Birth Control Forum - When do I start OCPs (oral contraceptive pills)?

Womens Health > Birth Control Forum > When do I start OCPs (oral contraceptive pills)?

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Q: When do I start OCPs (oral contraceptive pills)?

asked by: DoctorQuestion on November 13th, 2006

I went to planned parenthood on the 19th of October! The Dr. said that Ortho Tri-cyclen lo was safe enough to start whenever you wanted instead of the normal sunday. So, I did just this. I started the 4th of this month and started noticing around the 11th or so that I was having brown discharge which i thought maybe was just spotting. Today, I feel as I normally would when I am on my period. My stomach normally gets upset and I end up having to go to the bathroom more than regularly and this is exactly what is happening. Is this spotting? Do I continue taking the pills and happen to have my period again once i take the last 7 pills, if this even if my period? Im so confused and am starting to think I should just go and get another pack and then start again once this bleeding is over with. What is this and what am i supposed to do?

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on December 7th, 2006

Birth Control Answer A1880

Depending upon the OCPs (oral contraceptive pills) prescribed, women normally begin taking contraceptive pills on the first day of the menstrual cycle, technically the first day of your period (menstruation). The vaginal bleeding that you are experiencing now is probably not a period but may be, instead, spotting. It is probably the result of the body’s adaptation to the new hormonal situation caused by the pills. This type of spotting usually lasts a few days and stops spontaneously. You can continue taking the birth control pills as they were prescribed (one every day). If vaginal bleeding continues and it begins to appear (looking like) menstruation you must consult your gynecologist (but don't stop taking the birth control pills).

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