By starting the pill midcycle, around the point of ovulation, a person is at risk of pregnancy and should use a backup contraceptive method until they have taken the pill for at least 7 consecutive days.
To be extra cautious, use another form of birth control, such as condoms and foam, during the first month. No hard-and-fast rule exists as to when to start the pill.
The recommendations on when to start also depend upon what type of pill a woman is taking. There are two main types of birth control pill:. Starting on the first Sunday serves two purposes: it provides a consistent day for starting pills and may affect the menstrual timing so that the person will not likely be on their period over a weekend. This may or may not be a benefit to some people. However, not everyone has a regular menstrual cycle. A person may start their period and then have it again 2 weeks later.
For a person with irregular periods , the best time to start taking the pill may be whenever they are ready to begin regulating their periods. A person can usually start the minipill at any time during their cycle. The minipill typically protects against pregnancy within 48 hours of starting it. However, people who do not start taking the minipill during their period should use another form of contraception for at least the first 2 days.
It might be wise to use other contraceptive measures for a full cycle. For maximum effectiveness, it is crucial to take the minipill during the same 3-hour window each day. A person should choose a time of day that is convenient and easy to remember. These hormones can stop ovulation and make it more difficult for sperm to enter your uterus.
They can also alter your uterine lining, which can reduce the likelihood of implantation. Over the past decade, birth control options have increased significantly.
When birth control pills were first introduced in , women would take 21 pills of active hormones with seven placebo pills. These reminder pills would allow for bleeding similar to a regular menstrual period. There are now more brands of birth control pills to choose from, and there are also different regimens. Some packs have 24 days of active pills and four days of placebos.
Others contain all active pills and no placebos. These pills make up an extended-cycle, or continuous, regimen. This level of hormones can either shorten how many periods you have or eliminate your periods altogether.
Keep reading for more on how to ensure that accuracy. Once you have your birth control pack, you may want to start right away. Before you swallow that first pill, there are some things to note. First, look at what type of pill it is. For combination pills, or pills that contain both estrogen and progestin, Sherry Ross, M. That means you should use condoms or another form of birth control during your first week of starting birth control pills.
After one week, the pills will protect against pregnancy. You can also start progestin-only pills midcycle. After those two days, your birth control pills should be able to provide protection against pregnancy. Shop for condoms online at Amazon. Taking the combination Pill often improves acne, and some doctors prescribe it for this purpose. Combination birth control pills have also been found to protect against some forms of breast disease, anemia , ovarian cysts, and ovarian and endometrial cancers.
Young women who can remember to take a pill each day and who want excellent protection from pregnancy use birth control pills. Not all women can — or should — use the Pill. In some cases, medical or other conditions make the use of the Pill less effective or more risky. For example, it is not recommended for women who have had blood clots, certain types of cancers, or some migraine headaches.
It also might not be recommended for girls who have had unexplained vaginal bleeding bleeding that is not during their periods or who think they might be pregnant. Girls who are interested in learning more about different types of birth control, including the Pill, should talk to their doctors or other health professionals. A doctor or a nurse practitioner NP must prescribe the Pill.
He or she will ask about a girl's health and family medical history, and do a complete physical exam, which might include a pelvic exam. If the doctor or NP prescribes birth control pills, he or she will explain when to begin taking the Pill and what to do if pills are missed. The doctor or NP will usually ask the girl to come back in a few months to have her blood pressure checked and to see if she is having any problems.
After that, girls who are having sex should get routine exams every 6 months to a year, or as recommended. Many health and family planning clinics such as Planned Parenthood sell birth control pills for less. In addition, birth control pills and doctor visits are covered by many health insurance plans.
Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is It? How Does It Work? Mark the days you will start new packs. You might even want to cross off each day you take your pill. Check again. Each morning, check your pack to be sure you took yesterday's pill. If you find you've missed one, take it right away. References Citations Nelson A Combined oral contraceptives.
In RA Hatcher et al. New York: Ardent Media. Credits Current as of: February 11, Top of the page Next Section: References.
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