Birthcontrol

I missed the end of week 3's pill this Tuesday, (I usually take it at 8pm), but didn't realize it until 10pm the next night. So because it was so late, I didn't think I could take 2 pills at one time so I only took Tuesday's pill that night. But since I couldn't take 2 pills yesterday, I took Wednesday's this morning and I will take Thursday's at regular time.

I am wondering if I am taking too many pills, since I took one at 10 and then another this morning, as well as taking another one tonight? Also, am I still safe if I have sex today, since I didn't have a pill in me from Tuesday till Wednesday at 10 at night?

I usually try to skip my periods, but about 2 weeks ago I missed a pill, and took it about 36 hours later. I started to bleed somewhere in that time frame. I continued to take my pills thinking that it would make the bleeding stop, but the bleeding continued, so I stopped taking the pills for about a week, because I thought I was just wasting them. At some point my period got very light and didn't bleed for about a day so I thought it was gone, but the next morning i had it again! I have been bleeding for 2 weeks! It's really annoying because it is so light that I think I'm finished, but then it shows up again. I don't know if i should continue to take my pills, or stop? Is this a really bad thing? I don't feel too terrible at all, just annoyed.

Heya birthcontrol!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled post for MORE great U.S. Plan B news!

Just a few weeks ago we told you that a generic version of Plan B/Emergency Contraception (the so-called "morning after pill") had been approved, and would be on sale in late August.

Today there's even better news. First, you'll have a choice:

1) Plan B: Brand name, two tablets, 12 hours apart
2) NEW: Plan B One Step: Brand name, ONE TABLET
3) NEW: Next Choice: Generic, Two Tablets, 12 hours apart

The even better news is that all of these will be available "behind the counter", i.e. you don't need a prescription, but you do have to ask for it, to anyone SEVENTEEN and older..

The FDA has dropped its minimum age for getting access to these products without a prescription to 17. This means you, a friend, or your partner who is 17 or older can get Plan B, Plan B One Step, or Next Choice (as soon as they're available in August) by going to the pharmacy counter, asking for it, and showing ID (proof of age).

It appears that the drop in age limit is immediate, but I'll be researching to confirm asap.

Sources here and here.

We don't normally get political here, but I'd like to thank the Obama administration for moving so quickly to make these changes possible. I'm looking forward to seeing even more.

dindin, for the rest of the mods:

karolijn , ladykathryn , mslaynie and thette 

I'm currently taking reclipsen and this is my first time taking bc, but the thing is I've been having minor cramping since I woke up this morning.I've also experienced some nausea this morning before I took the pill.now I've only been taking them for three days now and I don't know if this is stuff I'm making up in my head orr if this is normal or something that I should worry about?

Hello, me and my girlfriend have a question, today we had sex and the condom broke. my girlfriend has been on nuvaring for 20 days now with no mistakes. We do not compleetly trust the ring so we were going to have her take plan b as an extra safety percausion to put our minds at ease. We were just currious if this is a good idea. Also we would like to know If this might mess with her period sence she takes the ring out tomorrow. And lastly, would taking plan b have any effect on the ring (like reducing it's effectancy)

PS, we are not planning on using plan b other than this once.

Hey Guys,

Im just curious, Im currently on Yasmin and have been for a year or so, but I have never been sure as to how I am protected when i finish the active tablets in each packet and start the placibo. Because I dont actually start my withdrawal bleed until about 3 days after i have started the sugar pill section, so how am i protected for those first 3 days??? I understand that you cant get pregnant whilst your bleeding, however what about those few days prior to the bleeding starting where im taking just placibo pills???

Thanks in advance :-)

I couldn't find a situation similar to mine in the memories so I'm starting my own post.

I'm on Yaz and I started my pill pack on June 14. I got sick later that week with a sore throat, June 19 and was given the Z Pack. The Z Pack makes me horribly sick but I took it anyway because it was a Saturday and the doctor was on call and had just given me this Rx. I took the first two days of the Z Pack, but stopped on Sunday June 21 because it made me feel worse than I already was feeling. I was prescribed Amoxil that day and took it until Tuesday, two a day, 500 mg. I didn't realize I still had pills left and you must finish the entire medication and I started getting a sore throat again the next Friday/Saturday, so I took the rest of the Amoxil Saturday and Sunday.

My question is, that my boyfriend and I had sex for literally 10 seconds on Saturday July 4th, but we stopped because I was unsure if I was protected by my pill. He did not finish.

I was due for my period between Wednesday the 8th and Saturday the 11. I usually get it Wednesday and although today is only Thursday, I was wondering what the risk is of pregnancy or if the antibiotics would make my period late or missed. I feel that I'm safe, just really paranoid.

Any help would be appreciated! I need some reassurance.

Well first off I love NuvaRing, so far. ;) Been on it for about 6 months.

I know the ring expires in 4 months after picking it up at the pharmacy/clinic but what if I have a ring that doesn't expire until 2 weeks or so after inserting, that is if I were to insert it. Is that bad or should I just pick up new ones? I hope this makes sense. Thanks!

