Warning!!! Female Issues Question!!
 

Now that I've scared all the guys away...:)

I have a question that's an offshoot of the pill thread. I just started on my second month of birth control pills. I'm on Alesse, which I love. When can I expect them to kick in? I've heard anything from a week to three months and while I DID call my doctor, she isn't returning my calls. Does anyone know? Thanks!

Well in terms of how long before you can safely have sex, I believe you should wait a month, or rather, three active weeks.

If this is your first time to ever be on birth control pills (i.e. "new user") then they typically tell you one month. Personally, I would still use a second form of protection, just because I would be paranoid. If you're comfortable with them, and you take them as prescribed, then you should be safe.

If you had simply switched pills, I've been told one week is sufficient, because you've already been on the hormones. However, some docs will tell you one month anyway...just to be on the safe side.

For precautionary reasons, I waited for 3 months until before -just- using the protection of the Pill.

For peace of mind, I advise you to wait the 3 months.

I waited three years before I made the Pill my only form of protection. When I brought up the subject to my doctor, she kinda scared me about the prevalence of HPV, which freaked my 18 year old mind out. I've been in a committed relationship for a long time now, with marriage on the horizon, so I've relaxed a little about getting pregnant.

i was on the same pill at one point. i swear the packaging and the gyno I went to said i could use that as my sole source of protection ONCE i started taking it. I think it just depended on when you started taking the pills. (i.e, when your period starts vs. just a sunday after.) i suppose it worked because i never got pregnant. i am off of it tho because the gynos were scared of giving me a new Rx because I was a diabetic. however, they perscribed me a years worth the year before. i didn't get it. so they put me on the shot instead. but i am painfully single so now i am not using anything.

I was told take the three active weeks, have one period, and then you should be fine when you start the next pack. However, if you have any problems with being sick to your stomach, you need to use a back up (but you said you love it so I am assuimg you are not having those problems). You could also call the pharmacist at any drug store and they can give you the correct information.

P.S. Ladies, that back up when sick is good for all of us to remember. If you get sick (vomiting or "intestinal issues" - sorry, but true) within a few hours of taking your pill, you should use a back up form of protection until you can consult with a doctor or pharmacist. Just a friendly word of caution....:D

On a side note about HPV....you can still contract this virus even if you are using a condom. The virus can be living on male genitals not are not covered by the condom (if you know what I mean). Just a little FYI! :p

Just out of curiosity... how many of you are comfortable just using the pill? Do most people use two forms or protection, or just the pill?

One more side note regarding HPV. It does not always tested for on men so they may have it without them knowing it. Trust me....

Something I just read: the pill is based on women who weigh 150 or less. If you weigh more than that, it may not be as effective as the 99.9% guarantee. Discuss it with your gynecologist if you are concerned.

Also, the pill is only 99.9% effective if you use it correctly, don't miss any pills, and take them at around the same time each day. Since a lot of people don't, the average failure rate is 3-5% per year.

My doctor told me the same thing with Alesse. I have been a dedicated user for 4 years now.

To answer AstoAphi's question I only use the pill.

I use only the pill also. (Boyfriend of almost 3 years)

Oh, yeah...I totally know that--I never said that you couldn't get it from skin-to-skin contact; I thought it was best to protect myself as much as I could. I just figured that I didn't want to put myself in the line of fire by deliberately going without a condom before my partner and I had been tested for everything a year after we had been together (from HIV to herpes; everything in between! Plus, there is a connection between cervical cancer and HPV and I really try to remain as safe as possible). My friends don't call me the Safer Sex Queen for nothing! :p

I use nuvaring so I tend to trust it more since I know it's being consisten w/ the amount of hormone released.

Ladies,

I couldn't help but to set the record straight.

For all new pill users (first timers, and the ones getting back on it) you need to use a backup method for the first month.

Current users: If you miss pills, backup is needed for 7 days, if more than three pills are missed usually your period starts. Always consult your package insert (save just one and keep it someplace handy for reference, especially if you have different dosed pills, more than one color for the 21 active pills)

As for when a pill becomes effective... this means fully effective as in all benefits and possible side effects, is three months. This is know as the amount of time that it takes the pill to "capture your system." During this three month time frame it can take a while to notice the benefits (less cramps, lighter flow, etc) and to see how your body "really" responds to that specific type pf pill.

As for the pill and backup method, I have always used both. And my bf at the time asked why, while a year later I found out that he was cheating on me. So... you the only one who can protect yourself.

As for HPV, yes it is spread by skin to skin contact. So foreplay can put someone at risk for tranmission. Condoms do help, but they don't cover ALL of the genitals.

