changing start days?? help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2004
changing start days?? help!
3
Mon, 11-22-2004 - 2:57pm

Hi, i've been on ortho-lo for several months now... I always begin my new packs on thursday, but it's a huge pain because that means I start my period on friday and then have it over the weekend... so I really want to change the day that I start a new pack to Sunday. My question is, can I just simply wait an extra three days to start a new pack after my period, or do I need to do it gradually and just push it back one day for several months... someone told me it was ok to just wait the extra three days, and not have sex for those days... and I can definitely do that if needed. Any advice would be great.

Thanks!

Avatar for ilovemyfeet
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Mon, 11-22-2004 - 3:35pm
if you wate three days after you were supost to start your new pack you wont be protected any more and you will have to take active pills for 7 days straight and on time to get your effectiveness back. meaning you could get pregnant if you did that. now someone correct me if im wrong shouldnt you start taking your next pack of pills early so you take your last active pill on thursday then that sunday you would start your new pack of pills. it may give you a bit of a wacky period but at least you wouldnt louse your effectiveness.(sorry about the sp) im not a dr or anything but thats my understanding from what i was told when i wanted to change my start date. hopei helped. julie
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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2004
Mon, 11-22-2004 - 4:02pm

Yeah, Julie is right.

When you go more than seven consecutive days without hormones during your hormone-free week, your protection is kind of poof - gone. You`d have to take your pills for seven more consecutive days to re-establish it.

Your best bet would definitely be to shorten your hormone free days. Rather than waiting until you`ve had your 7 hormone free days, which would normally give you your Thursday start time, you could instead start your pills a few days early, before your period is over and your seven days are up, on say Sunday. That way, your last active pill would be on a Saturday and your first placebo pill would be on a Sunday. And since most women don`t bleed on their first placebo pill, you`d have your period during the week and avoid the weekend!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 11-22-2004 - 5:16pm

I agree with Julie and Lena! You can't extend your hormone free period longer than 7 24-hour days without loosing your protection, but you can shorten the hormone free interval and be fine. Let us know how it worked for you.

Good luck,

      Jill