills and it's a good method of keeping you in the habit of taking your pills on time. If you miss a placebo it isn't necessary to take it, you can throw it away.

>> I just don't understand how you can be protected when you have sex during this 7 day interval of taking placebos. If you aren't taking the hormones isn't it possible to become pregnant? <<

Through rigorous testing it was found that if you take your 21 active pills correctly you will be protected for the 7 days of your placebo week, but no longer without beginning active pills again. I don't know the medical reason but it works which was all I cared about when I was on OCs. I'm sorry I can't be of more help on this one.

Take care,

      Jill