The information packet included with your pills should have that information. Since it is a generic brand, I was unable to find out how effective Aviane is.

Just because you're on the pill doesn't mean you have to have unprotected sex. You're young--too young for a baby--use a condom as your second method of defense. In 7 years of this double method (in which I used Aviane/Alesse), I never got pregnant. (It's my recollection that Aviane is just as effective as every other BC pill--generally around 97%-98% if taken effectively).

Even if you take the pill regularly, what many people don't realize is that the pill just doesn't work for some women and it's not 100% effective even if it does work for you. Do you really want to take that risk?

Also, pregnancy isn't the only thing to worry about--STDs are a reality for many people (HPVs prevalence is increasingly common and can cause a whole host of problems for women while it doesn't show up in men--they just carry it). If your guy doesn't understand, he's not worth it. He should be just as concerned as you about both of these potential problems stemming from unprotected sex.

While I do agree with jkindc, I am also a firm believer in the potency of the hormonal birth control pill. The pill alone, when taken properly, is more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. But, you must be a "perfect" pill user to experience this kind of protection. I don't think a condom is necessary (as long as you and your partner do not have and are not spreading any STD's) if you are really good about taking that pill.

BUT the pill fails when you don't take it perfectly. This means you miss a few, you take them at erratic times, you experience nausea/vomiting/diarrhea (which may not let your pill absorb properly), or you undergo treatment with contradicting medications. Any of these things can be attributed to pill failure.

Whether you use extra protection or not is your decision. I do not think it is a, "are you willing to take the risk" kind of question because I do not see a "risk" in relying on the pill solely. Just be [very] careful, and have fun.

I just came off Aviane. I took it for 3 months [never missed a day] and I'm 17. Its been roughly 3 days since I stopped taking it and today I've had severe bleeding I mean SEVERE. Is that normal on Aviane or should I go see the doc asap?