You should use a back up method for 2 weeks

Umm not exactly.
If you start taking birth control the first week of your period you are protected immediately.

Any other time you need to wait a week, 7 full days of perfcet birth control use.

I am a healthcare field worker, and work for planned parenthood..

Okay so I started my period friday, and the doctor I see recommended I start birth control sunday. So I started 2 days after my period started. Does that mean I am protected immediately or will it take 7 full days to start working fully.
Thank you for your time btw.

Well thats at least what my doc told me when I started taking it, but that was also six years ago lol. I don't take it anymore so I was going by when I took it. :wink:

Lol. Well your input is very helpful nontheless.
And p.S; my doc said the same thing.
Back up method for two weeks. So by the sounds of it
nothing has changed.

It can take having to take the pill for the first month or so for it to be fully functioning in your system without any worries. Depends on the person really, but to be safe i'd use back up for at least two weeks when you first start taking the pill.

Technically speaking you would be effective immediately since it was so close to the start of your period.

Read your birth control pamphlet..It tells you that you are protected when you start on your period..It is called a "day 1 start"