Most doctors and researchers agree that when you begin with oral contraceptive or birth control pill (OCP or BCP), you have to use an additional barrier method of contraception (condom) in the first month (first cycle on BCP), in order to prevent pregnancy (consequently, your husband can ejaculate inside you without risk, one month after starting the pill).

Moreover, with OTC-Lo 28 pills pack, you do NOT have a pill-free week. You have all 4 weeks of the month taking the pills: 1 wk of active white pill, second wk of active light-blue pill, third wk of active dark-blue pill and finally, fourth and last wk of dark-green INACTIVE pill, which does not contain hormones (in this last week you will get your period, and it is safe, in terms of pregnancy, to have unprotected sex, but NOT during the first month of being on the pill-use condom during the first month). After the last, 4th week, when you are on the inactive dark-green pill, you continue with the white pill immediately, without having a 1 week break. OTC-Lo are designed to be taken without a break (there is NO pill free week with a 28 pills pack). In general, if your pill pack contains 21 pills with active medication, it may also contain 7 reminder pills with no medication. Take one active pill (with hormones) once daily for 21 days in a row. If you are using a product with 28 tablets, take an inactive pill once daily for 7 days in a row after you have taken the last active pill unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you are using a product with 21 tablets, do not take any tablets for 7 days unless otherwise directed by your doctor. You should have your period during the fourth week of the cycle. After you have taken the last inactive tablet in the pack or gone 7 days without taking an active tablet, start a new pack the next day whether or not you have your period. If you do not get your period, consult your doctor.
And what is most important, if you experience any of the following symptoms, report to your doctor as soon as possible, because something very serious might be happening in your body.
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain (also shortness of breath)
- Headaches (especially new, severe, or associated with persistent dizziness, difficulty speaking, fainting, numbness or weakness in extremities)
- Eye problems (blurred vision or loss of vision)
- Severe leg pain (and/or redness and swelling in the calf or thigh)