Question about the pill

[letaq]

I know there have been several posts on this, but I still need to hear specific answers about my situation, if that makes sense.

I recently went back on the pill after having been off of it for about 4 years. The clinic told me to start taking the pill that day, which was about 2 weeks after my period. They also told me that the pill is effective in 7 days (my friend was also told this by a different clinic/doctor recently).


What I'm confused about is everyone and their mother who is on some form of birth control has told me that you have to start it the first day of your period or the first Sunday after (I think that's right? It somehow involves your period, basically). I was told to start taking mine the day of my appointment, 2 weeks AFTER my period. And that it would still have the same effectiveness as someone who took it one of the ways the manufacturer says to.

I trust the local clinic and I know that if they told me these things they are probably true. I was just wondering if anyone else could give me information about it that would confirm it for my sanity. Does the pill need to be started with your period? If it is not, would this somehow diminish its effectiveness in a month's time (I will have been on the pill a month and 1/2 before I have sex again)? Is it just more likely to screw with my system a bit more this way?

Thank you!

 

[KokopelliRises]

I was told exactly what you were told at the clinic, but I had also heard what you've been told by others. I think it might depend on the kind of pill (different progesterones, I think) as to when you need to start taking it. If they say to start taking it immediately I'd follow their directions. Eventually it will catch up with what everyone else has been recommending and then you'll be fine.

If you have any more questions feel free to PM me.

 

[Night_Jasmine]

I think it depends on what type of pill and the dosage. Mine, I had to take starting the first sunday of my period and no unprotected sex for a month at least because it takes time to build up in the bloodstream. When they switched it out on me due to needing a different hormone level, I was told again to wait until my period and then delay unprotected sex for a month at the latest.

 

[letaq]

Thank you for your responses. It definitely makes sense that different pills would have different requirements. Despite having a medical professional tell me what to do and that it was ok, I still had the nagging of everything else I've heard in the back of my head Not to mention everyone I spoke to afterwards about it said "No, it doesn't work unless you start it with your period."

 

[SweetErika]

Thank you for your responses. It definitely makes sense that different pills would have different requirements. Despite having a medical professional tell me what to do and that it was ok, I still had the nagging of everything else I've heard in the back of my head Not to mention everyone I spoke to afterwards about it said "No, it doesn't work unless you start it with your period."

That could be true because if you haven't taken it long enough to stop ovulation, or you've already ovulated then have unprotected sex, you're at risk for pregnancy. Taking it and using a backup method for a full cycle/month is the safest way to go, especially since there's some variability in how different strengths work for women.

In the meantime, learn to check your fertility signs so you're more likely to spot if it's not working for you for some reason.

 

[slutnextdoor]

I went to Planned Parenthood to get Depo (the shot, Progesterone only). They gave it to me about 2 1/2 weeks after my last period and said it would be effective in a week. I've also heard everywhere from 24 hours to a month. I just stuck with the month to be safe...

If only this stuff was just a bit less confusing!!

 

[Honeybee80]

delete

 

[GeekySub]

when I was on it, I was told it was effective in 7 days. I was also told to wait until the sunday after my next cycle though...

 

[Ast87]

When I started on the Pill, I had to start taking it on the first day of my period, and it would be effective after two weeks. However, I was also told to still use condoms for a month to double up my protection. I'm sure though, like everyone else has said, that the directions for the pill vary from brand to brand.