When do i start taking my birth control

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. Because the pill is meant to mimic your menstrual cycle while preventing ovulation, Ross says starting the pill on the first day of your cycle or the first Sunday after your cycle starts is recommended. Because of this, you may experience irregular bleeding while your body adjusts. This irregular bleeding, or spotting, is almost a given during your first pack, but it could linger as long as a couple of months.

Be sure to plan accordingly. It mostly comes down to convenience. You may even want to skip your next period, which would affect when you start your pills. If you want to delay or even skip your next period, starting midcycle might make more sense for you, says Fahimeh Sasan, D.

According to Ross, any potential benefits are outweighed by the side effects that can come with starting midcycle. Because the hormone levels of the pill pack are meant to coincide with your natural monthly cycle, how much you stray from your normal monthly cycle will affect how well you adjust to adding more hormones into your system at exactly the wrong times.

That means following all directions from your doctor and taking them at the same time every day. The progestin-only pill, as its name suggests, only contains progestin. While the above-noted instructions provide a simple guide on when to start the birth control pill, these instructions can be tailored based on the type of pill you will be taking. If you plan on using the combination pill, you will be protected from pregnancy immediately if you start your first pill five days after starting your period.

If you plan on taking your first combination pill at any point other than five days after the start of your period, there is a chance that you may get pregnant.

To prevent this from happening, it is advised to use another method of birth control, for at least seven days after taking your first pill if you plan on being sexually active.

If you plan on using a progestin-only pill, you will be protected from pregnancy within two days of taking your first pill. If you plan on being sexually active within that two day 48 hour timeframe , be sure to use another method of birth control to help prevent pregnancy.

While you may have a preference as to when to start taking birth control pills, you should discuss your options with your doctor.

There are a number of factors to consider that may dictate when you should start your first course of oral contraceptives. Your Name required. Your Email required. Your Message. Does milk of magnesia help GERD? Table of Contents. Updated on February 16, Are you a birth control newbie and have no idea where to start?

Take your pill before bed This is typically the first tip that Dr. Start your birth control on the last day of your period Although you can start birth control at any time, Dr. Your body might take some time to adjust Give every pill at least months for your body to get used to it.

Consult a doctor for advice on which birth control is best for you Starting birth control may seem like a scary process! How can Pandia Health help?

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Legislative Twitter Live ». They'll encourage you to consider telling your parents, but they will not make you. The only time that a professional might want to tell someone else is if they believe you're at risk of harm, such as abuse. The risk would need to be serious, and they would usually discuss this with you first.

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