Birth Control Forum - Question For a Doctor-- Switching Birth Control---backup?

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Q: Question For a Doctor-- Switching Birth Control---backup?

asked by: Christikitty on May 9th, 2007

New User

Hello Doctors--

My question is about switching birth control. I was on Alesse 28 for about 9 mos until Planned Parenthood ran out and put me on Orthocept instead. I didn't like how I felt on Orthocept (higher dose) and so got my doc's permission to go back to Alesse, which I had to order online as the New Zealand version, Loette (100 micrograms of levonorgestrel and 20 micrograms of ethinyloestradiol). The directions say that when switching from another hormonal BC, I should skip the placebos (i.e. Orthocept's inactive pills @ end of pack) and begin taking the active Alesse pills immediately. Fine. But then it also directs to use a backup birth control, e.g. condom, until I have taken the new pill for 7 days.

Is it necessary to use a backup method when changing birth control at the end of a pack? I don't mind skipping the placebos and going straight to the active pills, but it concerns me that my protection might lapse without a backup. When Planned Parenthood dispensed Orthocept to me as a substitute because Alesse was out, there was no mention of taking active pills continuously or using a backup method during the switch.

If you have any advice, I'm all ears.

Thanks!

Replies(9)

Tylanas

replied on May 9th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

To be safe, if you're worried, use a condom. It's just one week to be honest; and one week of condoms is definately worth preventing a pregnancy. Better safe than sorry.

Llewellyn

replied on May 9th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

I agree.

Christikitty

replied on May 10th, 2007

New User

Ok, But...

Eiri wrote:

To be safe, if you're worried, use a condom. It's just one week to be honest; and one week of condoms is definately worth preventing a pregnancy. Better safe than sorry.

I understand what you're saying, but that's not really answering my question. Is it actually "unsafe" (in the sense that you could get pregnant) to switch birth control? And if so, why on earth wasn't I told this when Planned Parenthood switched it the first time? I asked and they said just take it as usual.

Also, condoms are a drag if they are unnecessary.

Tylanas

replied on May 10th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

Re: Ok, But...

Christikitty wrote:

Eiri wrote:

To be safe, if you're worried, use a condom. It's just one week to be honest; and one week of condoms is definately worth preventing a pregnancy. Better safe than sorry.

I don't honestly know, which is why I personally would use a condom. It may be perfectly, 100% safe. I don't know, which is why I gave the answer I did.

Georgia59

replied on May 10th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

I don't really know either, but I would guess that it depends which medicines you're switching between, and how similar they are.

Christikitty

replied on May 11th, 2007

New User

Doctor's Answer

I got word back from my doctor, which I thought I'd pass along in case anyone else was wondering:

"No, its not necessary to use backup when changing from one "combined
hormonal" pill to another. Unfortunately the legalese can be confusing.
Karen P., NPC"

Smile

Carifairy

replied on May 11th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

I got to this too late :/

You are protected when switching brands, as the poster said.

hehehe

I cannot believe I missed this one.

Georgia59

replied on May 11th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

When I switched from Mirena IUD to pills (in the same day), the doc told me to use backup for two weeks.

But the mirena is only progesterone and the pills are estrogen and progesterone, so that is probably why.

So it's only if you're switching between two different combined hormone pills? That sound right?

Christikitty

replied on May 16th, 2007

New User

Georgia59 wrote:

So it's only if you're switching between two different combined hormone pills? That sound right?

I think that's right--- you don't need backup, provided you're switching between combined hormone pills. If you're taking progestin only, you need backup.

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