Sorry for the long post but I work for the health dept as a sex ed teacher, so anytime there are question, I'll be happy to add input or answer :)

Of course you should use one. It prevents against many STDs effectively (when used properly) and minimises HPV is what I think she was saying. Just as one should really use a dental dam when performing oral sex (on a woman).
Hopefully Allie can let us know just how effective/ineffective a condom is in preventing HIV/Herpes being spread other than by uh, fluid exchange? (I.e skin to skin contact)

Damn . . . . Dental Dams. Does anyone actually use these things?

I mean going down on a girl is one of my fav things and I normally need less than a moments notice. Should I start carrying one around in my back pocket like some people carry CPR shields?

Might it not be dangerous (for the boy) to get her all worked up and exctied and say . . woah . . . I better run to walmart and get a dental dam lol?

Well we only have your word for it that you get women "worked up and excited" heh heh :p
Perhaps don't carry it where it can get pocket lint etc on it James. Think of hygiene. Your 3rd remark could apply to condoms too. Concern I'd have is that she might ask "what the hell is that" thus killing the mood? Being as not everyone is familiar with them.

HMMMM one of your favorite things. So James, when are you coming to New York City? ;) ;) ;)

aaah he's just sayin' that to get points. now me, I actually mean it :p < see :D

LOL. I am sure Decadence that there is more than enough women in the world that might like oral sex for us both to be doing it all day every day lol. No need to fight ;)

But there's only one Cream :->
 

Now where did I put those duelling pistols... ;).
just kidding!

Re: But there's only one Cream :->
 

:o :o :o You're so sweet. ;)

I was very comfortable with it - we were both virgins. However, he was worried, so we always used condoms too.

Dental dams? WTF? :confused:

Dental Dams

They're like a condom for oral sex on a woman. I'm scared of them, not going to lie.

My mom used a condom and the pill and ended up with me. My best friend was on the pill and now she has a beautiful baby boy. Be careful and remember that nothing is 100%! :)

See, this is why, after being married almost five years, we still use BOTH. I am *NOT* ready for kids yet!!! (There have been a few times that we've gone without, but it's usually sooooo much easier and cleaner to use condoms that it isn't much of an interruption.)

medically possible?!?!?!
 

ok here's the deal: one of my aunts said when she was pregnant with one of my cousins she had NO IDEA.. like totally symptom-less, monthly friend was still there, and she went to the doctor one time because of a stomach ache, and she found out she was like 2 months away from labor.

:eek: How is that possible?!!?

Scary.

It happens... trust me. Just because your period comes, doesn't mean you can't be pregnant. Some girls don't show when they are with child. Dunno why that happens, but I'd sure love to keep my body when I'm pregnant so I don't have to try to lose all that weight, either :D Anywho, my bf and I just rely on my patch (was on pills before that) and it works wonderfully. If it's close to time for my period, though, we'll use condoms just in case.

It obviously happens...I haven't had sex since April, but my doctor is still making me take a pregnancy test before she'll renew my pill subscription - even though I've had my period horribly 3 times since then, and have lost weight. Maybe you can get pregnant from kissing, because that's the only way I would be. :rolleyes:

LoL! When my mom first started dating (long time ago!) my grandma told my mom she could get pregnant from kissing boys. Scared my mom! LoL

Re: medically possible?!?!?!
 

My mom's friend was married and tried to get pregnant for many years in the 1960's. They didn't have the fertility drugs and procedures that they have now. After many years, they accepted that they couldn't have children and adopted. She had abdominal problems and went to the doctor. She was diagnosed with a tumor and went into surgery. The surgeon realized that she didn't have a tumor. She was pregnant. They stopped the surgery and she gave birth to a healthy baby a few months later. Weird. She was so happy. :)

dude, you guys are freaking me out with the "all these people I know got pregnant while they were on the pill" stories!

my question is, were they taking the pill exactly as prescribed at the same time every day? because that's the only way I know that the pill can backfire. I take mine within the same 15 minutes every morning. Do you think I'm okay?

The scary thing is that the hormones in the Pill can cause birth defects if you take it while you're pregnant.

And you can spot during a pregnancy. That's why-- women think they're getting their period, but it's just spotting.

I got my period regularly as scheduled when I was 2-3 weeks pregnant, or at least I thought I did! It was very light but I had cramps and all the works. i suspected otherwise a week or 2 later. I just knew something was up!:)

My aunt wasn't on the pill at the time, her & her husband wanted to have children, so it all turned out for the best! It just freaked me out how she didn't even have the slightest clue until 2 months before she was due.

I usually take mine within the same 15-20 everyday too.