pill questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-08-2004
pill questions
3
Mon, 11-08-2004 - 2:34pm
Question: I had taken pills for about 3-4 years but stopped this august. I began taking pills on a monday (Oct. 25) and was sexually active thurs thru mon of that week ( oct 28- nov 1). i started taking the pills the day i got my period and that stopped it. and now yesterday(nov 7) i began spotting a bit. is it safe for me to stop taking the pills today so i can have my full period, or should i finish the pills out? i'd rather stop, but not if its risky. however, I'm thinking if i started bleeding than maybe thats a good sign? a bit confusing, but if you have any idea, please help. thanks
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: smar4
Mon, 11-08-2004 - 4:44pm
Hi smar4, welcome!

If I were you I'd continue taking my pills. Missing a period shouldn't be harmful (otherwise the FDA wouldn't have approved Seasonale) and it is not a good idea to stop mid-pack. It takes 2 or 3 cycles for your body to adjust to the hormones in your pills. Irregular bleeding is a very common side effect when starting or switching hormonal contraceptives. It isn't harmful to stop mid-pack but it might be uncomfortable. If you are going to continue on the pill you need to get past the adjustment period and if you are going to stop taking them you might bleed until the time you would normally get your period.

If you do decide to stop mid-pack (for your period) be sure to use back-up until you have taken 7 active pills in the next pack consecutively and correctly. The reason for back-up is that if you haven't completed taking 21 actives correctly you might not be protected completely during your pill free interval. When you start your next pack be sure to use a new and complete pack of pills. Your partial pack can be used as a source of spares in case you loose or vomit a pill. Since you are new to BCPs you might want to read the posts: 'How the pill works', 'Taking your pills correctly', 'Common pill side effects' and 'Irregular bleeding anyone?' in the FAQs. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-08-2004
In reply to: smar4
Mon, 11-08-2004 - 8:51pm
thanks for the reply...one reason i want to stop is bacause i will not be sexually active. i was mainly concerned bcuz i did not know the life span of sperm in the body, but i read a few places its up to 72 hrs. so since i took my pills for a week after i should be safe right? thanks again:)
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: smar4
Mon, 11-08-2004 - 10:08pm
I think if sperm do not reach fertile cervical fluid within 4 or 5 hours they die. If they reach fertile cervical fluid sperm can live 4 or 5 days. Being a day one start I think you should be ok.

Good luck,

      Jill