Is BC effective right away?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-16-2006
Is BC effective right away?
3
Tue, 03-27-2007 - 4:36pm
OK this may sound really not smart so to speak, but I haven't been on birth control for a couple of years and forgot if it's effective immendiately or if you have to wait a month for it's effect to be in your system. My boyfriend and I did have sex and not use anything and now two weeks later when I'm supposed to start I feel nausea, gasy, tired, and sore breasts...I thought maybe the pill was making me feel this way. I haven't tested yet...so I don't know....please advise if any of you have been through this.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2006
Wed, 03-28-2007 - 12:37am
My doctor told me to wait a month for it to be effective. That's not to say that it might not be effective before then. It probably is just the average amount of time it takes for it to settle in your system. I've never been pregnant, so I can't really comment on your symptoms, except that it's always possible. If you don't get your period within a few days of when you should and still have the symptoms then take a test. It will ease your mind :) Oh, and depending on the pill you take, it may decrease your monthly flow to where it's almost nothing. That's something I love about the pill. Sometimes I don't even get a period, which I've had to learn not to be alarmed about. Usually it's just really light, and maybe lasts a day or two. You'll learn your body and what's normal for your period and how you feel before your period while you're on the pill. I hope all works out for you :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2004
Wed, 03-28-2007 - 4:03pm
If you start the pill the 1st day of af, then it becomes effective immediately. If you start the Sunday after af, then it becomes effective after a week. HTH!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2007
Wed, 03-28-2007 - 4:31pm
Honey, just take a pregnancy test! I went through that stress of emotions a couple of times and the waiting is the absolute worst. "Am I or aren't I?" can just eat you up inside. Go to the store, pick up a test and set your mind at ease. Even if it doesn't turn out the way you hope, it's better to know for sure earlier than not knowing and wondering "When am I going to know???!"