Confused...

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Confused...
4
Sun, 10-31-2004 - 6:07pm
This is only my second month of using birthcontrol. I'm a sunday starter and I got my period that week of my reminder pills accept on the very last day on saturday where I wasn't on my period. I was wondering if i forgot to take my reminder pills on thursday & saturday and since I didnt have my period that saturday, the day before I was suppose to start taking the active pills. Is there any chance that I will need to use a form of back up protection for the next 7 days?? I know this may sound stupid but this is my first time using birthcontrol and I was to be 100% sure...
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2004
In reply to: cassie_v07
Sun, 10-31-2004 - 6:31pm
Hey, there`s no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to your fertility! (:

Firstly, the remainder pills are only there to keep you in the habit of taking a pill everyday at the same time while you`re hormone-free. There`s not much in the pills - no hormones or anything like that, just basically little sugar pills that don`t have an affect on you whatsoever. Their sole purpose is to keep you in the habit of taking your pill and to remind you to start your new pack when you`re done. Not taking these pills is perfectly fine, as long as you remember to start your new pack on the correct day.

As far as your period goes, while you`re on birth control, it may fluctuate. It may last two days, it may last 9 days, it may not come at all! But, in general, on a pill, you`ll get a fairly regular period. Not having it for all seven days of the placebo (reminder) pills is completely normal and nothing to be worried about! It may take three months for your period to become stabilized, like lasting a certain amount of days or showing up at a certain time. So no worries!

As long as you started your pack on time, that Sunday after your period stopped, you should be protected and not have to use back-up protection. By taking your pills correctly throughout the month, you`re also protected against pregnancy for the 7 days you are off of the pill and as long as no more than 7 days pass between your last active pill and the day you start your new pack, you should be great. (:

If you have any more questions, let us know! Hope this helps.

Lena

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: cassie_v07
Sun, 10-31-2004 - 8:31pm
Hi cassie_v07, welcome!

It doesn't matter that you forgot to take your reminder pills. They don't have any hormones of contraceptive value, they are only to keep you in the habit of taking your pills correctly. If you have been taking your pills correctly; on time, haven't vomited or had diarrhea within 2 hours after taking your pill (that counts as a miss) and aren't taking any medicines or supplements that might reduce the effectiveness of your pills then you should be quite safe. Be sure to start your new pack on time. You can go no more than 7 24-hour days without taking active pills without loosing your protection. If that happens, then you will need to use back-up until you have taken 7 consecutive active pills correctly. Since you are new to birth control you might want to Read the post, ‘Taking your pills correctly’ in the FAQs for tips on what to do and what to not to do to get the most from your pills. Thanks for posting,

Take care,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
In reply to: cassie_v07
Sun, 10-31-2004 - 10:23pm
I fogot to mention that last friday I accidentally took 2 of my active pills in one day and started my reminder pills on the saturday. I started taking my new pack on sunday that way I would get back into my regular routine...so I think that would make it 8 days without active pills...Am I correct in thinking I need to use a back up method?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: cassie_v07
Mon, 11-01-2004 - 6:31am
If you were 8 days without active pills, then yes you definitely need to use backup until you've taken seven active pills on time! Good catch... Seven is the magic number--no more than seven days off the active pills (you can do less if you want to change your start day), if you use backup you use it for seven days of active pills. It's easy to remember that way!

Good luck!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control