I believe it's going off the concept that you're on your period, so you're not ovulating during that time anyway. Plus your body is busy expelling the lining of the uterus that has built up during the month, so no implantation happening there. But I use condoms anyway, because i'm paranoid...

Yeah, I also use condoms out of paranoia, and it's not like i'm having sex on my period anyways, but I just don't really understand it.
I mean, I understand that if you aren't on the pill, then you aren't likely ovulating during your period... But when you're on the pill, i've heard that the only reason you get your period is because it's an effect of not getting the hormones from the pill during this time, so... Shouldn't it be possible to ovulate?
If no one knows, it doesn't really matter, I just don't like being confused :)

I am confused about this as well!! I mean I kind of understand it but I have the same exact questions as you

normally there are only certain parts of your menstrual cycle when you can ovulate and this does not take place when you have your period, therefore you cannot get pregnant when you have your period. there are only a certain number of days each month when you can ovulate so technically you cud only take the pill on those days ad not get pregnant but it is difficult to determine these days (usually soon after ur period) and they are different for everyone. BUT you cannot ovulate when you have your period...hope this helps!!

Actually it IS possible to get pregnant while on your period. You should use some type of protection. The reason you go off the actual pill for a week is to allow menstruation, because it's natural and necesary. Your body needs to clean itself out. You can also have your period regulary while pregnant. Not getting pregnant while on your period, and not having your period while pergnant are both common myths.

htrees, it is not possible when you use the pill. Even if you are not using the pill it is not really a common thing to get pregnant during your period. You need to have a very short cycle 14 to 21 days to ovulate in time to get pregnant from period sex. It is also not normal to have your period while you are pregnant.

You are taking things that are happening very very seldom and making it sound like they are common. It is just not true.

I'm thoroughly confused. No-one has actually ANSWERED this question, medically speaking. I am VERY curious as to how something that can mess up if you don't take the pill within the same hour every day, can still be effective with skipping an entire week. And FYI,it is VERY possible to get pregnant on your period. I speak from first hand experience. Which is why I'm very nervous about using the pill as an effective form of birth control.

So PLEASE, will someone answer this question with FACTS?

Chica_d, did you know that in every normal healthy female cycle there are only a few hours that the egg can get fertilized? This is the 24 hours after ovulation.

Your period is at the opposite end of ovulation in this cycle, 14 days away.

The pill manipulates your hormones to follow a fixed 21/7 day cycle and it stops ovulation from taking place. By the time the inactive pills roll around, it is too late for the body to ripen an egg and release it. The body has been forced into submission and to give up trying to ovulate for that cycle. The correct hormone mix for it to happen is just not there in your body.

The 'period' you experience during the 7 days are also not menstruation. The pill stopped the uterus lining from preparing for implantation so there is nothing to shed during menstruation. It is caused by withdrawing the hormones and allowing the uterus to bleed. For this reason it was found safe to use the 4 bleeds per year pills and the once a year pill is currently in the approval phase.

Depending on the pill you take, the same hour every day is more or less important. The lower the dosage of hormones, the more likely it is that the body's own hormones will take over when you do not take it on time. Most pills has a 24 hour grace period. This is not good for your hormone levels and will likely cause strange bleeding patterns so it is recommended for your own sanity to take it every day at the same time.