Using a new kind of birth control pill

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2004
Using a new kind of birth control pill
13
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 7:53pm
I recently switched from taking Estrostep to Ovcon My medical insurance doesn't cover birth control, and my doctor had a lot of extra samples at her office that she was willing to give me so that I could continue to be protected.

My fiance and I are sexually active and continued to be while I switched over. We don't use other forms of birth control. My period is a few days late, and now I'm starting to worry. Could switching pills have lowered my protection and caused me to become pregnant?

I've been on birth control for almost 9 years and since then my period has come like clockwork. Help!

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2004
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 8:23pm
It may be your body adjusting to the different set of hormones in your new pill - new hormones equals a different set of instructions that your body has to go by, as far as Aunt Flow goes. Give it a few days. As long as you started your new pills no longer than seven days after stopping the last pack of your old pills, you should be protected, although it is the policy of the board to recommend using back-up for the first month while switching methods so that you don`t get that pregnancy scare!

If your period doesn`t come soon, you can always do a home test. Hope you get the answer you want.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 8:29pm
Hi madame_devine, welcome!

If you have been taking your pills correctly then you should be well protected even during a pill switch. When switching pills it's not unusual to develop side effects as your body adjusts to the new hormones and as your body adjusts Aunt Flo will probably be arriving on a new schedule and may be of different duration and consistency as well. It might take several cycles until you have a good idea when AF will usually show. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2004
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 10:18am
I was wondering the same thing. I was on Estrostep FE and broke out in a rash, which could have just been me freaking out due to the fact that I have contact dermatitis and this was the worst rash I have seen and also was extremely emotional while on them. Because they did not let me take the pills after they took their time getting back to me. I had to sit out taking the pill for a month, yet I had my period last month with no problem. Now I am on Ortho tricyclen lo and have been on it for 22 days now. I was also on Antibiotics for 10 days because of a slight sinus infection, but during that time my fiance only had sex a few times during that time, but with condoms. Well my period is supposed to start no later than today and now I am freaking out a little cause I see no signs of it. I had cramps last week which is usually a good sign for me to let me know my period will be coming the next week. I have been having a few cramps off and on for the past week, but nothing. It makes me wonder if I should just switch back to estrostep on Sunday and leave the Ortho tricyclen alone. I know some people also say that it is for girls who are no more than 165-170 which I am not. I am just nervous for not having my period yet and do not know what to do.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 11:16am
Hi dolphingirl315, welcome!

If this is your first cycle on a new pill Aunt Flo may very likely be on a different schedule. Your body is still adjusting to the new hormones and it can take several cycles for you to have a good idea when she will appear on this pill. If I were you I'd give OTC at least 3 cycles to see if it will be a good choice for you. If you switch before you have adjusted you won't know if it would have worked well for you or not. If you are taking your pills correctly I don't think you have to be concerned about your weight. Ortho Evra, the patch, is the only method that I know of that has a caution in the prescribing information, about loss of effectiveness above 195 lbs. For more about weight and the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, see: http://www.contraceptiononline.org/contrareport/article01.cfm?art=261 Let us know how you’re doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2004
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 12:57pm
Jill,

This is definitely my first cycle on this new pill after being off the pills for a month because of the doctor not getting my prescription in on time. It has me all freaked out for some reason to the point that I was telling my fiance that we need to go and get a test. I know it is probably all in my head, but I just started taking birth control in June so on the Estrostep which I was on from June until August/early Sept. I knew exactly when I was going to have my period. Now this new pill is driving me nuts with not knowing. Today I start pill 23 and still no period. It has me worried is all. I guess I should give it a couple of more days before time to start the new pack on Sunday. I hope something comes out of it all.

Thanks for the luck I think I need it :)

Cat

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 4:19pm
Hi Cat,

'Normal' can be Aunt Flo starting anywhere from 2 to 5 days after taking the last active pill or it can be sooner or later so I don't think you have anything to worry about. If you have been taking your pills correctly you should be fine. Hang in there!

Hugs,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2004
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 5:11pm
Jill,

Thanks! I definitely need reassurance on this. I am taking the day 23 pill tonight as my schedule has me taking it. I was off sometimes by 30min to 1 hour on the pill. I think I am freaking out cause last night I was not feeling well and slept close to 2 hours after my pill was supposed to be taken but got up and took it immediately.

I guess me taking OTC compared to Estrostep FE has me very concerned because this si the first time I have been on birth control (Starting in June) In fact this was the first time I had been to the Gyno in my life (June) and my pap smear was normal so I was so excited and just feel weirded out by my period not being here already. Maybe my period is going back to its regular cycle like it was before.

I guess I am working myself up more than I need to be. I will keep you posted on what happens.

One question I do have....is it normal to have a rash from birth control?

Cat

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 6:37pm
Noooo... A rash isn't 'normal', but it might be a side effect of your pills. Could it be from something else? Have you eaten anything recently that you might be allergic to, or started another medicine about the time the rash appeared? If it's bothersome I'd talk to my doctor about it. Let us know what s/he says, ok?

Hugs,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2004
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 8:19pm
Jill,

I did not think so. But I had a rash this summer all of a suddent and my fiance thought it was a heat rash and so did the dermatologist, well he also thought it was my dermatitis flaring up.

That is one of the reasons my doctor pulled me off estrostep cause she said I could possibly get a rash.

Well I took a test tonight and there is no bun in the oven right now.

My boyfriend told me to just relax and my period will end up coming. Since december it has been right on key and now not here, I am not sure about that. I guess I need to give it til day 5 of my inactive pills to see what happens eh?

Cat

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2004
Thu, 11-11-2004 - 8:21am
Anyone,

I have taken 4 of the green pills of my OTCL and still no period. I had signs of cramps all last week and now I rarely have any signs of it. This is my first month on it, but I was also on Cipro for a sinus infection a couple of weeks ago. I even took a pregnancy test just to make sure I was not pregnant. I am just a little concerned because now my cycle is totally off and not sure when my period will come. I actually planned my wedding date due to the cycle and now this may really mess up things for me. I am just nervous about when my period is going to come.

Can someone help me here.

Pages