Starting pill on "non-traditional" day

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
Starting pill on "non-traditional" day
1
Mon, 10-30-2006 - 4:29pm

I was married for 10 years, and I mostly charted my temps for birth control (using Taking Charge of Your Fertility). This was incredibly effective for me.

My husband and I separated over two years ago, however, and I'm now seeing someone new, seriously. He lives 4 hours from here, so we only see each other 1-2x a month. Some of those times will coincide with ovulation, so I decided to go on the pill (instead of avoiding sex during that time or using condoms during that time).

My NP said I could start the pill any day of the cycle that I wanted. I just ovulated last Thursday (confirmed by temps and cervical mucous), and I started taking my pills (ortho-tricyclen lo) on Sunday. I know that I'm "safe" until my next ovulation, even without another form of birth control. Since I will have been on the pill for a full month by the time my next ovulation was to occur, I'm assuming that I will be safe then as well? (even though I'm not starting on the first day of my period or the Sunday afterwards)

My guess is that the "first day" or "sunday start" is because most people don't know (or keep track of) when they actually ovulate?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 10-30-2006 - 7:43pm

      Jill