when is it effective?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-28-2003
when is it effective?
4
Sun, 07-30-2006 - 7:41pm

Hello all,

Im new to BCP and my doctor just put me on YAZ. She recommended a first day start with me which happened to fall on a sunday. I have read many things stating when BCP will be effective and you can stop using a backup method like condoms. Some people say that you need to wait a month for it to be effective and others say just one week. Today will be the start of my second week. Im also not sure if the fact that YAZ has 28 active pills vs. the 21 active pills of other BC will effect when i'll be able to stop using backup. It always seems like when i look up any information they always refer to pills with 21 active and 7 inactive pills. Does that make any difference? When am i definitly safe? I wanna make sure im 100% protected and if im not 100% sure i am, i probly will just keep using condoms for the rest of the month. Any advice?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-03-2006
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 3:09am
I think a large part of the reason they recommend a month is to make sure you get in the habit of taking the pill at the same time every day and don't forget. If you are already in the habbit, and take them consistanly on time, I think 7 days should be fine.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 7:37am

Yaz, like the other 28 day pills, has 21 active pills and 7 inactive pills. You should be protected after a minimum of 7 active pills (taken at the same time every day), but we also recommend using backup for the first month.


1.

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-28-2003
Fri, 08-04-2006 - 9:01pm

thank you both for your responses. they were very helpful. i do have one more question though.

I just read the artical about what happens when you have a "pill period" and i need to get something clear.
So when you are on the pill and take the placebo pills (for me its 4 placebo pills. i got confused earlier but my pack of YAZ has 24 active and 4 inactive pills). Anyway, so when i take the placebo pills and have a "pill period" im techniquely not releasing an egg at anytime, correct? So if i happened to have sex while taking the placebo pills and/or have my "pill period" i am still protected? i read somewhere that that is true, but i just wanna make sure, ya know... get a second opinion.

thanks again for your help :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 08-04-2006 - 9:57pm

>>Anyway, so when i take the placebo pills and have a "pill period" im techniquely not releasing an egg at anytime, correct? So if i happened to have sex while taking the placebo pills and/or have my "pill period" i am still protected? i read somewhere that that is true,<<


      Jill