mini pill question?
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| Fri, 10-06-2006 - 11:39pm |
Question?....Why, if the mini pill works on a day by day basis, do you have to take it the entire month? This may be a silly question, not being savvy in the "pill" world. But it seems that if you only took it during those days of peek ovulation (you could tell this my taking your temp) that it would work just fine?
I have only been taking the mini pill for a few weeks and it makes me moody. Based on my temp taking, I ovulate around day 12 after my period starts. Seems like if I took it from say day 9 to day 15 that we would be protected? The pamphlet says that you are protected after being on it for 48 hrs?
Background info....My husband & I have been married for 9 yrs and during this time have always used condoms. They worked 100% of the time for us. We have 3 beautiful children...all planned (the only time we did not use protection). I am 35 and still nursing my 15 mt old baby. We decided that we were tired of using condoms and therefore I started taking the mini pill (since I am still nursing). I did take a combo pill once...right around the time we got married but it made me so sick every day that I had to stop taking it (took it for about 10 mts).
Any thoughts on this?

Since the mini pills work by supressing ovualtion I highly doubt that would work. If you don't ovulate how would you be able to time your ovulation?
In terms of thought on other methods to try. You could look into the other combination pills and see if you find one that fits right for you, you could try the IUD, either Mirena which contains progestrone or Paraguard which is hormone free, you could try Nuva Ring, or try Diaphrams or Cervial Caps. There are many different kinds of pills just because one type didn't work doesn't mean you shouldn't try another one.
From what I have read, the mini pill's main function is not to suppress ovulation, but to change the cervical mucus so that sperm do not reach the egg (and also to change the uterus lining to keep any egg that does get fertilized from implanting...which sounds disturbing to me). I'm not an expert, this is just the information I have gathered from my research on the web.
I did read that you have a 50/50 shot on whether or not you ovulate on the mini pill.
Also, I did try several different kinds of combo pills, all of which did not agree with me (plus b/c I am still nursing my little one, the only pill I can take right now is the mini pill). And b/c we might want to try again in the future, I do not want to be on something that takes time to get out of your system. And any device that you have to insert would not work either...I would never get it in right?
It just seems that taking the mini pill during those potential ovulation days would work...but I may be missing the bigger picture. ?? Since the mini pill is not one that stays built up in your system, taking it when you don't need it seems unnecessary ??
Hi
Jill
To the best of my knowlege it is believed that the mini-Pill both supresses ovulation and causes a change in the lining of the uterus. I am not a doctor but I would think that if it is infact supressing ovulation you would be likely to ovulate as soon as you went off of it. If there is a 50/50 shot of it supressing ovulation I would think you would have a 50/50 shot of ovulating the week after. Have you considered Fertility Awarness Method or Natural Family Planning? Even IF your idea did work there is no way it would be more effective than FAM or NFP. If the mini-Pill did infact supress ovulation you would be running the risk of ovulating right after you stoped the pill. Additionally I think the hormones would be very likely to screw up your reading on when you were in fact ovulating. In my opinion you would be taking a HUGE risk of getting pregnant by trying this. If you don't want to take my opinion I think you should ask a doctor.
The IUD and Implanton are completely and 100% reversable. You would have to schedule an appointment to have them taken out but following that appointment you would be able to start trying to concieve again. Also the IUD, Implanton, Cervial Caps, and Diagrams can all be used while nursing. If I am not mistaken I believe since Nuva Ring delivers hormones directly to the uterus I think you can use Nuva Ring while breast feeding.
"And any device that you have to insert would not work either...I would never get it in right?"
I am a little confused by this statement if you would not mind clarrifing. When taking about devices that are inserted are you refering to permently inserted devices such as the IUD or Implanton, or temporarily inserted devices such as cervial caps and diaphrams. I am also curious as to why you think you would not be able to get it in? IUD and Implanton would both be inserted by a doctor; whereas cervial caps and diaphrams would be inserted by you. If you are concerned with user error on cervial caps or diaphrams then you could still consider the IUD or Implanton.
If you are not ready to have another kid right away please consult a doctor before changing how you take the mini-pill. Stop back and tell us what you did decide on.
Hi lil_emanon,
The minipill primarily works by changing cervical mucous to make it more difficult for sperm to get through, and changing the lining of the uterus to help prevent implantation of an egg.
Reality check: Keep in mind that this discussion is about stopping and starting a pill that the manufacturer, the FDA and the medical community all agree is only effective when taken with in +/-30 minutes of the same time each day and
Jill
The PRIMARY means of protecting yourself with the minipill is NOT suppression of ovulation like with progestin-only pills.
And given that breakthrough bleeding is a common side effect of the mini pill even when taken correctly, I don't even want to imagine what it would be like when taken periodically.
There is a reason that they say that the mini pill needs to be taken every day, on time to work.