I'm leaving for the health department in a few minutes to (hopefully) get birth control pills, solely for protection against pregnancy. I'm just a little bit concerned about how my periods will react, and haven't been able to find anything in the memories. I've had my period for 10 years (started when I was 9... hah) and it's always been 100% regular, and very light, lasting 4 days at the most. When you're on birth control, does placebo week=week long period or week of opportunity for your period? I understand that everyone is different, and my cycle will probably change, I just really love my body for making periods easy on me, and I'm hoping I don't have to trade that for sex. Any experiences?

Hi everyone. I have posted a bunch of times, and I am sorry for that, but I just needed an opinion. I have been on three different birth controls now. I started with Levora, then Yaz, and finally the Nuvaring. I sort of had awful experiences with all of them, but the Nuvaring ended up being the worst. It really affected my mood, I broke out like crazy, I felt sick to my stomach most of the time, and I got migraines that messed with my vision. Tomorrow I am seeing my gynocologist, and I think we are going to talk about other types of birth control, but it seems like all that's left is an IUD. She tells me that it will be fairly uncomfortable to put in, though, and might cause "torrential" periods. I guess I just wanted some opinions about IUDs in general. Do they hurt a lot to put in? Do they have about the same side effects as regular old hormonal birth control? Thank you so much.

I had my birth control pills (Ortho Cyclen) in my purse yesterday and I set my purse down right in front of a central air vent. I didn't realize what I was doing, and I left it there for a few hours. I went back to get my purse and realized that it was cold, and everything in it was cold as well, my pills included.

In terms of storing Otrho Cyclen, it says: "Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (between 15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom."

I can't find much about what happens if your pill gets too cold. Is this even an issue? Will it decrease the effectiveness? Should I use a backup method?

I'm feeling a bit anxious as I wait for my period to come this week, and now I'm second-guessing my less-than-perfect pill taking during this past cycle. Due to a travel schedule that involved different time zones, I started my last new pack at a new time of day (but did not extend the hormone-free interval, so no worries there). I then attempted to keep taking the pills at the same time (even when I returned home). I'm on OTC.

I just wasn't as good as I usually am about taking them on time, initially because I was on vacation and traveling, and then because I couldn't get used to the new time when I got home. During the first week of the pack, while I was on vacation, I took a couple of pills a few hours late - they weren't "missed" pills per se, but they were early in the pack (maybe pills #2 or 3), and I know that's a crucial time. I then took one other pill a few hours late a little later in the pack - just plain forgot to take it at the new time.

I know I'm definitely in the "typical use" category this month - but how worried do I need to be? Even though I didn't miss any pills, I'm worried about my hormone levels not being consistent. Can being a few hours late a few times in one cycle put you at a significantly increased risk for pregnancy? I did have sex throughout the month.

Sorry to be so irresponsible...

Hi, all.

I've been on HBC for 9 months now, perfect user, but now I'm in a predicament. I'm supposed to start my placebo pills next week, and that would be a real downer to my plans. Would it be safe for me to completely skip the placebo pills and just go to the new pack? I just want to be sure that I'll still be protected as I am if I did take them.

Or... would it be advisable to skip the placebo pills, then take them the next week? So it would be 5 weeks of hormones, placebo, 3 weeks of hormones, then placebo again.

Sorry for any confusion. I hope I explained this well enough.

Hi ladies!
I was just wondering about the patch and the changing of it and all that. My question is simple:
Do you change it at the same time on your change day?! Like I give myself a 3 hour window but I don't know if that's good enough!
thankyou so much!

Hello everyone.

I don't know a whole lot about birth control but I've been on it for about 4 and a half months. First I was using it to protect myself against getting pregnant but now I mainly use it because it makes my periods a lot lighter than they used to be.

When I first got birth control, I lived in a different city so I went to a different clinic. They gave me Loestrin as a starter pack and told me to try it for 3 months and come back if I had any problems. I never had any problems with it at all.

Two months ago I moved and this time I went to planned parenthood because I needed new birth control. They said their location does not carry Loestrin so they gave me Microgestin 1/20 Le.

This pack has 7 placebo pills while the other packs only had 4. Last month was my first month using Microgestin. I spotted a very small bit for a day or two and it went away. This month, I have been spotting for about 3 days now and it's enough to where I need to wear a tampon. On Thursday and Friday, I was 3 hours late taking my pill both of those days. Could this be why? I shouldn't be having my period of another 2 weeks and I've been spotting for the past couple of days. Should I make an appointment at planned parenthood and ask for a new brand? I've been cramping the past couple of days too as if I am on my period. I never had a problem with Loestrin but now I am having problems with this pill. I'm a bit worried and just want things to be normal like they used to be.

Hi!  I've gotten myself into somewhat of a unique position here, and wanted to make sure that I'm doing the right thing.  I would appreciate all of your advice! 

