Opinion needed...

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2003
Opinion needed...
4
Wed, 11-10-2004 - 2:37pm
I posted maybe about 2 months ago about wanting to manipulate my period in December. I wanted to skip this months period so that when i go to get my wisdom teeth pulled it would fall on the last active pill day therefore, only having to use backup for 2 weeks rather than three (since they will be giving me a strong antibiotic). Here is my delima. That was a fine plan in all; however, i got sick :-( and i am now taking antibiotics (i am currently on the 3rd week of actives, last active pill being Friday 11/12). I will take my last antibiotic (Z-pack) on saturday. The original plan was to go straight into a new pack this weekend, but i thought that MAYBE since the antibiotics might decrease the effectiveness, do you gals think that i will have a greater chance of break through bleeding if i go onto another pack?? If so i may as well just let myself have a period and get through it. But i wanted your opinion as to what you think will happen and what i should do... This stuff confuses me!

What other kinds of backup would anyone recommend other than condoms, "someone" isn't too fond of them, but if need be they will do (trust me!).

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2003
Wed, 11-10-2004 - 6:48pm
*bump*
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2004
Wed, 11-10-2004 - 7:47pm
I don`t think that antibiotics affect breakthrough bleeding, just the effectiveness of your birth control. If just go into your new pack of pills, you could have some breakthrough bleeding; some women can`t effectively skip their period...and some can. If it`s worth trying it out to see what happens, go ahead and give skipping a shot. But I don`t think that the antibiotics will give you a higher chance of btb.

If he`s not so hot on condoms (I understand where you`re coming from...I mention "condom" and my boyfriend looks like a kicked puppy or something), you could always try a spermicide. Foams seem to be pretty common, because they not only offer back-up protection but lubrication, and seem to be the most effective form of spermicide. However, they are a few other types...gels, suppository tablets, and films. Other than condoms, that`s the only other back-up method that I can think of.

Hope this helps!

Lena

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 11-10-2004 - 10:08pm
I agree with Lena...

You can stick to your plan and see if skipping works. Have you skipped on this pill before? If not, you don't know for sure if it will work for you even without antibiotics but I’d give it a shot and that way you will be positioned for your extractions. As far as back-up is concerned, you might want to consider female condoms. Your partner gets a bit more sensation with a FC than a male condom, but you get less – in my experience. With an FC there is a chance that if he slips out he can reinsert outside the sheath, so if he slips out you want to be certain to guide his reentry to make certain he is inside the sheath. The contraceptive sponge might be another possibility. They aren't available in most places in the U.S. yet but they are available on the Internet. As Lena said spermicides are readily available. If you go that route be sure to read the instructions on the box. Suppositories and film take time to melt and become effective and film (VCF) because of it's small size, has a very high concentration (28%) of Nonoxynol-9 and is more likely to cause an allergic reaction than a 2%-3% N9 gel, foam or cream. Let us know what you decide and how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 11-11-2004 - 7:27am
Actually, if the antibiotics were to decrease the absorption of the hormones enough to compromise the effectiveness of the pill, that would lead to ovulation, yes? And with ovulation...there is bleeding about two weeks later, yes? ;) Even if the amount of hormones absorbed is reduced, that can be enough for some women to have bleeding issues if, in fact, the antibiotic is messing with the pill, which we know doesn't happen for all women or all antibiotics, but in theory it could.

I agree with Lena and Jill--keep the plan, if it works, great, if not, you tried and you can try again a different time to see if it really does or doesn't regardless of the antibiotics!

Good luck!

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