Birth Control Forum - extra protection when switching pills

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Q: extra protection when switching pills

asked by: babybat on March 12th, 2008

New User

Well let me explain a few things first. I was on orhto cyclen for 4 months then changed to ortho tri-cyclen for a month. Now I went back to my old ortho cyclen and my nurse told me to wait a month to have unprotected sex because I had only used orhto tri-cyclen for a month. Well I went in this monday and got put back on my old but she popped out the first 3 pills because I am a friday start. My main question is do I have to use a back up method for a month? Or for about a week?

Replies(6)

Carifairy

replied on March 12th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

You only need a back-up for one week.

That sounds weird!! You should never pop any pills out of a pack, as you need ALL your active pills!

IF you are a friday start, you just remember that regardless of what 'day' you take.

SOME pill packs have stickers where you can reset the day.

babybat

replied on March 12th, 2008

New User

Well I had already taken 3 of my old pack before that monday so they just popped them out and had me start where i left off in the old.

Carifairy

replied on March 12th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

OH, okay, that makes sense!!

You are protected after 7 full days. Smile

babybat

replied on March 13th, 2008

New User

I'm sorry. Was in a hurry. Just have to find a way to tell my bf that we don't since she said a month.

Carifairy

replied on March 13th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

I work in health care, I am a health professional.

The reason why many docs say ONE MONTH is because they ASSUME you will somehow mess up.They say one month so you will get in the GOOD HABIT of taking your pill everyday.

Now, if you look at your birth control PILL info leaflet, it will say 7 days until you are protected. This is the same with all pills.

babybat

replied on March 13th, 2008

New User

Yeah thats what I figured. I've been on birth control for about 8 months and never miss a pill so. I just have to think of a way to tell my bf that.

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