I take Yaz and have for several years.  I'm (except for this one time) extremely good about taking my pill right on time.

Last week I decided to skip my period, so instead of taking the 4 placebos in Yaz, I went on and started a new pack. (first time I've ever done this) On the third day of the new pack I accidentally took that pill 4.5 hours late.  I've neverrrr done this and was generally concerned because my boyfriend was coming into town the next day.  Every day since then I've taken it right on time.  When I called planned parenthood, a nurse said that I didn't need a backup since it was under 12 hours and I eagerly accepted this advice, but of course now I'm worried!

I know Yaz's pamphlet says a pill isn't considered missed until 12 hours––but is my protection compromised after 4.5? Does it make a difference that I skipped my period? 

My boyfriend and I had sex Friday, Saturday and today (sunday) without using a condom (but I was still taking my pill of course). I guess I want to know if I should get plan b now?

Thanks!

I was taking yasmin and for the first time in my life whilst taking a combined pill (different brands for about 4 years on and off) I devolped a headache, nausea and visual disturbances (strange lights). I went to see my doctor first thing the next morning who told me that it would no longer be safe for me to take oestrogen because this sounded like a migraine.

He told me to promptly stop taking the yasmin and directly switched me over to Micronor (Norethisterone), a POP. I have been taking it for approximately 10 days and have still been having headaches, nausea, have completely lost my apetitie and have still been experiencing what look like flashing lights infront of my eyes accompanied by a complete inability to concentrate.

My question is, having never suffered from migraines before, is it the contraceptive pills which are causing these symptoms or is it actually possible to develop migraines at any time in your life? The Micronor package insert tells me to go directly to my doctor if I experience the symptoms I am having - but why switch me to a progestogen only pill from a combined pill if the warnings are just as severe/it's just as unsafe?

I'm so confused right now and I feel really unwell (going to the doctor in the morning). Could anyone give me some insight into birth control pills and the issue of migraines, the risk they pose, etc? Thank you very much. I know you're not doctors but I'm sure someone must have had a similar experience.

I'm a Sunday starter with Microgestin 1/20, but due to an insurance/pharmacy mix-up, I didn't get my refill until the Wednesday after I was supposed to start a new pack. According to the instruction packet, when a Sunday starter misses 3 pills in a row, you are supposed to finish out the week, then "throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one."

Does that still apply if the pills I was missing were the first ones in the pack? It seems like a huge waste to me to throw out 2 1/2 weeks' worth of active pills. Can I just keep taking this pack as if I were now a Wednesday starter? (I tried calling my gyno about this the other day but they were closed.)

Also, one of the reasons I started taking HBC was to regulate my period, which was sometimes normal but which sometimes came 2 or 3 or 5 weeks apart instead of 4. Well, I'm just starting my 4th pack now, and my period is even screwier than it originally was. I skipped it the first month, got it 3 days before my placebo week started during the second month, and then got it again during the 2nd week of my third month. Basically it has not lined up with my placebo week at ALL. If I get my period tomorrow, it will be 4 weeks after my last period - but it again will be during the wrong part of my pill pack.

I know that the general rule for allowing my body to adjust to HBC is to wait 3 months. I'm starting my 4th month. Is it too early to call my doctor and request a change in brand?

Hi :) I looked at the list of tags but couldn't find one that quite matched my question...
I have just finished my first pack of Nortrel 1/35 (28 day). My OB/GYN told me to take four days of "reminder" placebos and then begin a new pack of active pills on the fifth day. Do I need to wait until the eighth day of taking active pills to have unprotected sex?
The way I see it, the four days of placebos are just the same, to my body, as missing four pills for four days in a row. Which would mean that every time I begin a new pack after the placebo week, I have to take seven active pills before I can have unprotected sex, correct?

Thanks so much :)

I was on holiday with my boyfriend last week. I'm usually quite good at taking pills on time, but last week I must have forgotten to take a pill. On Thursday, I went to take it and found Wednesday's still in the packet. Thing is, I did take a pill on Wednesday, so I must have taken Tuesday's without looking. I can't even remember if I took it on Tuesday although my boyfriend said he's sure I did.

So I took the wednesday pill and the thursday pill together although I knew it wouldn't make much difference... I also had sex on Wednesday and Thursday without realising the protection had been compromised!!!

The doctor told me it wouldn't matter if I missed one pill, but I can't remember if she said that it was as long as I took two the next day. Obviously I didn't because I didn't notice til at least 2 days later. I really thing it's still unlikely I'm pregnant though. I read that it's more dangerous to miss a pill in the first and third week but this was my second week of the pack so that's ok.

Back when I was on a different pill, I used to start midway through my natural cycle, so I had to wait 7 days to have sex. I didn't though, and always had sex around day 4 or 5 and have never gotten pregnant. I'm pretty confident I'm safe, but I'm going to go to the doctor tomorrow to clarify what she said and perhaps ask for a pregnancy test or something unless it's too early to detect it...

Any thoughts?