Birth Control Forum - How to Start Using Birth Control Pills

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Q: How to Start Using Birth Control Pills

asked by: DoctorQuestion on August 17th, 2006

I am getting ready to begin birth control pills and was placed on the sunday start pack. On sunday night, I noticed a little pink but nothing heavy and it was only one time. However, somewhere between sunday night when I went to bed and monday I got my period. So should I have begun taking the pills on sunday b/c I saw the beginning of my period or should I start taking them this sunday. I was told to take them the sunday after my period started, unless it began on a sunday then I should take them then. So should I take them this sunday or just wait til next month

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on August 22nd, 2006

Birth Control Answer A1360

When you start using oral contraception for the first time you start the pack the first day of the menstrual cycle (when your period starts). It doesn’t have to be a Sunday. You were probably told to start taking pills on the first Sunday after your period starts to make the dosage easier to remember. You may start taking pills this Sunday (20.08.2006), but you should use additional protection (condom) the first 7 days until pills start acting. After that you are safe from pregnancy (more than 99%) if you take the pills every day as prescribed. You will get your period while taking the last 7 (inactive) pills in the pack. You start another pack the day after you finish the pills from the previous pack, no matter if you are still bleeding or not.

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